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Restaurant Toque
Category: Restaurants French French [Edit]
900 Jean-Paul-Riopelle PlMontreal, QC H2Z 2B2
(514) 499-2084
- Hours:
Tue-Sat 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
53 reviews for Restaurant Toque
Review Highlights
-
"I had the chef's "surprise" 7 course tasting menu." In 10 reviews -
"They were not cheap with their foie gras shavings." In 19 reviews -
"Wine pairing: 1998 macon late harvest chardonnay." In 7 reviews
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53 reviews in English
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Review from Melissa M.
4/10/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Tasting menu was a wonderful, leisurely, fascinating journey. Quite a tour around the animal kingdom: sea urchin, snails, chilean sea bass, beef, pigeon. Presentation is lovely. Delicate sauces made for elegant but light dishes. Fresh, fresh, fresh. And the serious is truly joyous and intelligent without a hint of pretension. Easter eve was a good time to be in Montreal: a rare, quiet Saturday night. But we will definitely return to Toque even on a busy night!
-
Review from Rod M.
3/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
Having heard many good things about Toque I'd been looking for an excuse to eat there and when I learnt that they were now open for lunch a business lunch was a great opportunity.
The food was very good, sorry I ate there a few weeks ago can can't remember exactly what I ordered, and nicely presented. The service was terrific, the manager was even able to recharge my BlackBerry while I ate, and the decor is modern yet warm.
I certainly can't find anything to complain about, yet at the same time I wasn't blown away such that I can give them 5 stars. I was there for lunch and I sometimes wonder if restaurants hold back a little something something from the lunch crowd where the prices are typically not as steep as dinner.
All in all a very nice experience which I would highly recommend for a business lunch. -
Review from Una A.
5/14/2012
I came here for the tasting menu this weekend. The service was incredible. Having eaten at other comparable restaurants in the U.S. (Eleven Madison Park in NYC, Gary Danko in SF), I would say that Toque far surpasses them in terms of service and flavor. The dishes at Toque were focused on their respective star ingredients. Every course felt like something that came out of Iron Chef. We also had the wine pairing, and each wine truly elevated the course that it was served with. The service is familiar, warm, yet polished. We had a four hour meal that was the highlight of our trip to Montreal. Not to be missed, and a steal for the money!!
-
Review from Diane Z.
4/22/2012
Came for brunch, which was not a bad deal since all the mains came with a starter. Everything was simple and tasty. The lamb stew was tender. Skip the rabbit, since that was a bit lean and not as flavorful.
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Review from Danielle F.
10/15/2011
I had heard wonderful things about this restaurant, so on my last visit to Montreal, I went twice.
The first time we went on my birthday, and both I and my dining partner opted for the 7 course tasting menu. To be honest, I didn't leave in love with the restaurant. But there was a dessert on the menu I *had* to try, so I came back a few weeks later - and that left me pretty much head over heels.
I went back in June and July, and I don't remember all of the details. So of the 13 dishes I tried (between tasting menu, and the two appetizers, entrees, and desserts we got when we went back), I will just comment on what stood out.
Other reviewers have mentioned the asparagus foam. It was incredible.
One of the earliest dishes in the tasting menu was sea urchin with daikon radish and organic soy. I'm forgetting some ingredients. There were several flavors, they were very subtle. Eating this and noticing the flavors was an incredible experience.
Another dish was sea snail with asparagus, egg, and a sauce. I don't remember what the sauce was, but both my uncle and I cleaned it off our plates with the bread. It was delicious.
The dessert on the tasting menu was a rhubarb heavy creation. Strawberry and rhubarb compote, topped with strawberries, this merenge-but-drier-and-crunchier white stuff, rhubarb chips, and rhubarb sorbet. I'm not really a rhubarb kind of person, so I am extraordinarily grateful it came with the tasting meal, otherwise I never would have tried it. It was phenomenal.
On my return, my dining partner and I got the sea urchin (too incredible not to eat again) as well as oysters (yum!). His entree was ribeye with black garlic and red pepper reduction and morel mushrooms - this was part of the taster menu I had tried earlier with my uncle, and neither he nor I had been impressed by it. Whatever the issue was, they got it right this time - I tasted his entree, it was phenomenal. I got halibut over a bed of asparagus and a white sauce. There were flowers in it. This entree was among the most incredible experiences I've ever had eating anything. I have dreamt about it since my return to Columbus.
