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Barroco Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Spanish Spanish [Edit]
312 St. Paul O.Old Montreal
Montréal, QC H2Y 2A3
(514) 544-5800
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Romantic
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
20 reviews for Barroco Restaurant
Review Highlights
-
"...decor is warm and inviting with stone walls and a fireplace." In 3 reviews -
"I tried the mediterranean branzini which I can't recommend..." In 2 reviews -
"Unbelievable dining experience all around." In 3 reviews
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19 reviews in English
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Review from Jenna M.
3/12/2012
It is rare that I ever eat a meal somewhere and then think about it afterwards. For weeks. For months. But, Barroco won my food heart and I have been wanting to go back ever since that day when I discovered the most delicious beef short-ribs this side of the world has to offer. If anyone tries to argue with me about this, I will challenge them to an arm wrestling contest.
Situated in Monty's famous and overly touristy Old Port, Barroco is a gem among all the other restaurants serving up old school French cuisine in dimly lit, romance infused atmospheres. While I didn't go on a date here, unless you consider a birthday party with five other girls a date (well, actually I would), it is without a doubt a choice place to take your partner(s) in crime. The ambiance is relaxing, the smells are enticing, and the interior design is warm with wooden floors and stone walls.
While I only ordered one magnificent dish, I got to taste five others and all were equally appealing, albeit pricey. So, if you fancy venturing into the Old Port, through the gauntlet of "J'adore Montreal" T-shirt shops and into Barroco, be prepared to bring your piggy bank filled with your monthly allowance. But, do yourself and your hot date a favour and remember this if nothing else: you get what you pay for. -
Review from Kathy D.
2/24/2012
We visited this restaurant on our last night in Old Montreal. It was highly recommended by the staff at our hotel. Aesthetically I can see why it was recommended for a romantic dinner, the setting is dark and cavernous looking with romantic lighting and decor. However the food was ehh, very overpriced, and the waitstaff was very pushy with the wine list.
We ordered:
Seafood Paella- Delicious only thing worth going to this restaurant for. We should have just ordered the paella for two.
Braised Short ribs- ehh I've had better, I didn't like the cilantro flavor.
Goat cheese salad- nothing special.
Risotto- not worth it, it was very soupy.
Chocolate layer dessert-not impressed
This restaurant is supposed to be a fusion of spanish and french cuisine, however the fusion doesn't seem to work in the palate. sorry, -
Review from Rannie B.
Montréal, QC
11/29/2011
Had a romantic dinner on a November Saturday night at Barroco.
Had no problem getting a reservation 3 days prior for a 7pm sitting (they also have a later sitting). They did however let us know at that time that :
a) we had to be out of there at 9h30 the latest and
b) that they would call us back to confirm on the said Saturday.
The restaurant is small (seats about 50) and they want to maximize their revenues given they can pack both sittings on this night.
The decor is warm and inviting with stone walls and a fireplace. The tables however are small and packed close together. The chairs are simple wood and very uncomfortable after a while. Ask for a booth table if you are 4 or more when reserving. This all makes for a noisy environment.
The service was nice but not very knowledgeable about the menu. The wait staff all wore jeans.
We had oysters and a cheese plate as appetizers that were all delicious. Tried the duck egg and scallop/morcilla entrees that were equally delicious.
The short beef ribs were good and plentiful but unremarkable. I had the meat market plate that was baby pork ribs on that particular night. This dish came with 2 tiny ribs on which the edible meat was the size of a quarter, a large scallop, some lentils and piece of leek. This dish was seriously overpriced at 39$. Taste was good but nothing special.
Aside from the two market plates the other dishes do not come with any sides. If you want any, it's extra (8$ to 12$) each.
The wine by the glass list is limited to 3 reds and 3 whites. I tried all 3 reds before selecting one and they ranged from awful to mediocre. Prices are also high compared to similar or better restaurants.
The pace of the service was very good except that we received our main plates at 9h15. It was somewhat irritating to feel rushed by looking at the folks who came at 9h25 for their table and were waiting less than 3 feet away (it's a small place remember). Hence we didn't have any dessert or coffee.
