- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Ferreira Cafe
Category: Restaurants Portuguese Portuguese [Edit]
1446, Rue PeelMontreal, QC H3A 1S8
(514) 848-0988
- Hours:
Mon-Wed, Sun 5:30 pm - 11 pm
Thu-Sat 5:30 pm - 12 am
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
42 reviews for Ferreira Cafe
Review Highlights
"delicious, gives the black cod at Nobu a real test."
(in 11 reviews)
"I ordered the porcini crusted black cod."
(in 6 reviews)
"...4 roasted sardines topped with fleur de sel seated on an..."
(in 3 reviews)
Loading...
42 reviews in English
-
Review from Valerie G.
Montréal, QC
12/4/2011
This is by far one of the best overall restaurants in Montreal. I have been going here for well over 10 years. It never disappoints, the decor is welcoming, warm, with an understated sophistication. The staff is always great at guiding you through the menu and making great suggestions,r always there when you need them and have been well trained in the art of anticipating the needs of their guests. The sommelier Victor is my go to person, every time we go we love to say hello and let him choose the perfect wine. I have been there many times with various friends, each with their own expectations and everyone without fail has come away happy to have discovered this gem. Some of the standout dishes are the Quail, the sardines and anything from the sea. The menu changes regularly as per the seasons and they usually have a great specials menu, the cost is on the upper range but definatly well worth the price, the wines are as varied in cost but with Victors guidance you can usually find something in your budget.
Older post from my blog:
Ok this one has been tooted as one of the top 10 Portuguese restaurants in North America...it is said that people fly into Montreal all the time just to have supper here. They have an alltimehandsdownfavorite dish ....Grilled Sardines!! We recently tried there mixed seafood plate and got kudos all the way around...it can be pricey and a reservation should be made but if you feel like adventure....go for it. Adding the beef cheeks, new to the 2006 menu just because it is really good so if you have a non seafood eater in the group...tell them not to fear -
Review from Anni L.
11/18/2011
I went to this place for lunch with some business colleagues.
The ambiance of this place is very mediterranean and cosy. we had to try to fit 6 people at a 5 person table. Price is on the higher end. The fish here is superbly delicious. Perfect place to take business clients. Reservations recommended. i would definitely go back. -
Review from Anna L.
10/9/2011
I really enjoyed the boullabaisse!!! It was a huge pot with tasty broth filled with seafood. It could've totally been shared and I felt like an idiot ordering it for just me? My husband had the seafood rice casserole.. also very tasty and something that could've been shared vs. a single order.
The other couple each got the alaskan cod dish which looked amazing and they were very happy with it.
I definitely recommend this place and would return to try other dishes. -
Review from Stan J.
Montréal, QC
1/19/2012
Reason for such a low score is because of the unbelievably snobby and pretentious attitude. Bad service can break a restaurant and the hostess is the first person to greet you, setting the stage for your evening. When that fails, the entire evening is just not pleasant.
Pros:
The waiting staff (not the hostess) was friendly
The food wasn't disappointing. I had the cod, it was quite tasty, I'd recommend it if you go.
The atmosphere 'seemed' nice (more on that later)
Cons:
The one item on the menu that I fell in love with wasn't even prepared at that restaurant, which I believe were the natas.
Upon entering the restaurant, the hostess gave us a very obvious 'up-down' look, didn't say a word to us and took us to the back of the restaurant, 'tossed' our menus on the table and walked away. Very insulting and ruined the evening. We almost walked out.
Terrible hostess!
To conclude....I have no intention of ever going back and can't recommend this restaurant to anyone. -
Review from Robert S.
12/18/2011
2 words - Black Cod - enter, sit, order it and be prepared to be blown away. That's all I am going to say besides everything else is excellent; menu, service, and decor.
-
Review from Scott S.
11/19/2011
We didn't have reservation so ate at the bar with business partner on a Friday night. Reservations are needed for tables. Bar is set up for dinner service with plenty of room. Very good dinner and house wine from owner's vineyard in Portugal. I had Caldo Verde (Portuguese soup) and Codfish in tomatoes. Both were great. Priced similar to other downtown Montreal resturants.
