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Modavie Resto-Bar
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Upscale
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
53 reviews for Modavie Resto-Bar
Review Highlights
"...evening was wonderful with live jazz filtering down from..."
(in 19 reviews)
"I had the goat-cheese chicken with fresh vegetables and..."
(in 11 reviews)
"The lamb was absolutely delicious."
(in 23 reviews)
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52 reviews in English
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Review from Kevin S.
11/4/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Great little French bistro in the heart of Old Montreal that had an incredible atmosphere thanks to their nightly live jazz. The restaurant had great ambience, terrific food, lovely wine. Service was polite (though tended to be a tad on the slow side) and my lack of ability to speak French was not at all a problem.
Started off with a salad, followed with their spice rubbed lamb chops (they specialize in lamb), complemented with a glass of Shiraz. Finished with a creme brûlée.
It may not be the best food in Old Montreal, but combined with the jazz and inviting atmosphere, I had a lovely and relaxing evening. -
Review from Clare L.
8/16/2011
This place is great for live jazz, some good eats, and decent selection of wines.
In terms of highlights, I do love their calamari, as well as their goat cheese salad. On different occasions, the bands or singers have been awesome! The interior is gorgeous, and the staff has been wonderful.
The cuisine, I wouldn't consider really french, it's kind of like a contemporary fusion of Mediterranean and a selection of pastas. They offer lamb, bison, and seafood for a range of types of dishes. Their choices for vegetarians could stand to be improved upon but in general the food is okay.
During the summertime it is busy and bustling, and during peak dinner rushes can be pretty loud. As for the tourist factor, it seems like a fair amount of tourists do dine there, but if you like Jazz like I do, locals do dine here too. -
Review from Sam E.
Montréal, QC
2/9/2012
Looking for a local spot in Vieux Montreal, and the live jazz was just the ticket; or so we thought. The red wine that we splurged on was brought over from the fridge (seemed a bit odd) to the point of us having to ask for it to be decanted. I ended up holding it in my lap to warm it up a bit more. We'd decided on an onion soup and salad to start. Basic, to the point. Lamb was their specialty, so we thought the chops looked good. They did, but they weren't particularly flavourful, nor warm. I wanted to really enjoy the meal, the ambiance, but it was a miss.
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Review from Vivek S.
12/20/2011
If you are on this street you will notice lots of other restaurants eager to earn your business - unfortunately Modavie is not one of them. Myself and my wife stopped by here for lunch and choose this location as they seemed to have the best wine selection of them all. We ordered lunch and some drinks. Unfortunately did not realize that when you order fish that it comes with bones when served. When confronted the waiter about this - response - 'well fish do have bones' - nice! I guess you better not order chicken either as you will likely get feathers with them, I told myself!
Overall this is a decent restaurant however lacks customer skills - overall wine selection was 'okay' - Putting this incident aside, I would still not recommend this restaurant as the ambiance and decor was just dark. -
Review from Matthew T.
7/22/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Maybe it is because I had higher expectations for Modavie based on other yelp reviews, but this place is a solid 3 star and I was a little disappointed as my expectations weren't met. Good but not great. Reviews says it isn't really a touristy place even though it is right on the edge of the highest concentration of touristy shops in old town.
On the plus side, the waiter was great. Made a good suggestion for a bottle of wine based on what I told him I like and didn't try to go crazy on the price. Points there. He was attentive without being obtrusive and just seemed like a nice guy not only to us but the tables around us. The arugala salad was great as well as the brie.
The problem was my lamb shank. And it really isn't a problem, but on the menu they say lamb is their specialty. And the lamb shank was pretty boring. No real flavor or soul. And I think it really hadn't been braised long enough. It was kind of like meat pellets in fat. Now I've had braised lamb shank many other places where it is tender and lovely and flavorful. This was not, this seemed like a poor rendition of the most basic version of a braise. Maybe I should have had the chops or the rack of lamb, but done right I think the shank is better than those cuts. So maybe just a bad night. But for something that is supposed to the "speciality" they got to lose a star for that. If you are going to claim to be in the big leagues you better put it out there and do it consistently.
The jazz band that was playing was good, not too load, but boy was it hot upstairs, some fans or open a window would have helped a lot. Should have sat downstairs and watch people walk buy.Listed in: Montreal '11
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Review from Evan S.
