


7

"I came away with a tepid impression of Battuto in Quebec City: despite winning enRoute’s Best New Restaurant in Canada in 2017 and its reputation, it didn’t meet expectations. Appetizers impressed — perfectly crispy arancini, scallop crudos and an oven-baked polenta stood out — but there were too many disappointments for the lofty billing: Bellinis fell flat, the dining room’s sound level and temperature were both uncomfortably high, the carbonara casarecce was drowned in sauce and far too salty, and the ravioli with celeriac, mascarpone and rosemary didn’t live up to expectations. I left with a two-and-a-half-star impression. Battuto does stand out for a minimalist, refined take on Italian cuisine: young, dynamic owners Guillaume St-Pierre, Paul Croteau and Pascal Bussières pursue a neo-bistro approach, making bread, pasta and sauces from scratch daily; reservations are mandatory most of the year, with drop-ins accepted only for the summer patio." - Tim Forster