They also own Cafe Vasco de Gama a few doors up on Peel. Another great breakfast/lunch/coffee stop. I will go back to both Ferreira and Vasco de Gama. -
Review from annie t.
9/11/2011
Came here hoping for a nice break from our usual French/American dining. The 10pm dinner menu (set for $24) looked very appealing. We arrived around 9:45p. Our waitress, after seating us down, did not bother coming back to our table until it was past 10pm. No water. Nothing. She kept serving all the other clients except us.
Another thing I disliked was the decor. Since it is a huge place, the modern decor felt very impersonal. The fuchsia light gave it a clubby feel. Plus the AC was on blast! At the end I couldn't wait to leave.
On to food. I ordered the grilled calamari, which was kind of bland. My black cod topped with very thin french fries was delicious. I didn't appreciate the black olive in the bottom. My fiance loved his organic chicken though it came with few veggies.
All and all, Ferreira did not meet the romantic & intimate vibe I was expecting. I would recommend to still try their signature dishes. -
Review from Zach E.
Montréal, QC
12/16/2011
I love this place. Their Tuna is amazing, one of the best I've had in my life. It is cooked properly and unfortunately, it is so good that I have a hard time trying something else on the menu. Their house wine is great, we were told if what from the owner's vineyard.
-
Review from NY U.
9/11/2011
Oh my! I loved loved foods here. Unlike some of the reviews below, three of girls had a fabulous time here at Ferreira.
We got an undivided attention from our waiter (his name slips my mind...but he was a hottie for sure!). What I loved about him is that he had a very strong sense of what is good and he didn't hesitate to let us know what will be best for us. And I loved him for his honesty!
Ambiance was laid back, chill. Pretty older crowd for us three girls but we didn't mind since we are quite old souls. =)
we ordered lots of seafood from appetizer to entree and they were exquisite. sea bass practically melted on our mouths. portions were very generous in general.
hopefully i get to revisit montreal sometime in future. if i do, i will definitely come to this place again! -
Review from Erin and Ryan T.
6/13/2011
I came in on a Sunday (with a reservation) during Grand Prix weekend not knowing more than a few phrases in French, and was greeted with friendly faces in red dresses who happily showed me to my seat and offered recommendations upon request.
The porcini-crusted cod is as wonderful as others say it is, but perhaps even more fantastic was the octopus "salad" that had no greens, but hummus, red onions, shallots and capers instead. At the end of the night, it was a fig cake & sweet potato ice cream that was so delicious, I just had to order a coffee to sip while I soaked up the atmosphere. -
Review from Nadia B.
7/26/2011
I desparately wanted to love this place, after recommendations from the hotel, a bunch of website, open table and yelp...
unfortunately, my husband's fresh fish of the day (Halibut).. lacked flavor (even basic salt) and the oomph we hoped to find at a top-rated expensive restaurant.
We went here for our third anniversary-- and although my cod with porcini was tasty, it was nothing spectacular.
Calimari was also very basic-- but I dont think there is anything you could really do with calamari-- however, I would like to comment that it was not overly chewy and very fresh....
Our service was impeccable and the the ambiance is delightful... BUT, I dont think I would be back, and if you are into picking a place for its great "look" and nice area, then go...
but dont expect an amazing culinary experience-- just a decent one...
because it was a good experience, just not the best. -
Review from Saveli K.
Montréal, QC
11/13/2011
Too expensive for over-salted fish and average service
-
Review from Jeff F.
4/7/2011
I cam in here a few weekends ago and was impressed. All I had were some apps - chourico, sardines and grilled calamari, but I can say that next time I'm in Montreal, I'm going to tear into this menu. Can't believe I left without trying the black cod or the octopus.
For the record, if you're used to Luso-American cuisine - this is not it. Don't get me wrong, it's excellent. But if you come here, expect Portuguese inspired, well thought-out dishes at a premium price point.
Recommended. -
Review from Jacqueline H.