Our desserts this time were good but not amazing. (Unfortunately the dessert I had been so excited to try had been taken off the menu since our earlier visit!)
I don't know when I'll be in Montreal next, but whenever it is, I will be going to Toque. Probably not for the taster menu ... but maybe. The dishes, after all, will have changed ... and how can I pass up the chance to try seven things instead of two or three? -
Review from annie t.
9/11/2011
Oh la la! Best dining moment in Montreal. We went there for early lunch, (Read: How to do expensive places on a budget). Decor was very spacious and modern, yet still held a warm & intimate feel. Service was outstanding, top notch.Our waiter was very attentive & informative.
3 course menu for lunch, 26-30$
-Appetizers:
Foie gras mousse, ground cherry, nuts and mesclun (fois gras was too buttery and rich for my taste, but it went along perfectly with the thin honey bread & nuts)
Rabbit terrine, salad, croutons and mustard vinaigrette (delicious)
-Entrees:
Leg of lamb, merguez, rosemary sauce, pesto, garlic purée and eggplant stuffed with peperonata. (my favorite dish! Everything on that plate was perfection!)
My fiance went with the plat du jour, a braised oxtail, delish!
-Dessert:
Biscuit Joconde, dark and milk chocolate ganache, nut liqueur, florentine and pistachio
Cheese cake, white chocolate, blueberry, tarragon sugar, yogurt and blueberry ice cream
Every course came with a choice of wine. I opted for only the White tha came with my app. Good pairing. We also sat in view of the 7,000 wine bottle cellar and did some great people watching. Also, good thing about a lunch time reservation is the choice to be casually dressed up rather than full blown dressy.
Overall, the dishes were creative, delicious, and had a beautiful presentation. Left with full, happy stomachs. -
Review from Daniel H.
4/5/2012
Had the tasting menu. Service is pretty impeccable, but the food was just okay. The only standout dish was the lobster. It was perfectly cooked in this rich, buttery broth. The quail was really good too. However, did not like the shrimp croquet/meatball, the venison, nor the dessert (an almond cake with lemon cream). The price is really reasonable for a 7 course ($98), but the food didn't knock me off my feet, which is kinda what I was expecting. Nice location though because it's next to Old Montreal. Ambiance is nice too.
-
Review from Orion Q.
8/18/2011 Seated via OpenTable
We had high expectations from all the reviews on Yelp. The decor is modern and comfortable. However this does not make up for the food. My wife and I had the tasting menu with Fois Gras. A this point I think I have sub-consciously blocked all the dishes from memory. Yes, it was that bad. I give the restaurant one star for trying to be creative with food, but at the end of the day it has to taste great.
With all the other great restaurants in Montreal, you should only go here if you cannot get a table anywhere else.
I don't like giving negative reviews but I wish there were more for Toque on Yelp before we went. -
Review from evan b.
7/5/2011
I'm conflicted about tasting menus. Yes they're a great chance to show off the culinary wizardry of the chef. Yes they're the most bang for the buck, especially with corresponding wine pairings. And yes, it is also a way to fritter away three hours in the presence of a loved one, eating the way we used to eat: slowly. with patience and reverence. Using all five senses instead of wolfing food down.
My problem with tasting menus is that invariably one dish stands out beyond all other dishes. And at Toque, the so cute and perfect and great serviced restaurant, it happened to be the first dish we had.
Oh sure the arctic char (my first char and not my last) was amazing, the sauce inspired but not overpowering. the pork belly was a crispy, fatty treat. the garlic cheese crepe type thing was amazing. The sea snails (not garden but seat, thank you very much) were incredible. The beef portion we had was expertly cooked. I'm sadly forgetting a dish. it will come back to me.
But honest to jesus, the very first dish-- asparagus foam with brown butter: transcendent. I mean first of all, what the heck is asparagus foam? I don't know. But I could have happily eaten a bowl of it like ice cream.
So yeah there you go-- Toque is without a doubt one of Montreal's finest restaurants (and a great location, too, around the corner from the W hotel in Old Town) and should not be missed ever by anyone who considers themselves a lover of cuisine.
