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Bocata
Category: Restaurants Modern European Modern European [Edit]
310 Rue St Paul OMontréal, QC H2Y 2A3
(514) 507-8727
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- 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
- Has TV:
- No
14 reviews for Bocata
14 reviews in English
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Review from Monique T.
2/5/2012
Had a truly wonderful meal here, though a few things must be mentioned. They seem to have 2 main seatings for dinner, which means that you either eat a little earlier or later than you might wish. Our choices were 6:30 or 9:30. On the positive side, they did not rush us in any way, so we were able to spend a leisurely 2.5 hours over dinner, which was nice.
The wine choices are extensive, and although we weren't familiar with the bottles they had, they were very knowledgeable and our server (possibly the owner?) seemed to really be interested in finding something that we would enjoy in our price range. In the end we were happy with the selection, but make no mistake: wine here is not cheap. If you go by the glass they have two sizes: small and smaller (2.5 and 5 oz glasses, which will run you about $7-9 for the small and $11-14 for the larger. It's definitely worth getting a bottle.
The plates, served tapas style, are truly small, and are definitely pricier than what you would expect from tapas restaurants, but saying that, everything we had was fantastic. We had the iberian ham over garlicky bread (outstanding in taste but a very small portion), cured salmon (better size and equally tasty), mountain and sea (lobster meat set atop possibly the best short ribs I have ever tasted), seared scallops with red cabbage (gorgeous) and the chocolate bread pudding with Carmel sauce (I was depressed when the plate was empty!!). These five dishes were enough for two of us; we were pleasantly full but not stuffed. Hungry diners might need another dish or two.
Atmosphere was very cosy and romantic, and there were a mixture of couples and parties of six or so. Service was efficient but not intrusive.
I would definitely return and recommend Bocata, but it isn't cheap so be prepared. -
Review from Gregory S.
Montréal, QC
2/12/2012
Went to dinner here with a few friends. It was a last minute decision at 6 pm on the day of and we called and were able to get a reservation for 9.30 pm.
As others have said, it is a very small space, but can be considered cozy and on a very cold night in Montreal a perfect place to grab some tapas. The plates are really good, especially the chorizo grilled cheese, which we had 5 of them. Also, the grouper was really really good. However, my only complaint is that for the price you should get a little bit more than what is provided.
So if you are hungry, order a lot of plates.
The service was very attentive and not too intrusive.
I wanted to try the lobster and short ribs, but alas they were out by the time we were there...looks like I need to go back. -
Review from Alexandra S.
Updated - 4/23/2012
Someone asked, so here's an update: from what I remember, the beers they offer were from L'Alchemist brewery. They had the Bock and a blonde.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/16/2012
We walked in here around 8pm on a Saturday evening with no reservation. The host moved around a… Read more »
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Review from Lizzy H.
Howick, QC
5/3/2012
Most amazing meal ever! The concept is perfect for a group of friends or an intimate dinner with a loved one. The plates are a bigger version of tapas and the wine is to die for! My favourite was the scallops they were amazing! Definitely the place to go in Old Montreal!
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Review from Paula A.
10/24/2011 1 Check-in Here
On our recent trip to Montreal, we ate A LOT, this was the only place we went back to twice.
The setting: very cool, its small, but you sort of feel like you're in an old European castle. one mild night we sat at the windows which open directly to the sidewalk, its on a quiet little street & was very nice. the dim/dark lighting adds to the ambiance.
The food & drinks: we started with a combo of charcuterie & cheese, really good! our favorite item on the menu was the veal & manchego, the veal was cooked perfectly, the cheese was melty & it had a hint of something sweet, really good. we also did the short ribs, foie gras & a few specials. they had a nice selection of wines by the glass. the chocolate bread pudding with caramelized bananas & caramel was phenomenal!!!
final thoughts: the service was great, if you're really hungry you'll have to order a bunch of small plates as the portions are small, but i highly recommend this place for date night.Listed in: O' Canada....
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Review from Matthew T.
7/30/2011 3 photos
One of our best meals in Montreal was at Bocata. This hole in the wall place, which is a bit dark and warm in summer, served up some creative and interesting food. Plus, the service was nice and some great wine was to be had.
As one of the other reviewers pointed out it is best to approach Bocata knowing what you are getting into, which I agree with. They do serve wine in two sizes by the glass and the prices are a bit high, but get a bottle! Tell the sommelier what you like, and he'll recommend a bottle. This is what we did and got a lovely spanish wine that we hand't had before and now I'm dying to find. Our server was very nice, informative, pleasant and just plain did a good job.
The food is served tapas style, small plates, but are a bit different than traditional spanish tapas. No patatas Brava for example, but don't let that stop you, there is some good flavors and creativity here. We started with some Iberian Negra ham, a real pleasure and hard to get in the states so this was a good treat. The bread served with it was out of sight. We also had the heirloom tomato salad. Fresh and amazing flavors. Not too heavy and the flavor of the ingredient really showed through.
After that we had the beef cheeks, the halibut & mushroom duxelle, and and the veal with manchego. The beef cheeks were tender, amazing complex flavors and the roasted shallots were a nice counter point. The halibut was one of the best things I've had in a long time and probably one of the reasons I'm giving them 5 stars. The fish was cooked perfectly, the mushrooms Devine and earthy, and the broth it was served in was a bit of genius and worked so well with the flavors. The veal, well the veal was a disappointment. The meat was cook properly and fine, but the polenta was not what I think of as creamy polenta and the manchego's flavor was lost in the polenta. This dish needed some work or maybe my expectations were too high because of what came before.