9/4/2011
We walked in and ate at the bar after a day of shopping and walking around. The staff was so pleasant and helpful! I had the grilled octopus and that was a plentiful portion. Hit the spot. Simply prepared and they flavors just came through. My friend had the pork and mussels was so tasty. I could eat this dish over and over again! We loved the wine too so they let us buy some bottles to take with us.
-
Review from Jo W.
9/20/2011
waaaayyy overpriced - entrees avg about $40 each.
Pros- our entrees were great but we definitely would have been ok with 1/2 the portion size and 1/2 the price. The place offers a special 3-course $24 menu at 10pm but we got there just a tad too early to take advantage of it.
Cons- restaurant was very loud; tables are set so closely together that our waitress had a hard time checking on us; service was very slow and less attentive than what a restaurant of this repute should provide; restroom was dirty (again, for a restaurant of this caliber and how much we paid, I expect the entire package- great food, service, cleanliness and atmosphere); appetizer of grilled calamari was flavorful but overcooked/tough. -
Review from Frankie L.
Toronto, ON
Updated - 8/21/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Great vibe, great food. Shrimp main course Portuguese style was fab. Portugese style oysters were great. Bar seat was very enjoyable to watch busy but efficient operations. Veroni is the best host.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
7/25/2010
3rd trip to Ferreira. Just Excellent. Sat at the bar. Waiter was great. Food was super. Atmosphere… Read more »
-
-
Review from Chris H.
10/8/2010 1 Check-in Here
This is a must visit when in Montreal, but be sure to make a reservation as it books up quickly.
We were seated right away and right on time for our reservations. The wait staff was very attentive and made three or four good recommendations from the wine list. We went with a Portuguese red which was great, with a little spice/pepper kick.
Appetizer was the salmon tartar, served with toasted bread slices. Fabulous.
Main course. I had to have the house signature dish, the black cod with porcini mushroom port reduction sauce over a seafood melange. Unbelievable. Perfection. The best cod I have ever eaten by a mile. I want more now. Where can I get this in LA? Help me please!
Desert. Almond tart. Super tasty, fresh, great crust. with fresh berries on the side. Loved it mucho mucho.
Highly recommended. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in the big M. -
Review from Karin V.
8/5/2010 1 photo
The restaurant opens out onto the sidewalk under a cobalt blue awning and has a chic Mediterranean vibe. Unfortunately, the restaurant's host wasn't very personable, and the wait staff seemed scattered. At least I found the food to be enjoyable as it got progressively better with each dish...
Portuguese-style Oysters (cooked with chorizo, cheese, and tomato sauce) - I usually prefer oysters raw, but thought "When in Rome..." After trying the Portuguese-style oysters, I still think they are better raw. The toppings completely overwhelmed the oysters, and all I could taste was salty tomato sauce. The only way I could even tell there was an oyster in there was the slight oceany taste on the finish.
Fleur de Sel Roasted Sardines with Tapenade - nicely roasted, plump sardines with just the right amount of salt and olive oil. Simple and appetizing.
Porcini-crusted Roasted Black Cod on a Port Reduction and Mashed Potatoes - beautifully cooked piece of cod...perfectly even, super moist, and served at the right temperature. A feat given its enormous size. I expected an earthy flavor from the crust, but couldn't taste the porcini and thought the fish needed a tad more salt.
Grilled Giant Tiger Prawns with Tomato Risotto - I'm always a sucker for big, juicy prawns and these did not disappoint. I also loved the tangy tomato risotto. It was delightfully light and vibrant for a risotto. A fantastic pairing with the prawns.
Almond Tart with Port-poached Pears - the best part of the meal. This almond tart was AWESOME! I can't remember when I've had an almond tart *this* good. I loved the combination of the brittle crust with the warm, sweet almond filling and the ripe poached pears. The pear sorbet was also a welcome addition and a smooth palate cleanser. Since Ferreira Café boasts the largest collection of ports in North America, I had to get a glass with dessert. I can't remember the name of the port I had, but I recall being pleasantly surprised at how light it was and how well it complemented the almond tart.
While the seafood was good at Ferreira Café, I will forever remember it for its amazing almond tart!
**For pics of each course, visit my blog linked under my profie. Enjoy!**Listed in: Eat Your Way through Montreal
-
Review from Sophia L.