All in all a satisfactory meal in a nice decor. There are better places for the price in this city. -
Review from Greg S.
5/20/2012
Probably closer to 3.5 stars...but the price was too high
First, the ambience is very enjoyable...the place has a good vibe. The atmosphere is as others have described it - intimate, cozy, warm, a little loud and a little crowded if you are not in a booth.
The food was pretty good to very good - the short ribs were not as good as hyped. Perhaps it is something about people not getting short ribs very often that makes them think the ribs are better than they really are. My wife makes them often, slow cooks them and they are every bit as good as Baroccos. I had a bite of someone's seafood paella and it was very good to excellent. The amuse bouche that night was different - oyster and pate mix, liked it. The sides were okay and the appetizers were good. The servings are big and if you want to bring some home you will be able to do so.
Cocktails were good, although I was expecting more maple taste in their maple old fashioned (they use maple syrup in the cocktail). Others very much enjoyed their cocktails.
Service was great at the start but as the restaurant got busy was a little less attentive. The servers and bartender are all polite and entertaining; no one was stuffy or treated us english speaking Americans with any less respect than anyone else in the restaurant
I guess I was expecting more for the price. I know Montreal is expensive but for the 5 of us it was over $400 - too steep for what we got. Was it an enjoyable evening - yes. Was it worth the price - maybe, but would have rated them higher if it was more reasonable. -
Review from kenny p.
4/17/2012
Brilliant, the bartender Max is amazing. Order an old fashioned. The fish was stellar, the oysters were fantastic. I am a NYC restraunt snob and this place kills it. Highly recommended.
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Review from Raoul C.
8/19/2011 3 photos
After a disastrous situation with our accommodation in Montreal, it was clear that the girlfriend and I needed comfort. Soul-soothing. Seriously, anything to take our minds off the previous 12 hours of ridiculousness (think gross sheets, malfunctioning toilet, the works). Yelp to the rescue: dinner for two at Barroco.
We were seated at the bar, waited upon by Max the bartender, who quickly had our wine glasses filled and our orders sent to the kitchen. It can get dicey when trying to serve four unique parties at the same time, but Max handled it like a pro. The restaurant itself was gorgeous; intimate lighting, gold-framed mirrors, blackened brick walls made for a chic yet cozy feel, an ambiance perfected by few.
The Mediterranean Branzini was utter perfection - with a side of risotto (Max's recommendation), it was the perfect meal. I liked that the fish was slightly undercooked, giving it this awesome texture that's hard to describe. She had the home-made black pasta with mashed potatoes, which tasted like home.
Liking the place so much, we brought a few friends back for late-night drinks. Highlights were the maple Old Fashioned and the cucumber mojito. Apparently they make their own cranberry juice here, fresh crans/simple syrup mashed right before mixing. Will have to try that at home some time!
If you're looking for a fantastic dining experience, look no further. This place embodies the 5/5 rating. -
Review from Carol J.
8/14/2011 1 photo
Unbelievable dining experience all around! My coworker booked this place for a team dinner of 6. The decor is very uniquely different, a little bit of romance, Jazzy to funky, to vibrant. They also had a very different track of music that was playing from jazz to 80's rock to 90's hop.
Service was more than you can ask for. You can tell this is the place to be when your waiter is really enjoying what he's doing and is provide the best service to his customers. Waiter recommended Ripasso to my colleagues which I sampled and was very rich, full, and fruity.
I had the famous seafood paella and it did not disappoint. It was one of the best seafood dishes I've had. It came with really fresh crab, lobster, shrimp and scallop. We also ordered everything in the appetizer menus and they were all delicious. The bison tartar and heirloom tomato were the best. -
Review from Jared T.
2/12/2012
Fantastisch!
The perfect meal on a frosty night.
Everything from the dishware and decor to the cocktails and the cuisine itself was delectable.