5 dishes was more than enough for dinner for two. I would rather have 2 or 3 bites of something amazing than a whole plate of one thing, so Bocata fits the bill for me. Can't wait to come back and eat there again.Listed in: Montreal '11
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Review from Shelley G.
9/9/2011
The rustic, cozy charm of Bocata comes mostly from an exposed stone wall from the 1700s (or so I was told). My only decor complaint was the plastic prosciutto leg hanging over the bar. Why do restaurants do that???
Everything I tried was excellent, but the dishes ARE small. The scallops were crispy on the outside, tender inside. And the oysters were sooooo clean and mellow. Even one of my dining companions who doesn't like oysters devoured her share. The foie gras was unctuous. My only complaint was that there wasn't enough! And the salmon tare tare had a lovely, but not overpowering, sprinkling of fresh dill.
While I didn't flip through the wine list, I saw it from across the table and it was a friggin novel. I'm glad I wasn't in charge of picking!
I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for carefully prepared, high-quality food. If you want quantity, head elsewhere. -
Review from Lesley T.
7/28/2011
Bocata has a eclectic, funky decor and a cozy, dark, cavernous vibe. More importantly, they have a good wine list (creatively pasted in the pages of an old book) and a pretty decent by-the-glass wine selection. You can order a half or a full glass, which is fun because you can try more that way. If you ask nicely, they might even give you a tasting sample to try before you commit. The per glass prices are a little steep, but pretty on par for the neighbourhood (Old Montreal).
They also do some really tasty tapas-sized dishes. The salmon tartare is refreshingly innovative, the oysters are fresh, and there's usually some dish involving lobster. They also occasionally hold special tasting events (for example, a tasting menu paired with Spanish wines, wines from Jura, sherry, etc.). Although it is technically a wine bar, they do seem to expect you to order food, and I would recommend going for a light meal or snack rather than just for drinks. It's a small space, so reservations are recommended to avoid disappointment. -
Review from Tara F.
Montréal, QC
8/15/2011
This wine bar is pretty discreet - there's no sign on the door and the greystone building could be anything.
Once inside though, everything chages. The candle-lit old-European ambiance is ideal for enjoying great wines and impressive tapas-style dishes.
Prices are reasonable for the high quality, and the extensive wine list arrives in the form of bible-sized book.
The Rococo-inspired coziness is ideal for wintertime. -
Review from Numa P.
Montréal, QC
7/2/2011
Be aware of the concept before you rejoice about the prices - $14 for such appealing dishes does sound like a bargain. This small restaurant will serve you small plates and not actual dishes. I thought the Old Port was facing some severe disinflation effects for a second. Hungry stomachs should aim for at least three dishes.
Within a brick-designed interior, filled with trendy and wannabe uptight crowd, the menu reveals some pretty interesting dishes. I had some pretty good oysters and duck salad. Additionally, their signature meat style will literally melt in your mouth. I wish I tried their Carbonara homemade gnocchi (which aren't named gnocchi and not potato-based). Moreover, their Pear Sorbet is appreciable and their by-the-glass wine list is quite diverse (Oregon, France, Ontario).
And here comes another trick by the way: you can get half-glasses of wine for $9. Despite their very stylish wine bar, I am quite reluctant to pay almost $20 for a sizable glass of decent wine.
Despite a tasteful experience, I have mixed feelings regarding the service. Surely not pretentious as the environment might suggest, but not really careful and diligent . The food presentation is not appealing and the waiters will actually bring all of your plates at the same time thus encumbering your space. Friendly overall, however.
Bocata is still a recent place and has quite some potential but simple details do go amiss. Too bad there is not a 3.5 stars rating available though.
To enjoy for a late diner if you are not too hungry. -
Review from Matt R.
Montréal, QC
11/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great atmosphere. Wine prices are a little high but worth the great food and great service. American friendly. Small place so make a reservation.
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Review from Nicole L.
7/18/2011
After taking in our options in vieux Montreal, my husband and I chose Bocato to eat a very late meal. Though it was 10:00 pm, all but two tables at this quaint restaurant were taken. Our server was delightful. The atmosphere was picture perfect...almost like a movie set...too good to be true but it was! They offer something like tapas...the plates are slightly larger. We ordered four items plus a mixed drink for him and a glass of pinot noir pour moi. We began with a rare Spanish charcuterie...some kind of pig that was only fed acorns its whole life. Two of the pig's friends' legs were hanging just over the bar! Wow! What a unique flavor. There is nothing to compare. Next we had an arugula salad with smoked duck. To die for. Lastly, we were served braised beef cheek with caramelized onions and the lightest mashed pots followed by a pasta dish that was like the goddess of mac n cheese. All plates were beautifully presented. Everything everything everything made this the hands down best meal I have ever had!
Also, they were playing the most excellent mix of indie and adult contemporary music. -
Review from Mike O.
7/3/2011
The concierge at Hotel Gault recommended Bocata, and I'm glad he did--I don't think I would have tried it given the lack of Yelp coverage. We had a great experience: relaxed, intimate room, friendly service, and a great sommelier who imports small-batch wines from France. The portions are between tapas and a regular entree. My wife and I split five between us, and were happy. The oysters were fantastic, as was the Halibut and heirloom tomato salad. The short rib and filet, and the carbonara were very good. Highly recommended.
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Review from Mary P.
10/4/2011
We tried at the last minute to get a reservation and they were accommodating to get us in. For our dinner, we started with the cheese plate, entrees were the halibut (which my husband said was the best he has ever had) and the cavatelli, and the chocolate bread pudding for dessert. All were very good. There also is a selection of unique house drinks. Very friendly staff and good service. The tables are a bit crowded, so no private conversations, but that was fine with us. The one improvement would be to offer just one or two lighter entrees.