8/4/2010
It's a good, but it's not good enough for me to come back though. But, i only had an appetizer and an entree there, i might not be the judge to say that. This place seems to have a lot of loyal fans, it was packed on a Monday evening, and the bar tender seems to know a lot of customers.
i started with the sample platter that come with sausage, sardine, calamari, and quail. it's good, but not super tasty. For entree, i had roasted pork with clams. it's not bad. The portion is huge!! -
Review from tina y.
6/6/2011
My husband and I have visited montreal together twice now and both times we've eaten at ferreira cafe. The first time we went, my husband ordered their signature black cod and I ordered a tuna entree. Needless to say, his cod trumped my tuna (I don't remember the tuna that well now - it was lacking something I guess). The cod was so flavorful and moist. A few years later, when we visited ferreira cafe again, my husband ordered the cod again and I ordered the seafood bouillabaisse (my previous tuna dish was no longer on the menu - not surprising). The cod was again delicious but my seafood bouillabaisse was amazing! This was a classic seafood dish done right. The ingredients were fresh and the medley of fish, shellfish, vegetables and broth were sublime. The seafood was tender and the vegetables were cooked perfectly. The broth was the best part. It was rich in taste and complemented the ingredients so well. It's been a few months since I had that dish and I can still taste it.
The service was great both times. The sommelier picked a nice crisp white to go with both our dishes (I unfortunately can't remember the name). The hostess and the wait staff were attentive and nice. The ambiance provides low lighting for a romantic dinner. The space isn't too big so feels more intimate, but it can get a little too close for comfort when it's a friday or saturday night - their busiest nights - and you're almost sitting with the couple at the next table. But overall we love ferreira cafe. We'll definitely visit again on our next trip. -
Review from Cheryl B.
4/14/2009 1 photo
There are so many restaurants to choose from in this city!! So, where do you turn to if you aren't sure where to go....Yelp of course! The recommendations were stellar and we were not steered wrong!
Travel day to Montreal for work...and its my birthday away from home, but I'm happy to be with great friends. We make the trek up Rue Peel, luggage in tow - all up hill mind you. "Should only be about 4 blocks, oh ok only 2 more blocks, well it should be up this block. Oye, worn out from our hike our hunger was almost outta control.
We arrived and the hostess gladly handled our bags by putting them in coat check, swiftly got us seated and immediately we were asked about our beverage to start the evening. Not being familiar with their wine selection the sommelier Victor offered up a taste of a wonderful red Quinta Do Crasto '06.
History: Quinta do Crasto revolutionized Douro winemaking. From a traditional blend of touriga nacional, tinta roriz, touriga franca and the hearty tinta barroca comes a vibrant red with perfect cherry fruit, embellished with caraway, cedar, leather and fennel notes. Medium weight and juicy, with excellent length. Drink now or age five years. We drank it now and it was very good!!
The starter was 4 roasted sardines topped with fleur de sel seated on an olive tapenade and served with toasted bread. The sardine melted in your mouth, the salt and olive tapenade gave balance and seasoning and the bread provided the host for this tasty treat.
My entree was the Black Cod accompanied by a seafood risotto. Ok, I have never had such a well prepared dish that made me want to order seconds, thirds and a doggy bag! The fish was cooked to perfection and was topped with a nice parsley garlic puree The risotto was creamy with ample clams and mussels throughout. My friends had Cataplana fish and seafood bouillabaisse and seared tuna, smashed potatoes with foie gras --- considering there was no noise except for the constant humm of 3 happy diners I was fully confident their dishes were as good as mine.
Thankfully or regrettably there was a second round of bread brought to the table so we all were able to soak up our respective sauces and broth...needless to say no bread remained.
Dessert, like we needed it, included a coconut milk tapioca with pineapple marmalade (sooo smooth and creamy) and an order of Portugese vanilla tarts served with a scoop of the most intense coffee ice cream I've had.
This was a fabulous meal, outstanding service and a go to restaurant for me whenever I come back into the city! Thank you Victor for the introduction to a wonderful wine selection!! -
Review from Debbie P.