6/25/2011
ATMOSPHERE: I couldn't imagine it being any better. Located in Vieux Montreal (old Montreal) just off the river, this establishment was featuring live jazz when we visited, and smooth jazz over the stereo when the band took breaks. The area feels very much European, much like a lot of Montreal, naturally.
SERVICE: our server was a nice young man from Vancouver that gave us all sorts of suggestions for things to do. He, and everyone else, was awesome.
FOOD: I had a nice filet mignon (been eating lots of steak, lately) that was very good, but I want to highlight that the lamb chops that Tarra T had were perhaps the BEST I've had in life...period. Didn't taste too gamey, very tender. They were ri-donk-ulous.
Check it out if ever in Montreal. -
Review from Sohini R.
6/1/2011
Our hotel in Montreal suggested we try Modavie, so at first we were resistant, thinking it might be a touristy place. In the Old Port, Modavie is a breath of fresh air amidst much more touristy menus (although the weird digital menu boxes outside restaurants leave this US native feeling like she's contemplating a night at Chili's -- get rid of those, Montreal!).
The live jazz music inside drew us in, and we were immediately given a lovely table for two in the window where we could watch others' faces glow as they stared at the digital menu box.
Having had a late lunch, we shared a salmon carpaccio appetizer and endive salad with apples and roquefort. The salmon was extremely fresh and the garnishes were fresh and arranged with great technical precision. A squeeze of lemon brought out the freshness of everything on the plate. The endive salad was also rife with bitterness from fresh endives, with a not-too-heavy dressing, and balanced by the blue cheese.
A solid way to start an evening in Montreal with small plates and seasonal offerings. -
Review from John A.
1/1/2012
Great food in old Montreal. I had the filet mignon carpaccio and the lamb chops. All very good. Lively place, I would certainly go back.
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Review from Alan A.
6/26/2011
As a person who is not really familiar with French Cuisine, I was pretty happy with my steak dinner and side dishes (cannot recall their French names). My fiance ordered the rack of lamb, which also came with side dishes. She was also very pleased with the taste and quailty of her dish as well.
As for atmosphere, the place was really great. They had a live Jazz band playing upstairs as we enjoyed our meal. Where the waiter is concerned, he was very personable and helpful, but he was not all that attentive. I kept having to ask for water refills.
All in all, my fiance and I would return back here because the food was good, and the atmosphere was great. -
Review from Nancy S.
Dryden, ON
11/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
Menu selection limited, however all was delicious. Ambiance suitable for date nights in beautiful Old Montreal!
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Review from Kevin M.
2/9/2011
Popped in for the Old Port Dinner Specials during the month of January while I was visiting my hometown for 2 weeks. We arrived 30 minutes early before our reservation at 1830 - most tables had reserved signs but since we got in before the big rush we had first choice (and sat right next to where the jazz duo would later perform). They were the highlight of the night.
As a young couple in our mid-20's we received the service we normally get - sub-par. We needed afew extra minutes to order as my girlfriend went to the washroom soon after arriving. Afew extra minutes turned into about 10 minutes. When he did pop by, he seemed annoyed to answer questions about the menu. Not the first time I've experienced a waiter give lousy service because he believes that because we're young people that we're going to not tip appropriately for good service. Carrying on...
We ordered the three courses right away: 2x Mesclun salad with goat cheese on croutons topped with apple cider dressing, 1x Tiger shrimp with a cajun style sauce, 1x Rack of lamb with goat cheese, Dijon mustard and sesame and 2x Tiramisu. 1/2 litre of the Cab-Merlot and a glass of the house wine.
The salad was tasty, she felt the tiger shrimp had too much sauce and the rack of lamb was tasty though difficult to eat (shank may have been the better bet). The waiter dropped off the Tiramisu's and then promptly disappeared. No coffee or espresso offered. He returned when we both finished and asked how it was: I told him flat out that I would have enjoyed a coffee with the dessert but he neglected to ask. He had offered then but I refused as the moment had passed.
It was after that when we waited far too long to pay for the meal. I've learned through the years that paying more doesn't necessarily yield a better meal. This is definitely the case with Modavie as a young couple. The live music was brilliant, food was mediocre (as compared to Lola Rosa where we can eat for a fraction of the price) and the service was disrespectful.
We filled out a commentary card which the waiter glanced at when we left the table though I doubt this will break the view waiters have of Gen-Y. Chicken or the egg? Young people don't tip or young people get bad service so they don't tip?