Just know that once you put something like asparagus foam in your mouth, should they have it on the menu when you arrive, your life will never be the same again.
Thanks, Toque for changing my life with your one little dish. -
Review from Mr T.
8/14/2011
Terrible.
As stated by some. I was very disappointed in the seven course meal. Not worth half of what is being charged and worse.... it does not taste good.
The first and last item were the only items I liked, I could not wait for it to end.
The foie gras which I usually love was grilled and greasy, the Quayle was raw, the lamb was raw and the cheese was a slice of cheese over vegetables (really).
The restaurant should let you know what will be served and not make it a surprise because obviously it always the same based on the reviews.
Don't waste your appetite and money. -
Review from D D.
Montréal, QC
3/27/2011
Very interesting food! I was not in the mood for the tasting menu so had the duck instead. The portions are a lot bigger than I expected. Often times great food establishments, the portions are tiny little splashes of food like mini-paintings. Not here!
I saved room for dessert and had the chocolate one - SO GOOD, and the zucchini cake with squash ice cream. Both were great!
The bar is great to sit at too. It is cozy and nice. The decore is tasteful. The waitstaff wear uniforms/matching outfits here too so it looks sharp.
I highly recommmmmend! -
Review from John S.
7/29/2011
This list of 5-star reviews remind me of the Emperor's new clothes. I walked out at the 4th course of the tasting menu. Molecular gastronomy seems to have become "add foam to everything". The flavors were disgusting. The brioche that came with the foie gras tasted like the butane torch they used to char it. There was a BLT without bread that was a very large portion of something that should've never existed. The final straw was some nasty bone marrow concoction that tasted of wasabi and failed talent.
I'm a finicky eater but my wife, a much more patient and accepting diner, was as happy to leave as I was. If you want a fantastic tasting menu in Montreal, try La Chronique. -
Review from Karin V.
8/5/2010 1 photo
For some reason, I had pictured a formal and reserved French restaurant, but Toqué was quite the opposite. The décor was contemporary and had an open feel with high ceilings and lots of light filling the dining room. The staff was youthful and friendly. The restaurant's vibe was one of relaxed elegance. And the same can be said about the food. It was sophisticated and modern French cuisine, but with more restraint and a lighter touch. I had the chef's "surprise" 7 course tasting menu...
Amuse Bouche - chilled tomato soup with herb foam
Princess Scallops marinated with rhubarb water, radish, strawberries, wasabi mousse - colorful presentation. The rhubarb water enhanced the sweetness of scallops while also making it refreshing. However, if eaten with more than one piece of strawberry, the taste of the scallop was lost.
Steamed Razor Clam, coriander, escarole, ginger, spicy soy vinaigrette - the clam was steamed to perfection and had the most amazing texture - soft and chewy without being rubbery. The clam's delicate sweetness was balanced perfectly by the restrained use of spicy and savory Asian flavors.
Foie Gras, green apple essence, potato confit, asparagus, peas, turnips - WOW, I never knew foie gras could taste like spring! The foie was amazingly light and elegant with just a hint of sweetness (as opposed to the usual additions of strong sweet or salty ingredients with foie gras). I was told that Chef Laprise doesn't season the foie with anything to keep it super plump and luscious. Beautiful dish!
Ribeye Carpaccio, white asparagus, popcorn powder, shitake mushrooms, miso, wasabi infused oil - the BEST CARPACCIO to have ever graced my lips! I don't even know where to start - there was so much complexity and layers of flavor in this carpaccio. I especially loved the earthy richness of shitake mushrooms with the beef and that hit of flavor from the miso. I also appreciated the cleansing bites of herb provided by the chopped scallions. The portion size was perfect for this robust dish.
Squab, turnips, heirloom carrot, pearl onion - it was bold move to include the squab's clawed foot in the dish and definitely made for a striking presentation. The leg was awesome with that lovely rich taste of dark meat, while the other parts of the squab were super moist and tender from being sous vide.