3/15/2010 1 photo
Be sure to make reservations otherwise you'll be sadly disappointed that they're book solid. I've been to Montreal twice and both times made sure I booked in advance.
During the warmer seasons they open the restaurant windows so try to snag a seat there as it's the best seat in the house or venture further back into the restaurant for a more intimate setting.
This is hands down the best Portuguese food I've ever had. Their cod and risotto is to die for. -
Review from Jerry W.
6/22/2011
We had a late lunch on Saturday afternoon during Formula 1 weekend. The service and food was fantastic on a very busy day when with a street festival going on out front. Our waiter was Philip, he didn't miss a beat. He made recommendations based on our questions. We were looking for a great wine to go with lunch, once again Philip nailed it, his recommendation was on the mark. He chose a bottle Douro. I travel 120 night a year and rate Ferreira as one of my all time favorites. Put it on your do not miss list the next time you travel to Montreal.
-
Review from Malissa L.
8/16/2008
http://www.ferreiracaf...
If you are lucky enough to score a seat at the bar for lunch, you are in for a treat. I believe that Jackie (i hope i remembered her name right!)should be complimented on her mixology skills that are a stellar as her personality. It was a show just watching her work the regular crowd as well as the few tourists who were privileged enough to be seated at her bar.
I tried to download their menu so I could tell you exactly what I sampled - it was lunch and I wanted to try a few things before having to trek home to Chicago. I remember a seared tuna bite and salad and oysters and wine. I'll update when my computer permits.
The restaurant was packed (weekday) with suits and still managed an exciting buzz that was infectious. Lunch was a celebration of life and a reminder to lift a glass, eat good food and always trust another chef's referral for lunch.
I have to rank this as spendy but worth every penny!
merci Chef Dave! -
Review from Mauricio B.
4/7/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great restaurant. Nice atmosphere, friendly service, and outstanding food. I had the risotto with lobster and mushrooms, and it was wonderful. The owner (Carlos) is at the restaurant and makes sure everything runs well.
-
Review from Tim Paul W.
5/17/2011 1 photo
Literally, as good as it gets. We got there early, so we might've gotten lucky, as it soon became packed! Service was impeccable and the food was phenomenal. Portuguese style grilled shrimp, was one of the most flavorful seafood dishes I've had in a while. The risotto was perfectly al dente and beautifully seasoned, the shrimp were marinated, grilled and served whole, with the shells removed except for the head and tail which removed easily. It also came with what was described as a salsa, which could also be described as a fresh chopped tomato, pepper relish-less saucy and more like a pico de gallo, but seasoned wonderfully. I also tried the Sardines which were fresh and grilled-very robust, as sardines are and served with a sundried tomato relish, which really rounded out the dish. Also tried the Salt Cod Braz style, which was agreed upon to be described as a hash, with a stunning presentation. It was very rich, but wonderful. The Grilled Angus reserve rib eye, truffle puree, red wine, was hands down, one of the best pieces of beef I've had in recent memory and the truffled mashed potatoes were delicious. It was also served with a bone full of marrow which we spread on some bread. For dessert, the Natas were a must have -small vanilla custard in pastry shells with a dusting of cinnamon, and were served with a small scoop of caramel ice cream. A perfect combination with the strong and satisfying Portuguese espresso. The wine list was all Portuguese wines, which we weren' familiar with, but our server who was spectacular, recommended a beautiful earthy red, and a nice dry glass of white. I apologize for not keeping track of the names.
A great experience in an amazing food mecca. A little pricey, but I will surely be back next time I'm in Montreal. -
Review from Christina m.
9/5/2011
Service was good but somewhat spotty. We had to ask for bread or refills. With that aside, I had the best seafood dish ever. I ordered the porcini crusted black cod. Amazing! We sat down right away considering it was a bustling Friday night. Glad we found this place.
-
Review from Adam F.
12/5/2010
Absolutely fantastic food. The black cod is amazing and the octopus was the best I have ever had. Firm but tender and delicately balanced with some nice acidity. The sardine appetizer was also delicious.
