Iberian Peninsula

Critic: Chef Tavares’ Ibérica is a Perfectly Executed Affair | Eater Montreal

"With little more than a month since it opened, I admired the industrial‑chic handiwork of designer Zébulon Perron while sipping pleasingly bitter cocktails and taking in a long menu that ranges from charcuterie and conservas to paellas and grilled meats. Though a large selection could mean uneven quality, my evening progressed without a stumble: a “delicious” assortment of croquettes stood out alongside tapas like squid with lemon on cuttlefish ink and quail with candied onion that was “well lacquered and soft” with a smoky, slightly spicy taste. I found the paella and the Iberian pork—served with “dreamily creamy” mashed potatoes, broccolini and carrot—equally pleasing, and the sweet finish of churros and Catalan crème brûlée was satisfying, though the churros’ dulce de leche and chocolate sauce were a bit too dense for my liking. Overall the meal felt “perfectly executed,” with the only caveat being prices that some may find steep; my bill climbed because I kept wanting to try more." - JP Karwacki