Young couples/foodies beware! -
Review from Jordan M.
3/30/2011
So my girlfriend and I went to Modavie, a place we've heard such great things about, for our second anniversary dinner. We really enjoyed the ambiance and the jazz music that was playing. The tables were a little crowded (we were sitting maybe a few inches from the next table) but we weren't too uncomfortable. Our server was attentive and spoke with both me and my girlfriend in English and French respectively.
We started our meal with two glasses of Sancerre and a nice portion of calamari with two delicious sauces. Tres bonne! Next, we each had a nice pasta. Her the ravioli with goat cheese, and I had some sort of spicy sausage pasta. Both were incredible! We shared a nice molten chocolate with vanilla ice cream dessert. From the moment we sat down until we left, we had a nice experience. I only rated it a 4 instead of 5 because we didn't say to each other "Wow, we NEED to come back!" but in truth we had a great time, delicious meal, and we probably will be back sometime. :) -
Review from Alissa A.
8/11/2010
As romantic as you want it to be, yet totally safe when I insisted my family return with me. I was totally turned on to lamb with an oozing slab of goat cheese when I first dined here and I wanted to spread the word. And the chops.
Between walls of wine, a warm atmosphere and swirls of jazz in the air tie the experience together perfectly. Take your pick between the downstairs wine bar and the upstairs dining room with live band. The music is lively but not distracting from intimate conversation. No yelling over the table necessary. I will continue to return when in town. -
Review from Ron C.
White Rock, BC
8/22/2011 1 photo
Not great, wouldn't go again as the food was mediocre at best.
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Review from Benoit L.
Boucherville, QC
11/8/2010
J'y suis allé 2 fois, une fois pour le lunch et une fois pour souper. En gros, la table est correcte, mais juste correcte. Les prix aussi. Certainement pas l'endroit pour souligner un événement spécial ou pour s'offrir une expérience gastronomique, aucun des plats que j'y ai goûté ou vu m'ont semblé sortir de l'ordinaire. Bien pour les groupes, par contre.
La carte des vins est correcte aussi.
Correct, je crois bien que c'est le mot qui convient à cet endroit. -
Review from Ben G.
8/29/2010
In the heart of the old city, Modavie provides the perfect setting for a wonderful dinner with some live jazz for your listening pleasure.
Located on Rue St Paul the main thoroughfare of the old city, Modavie has two levels of dining. The ground floor is complete with a small bar, plenty of tables and a somewhat open kitchen. The upstairs has a small stage and a larger dining room the spands the length of the restaurant.
It was at the request of my associate (whom has been a previous patron) that we sit upstairs as the live jazz singer was a little loud while sitting downstairs. But, the stage is upstairs... he assured me he knew what he was doing. As we sat in the power table in the corner with two beautiful windows overlooking Rue St Paul, we talked about the day's meetings and discussed the future.
I started off my meal with a goat cheese and arugula salad with a citrus vinigrette. While the goat cheese was not in the salad per se, (came melted atop small pieces of baguette) their flavor carried into each bite. The vinigrette cut right through the tanginess of the goat cheese with tastes of pepper from the arugula.
Upon next fillet Mignon. Cooked to a perfect rare, this steak was succulent. With a small portion of risotto and sauted veggies to go along with it, I was a happy camper. The name of the wine we had escapes me but I remember it went well with the steak. Modavie being a wine/ jazz bar there will be no shortage of choices when looking for that perfect bottle. -
Review from Tim L.
8/22/2010
Came here as it was one of the few places that could accommodate a group of 10 with a kitchen closing time late enough that we could all make it in time for food.
The live music is probably a draw but unfortunately we all came right at the end of them wrapping up. The decor and atmosphere is certainly inviting and I can see how this place can be a tourist trap, ourselves included.
The steak I had was tasty and so was the salmon dish I tasted, but beyond that the general consensus at our table was that the food wasn't anything exceptional.
Service was a tad slow at times, but it was friendly and patient especially when we all tried to figure out how much to throw down for the tab. -
Review from Faye C.
5/4/2011
Went here on Friday night - first night in Montreal...the food was great - the house wine was nice. I ordered the lamb shank which was nice - but the most amazing thing was the creme brule - served in one of those flat ramekins - so there was tons of that fantastic, tasty, crispy coating, the right amount of custard (and all for $5) - don't miss out! The live jazz band was nice too, I'd go back again for a glass of wine and the creme brule!