Everything we ordered was perfectly executed. With that comes fairly hefty pricing. Yelp has this place listed as $$$ but I definitely feel it is a $$$$ kind of place. The black cod entrée was $39. And unless you like salt cod (which I am sure is great here, but I am not a huge fan in general), most of the entrées are in the mid-to-high $30's. That being said, they could charge twice as much and it would be worth it. Truly an excellent restaurant. -
Review from Donna C.
8/25/2009
This place has a wonderful atmosphere and wonderful food. Ferreira has a certain buzz from the predominantly business casual crowd and the open kitchen near the back adds liveliness to the whole atmosphere.
The service was on par and the food was excellently prepared.
For appetizers, our group of 5 shared the sardines (only 4), the grilled calamari (excellent), and the crab cakes (very good). Everyone at the table was extremely pleased with their entrees and I especially enjoyed the special of the evening, sea bass with chanterelle mushrooms. For dessert, the grand finale and the mousse hit the spot. The raspberry sorbet accompanying the mousse was phenomenal!
I am not sure that any of the dishes were particularly Portuguese (with the exception of the chicken which was delicious) but a great experience as a whole. -
Review from David L.
3/19/2011
We just returned from a very disappointing dinner at Care Ferreira. We were visiting on business, and were very much looking forward to dinner at this restaurant on our last evening in Montreal -- billed as the best Portuguese food outside Portugal.
My wife had the squash soup with crab as a starter. It was watery and fishy, but OK. She ordered the fresh grilled sea bass, which came with different accompaniments than described. It was so salty it was barely edible. I skipped a starter and ordered the evening's surf and turf, a broiled half lobster and veal chop. The chop was excellent, but the lobster was dry and tasteless. Both were very salty. All-in-all, the food was mediocre at best.
The menu and the food came relatively quickly, but then the service deteriorated dramatically. We had to ask for bread, which appeared to be routinely served to other tables. The waiter never inquired about our food. After an eternity, he appeared from nowhere, and without a word brusquely grabbed our empty plates and disappeared again. He finally dropped desert menus on the table while running by. At this point, we were so disappointed in the food and the ever slower service that we decided to pass and asked for the check -- which took what seemed a lifetime to arrive and even longer to pay. Not once did the server ask if we enjoyed our meal (no!) or thank us for our patronage.
This was a very expensive meal -- around $150 for one glass of wine, one appetizer, and two entrees (admittedly, the surf and turf was expensive at $65). But I expected a lot more. -
Review from Tara L.
Toronto, ON
9/19/2010
Tuna with fries and Cod with Tomatoes and Onions - both fab. Great place. Visit everytime we are in Montreal. Love the decor!!!!
-
Review from Rejean L.
Longueuil, QC
3/7/2009
Great food, great service and by far the best Portugese restaurant in Montreal. Lunch is cheaper and I like their little attentions: one rainy day I went and when I was about to leave, they did not find my umbrella, so they gave me one of theirs (which was as nice as mine!).
I would recommend that you stay on the street leve if you want to see people and be seen and to go to their mezzanine if you want to be quiet and see their chefs doing their great work.
R. -
Review from John H.
7/6/2011
If you like cod both of the entrees are excellent. My wife had the 'Salted Cod Braz style' and I had the 'Porcini Crusted Roasted Black Cod, Port reduction'. I would also recommend the 'Fleur de sel roasted sardines filets on "brioche"' as an appetizer.
-
Review from charlene c.
4/21/2011
The food was excellent. We had the sampler platter of calamari, quail, sardines and chouriço to start, then porcini crusted cod and seabass as the main courses. They were all delicious except we had to wait 65 minutes from the time we ordered until the starter arrived. Apparently, something went wrong in the kitchen and the waiter informed us it would take longer casually without an apology. The wine was disappointing and overpriced. Because we had sat there for so long waiting for our food, we decided to leave after our main courses, walk around a bit and take a dessert somewhere else. The waiter responded with a tone of disbelief when we told him we would not have dessert. The food definitely deserves 5 stars, but factoring in the poor service and overpriced wine, I can only give this place a 3.
-
Review from Thanh H.
