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| - We had high hopes for this place, which had been on our to-try list for years, on many visits to Montreal. We finally got around to it on this visit, walking in without a reservation on a Friday night to find there was lots of room. Was this a bad sign, given that its Duluth neighbours Au Pied de Cochon and Khyber Pass were fully booked? We were about to find out.
La Colombe offers a short prix fixe menu with BYO wine. There are some extra app choices and some premium mains and desserts, but otherwise, you get soup, one of two apps, one of about six mains and one of two desserts for $45.
The vegetable soup: disappointing. Just not enough of a flavour profile. Come on, chef, work a little harder! Break out the truffle oil or something! I can make better at home.
Apps: buffalo mozzarella salad: disappointing again. The fancy mozzarella had barely any taste, the whole thing was aggressively average. And the venison terrine? Might have been better if it hadn't been served on a soggy pappadum. Huh?
The mains were better - and elevated my rating from 2 stars to 3. The magret de canard perfectly cooked, in a lovely port and fig sauce; the lamb shank equally good. The accompaniments: perfect haricots verts and parsnips purée - nice, but exactly the same for both dishes.
And finally, dessert. Tarte au citron, and chocolate fondant with espresso ice cream, the latter a $7 premium. Both delicious, not too sweet, and a perfect combination to share.
Service was friendly, but unspectacular. The room looks a little tired - needs an update.
Looks like La Colombe is a bit past its heyday. Too bad. We feel no need to go back.
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