Hercules Cheese, mushrooms, asparagus, fried shallots, wildflower honey - much more fun than your ordinary cheese plate. I was impressed by the paper thin slice of cheese given how large the cheese wedge was. Lovely combination of flavors and textures - velvety cheese, juicy mushrooms, sweet honey, salty and crunchy fried shallots.
Rhubarb Sorbet, Meringue on Strawberry & Maple Foam - the meringue was light and sweet, but the rhubarb sorbet was too tart for my taste.
Overall, I was impressed by my dinner at Toqué. It was evident how much care and technique went into each course, and I could taste the freshness of the seasonal ingredients. The food was relatively light yet had so complexity. Each bite brought in different elements of the dish, continually building on the sophisticated flavors...and kept my taste buds intrigued. The ~$100/person price for the meticulously prepared 7 course Chef's Tasting Menu also kept my wallet happy. I have yet to find this caliber of food for that price in the U.S.
**For pics of each course, go the my blog linked under my profile. Enjoy!** -
Review from Shawn K.
10/4/2011
Over rated! Very good presentation and service, poor flavor...
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Review from Denise R.
9/9/2011 1 Check-in Here
Would give this place 10 stars if I could! I've eaten at many good restaurants in Montreal (Moishes, Queue de Cheval, Grain de Sel, Pied de cochon...etc) but this one outshines them all! Food, service, ambiance outstanding!
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Review from Merrill H.
8/7/2008
Toque is the best restaurant in Canada. There-- I said it, and I await the rebuttals. Bring it on!
Granted, my only meal here was over 5 years ago, but I dream about the salad I had here. Yes, the salad. (And I don't normally dream about food, either.) It was simple, it was evenly dressed, and it was the most delicious thing I've ever eaten. I really wish I could talk about the other items I ate, but everything else has been overshadowed by that delicious, perfect salad.
Toque emphasizes creativity. Looking at their recent a la carte menu, have you imagined serving caramelized mackerel with maple syrup? How about tuna belly with raspberry vinagrette? Sounds intriguing and guaranteed to be heavenly. I'd highly suggest getting the chef's 7 course tasting menu, as there will be even more creativity and suprises awaiting in each dish. In addition, Toque showcases their local suppliers. All of their food is locally grown/produced.
You'd think Toque comes with a hefty price tag, but it doesn't. The 7 course tasting menu (without wine pairings) comes in at $92 Canadian dollars, or $87 USD. Can you believe that?
Toque is definitely worth a trip to the lovely city of Montreal. If you come to Montreal without a visit to Toque, just realize you are missing out on THE best meal of your life from Canada's best restaurant. -
Review from Erin A.
11/24/2008
Our evening at Toque was good and memorable but not the best meal or service I've ever had by far. We both ordered the 7 course tasting menu with wine flights.
There were some outstanding courses: the rabbit with pasta, the foie gras, razor scallops with mushrooms. My mouth is watering just thinking about the rabbit. But the service was off. Our main waitress was competent enough but several of the food runners did not have a good enough grasp of English to describe the dishes. This should not happen at a 5 star restaurant in a bilingual city. The staff who deals with customers should speak both of those languages fluently. There is a level of service at fine dining restaurants that I did not feel Toque met. It was no one thing but the entire evening. It was a fine evening but at $420 for two, not one that will be repeated. -
Review from Chad T.
7/7/2010
This may be the finest modern restaurant in Montreal, complete with some of those El Bulli style molecular gastronomy techniques. We went for the 7-course tasting menu, and loved every course:
0. Amuse Bouche: Cold tomato soup with herbs.
1. Scallop with rhubarb water and wasabi foam
2. Razor clam
3. Foie Gras, apple water, potato confit, asparagus, radish, and almonds
4. Rib eye carpaccio, shitake mushrooms, asparagus, popcorn powder (Yes!), parmesan, and garlic
5. Duck filet, turnips, beets, carrot, pancetta
6. Melted Gruyere, mushroom, whipped cream with pepper crouton sautéd in olive oil, radish, honey, with thyme on top
7. Rhubarb compote, sorbet and chips, merengue, yogurt, and fresh strawberry
I would definitely come back here again. -
Review from Leo H.
8/19/2008
My ladyfriend and I went to Montreal for a long weekend. We agreed that I would pick two restaurants and she would pick the other two. Toque was one of my picks.