We were pleasantly surprised by the wealth of vegetarian options. We had a winter green salad, followed by main courses of vegetarian lasagna and arctic char with a side of garlic rapini. The flavors complemented each other superbly.
We felt at home in the restaurant's intimate ambiance and our server was knowledgeable and very friendly. We took his suggestion for dessert and were surprised when he brought us a complimentary wine pairing to enjoy with it.
Overall, a great success and highly recommended. -
Review from John B.
9/7/2011
I was mildly concerned given the location on St. Paul. The menu certainly wasn't as ambitious as at our previous night's dinner spot, les 400 Coups. But good restaurants exist in tourist neighborhoods; and a simple, well-prepared menu is a great virtue, too.
Barroco turned out to be not as good as les 400 Coups. But that's not a fair barometer. Barroco was certainly better than I'd feared, and also certainly better than it needed to be.
Burrata came with a nice variety of ripe heirloom tomatoes. It wasn't laden down with oils and heavy dressing. A pleasant surprise, especially given that I hadn't intended to order it (sometimes things just come out of my mouth). The cheese was creamy, but not excessive.
The branzino (another unexpected order on my part) also turned out to be quite good. A little oily. And it did not require the valiant service of macadamia nuts. But again, very, very passable.
I also enjoyed panna cotta, partly because I am a dessert baby. It came with some sort of inscrutable minty green topping. But I cannot say that I was too disturbed by that. -
Review from S K.
8/22/2011
We chose Barroco for our splurge night dinner in Montreal. The restaurant is beautiful. Dimly lit, with candles everywhere. I especially loved the large, open windows which made it feel like we were dining outside.
We ordered the cranberry drinks, which were mixed to perfection. I tried the mediterranean branzini which I can't recommend highly enough. The fish was flavorful and topped with roasted nuts. I was starved so I ordered the risotto on the side. I'm glad I did, because the portion size was on the smaller side.
My date tried the lamb chops along with the mashed potatoes. Holy amazing! The food was so good, we finished each and every last morsel - which is wonderful, but sadly left no room for dessert. I did look through the dessert menu though, and it was to-die-for!
I'll be back here next time I visit Montreal! -
Review from Chris D.
Saint-Lambert, QC
3/19/2012
Ate there on Saturday, place is small but really nice. Food was great with certain things but I would avoid the arctic char.
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Review from Lori H.
9/17/2011
Love for this place started when we passed by the restaurant. Just the stone facade, the iron sign surround, and the greenery winding up and down the entry. Called for a reservation later that evening, and found the next love. The gentleman answering the phone was so pleasant, seemed actually happy to be working at this place. Only reservation was for 9:30, and we took it ! When we showed up for dinner, we were greeted by the happy person that answered the phone. All the rest of the staff was equally helpful, attentive and friendly. We were seated in a little alcove withe the stone wall on two sides. We had these elegant "royal" looking chairs and a boars head mounted above us to add to the fantastic ambiance.
Dinner came and every bite of each appetizer and main course was incredible. We both shared each others dishes, and every bite ended in an "mmmmmmmm". Actually a quiet dinner as we did little talking between bites, to savor the taste of each bite ! And then dessert followed in much the same fashion, but we were a bit overstuffed at this point.
I would highly recommend this place, and even make it my first stop on my next trip to Montreal ! -
Review from Jason B.
8/18/2010 2 photos
For our "fancy night out" dinner, we chose Barroco, at the recommendation of a helpful bartender nearby (and yes, we went back for lunch and tipped well to thank her).
The atmosphere of Barroco grabs you right off the bat. It's dark. Not "spooky, lurking figures in the shadows with cudgels" dark, but "appropriately dim and romantic, with candles in all the right places to illuminate just enough to see" dark. Our server was pleasant and accommodating, with plenty of suggestions, but in the end, I had to try the short ribs, and boy, was I happy with my selection.
On a trip where I enjoyed pretty much everything I put into my mouth, the short ribs at Barroco were probably up there at the top of the list. I grow ravenous e'en now as I recall their tender, moist and rich flavor and texture, and while the presentation was a bit slap-dash, I couldn't have really cared less. I've found a restaurant that competes with Stella for "best short ribs ever", and I don't care who knows it.
