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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

very true

"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