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Review from Ryan L.
6/22/2010
Some reviews have said this place is nothing more than tourist trap. Well, this section of town does draw tourists, so expect a lot of tourists here. Is it a cookie-cutter place that serves overcooked food to throngs of tour bus crowds that are disembarked at its front door? No. This is a quality establishment serving great food.
I'm not easily impressed with food and am a bit of a "foodie" if you want to label. I'm even more difficult to impress when it comes to service. Modavie impressed me all-around.
We were seated at a window, which was nice, but the whole atmosphere in the place was charming and fit the ambience of the surroundings of Old Montreal. Our server was right over to take drink orders but was sure to not rush us, which was greatly appreciated as we could see them turning people away at the door who did not have reservations.
My meal came from the Table d'Hote section of the menu, so it included a salad, soup, and an entree. The mushroom soup I enjoyed was absolutely one of the best I've had. Perfectly seasoned with a nice woodsy-earthy taste - perhaps some chantrelle mushrooms in there. Loved it. My entree was the filet mignon with a king crab leg. I've not had any kind of land meat for nearly four years, but for some reason I was drawn to it on this menu. It was amazing, albeit a little more done than the "medium" temperature I had requested. It was a very flavorful cut of beef served atop a spot of risotto alongside a sweet potato puree.
Our server was patient with our somewhat rusty French and was jovial, polite, and professional throughout the evening. He clearly knew about the dishes on the menu and could effectively answer all of our questions.
If you're looking for an out-of-the-way restaurant, this is not it, so don't expect a place that isn't full of tourists. You're in the wrong neighborhood for that. Duh! But this isn't The Keg or some other chain restaurant that you can visit back home. That's down the street. Enjoy the atmosphere at this gem and I think you'll enjoy the meal as well. -
Review from Bermie H.
7/30/2010
I was sold on this restaurant because of the proximity to the hotel, live music, and favorable reviews for their lamb here on yelp. My wife and I showed up 30 min early for our reservation on a Fri night but they still sat us down right away. I thought this was a sign that we were in for a smooth sailing dining experience.
We started off with some red wine and fried calamari. The calamari came out pretty quickly and we enjoyed it. Unfortunately, the lamb entrees we ordered took over an hour to arrive. We felt like diners at Hell's Kitchen during the first week of service. Our server was very apologetic and said it was an error in the kitchen. She offered some more wine to make up for it. It was a nice gesture but we declined as we just wanted our food. In observing the other tables it looked like some other diners were waiting a while for their food too. The wait staff seemed to be overwhelmed that night.
When my rack of lamb with goat cheese finally arrived I devoured it. It was good but I that wait was torture. After we finished our lamb our server offered dessert on the house but again we declined. We were too tired and couldn't wait another thirty minutes for dessert... -
Review from Derek A.
8/2/2010
It took quite a bit of work to find a restaurant that could satisfy all three of us traveling to Montreal for a weekend night stay. If you are really into foie gras, then Montreal restaurants are waiting for you...
However, we weren't looking for foie gras, but a menu with a wide selection of pastas, meats, and seafood from a restaurant with good reviews. Modavie, it turns out, was all that and more.
We were able to make a reservation for 8:30 p.m. even though we didn't call until 2:30 that afternoon. Even without the reservation, I think the wait would have been minimal. Tables were turned over fast, but at no point did we ever feel rushed.
Upon arrival, we were sat at an amazing table in the corner of the second floor, overlooking Rue St.-Paul and all of Old Montreal. We had jazz on one side of us, the beauty of Vieux Port on the other, and a lively but not overly loud atmosphere all around.
Our waiter was personable and friendly, with a thick French-Canadian accent. He was helpful and attentive throughout the service, even going so far as to tell me NOT to get the Osso Bucco because he thinks it is too tough and can't recommend it. I ended up getting lamb, a house specialty, but more on that later.
We began with cocktails paired appetizers of French Onion Soup Gratinee and fried calamari. Both were very solid starts to the meal, with the soup being very beefy tasting with satisfying layers of cheese and toasted bread. The calamari were fried to a dark golden brown, but stayed tender and were served with a spicy marinara and coconut milk-lime sauce. Though both were good, they ended up being "only" average compared to the rest of the meal.
