Mary D.
Yelp
We had reservations for 5:15 on a Thursday and were politely told we had to be finished by 7:30 for another party. Maybe it was because we were not as well dressed as other patrons, or had our backpacks with us from walking around the city all day, or because we are from south of the (Canadian) border, but our reception seemed to be slightly chillier than the two walk-in parties in front of us.
The service was decent, the food fantastic. The server did work to upsell us on our drinks, which is clearly where they make most of their money. They were great, but for $20 each, I expected to be blown away. Mine came in a clunky metal container in the shape of an owl that was difficult to lift off the table due to the condensation creating a seal with the table. But it was tasty.
The bread and butter was brought to the table after our appetizer, but was really delicious. And the appetizer board, shared among 4 of us, included a melange of flavors: steak tartar, crab cake (the highlight), a small but tasty salad with black garlic mayonnaise, a giant shrimp, some toasted French bread rounds, and a mushroom sauce. We all ordered different entrees: flank steak (with gravy, an odd choice), vegetarian ravioli with wild mushrooms, Guinea fowl with the same ravioli, and seafood casserole (the best meal of the four, in our opinion). The flavors were wonderful.
But... for the price we expected a little bit more. Or maybe less. A little less salt, a little less oil/butter, and no grit in the truffles (which I left for my last few bites, since it was expected to be such a treat, but instead I had to contend with crunchy sand in my teeth, which was a disappointment).
I know we paid for the location overlooking the St Lawrence River, and in the famous and opulent Château de Frontenac, and bragging rights, but next time we are in Quebec we will choose to spend our time and money in less fancy places.