Mark T.
Yelp
If you rather not read the dawn-of-time review, here is an under-50-word summary: Everything I had was a Masterclass in what dining and food should be. A case where I say: "Bring all your friends and order everything!" Six stars, three thumbs up, and someone call the Michelin guide, and the Bridgestone and Goodyear to boot.
I think we all have had that one college professor or school teacher who'd always find SOMETHING! You'd put into a project more effort than you thought possible. There were tears, sweat, hours of lost sleep, and more tears (hopefully not blood). You'd complete it and triumphantly present it. It was a crowning academic achievement. You thought so, the professor thought so, and so did the whole class, including people that don't even like you. You get back your grade, and it's 97.4%. Somewhere along the way, you transposed a syllable, which somehow costs 2.6%.
I am that professor when it comes to dining; I almost always find that "something." While Yelp doesn't operate on tenths of a percent, it is guaranteed to be mentioned somewhere in my gigantic review. Yet, this is one of those exceedingly rare cases where I have nothing resembling negative feedback or suggestions for improvement. Absolute and total perfection. I've not had a meal this phenomenal since visiting Girl & The Goat in Chicago eight months ago.
I had the opportunity to try (forgive me, I do not remember the full French names):
- Rum Mule
- Fennel
- Scallops
- Calamari
- Panna Cotta
Rum Mule: This drink had some bite and good booziness. I loved the gentle sweetness bestowed by the ginger and the mild tartness. A fantastic, refreshing cocktail I loved to savor.
Fennel: This was salad perfection! All of the veggies were at the peak of freshness and dressed perfectly. It had a beautiful blend of textures and flavors! It had loads of crispness from the greens and cashews and was nicely rounded by the berries and mandarin. Finally, the salad had something sweet and creamy, and I am 100% here for it. This is more colorful and flavorful than a photo can ever convey, and you should absolutely get it.
Scallops: I have a confession - as much as I love sushi, I am not the biggest seafood fan. However, these scallops were something else in the best possible way. I don't know what made me order these, but I am beyond glad I did. Unexpectedly, they are serviced cold, but it just works! They're marinated with something containing light salt and acid that fabulously compliments the scallops without overpowering them. Next, they are seasoned with something that adds a bit of crunch for an excellent contrast of textures.
Further, from somewhere in the dish is a divine sweetness and heat (that I think comes from somewhere other than the jalapeno rounds). Rounding out the plate are condiments of a terrific tomatillo salsa that adds a beautiful freshness. Finally, there is also a creamy condiment that works great with everything else. While it seems there is every flavor under the sun in these scallops, nothing overpowers anything else, and they work together like a precision-engineered machine.
Calamari: I started this dish by tasting the sauce on the edge of my spoon. I smiled from ear to ear as soon as it hit my taste buds (no hyperbole; I'm serious). It was warm and highly vibrant, and savory. Once the squid was all gone, I went at the sauce as if it were soup! The squid itself was cooked to perfection and not at all rubbery. The veggies are tasty and added tastefully. The marinated pearl onions added crunch and sweetness, and the greens added peppery notes. The veggies are also very lightly dressed, so they're not lying naked on the plate.
Panna Cotta: Like the rest of the plates, a fabulously assembled, stupendously elevated dish. The Panna Cotta itself is very creamy and flavorful. It is served with sherbet and what seems like orange Jell-O that work wonderfully together. They added sweet and tart flavors, contrasting textures, and even different temperatures. The Panna Cotta is rounded out with a sprinkle of granola and what I think are meringue chips (smaller versions of what some European-style cakes are topped with). These both add a gentle sweetness, some crunch, and even some earthy notes from the granola.
Vibe: Upscale, lively, and I'd even go so far as to call it intimate, yet not pretentious.
Service: The staff did an excellent job taking care of me. They were attentive, kind, and cheerful. The food came out fast, and the bar servers ensured I was happy.
Thus, an all-around fantabulous experience and I will happily return when I am in Montreal next time!