Among the three of us, we were able to try three different proteins prepared in three very different ways. Tagliatelle with chicken and pancetta in a truffle oil sauce was as savory, rich and umami-filled as it sounds. The "AAA+ Angus hangar steak with a cabernet sauvignon wine butter sauce" was nearly as equally decadent, with the wine and butter sharing equal billing on the sauce complimenting a perfectly grilled and sliced hanger steak.
The highlight for me was my own meal, as I went with the specialty of the house, lamb. After sorting through the five selections, I went with the rack of lamb with goat cheese, Dijon mustard and sesame seeds. The waiter informed me that it was the best one on the menu, and he wasn't kidding - it was the best lamb I've ever had anywhere. The meat was perfectly cooked and the flavors blended wonderfully. The small round of toasted goat cheese served over fresh vegetables paired with it perfectly.
We partnered the meal with a Mission Hill 2007 Cab-Merlot blend which was pleasantly spicy. The fantastic meal ended on a high note, as we were able to watch the fireworks competition display right from our table as we enjoyed apertifs and three lovely desserts: creme brulee, tiramisu, and chocolate fondant (warm chocolate cake).
From the service to the location, to the food, this is a meal that we will be talking about for a long time, recalling very fond memories. -
Review from Leighann F.
1/21/2009
Modavie is the kind of place you go to when you want to listen to live jazz, stare into the eyes of the one you love, dine on delectably well-presented food and sip on refreshing French wine.
Escargot, lamb shank, bass...everything was very well made. The escargot, an easy texture lacking the chewy quality you often get with the dish, sat atop a puff pastry in a light cream sauce. The lamb shank was buttery soft, bursting with flavor and coated in a light peppery spice. The creme brulee, though admittedly hard to mess up, was not one of the better versions I've had. The crispy top was extra thick and the creamy portion below was lumpy.
The wine list was excellent...great buys in various varietals, alongside some pricey-pricey bottles. Since dinner preceded a night out, we chose a light white, which went with both of our meals and was even more enjoyable as it warmed up a bit.
The service at Modavie was a little slow, but very polite. Our waitress even helped us pick out a few places to go dancing after dinner and didn't seem to mind that we were one of the last couples in there. The owner (manager?) kindly thanked us as we left, which we did full, happy and satisfied with our meal and experience at this charming French restaurant. -
Review from Beth M.
2/14/2010
We saw an ad for Modavie and read that it's known for its jazz and lamb dishes.
We arrived without reservations to a small line at the door and no empty tables in sight. We were happy to be lead upstairs to additional available seating. Modavie is romantic and cozy with white lights strung up (for the holiday season)?
I had read that tourists go to Modavie and not locals and that's the vibe I got from the patrons around us.
Our waitress was adorable with a thick, French accent. We started with a bowl of French onion soup and 1/2 a Mediterranean salad (feta, olives, artichokes, smoked salmon on mescaline). Both were really good. For entrees I had the roasted shank of lamb and my husband had a cut of beef he had never tried before. Husband's beef was stringy and not that good but my lamb was excellent. We ended with chocolate molten cake with vanilla ice cream. The word "orgasmic" best sums up the dessert.
I really enjoyed Modavie. There was a talented jazz duo playing downstairs that we could hear via speakers upstairs. It was a nice touch and I would definitely go back the next time I'm in Montreal.Listed in: A Midwesterner in Montreal
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Review from Denis S.
9/18/2009
I absolutely loved this place! Easily my favorite restaurant in my trip so far. And since is my last dinner in Canada, the best dinner of the
Unfortunetaly we came too early for the live jazz (which starts at 7:30) but they were still playing recorded jazz over there speakers, and that definitely set a great mood.
First the service. I've noticed that in Quebec there is a certain snootiness. Maybe they are trying too hard to imitate the French, even in their negative traits, but it definitely exists. But not here. The waiter was super friendly, very fast and really helped the night flow smoothly.
As an appetizer we go the brie baked in something, then with some nuts, some sauce and some pears. Ok, i'm not describing it well at all, but it was awesome!
For the main course I got the Greek-style lamb. It came with some vegetables, including this beat puree, and freshly made potato chips. The lamb was absolutely delicious. I tried a different lamb dish, that also was delicious. If you come here, get the lamb.
For dessert we tried the creme brulee. I completely agree with Leighann F. This was not the best creme brulee I've had. Not even in the top twenty. The sugar was too thick and the creme was too clumpy. I'm told that means they cooked it for too long. The taste was fine, but the texture was just off.
