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#1
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Toque! in Montreal Warning
Although I cannot provide enough details right now to justify this
admittedly big statement, my hopes is that someone might save $400 CAD on a potentially disasterous meal in the interim. I will post a follow up providing supporting details. From a recent experience (tonight), the food there is absolutely horrible. I feel like I have purchased a defective product, except there is no return policy. There is no warranty --- and there really is no fix, especially since I'm on vacation, except a complete refund, which I'm sure is out of the question. 1 Consider the gentleman, on the other side of the restaurant, who vomited about 2 courses into his dinner. Coincidental? Perhaps. 2 Consider that in the 2-3 hours we were there, there were no less than three tables complaining VISIBLY about the food. How many others(like us) didn't say anything at all? 3 How many restaurants serve (1), one, un, uno, etc 1x1 inch lamb ravioli as a course? It was in a 14-inch round bowl, sitting by itself in the center. Frommer's was the source for the bad recommendation. We've used his guides for years, and have found him reliable on so many different things, we had no qualms about trusting him here. His long, glowing review listed this restaurant as the "Best Restaurant, PERIOD" in ISBN 0764541242(Montreal and Quebec City 2004). Nothing could be further from the truth. The restaurant has moved(new owners? chef? management? I dont know.) and is now located at 900 Jean-Paul Riopelle in Vieux Montreal. If this is the same restaurant, Frommer's recommendation borders on the criminal. I have to admit, the service was generally impeccable, and as I told my wife (as I was tipping heavy) it's not the poor waitstaff's fault that the food is bad. I'm convinced that this CANNOT be an isolated evening. If you have a similar experience, I would love to hear it. Email addr in news header should be valid or ) removing the capitals. As mentioned, I'll provide additional support as time allows. Thanks. Keith M Pittsburgh |
#2
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Toque! in Montreal Warning
While I can't comment about "Toque!" in Montreal, my general
rule is to check the local newspapers especially the weekly alternative papers (Village Voice, Chicago Reader, Portland Mercury or Willamette Week, eYe on Toronto, the Montreal Mirror, SF Weekly) and see what the locals like. I lived in Chicago nearly a decade but never ate at Charlie Trotter's. But I've heard enough that I could be convinced too ... and the gang at chi.eats can give you tips on hyped places to avoid. Do likewise for future destinations ... gld |
#3
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Toque! in Montreal Warning
I like this post, and I think we need more info on these types of
places. All though not in old town, I like a place called Nichols off of Catherine Street. Montreal is usually famous for their good restaurants. |
#4
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Toque! in Montreal Warning
Depending on what you're looking for....if you happen to be looking for
something fairly fast and a local favorite in Montreal . Smoked Meat is it..(speaking from experience as a former Montrealer).....out of a multitude of restaurants that offer Smoked meat, there are two that are tops, by far... Schwartz's at 3895 St. Lawrence Blvd. and Dunn's 1219 Phillips Square 514-393-3866 "Keith M" wrote in message om... Although I cannot provide enough details right now to justify this admittedly big statement, my hopes is that someone might save $400 CAD on a potentially disasterous meal in the interim. I will post a follow up providing supporting details. From a recent experience (tonight), the food there is absolutely horrible. I feel like I have purchased a defective product, except there is no return policy. There is no warranty --- and there really is no fix, especially since I'm on vacation, except a complete refund, which I'm sure is out of the question. 1 Consider the gentleman, on the other side of the restaurant, who vomited about 2 courses into his dinner. Coincidental? Perhaps. 2 Consider that in the 2-3 hours we were there, there were no less than three tables complaining VISIBLY about the food. How many others(like us) didn't say anything at all? 3 How many restaurants serve (1), one, un, uno, etc 1x1 inch lamb ravioli as a course? It was in a 14-inch round bowl, sitting by itself in the center. Frommer's was the source for the bad recommendation. We've used his guides for years, and have found him reliable on so many different things, we had no qualms about trusting him here. His long, glowing review listed this restaurant as the "Best Restaurant, PERIOD" in ISBN 0764541242(Montreal and Quebec City 2004). Nothing could be further from the truth. The restaurant has moved(new owners? chef? management? I dont know.) and is now located at 900 Jean-Paul Riopelle in Vieux Montreal. If this is the same restaurant, Frommer's recommendation borders on the criminal. I have to admit, the service was generally impeccable, and as I told my wife (as I was tipping heavy) it's not the poor waitstaff's fault that the food is bad. I'm convinced that this CANNOT be an isolated evening. If you have a similar experience, I would love to hear it. Email addr in news header should be valid or ) removing the capitals. As mentioned, I'll provide additional support as time allows. Thanks. Keith M Pittsburgh |
#5
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Toque! in Montreal Warning
Keith M wrote: Although I cannot provide enough details right now to justify this admittedly big statement, my hopes is that someone might save $400 CAD on a potentially disasterous meal in the interim. I will post a follow up providing supporting details. From a recent experience (tonight), the food there is absolutely horrible. I feel like I have purchased a defective product, except there is no return policy. There is no warranty --- and there really is no fix, especially since I'm on vacation, except a complete refund, which I'm sure is out of the question. 1 Consider the gentleman, on the other side of the restaurant, who vomited about 2 courses into his dinner. Coincidental? Perhaps. 2 Consider that in the 2-3 hours we were there, there were no less than three tables complaining VISIBLY about the food. How many others(like us) didn't say anything at all? 3 How many restaurants serve (1), one, un, uno, etc 1x1 inch lamb ravioli as a course? It was in a 14-inch round bowl, sitting by itself in the center. Frommer's was the source for the bad recommendation. I am sorry to hear that you had such a bad experience in Montreal. Perhaps you should have stuck to some of the less expensive establishments in the city, and there are plenty to choose from. I find Montreal to have an extraordinary selection of modestly priced restaurants with great food. As far as dining goes, I think that Montreal offers the best bang for the buck, bar none. |
#6
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Toque! in Montreal Warning
Thats what I had at Nichols- smoked meat. When I asked the waitress what
kind of meat was it, she said she had no idea. Whatever it was, it was good. |
#7
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Toque! in Montreal Warning
very true
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#8
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Toque! in Montreal Warning
"Keith M" wrote in message om... Although I cannot provide enough details right now to justify this admittedly big statement, my hopes is that someone might save $400 CAD on a potentially disasterous meal in the interim. I will post a follow up providing supporting details. Yikes, sounds like a culinary disaster alright! I had read that Normand Laprise had moved Toque from its original Saint Denis Street location to the old city. It consistently receives stellar reviews from Montreal and international food writers and I have not noted similar accounts on "foodie websites" like eGullet. Rather than posting here or perhaps more appropriately, in addition to posting here I would suggest you email the restaurant. If it was as bad as you describe, management should be made aware of this. Bob Macdonald Edmonton, AB |
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