As big fans of the tasting menu at Radius in Boston, we both decided to get the 7 course tasting menu with wine pairing and Fois Grois addition. The courses consisted of:
-Tomato soup shooter
-(Don't remember)
-(Don't remember)
-Poached halibut with potato foam
-Fois Grois
-Rare duck slice with zuchini
-Goat cheese with berries
Overall impressions on food and drinks:
I wished the bar was stocked a bit better. I wanted a dry Hendricks Martini with cucumber, but they didn't have any Hendricks. Upon further inspection of their bar, they didn't carry too many spirits. This seemed to be a theme in Montreal; understandably, I think they focus more on wine than their US neighbors.
The wine choices were excellent and matched the food perfectly.
The duck and fois grois were very good, though I felt the portion of duck was far too small to represent the primary meat course.
Unfortunately, the other dishes were forgettable overall (you can see I actually can't remember two of them). The portions did not match up against the price and the selections were just a bit too boring for me. Everything was presented very well, but I think I needed at least one more meat course.
I should mention that my girlfriend was very pleased with dinner. She particularly liked the tomato soup shooter, which was excellent, but once again suffered from being too small a course (Radius would give something away like this as a bonus).
The service was also only okay for a restaurant in this price range. The wait staff was not very attentive, requiring you to chase them down for water refills or bill paying. This might just be a culture issue though; other restaurants in Montreal seemed to follow suit.
Overall I give Toque a 3 out of 5. I expect better service for my money and I was not impressed with the tasting menu. I think perhaps I would have been happier with something from their main menu.
Toque is good, but it's not great. -
Review from SG D.
I had heard so much about this restaurant, I had to try it out during my trip. Opted for the seven course menu. Selected the option with the Fois Gras. For the tasting menus, they seem to prepare the menu based on your food preferences, so you have no idea what you'll end up getting. They made a vegetarian menu for my wife.
Amuse Bouche: A brioche filled with Gruyere cheese. Not especially good (brioche was slightly cold, and the cheese wasn't that soft), but thankfully wasn't an indication of the food to come.
Course 1: Scallops in the shell with Rhubarb water and Wasabi Foam, with cilantro oil. Phenomenal. It was very light and refreshing. The foam wasn't overbearing and went really well with the food.
Course 2: Razor Clam: Sort of an Asian inspired version. They had a soy/sesame oil broth at the bottom.
Course 3: Fois Gras, Apple Water, Baby Peas. Excellent. I'd never eaten Fois Gras before, so I can safely say it's the best Fois Gras I've ever eaten :) The peas were perfectly cooked and the apple water added a nice sweetness to the dish.
Course 4: Rabbit and mushrooms. Delicious. The right amount of earthiness.
Course 5: Squab: Don't remember too much about this, but wasn't a big fan. Too little meat and a bit too gamey for poultry.
Course 6: Cheese Plate. It was melted Gruyere with mushrooms, whipped cream, radishes and a crouton.
Course 7: Dessert. By this point, I had eaten so much I can't even remember what I was eating. All I remember was that there was some sort of sorbet and white chocolate with a meringue on top.
Service: Excellent. Patiently explained all the dishes to us. Very knowledgeable. One of my wife's dishes had the famous popcorn powder on it. I asked them how it was made and it was surprisingly simple. I'm going to try it out at home. Hopefully I won't start another fire in my kitchen.
I also had a wine pairing with the dinner. All in all, definitely worth it, and Toque is going to be a stop every time I go to Montreal. For the amount of money that you end up paying this is a very good deal. -
Review from Gary W.
7/30/2011
We were very excited to try Toque. We read that it was on of the finest restaurants in all of Montreal, and is known for its sensational French cuisine. Sadly, we were rather disappointed. We found the price to be outrageously high, given that the portions were remarkably small, the food was average/above-average (but not exceptional) and the service was good, but hardly outstanding. Overall our dining experience was fine, and worthy of a 3 or a low 4 rating, but certainly not a 5, and hopefully not the finest Montreal has to offer.
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Review from David H.
12/22/2008
Toque is one of Montreals best restaurants. It is both consisent in the food and service. Having dined here over six times in the past two years I can truely say I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys fine dining.