However, I also got the blueberry tea, which it turns out doesn't have any blueberries in it, but is made of Grand Marnier, Amaretto and hot Orange pekoe tea. It gets its name because it smells and even tastes amazingly like blueberries. Definitely something I'm going to ask for in the future!
Overall, amazing experience. Good for a date or a nice evening out.Listed in: My Trip to Canada
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Review from Coffee B.
9/15/2010
With a party of about 10...so dinner took about 2-3 hours...I got sleepy. Room is dim and kind of romantic.
Had the mac ans cheese...for $20..it was different from the American mac and cheese. Made with Gruyere cheese, I think. Was good but I would have been happy with something else, too. -
Review from Patricia M.
Edmonton, AB
6/16/2010
What a journey, we walked up and down all of the little streets in old Montreal looking for a restaurant with pasta, a pasta without duck, rabbit, or some other wild pheasant. We walked for over 2 hours. I almost gave up hope until I read Modavie's menu which had lots of vegetarian pasta options.
Our server was very attentive and helpful and our food was delicious. I loved the decor, I loved that the windows were open so I could people watch while I ate, and I loved the music.
Would eat here again! -
Review from Martha D.
4/5/2010
I know that the old city isnt known for its food, but I have to be a nay-sayer on this one. The food was fair to middling at best. They had a strange menu with some french and some poorly made italian dishes. We were seated with a nice view upstairs....but we were the only ones up there.
on the bright side, the service was excellent and the calamari was well prepared. the snapper was fine, but nothing special...something I would prepare at home without planning.
Highly mediocre. -
Review from Kel S.
3/17/2011 4 photos
Woah, this place was great. We stopped in for a beer... didn't eat. We were quite entertained by our bartender as well as a local liquor salesman who came in. We absolutely loved Kathryn! Unlike many of the French Canadians we encountered, she was extremely friendly and helpful. She tells us there is jazz every night and that many famous people have visited. We can tell why. It felt very comfortable and easy at this quaint wine bar with tin ceilings, lots of charm and a long list of vino. Go!!!
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Review from Saad S.
8/15/2008 1 photo
This was our first place that we ate in Montreal. We just happened to luck into it. Went in during lunch, and saw that they had a lunch special. The deal? $12 for an entree and a soup or salad and a beverage (coffee, tea). I got the lamb shank. So wonderful. Meat was very tender and lots of great flavor (greek syle). And even the soup was one of the best soups I've ever had...a saffron potato soup...it wasn't lumpy or thick and the saffron flavor was perfect. It was so good that we went back two days later cause we knew we were going to get a great meal for a great price. Only disappointment was that they had a different soup; still good, but not as good as the saffron potato soup.
So I'm giving this place five stars specifically for it's lunch special. I don't really know anything else about it. But if you're around the area for lunch, it's a must. -
Review from Jenna R.
9/7/2008
It's in Old Montreal, aka tourist central, so it's overpriced but still rather tasty. Our waitress was extremely accommodating, especially considering it was a busy Sunday night and I'd brought two kids -- one on the picky side -- to an upscale restaurant. But she was fine with his simple choices, and even made recommendations to help us out.
For appetizers, my niece -- the foodie -- shared goat cheese filo dough creations topped with a sweet, nutty sauce that we both scarfed down. My pasta was fine -- nothing to write home about, just fine. Sames goes for the kids' meals, although there were certainly ample portions.
I wouldn't recommend Modavie for a resident, but I think we lucked out with our tourist-zone pick. -
Review from David L.
12/14/2009 1 photo
My first time in Montreal, Modavie is easily my best restaurant experience so far (5 days into the trip). The ambiance is warm and relaxed, with smooth jazz playing in the background. Apparently every night they have two live jazz shows however my friend and I ate before the shows started. As Denis S mentioned regarding the snootiness in some Quebec restaurants, that is completely absent in Modavie. The maitre d' and waitress were friendly and very attentive throughout our dining experience.
The French onion soup was good but nothing to write home about. The lamb is their specialty - I opted for the rack of lamb with sesame, goat cheese, and Dijon mustard served with crispy chips and vegetables. The lamb was cooked just right ( I go for medium) and seasoned well and the large piece of goat cheese was lightly singed for a nice partially melted taste to compliment the lamb.
