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L'assommoir Notre Dame
Categories: Restaurants Sandwiches Restaurants Mediterranean Restaurants Tapas/Small Plates Sandwiches, Mediterranean, Tapas/Small Plates [Edit]
211 Notre Dame OuestMontréal, QC H2Y 1T3
(514) 272-0777
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11 am - 3 am
Sat-Sun 5 pm - 3 am
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Very Loud
- Ambience:
- Trendy
- Has TV:
- No
19 reviews for L'assommoir Notre Dame
15 reviews in English
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Review from Elleni T.
4/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
This was my first time here, and definitely not my last! The food was good, but the atmosphere was great! The people were friendly and the music was enjoyable ( The Smiths, The Cure, Prince...). I don't know if this is always the case, or if I was just lucky it wasn't Kesha or some over garbage. I stopped in for a quick 5 à 7 with some friends and had I not been exhausted, I would have stayed longer!
I had a hard time deciding between the tuna tartar of the bavette de boeuf. I chose the bavette and I was more than satisfied. My friend got the tartar and loved it. I will definitely have the tartar next time! -
Review from Alyssa L.
3/5/2012
Tucked away in the Old Port, L'Asssomoir is a delicious restaurant with a great ambiance and lively environment. The crowd is young, loud and fun - there was a DJ playing live music - and the food is excellent. We went to dinner late, maybe around 9:30, and the place was still packed with a large dinner and drinks crowd.
The menu is quite eclectic ranging from Spanish tapas, Latin American appetizers and tapas and wide array of tartares.
We ordered the plantain chips which we awesome - although I doubt that they were homemade. It brought us back to our 5-week trip to Costa Rica. My boyfriend ordered the Duck Confit Quesadillas and I got the Green Apple & Salmon Tartare. He enjoyed his - wasn't blown away, but it was good. Mine on the other hand was amazing. The salmon was fresh and bright and totally delicious. I would go back here in a heart beat.
http://queenofquinoa.b...
@alyssarimmer -
Review from Gregory S.
Montréal, QC
1/11/2012
I have been here numerous times and enjoy the food, drinks and atmosphere. The place has a ton of drinks (a book) and is categorized very nicely. There is quite possibly every spirit known to man on the wall (may be hyperbole, but I digress).
The menu is tapas based. The chorizo and calamari are definitely worth trying. The calamari is very tender and not dried out like a lot of other calamari I have had.
I usually order the Illegal Iced Tea as a drink...its basically a long island iced tea with absinthe. Also, there B57 shots are fun too, if you don't mind sucking up burning alcohol.
There is a small dance floor towards the back of the restaurant with a disco ball that happens later on in the evening.
All in all a good place to grad some drinks and assortment of Spanish tapas with some friends or a girlfriend. -
Review from Rawan K.
4/10/2012
This little gem is tucked away in Old Montreal on the cobble stone streets of Notre Dame. It has great drinks, a small but great list of absinthe, and decent food! I wouldn't go there solely to eat, but paired with good music (and live bands), good company, and good drinks, it's worth it. I would recommend any of the meat platters to share, it's delicious for the most part!
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Review from Loli L.
12/21/2011
Stopped in for a late night drink with my guy and promptly lost my ability to hear shortly thereafter. Perhaps I'm getting too old, so I shouldn't fault those who enjoy the peppy music at that decible level. Sorry kids.
Despite the loudness, you can enjoy an array of lovely tapas and probably the biggest cocktail menu I've ever seen (20+ pages of drinks, drinks, and more drinks).
We ordered a couple drinks and smiled at all the bottles we recognized on the wall. I don't know why, but little things like that make me happy.Listed in: Montreal without a car
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Review from Mr. Bean B.
10/11/2011 3 photos
Headed here late in the evening after watching my Pats kick Jets ass. Sunday night around 10pm, (worthy) options to grab a bite and drinks were somewhat limited. My fellow Yelpers reviews directed me to L'assommoir, and I couldn't be happier about the results.
Tapas options allowed us to share dishes with me and my Lady. Artichoke Dip was great, the Beef Ceviche was tasty and well presented, and the calamari was super tender and fresh. But of course, they specialize in drinks, in which the menu was extensive and well made, even categorized. Albeit my drink came out in a girly glass, but I should've expected it by the name, 'Tropical Blend'. Still delicious.
Good music, ambience, vibe and decor. Pretty intimate setting as well and even the Mens room was clean and stylish, for whatever that's worth. Open until 3am QAM - that means 'every morning' in medical terms.
_Beantowns Finest_ -
Review from Karine L.
8/15/2011
I like this place but mostly Jean Philippe cause he reminds the movie cocktail. He is good with the bottle and like to give a good show, ask him.
Never tried the food -
Review from Daniel B.
1/17/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I've always had a thing for disco balls.
Maybe it's the way that they captivate me with their multiple mirrored surfaces like catnip. They draw me in and stimulate all the right areas of my brain. I cannot stop staring. Attention Deficit Heroin.