The restaurant decor is modern and very clean lines; good size comfortable bar; nice wine cellar, open dining area. All service staff is very professional and polite.
I have had the tasting menu four time and everytime it was different and delicious. The other times I ordered off the menu. Menu is varied and has a very good selection. The salads, fish, seafood and game have all been delicious. The wine selection is very good.
You really can't go wrong eating here if you are entertaining. The crowd is a mix of professionals, business types, but mostly thirties to fifty year olds. Parking is available both on street and garage . Be sure to make reservations. -
Review from Claudine C.
12/27/2009 10 photos
We've dined in many fantastic restaurants (French Laundry, Alinea, Mugaritz, Pierre Gagnaire), and Chef Normand Laprise's Toque definitely stands among the best. We dined here in May, 2008 and though I've been remiss in writing up a timely review, our meal here clearly and memorably stands out as a highlight not only of our trip to Montreal, but of my collective dining experience...
Service is warm and friendly - we asked to be seated by the big picture windows that look out on the colourful Palais des congrès de Montréal ...
We opted for the 7-course "elaborate mystery menu" - a steal back then at $92 Cdn ($156 with 5 glasses of wine).
Some highlights:
Strawberries with scallops, macerated in orange juice. I thought this an odd combination to begin with - but the dish worked perfectly, the fruit pairing superbly with the delicate scallops, nothing overwhelmed.
Seared Foie Gras strawberry gelee and aged balsamic vinegar - the best treatment of Foie even during our Foie-heavy trip to Montreal, when we also visited that Temple of Fattened Goose Liver - Au Pied de Cochon. The sear was perfect, the outside delicately sweetly caramelised, the interior rich and nearly molten...
Suckling pig: uber fall-apart tender skin-on suckling pig surrounded with radishes, false morels, raw almonds & milk foam... fabulous contrasts in texture and tastes, the foam a light contrast to the richness of the pork...
We would definitely return on our next trip to Montreal... -
Review from Yumi L.
10/11/2010
FANTASTIC!!!
5 stars for food, service, and ambiance!
The staff in this restaurant were all very friendly and helpful. They were young and had a very tasteful and trendy uniform. The decor was contemporary and spacious. Tables were spaced well apart to give you a very personal feel.
For the 1st course, we had the dried cured ham with pear. Great balance of sweet and savory. Entree, we had the suckling pig sous vide. It was cooked to perfection, very tender and flavorful. The components of the dish with shallots, beets, and mushrooms complimented the pork very nicely. We also had the cavetelli pasta with foie gras shaving, which was very nice too. They were not cheap with their foie gras shavings. It was actually quite opposite of what I imagined "shavings" to be. Sommelier also did an awesome job helping us with our choice of red wine. It came in chunks larger than the size of sugar cubes. Now, my favorite part, dessert. We were stuffed by this time, but had to try the Zucchini cake with Squash ice cream, which was fantastic. Never had anything better! It was light and not too sweet. Really different and delicious.
Overall, if you're looking for a great meal with excellent service. I would highly recommend Toque!! We went on a Saturday night. The restaurant was full, but we were not rushed at all. Again, tables were spaced out nicely, so we did not hear other people's conversations. I would love to try their other desserts. The selections all sounded very creative, different, and I'm sure delicious. If they can make me crave for zucchini cake and squash ice cream , I'm sure everything else on the menu would be awesome! -
Review from Rannie B.
Montréal, QC
4/25/2010
I have been at Toque twice. Both times I was blown away.
Everything, and I mean everything from the greeting to the decor and place settings, the service and of course the food is in a class by itself.
Every morsel of food that I put in my mouth had very obviously been thought out, prepared with mastery and combined perfectly.
Each visit also allowed me to discover new tastes. Something rather rare given my love for food and my constant quest for new and exciting culinary experiences.
The decor and service are both conducive to slowly savoring every bite of your meal.
There is no question in my mind that Toque is the best restaurant in Montreal. It's really in a class of it's own. -
Review from Joan B.
8/8/2011
Ordering the tasting menu here is a big mistake. To summarize: it is a ripoff that is not well thought out and will leave you feeling like you drank a quart of cream and not much else.
