I'm only giving La Banquise 2 stars instead of 1 because (A) I can tell it's an institution and I respect that and (B) it's entirely possible that I ordered poorly, which resulted in my lack-luster meal.
I came to Montreal specifically to have a solid meal of real Canadian poutine (I know Quebec City is supposed to have better poutine, but it's February and I'm not about that penguin life, ok?) La Banquise is cited by pretty much everyone as THE place to try poutine in Montreal. So off I went, stomach rumbling.
What a let-down. There's a line out the door that, while somewhat fast-moving, is jumbled and stressful. The menu is overwhelming, but I settled on the T-rex (poutine topped with ground beef, hot dogs, bacon, and some kind of sausage). It came out looking incredible, but tasting like nothing. How can a pile of so many meats be bland? Honestly! I had to drown it in Tabasco just to feel like I was experiencing something. (That's a sad sentence.)
I paid and left, feeling extremely disappointed. Did I really fly all the way from New York City to have shitty poutine? They serve up better poutine at Harlem Public or Jacob's Pickles in Manhattan! Luckily, Montreal's poutine reputation was redeemed by the AMAZING bowl of goodness being served up at Le Saloon Bistro Bar in the Gay Village. Got my fat girl noms ON at that place.
But La Banquise... man... I'm sorry, but I don't get it.