That's probably what drew me in here. That, and the fact that they're probably the only place near the fancypants boutique hotels in the old port who happen to have their kitchen open past 10pm.
And what a kitchen it is. Awesome tapas.
The place fills up with young professional types. The atmosphere is warm, friendly and inviting without being too abrasive or in your face. There wasn't dancing when we were there, but methinks that it was just about to break out.
You cannot argue with a well stocked bar that happens to have delicious food.
I have no idea what the disco ball was all about.
I cannot get the spinny shiny sugar out of my head. -
Review from MJ G.
Montréal, QC
8/8/2011
Went to the Old Montreal location for my girlfriend's birthday with 6 of our friends and we had such a good time ! Reason #1: great cocktails ! Reason #2: amazing food that you can either get as a plate, or as a jumbo tapas version that you can share Reason #3: VERY cute and lovely waitress...
Only negative comment: DJ, turn the music down, it's way too loud to have any kind of conversation -
Review from E L.
10/31/2010
I really enjoyed this bar. It was raining out and it provided a nice respite as we walked through Notre Dame. I think it's a beautiful bar and I like the way they have the back wall lit up. They could probably redo other parts of the bar itself. . . the saloon-like oak wood in some areas does not seem to fit the rest of the decor.
The drinks are stiff and the staff is extremely attentive. For you ladies hitting the town, this is probably an excellent place for you. Perhaps some of the best looking male bartenders. Bring your A-game and learn some French. -
Review from Yasmine Z.
Laval, QC
11/27/2010
Aah, L'Assomoir. Such a dreamy place. (You know this is going to be a positive review.)
This restaurant slash bar is the perfect place for young professionals...as well as older ones. Unlike its older brother on Bernard street, L'Assomoir Notre-Dame has a bar permit, allowing you to drink without having to order food. But you'd be crazy to pass by the delicious tapas, ceviches and tartars they offer.
I personally love the "Gueuleton", a huge plate of appetizers for two, four or six people. One of the appetizers included in the "Gueuleton" is the "Bonbons de saumon", which is probably one of the best things I've ever eaten. It's better suited for people who like raw fish, but one of my friends doesn't usually eat any and she loved it. You might be surprised, because it doesn't taste like anything you've tried before.
If you're not so hungry, you can always opt for the GOOD STUFF: the booze. The large variety of drinks is quite astounding (over 200), with concoctions with quirky names like "GHB" and "Biktini". I can't say I've tried every single one of them - would that make me an alcoholic? - but I've tried enough to say your taste buds will thank you...your liver not so much. The combination of flavours is sometimes unexpected but always interesting.
If you're concerned about your wallet, maybe L'Assomoir isn't the best place for you. However, if you're willing to spend around 50 bucks/person + tip for a good meal and a bunch of drinks, then this place if for you. The service is excellent, warm and the atmosphere feels young and hip, without being snobby or exclusive. It may not be the best spot for an intimate date, since L'Assomoir is often filled with people and noisy, but that's what makes it so exciting. I believe there's a DJ on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
And for all of you hockey fans out there, they have TVs, so you don't even have to worry about missing a game! Didn't I say it was a dreamy place? I sure did. -
Review from Jen C.
7/2/2011
Whoa, upon entering this bar late on a Saturday night I was immediately thrown back to the bar scene in Madrid, Spain circa 2001. It's extremely huge, has an extensive drink list, loud music, and tons of young professionals in their going-out wear eating dinner here at midnight on a Saturday night, their evening presumably just getting started. Playlist is good, spinning out all the latest hits and pop-y tunes to get your night going. I loved the extensiveness of the drink menu but I found most of my drinks to be too sweet for my liking (I had the Lychee martini and Cuban Fizz). There are people however going straight to the shots and dancing in the walkways. This is a one stop shop on your Saturday night path to destruction, no doubt! Come here for a crazy night.
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Review from Stephanie B.
Montréal, QC
7/6/2010
I love L'Assommoir. I have been to locations on both Bernard and Notre Dame. The format fits my preferences perfectly: Their drink list is extensive - notably, featuring many signature cocktail creations as well as an eclectic and upscale menu that includes a variety of small plates, specializing in tartares and ceviches (and grilled meats?).
Since the cocktail list comprises 250+ concoctions I can't say that I've even put a dent in the list. I don't care for too much sweetness in my drinks. I like the G.H.B, despite the name and I have ordered it a few times - From the web site (where you can see all their drinks) this is chartreuse verte, dry gin, kiwi & basil, dash each of maple syrup and apple juice. On balance, I'd love to see a more extensive lineup of daringly creative cocktails, perfectly executed - innovative mixology genius. The cocktails featuring seafood are good, but are overpriced since they're not outstanding. I have tried at least two - you will basically have an average tasting cocktail, with some tuna or salmon on a little wooden skewer in your drink.