The lovely atmosphere, great food, and helpful waitstaff are all very positive recommendations - though it is a teeny bit more expensive than you might want it to be, as a treat for an out-of-town fancy dinner, Barroco is a great bet. -
Review from Russ M.
Ottawa, ON
12/30/2010
Tried this the other night, walked in and recognized it as the old Cobalt Club that we had been to a few years earlier. They have fixed it up nicely still maintaining the exposed stone and wood beams, quite a nice bar area, overall great ambience and feel about the place.
The meal itself was very good ! Bison tartar to start, heavy on the seasoning with a spanish flair about it but still very good. Both mains good as well, kitchen got a bit backed up so we had a bit of a wait but didn't really notice, its the sort of place that you don't feel like you need to be in a rush to eat. Waitress brought us a couple complimentary glasses of dessert wine to make up for the wait which was quite nice.
Overall great experience, highly recommend. -
Review from B. H.
9/5/2011
Delightful intimate space with superb service and delicious food to back it up.
Came here desiring a solid bowl of pasta and got that plus a to-die-for risotto starter and a spectacular vegetable terrine. Drinks were excellent, too (I was treated to a refreshing take on a Pimm's Cup).
Although we were without a reservation, we were accommodated with no hassle. Overall, visit this place! Go if you like low key, intimate settings where the focus is on the food first. -
Review from Jacob T.
2/23/2009
One of my favorite restaurants in Old Montreal.
Nestled in an old building with exposed beams and stone walls, you could easily miss this Old Montreal gem. When you step in, the restaurant is breathtaking with ornate European style. The bar glistens with a wall-length mirror behind. All the tables have candles and the art-work and decor are reminiscent of Old World Europe but have a hip slant. The bar is no doubt filled with 20-something hipsters.
The food is a mix of Spanish, French and Italian and there is something for everyone. The French onion soup oozes with melty-cheesy-goodness and is served piping hot. I had the Guisado de Polo, a stewed chicken dish with almonds and herbs that was tender and moist, with a side of grilled asparagus. I generally find asparagus mediocre, but not this time. I had an amazing caipirinha here too.
The only point of dissappointment i have for this place is the service, all-be-it polite, the waitstaff is a little ditsy and not the most put together.
Overall, this is a great and dining experience in Old Montreal that you shouldn't miss. -
Review from Michael G.
Toronto, ON
10/22/2011
I think this restaurant is exceptional. The food is interesting and so well thought out and prepared. The interior is charming, and beautifully lit. The service is excellent. What are you waiting for? GO!!!
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Review from Nick G.
8/10/2011
A recommended restaurant by a couple friends, we stopped in to celebrate our wedding. The cheese plate to start was excellent. Our appetizer was a tender grilled octupus salad. She had lobster in a flavorful curry sauce. My rib eye steak with chimichurri sauce met expectations. Wine list provides good variety. The music beautifully accented the ambience.
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Review from Peter B.
2/21/2011
This dinner was trip-making for us. From the moment we walked in, the service was attentive and perfect, including the manager taking our coats and the server being friendly and cool. The food was really excellent, and the cocktails were amazing - I've never had a gin and tonic with fresh sage, nor has my wife ever had a drink topped with a flaming guava rind - both tasted incredible. Really endearing vibe inside, with music curated by someone who knows what he's doing, and an atmosphere of young-ish urbanites enjoying a good meal in a stone-lined, candlelit room. Beamed ceilings, wood floors, stone walls, and a great bar made the ambience, but the food and the service exceeded our expectations. We loved it and told the Manager so on the way out. If you visit Montreal without booking your dinner at Barroco in advance, you are doing yourself a disservice. As the concierge at our hotel told us - in Montreal, there is nothing else like Barroco. We unfortunately learned this the hard way when we had to settle for another restaurant on our second night after finding out they were booked - would have loved to have gone twice in a row (it was that much fun), but alas, we are looking forward to going back.
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