12/11/2008
first night in montreal and wow - what a meal...for starters we ordered grilled octopus, exquisite,
i opted for salad (mixed greens with lemon dressing - perfect!) and appetizer (tiger shrimp w/ginger aioli) as my main course. they brought it out on one plate which was very thoughtful.
my husband ordered the seafood rice dish (like a paella) and he thoroughly enjoyed the generous portion of mussels, 'meaty' lobster and scallops...
we also ordered a side of mushrooms and were pleasantly surprised that this was a mix of hearty mushrooms, (not the typical button that are 'dressed up').
i'd pass on the molten cake, i've had better. might've given this place 5 stars if we skipped dessert... -
Review from Rick C.
6/22/2010
Was able to get a table without a reservation. very lucky. Although seated in the back of the restaurant we were comfortable, and the service was great. Had the Porcini crusted roasted black cod, which our waiter said was their signature dish...delicious, gives the black cod at Nobu a real test. Started with their soft shell crab entree. delightful and finished with vanilla tarts with caramel ice cream...a 5 star dessert. Yes, this cafe could be the best Portuguese restaurant outside of Portugal!
-
Review from Jason D.
1/26/2009
Servers and managers everywhere: pay attention.
I've been on a long cold streak on making reasonable, but non-standard, requests and having them turned down.
After a good meal that I was prepared to rate a solid 4 stars, my companions and I ordered glasses of tawny port. There were three available by the glass: a 20-y/o Graham's, a 10-y/o Warre's, and an Offley Colheita (1995). We ordered the latter, and the server returned with the 20-year Graham's, explaining that they were out of the one we ordered. In fairness, I should mention that the Graham's was more $$$ on the menu than the Offley Colheita, and I think they were going to give it to us for the lower price. But we really wanted, at a Portuguese restaurant, something we don't see all over the place -- and that meant not Graham's and not Warre's. And we wanted a tawny, not a vintage. So we asked whether they might possibly be able to find some other bottle that they wouldn't mind opening up and giving us three glasses of.
The server said "let me check with my sommelier," and eventually came back with a different Colheita. And it was fantastic. And that's their fifth star, easily. Why does everywhere else have so much trouble with this?
I'm mortified at how small we wound up tipping -- with Canadians at a restaurant in Canada, maybe they're furious with their dumb American companion for giving a little bit more (can I get a straight answer on what is normal in Montreal these days please?) -- especially since the service was impeccable even before that, and since we didn't order very much.
So the food? Yeah, it was good, too, probably 4 stars. Black cod? Melts in your mouth -- and a bigger piece than you get in many places (way more than lemeac, for example). Seafood rice dish? The shellfish was amazing looking, and tons of it, but I tried the rice, and it was pretty boring. But a nice atmosphere, if you don't mind kinda loud music, an open kitchen that looked remarkably ordered and under control, no chaos at all, so probably very consistent with what they put out.
And the service was the best I've had in a long time. -
Review from Mike B.
8/11/2010
Excellent seafood! This was a recommendation from the hotel I stayed at on a business trip to Montreal. I had the black bass, which was grilled over purée squash and seasoned veggies. The atmosphere was fantastic, and the place was very busy, even on a Tuesday night.
-
Review from S L.
Outremont, QC
10/31/2009
4,5 years ago, this place used to be my favourite in Town. The food is not as good as it used to be and I miss the warmth of the old days. They are victim of their success: It has turned into a very pretentious restaurant that I have no choice but to unfortunately pass on. With better portuguese restaurants in Montreal with more interesting price/food quality value, Chez Ferrera is no more of interest.
-
Review from hilson s.
6/10/2010
The restaurant seemed expensive, but I figured it would be a treat and probably worth the money. The people were friendly if you looked like you had money. I was dress business casual, but I definitely got different service than the guy with the rolex next to me. I had the Roasted salted cod fish, onion and tomato. It came out without the tomato so I thought I got the wrong dish. The bar host looked at me like I was crazy then the waiter said he grabbed the plate before the kitchen was done dressing it. An how, it was pretty much just fish onion and tomato. Not anything order again at any price let alone $28 a plate. With wine and a salad I was out $50. I agree with the other low review that it's really not worth the price.