When I come back to Montreal I will definitely revisit Modavie and hopefully have room for dessert the second time around. -
Review from eve p.
8/18/2009
Very very tasty. The lamb here is the bee's-knees. You'd be foolish to order a non-lamb dish, but it would still be delicious. (The orichette with artichokes, prosciutto, and mushrooms is particularly lovely. The mediterranian salad w/smoked salmon is also another great choice.)
The live jazz band: stand up bassist, guitarist, and female singer (Sarah ...???) were fantastic. The catalog was well chosen, and the music was just the right volume -
Review from Holly J.
10/12/2009
This was a lovely experience. It says it isn't recommended for kids but the waitstaff was super accommodating. We have a a toddler and it was fine for us both times we dined there both at lunch and dinner. Once with a reservation and once without. The food was really good and in the evening we lucked out on the jazz singer upstairs.
It would be a nice place to sit at the bar and just listen as well as dine. We tried pasta, lamb and game and all dishes were prepared very well and were seasonal.
The suggestions were always good and the service was always prompt and courteous despite the crazy waits of the high season.
Would highly recommend. -
Review from Peter S.
4/24/2009
A wonderful little restaurant in Old Montreal that was definitely worth the walk from Centre-ville where our hotel is located.
The menu covered a wide range of tastes that our dining party was looking for; fish, pasta, lamb, and chicken.
I had the goat-cheese chicken with fresh vegetables and risotto. Was this delicious. There were no complaints from my other dining partners about their meals either.
They also had a wide selection of wines from all over the world.
I finished the evening with tiramisu, which was tasty, light, and fluffy, and some coffee. The waiter even took the extra step to make us fresh coffee.
Overall the evening was wonderful with live jazz filtering down from upstairs. The staff was excellent and kept our water glasses filled.
This is one definite spot I would recommend in Old Montreal. -
Review from sabine t.
2/16/2011
Honestly, i was slightly dissapointed. There was no live band when i was there! That's 75% of the reason i wanted dinner here. I didn't go for Valentine's day, but was just so surprised that there wasn't live music. Other than that i loved it. I got the lamb shank with almond crust, and the apple pie for dessert. It was a whole baked apple with filo dough. So good. Maybe next some live music?
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Review from Wino K.
9/6/2009
Food was not great; but the atmosphere and live jazz singer made for a really nice evening. The service was a bit slow, but she apologized and comp'd us a glass of wine for the wait, which given how busy things were and the entertainment, did not seem that bad.
Go here for the nice wine list and sit at the bar and hear some music, and then grab dinner elsewhere. Also note, the place and vibe isn't very trendy and youthful, there were a lot of senior citizen couples and families. Other places in the neighborhood are a better fit for a hipper, younger crowd. -
Review from Tyler M.
7/21/2010
This was a tasty restaurant, with friendly service, nice atmosphere (live jazz every night) and a great location! A good spot to try if looking for a nice , but not Ayer elegant dinner in downtown Montreal.
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Review from Jonathan K.
2/16/2009
Great wine selection, friendly staff. Wandered in here. No doubt, viex-Montreal is tourist central and this place is the jazz tourist bar. But the lamb is good. Really good. It isn't cheap, but it is tasty.
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Review from David C.
6/23/2011
Modavie is a great place to get a drink and soak up some really exceptional live jazz...but skip dinner. My fish was (and I hate to slam any restaurant based on one meal) but it was simply terrible. My girlfriends steak was similarly bland, chewy, string and not cooked properly. Such a disappointment. Having said that the place is really gorgeous, great decor, great atmosphere, great bar. You've a great spot, but really, up those standards at the pass folks.
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Review from J B.
North Lancaster, ON
5/24/2011
My daughters took me out for dinner to celebrate my birthday. My choice of Modavie over some other fine dining spots in Old Montreal was because of the live Jazz. After spending an afternoon meandering around the old port, we had a cool drink atop one of the smaller boutique hotels and then took in an Imax film. Dinner reservation was 7:pm. We were seated at a cozy table upstairs not far from the live entertainment. A friend of mine joined us shortly after we had ordered a delicious white wine and our shared appetizer....can't remember what it was but it was puff pastry and very good. Our waiter was attentive, polite and had a good sense of humour. He recommended the halibut so I ordered it and it was excellent. One daughter had a chicken dish and one had the filet mignon; both enjoyed their meals. The live jazz was wonderful background for a most enjoyable evening.
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