The small plates are eclectic, very well done for the most part and they frequently change their specials. I've enjoyed their foie gras, accras de morue (cod fritters), ceviches and tartares (these you can mix and match for a set price). On Notre Dame I had an unusual and especially delicious salmon tartare where the salmon was not cut into small cubes, but rather presented in strips and fairly thickly sliced with fresh mango (?) I also really enjoyed the tartare de wapiti. Their kitchen uses thoughtfully selected, high quality oils and seasonings.
L'Assommoir on Bernard becomes very busy on weekends, but the music remains at reasonable decibels while people are still having dinner (not sure about later on). It seems very popular for large groups in the back. Reserve ahead or be prepared to possibly eat at the bar. But this is okay, the bartenders might do glass throwing tricks for you and show you as they light up your lemon peel. Also, you could get personalized drink recommendations and chat with them about their craft.
The decor at the Notre-Dame location in Old Monreal is different from the one on Bernard. It has a more upscale feel and yet it is a relaxed atmosphere, service is quite informal. There is at least one television at one end of the room. There is ample seating on both ground floor and upper level mezzanine. The ceilings are high and the bar is made to look like an amber facade with solid paneling from floor to ceiling, for dramatic flair. The bar is shrouded in soft warm amber light. The shelves and big cubby holes along the back of the bar are lit so as to showcase the collection.
L'Assommoir certainly distinguishes itself as being fantastic for a late night bite, particularly on Sundays since most of the restaurants in Old Montreal do not serve past 10PM. Here you can get the the full menu until very late every day, could it be until 3 in the morning?!! Do not however, expect a crowd, since Old Montreal late after 11 on Sunday is extremely subdued (pretty much lifeless). Though as a local at this time it feels home-y, among almost all locals.
I dock for service b/c it is inconsistent although it is perfectly acceptable for a bar.
Check online for their live events (e.g. Jazz & DJs), also currently it looks like Ladies Night on the first tuesday of the month - print your coupon online and get a free two course meal with min. $10 purchase... -
Review from Kat T.
8/8/2010
L'assommoir offers a rare combination of a dance club with food, but no dancing. It is almost like it couldn't settle on being just a bar with good drinks, they had to throw in the food, too.
The music was so loud, our table of 6 all lost our voices or just stopped trying to communicate because we couldn't hear the person next to us or across the table from us. We had been warned, but as the night went on and on and on, the music seemed to get louder and the room got progressively darker. We are a bunch of 25-35 year olds, so it wasn't just our age that made us want to ask for a lower volume of music.
That was part of what ruined the night for me. The second part was that as half of the couple 'hosting' all the out of town guests, I felt somewhat responsible for making things go smoothly. Usually that is the job of the wait staff, no? On at least 4 occasions I had to either get up or assertively hail the waiter over to say things like, "Can the 3 of us who have been sitting down for more than 10 minutes, but arrived later get menus?" Or later on, "We ordered bottled water, can you bring that now?" or when the 7 item ceviche and tartar platter arrived, "Can you explain which is which?", followed by, "Can the other half of the table also get a basket of bread?"
We didn't get asked if we wanted dessert, though there is a menu, because ~4 hours after our dinner started, I had to walk up to ask for the bill. (Our European guests were so jetlagged, we ended the night early.)
Perhaps we are old and don't like that new-fangled DJ music.
Perhaps our waiter was on his first day of work.
Perhaps the bar was over capacity and raw food takes longer to prepare than cooked stuff (though the 1/6 who ordered steak and didn't split the raw platter had to eat after we were all done!!!)
Perhaps the cleaning lady quit that day and the lack of toilet paper in the women's restroom was her responsibility.
Perhaps a million things conspired to make this one of the most uncomfortable evenings ever. I can't recommend this place unless you just want to sit at the bar, have drinks and maybe attempt to order the crab tartare, which was amazing, and you have 3 hours to kill waiting for it.
Bill for 6 people, including 2 bottles of wine, was $50-60 per person. -
Review from courtney d.
11/20/2011
pleasantly surprised by this place! the downtown location and very chic look of the place were intimidating at first. most places are crazy, stupid expensive, all form, less function. but the staff was super friendly, found a great corner booth for our group of 7 and squeezed us in before the reservation party arrived 2 1/2 hours later. the cocktail list is FANTASTIC. extensive, arranged by liquor so you don't have go crazy mixing your poisons (unless you're into that), with classics and their own inventions. i had the old fashioned (delightfully orange and dry, they even asked if i'd like bourbon or rye! - rye, please) and a madame (with bourbon, basil, and grapefruit juice, which everyone else wanted to sip and love on like i did). husband went out of his comfort zone with a sazerac, then ordered another. drinks aren't cheap, but they're well made and healthy sized. we ordered some snacks, a couple of friends ordered proper meals, everyone was pleased. highlights included the grilled veggies (with bok choy, pine nuts, tomatoes, other nice choices), plaintain chips (perfectly crisp, not at all greasy), and the creme brulee, which was unanimously declared the best of all time. greeted again by all the staff on our way out. just goes to show, you can't judge a book by its cover, nor a tapas joint by its shiny clientele.
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