In the tasting menu we were served there was no real protein other than two slabs of duck breast, stretched with very gamy duck heart.
We were served course after course with bits of inexpensive ingredients usually blended into foam and whipped cream (for a hundred dollars plus).
When I ordered the foie gras tasting menu--at an upcharge--the waiter did not mention that the following course would be marrow; to eat foie gras followed by bone marrow borders on disgusting. One reason we chose the tasting menu was for the cheese course, but instead of bringing out the platter of Canadian cheeses (as for those who ordered a la carte) we got one slice of cheese filled with Parmesan-flaked whipped cream. Instead of getting to taste their pastries for dessert, we got more cream--melting lavender ice cream, after the whipped-cream cheese, which had followed two other whipped-cream courses (with bits of cod, bits of corn). Despite tasting delicious, the courses seemed repetitive and it felt like they were stinting on any ingredient that cost money.
The restaurant is physically lovely, and there is talent in the kitchen, but the tasting menu--like their hefty wine markups-- is a "gouge-the-customer" affair that should be avoided. I suggest ordering from the short but interesting regular menu if you want to enjoy this restaurant and feel that you got good value. -
Review from Laur T.
12/28/2008
This is supposed to be the best restaurant in Montreal. Or at least the best from what I researched and found. So we were excited to secure a reservation (albeit a pretty late one) on our weekend trip here.
Food was good, not phenomenal. I had the foie gras tasting dinner while he had the regular tasting. Silly me, I requested for the foie in the form of a terrine instead. The chef was able to accomodate my request and I enjoyed the terrine (thinking back now, I wonder if I made the right decision to swap...) but later on in the tasting, I somehow felt that the taste of dishes seem similar to that of the terrine (probably because he used the same ingredients e.g. strawberries etc). He said I can't really judge it since I requested a swap... perhaps I should have stuck to the original menu. Oh well.
I'm not a big fan of their squab. The meat itself it too gamey for me. However, I did enjoy dinner here. My very first tasting! We spent a bomb here that night. I offered to split but he took on the entire bill. So sweet. -
Review from Ross P.
7/14/2009
Expensive and perfect. I was at Toque a few years ago, and it blew my mind. There are dishes that are hard to reproduce, and you are treated like royalty. At $300-500 per couple, you expect nothing less.
This is a once a year or every few year experience for us. It is about perfection, and the waiters (who seem to outnumber the guests) make sure that you get perfection. They clear everything between each dish (and we had 7 tastings). They also explain the dishes in a way that is scripted.
The food is so creative, I don't know where to begin, but some of these dishes obviously require huge preparation and special equipment. I felt like I was a visiting chef on a food show, and they were doing this just for me.
I recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants to experience both food and service that is over-the top. Save up and go - but it will set you back - be prepared. -
Review from Jen S.
1/13/2011
fancy fancy. i love fancy food i love fancy restaurants. we made reservations here on a friday night and decided to order the tasting menu and added foie gras cause who doesnt love that?! add in a bottle of wine and your dinner is now expensive but delicious.
the annoying part was that valet was not complimentary but was $13! once you enter, they have a closet for your jackets so that's nice.
the food itself was delicious and the presentation fantastic. but it just wasn't one of the best that i've been to. the service was good. we had a few. one was very descriptive and answered all our questions. some were just hard to understand :( and when youre at a fancy restaurant i like to know what im eating
menu degustation - $92 each
foie gras degustation - addt'l $12 each
baron louis bottle of red wine - $80 -
Review from Sable M.
4/23/2009
We first went to Toque years ago when it was still in the old location. We had the chef's menu (I had the one with Foie Gras and my husband had one without), which we did not know what to expect. Every dish was a pleasant surprise: the food was impeccable and the presentation was extremely impressive! It was by far our best dining experience ever.
When we visited Montreal again, we went back to Toque in its current location. It was much centered location and the dinning room was bigger, but it also became less personal. The food was still good but too much Asian influence this time. Because of my background, it was not nearly as innovative as the first time. Our expectation was so high that we were slightly disappointed.
It was still a very nice restaurant but with the exchange rate, we found it to be too expensive, especially considered the alternatives (there are tons of great restaurants in town). We will recommend it to someone who has a lot of money and wouldn't mind to spend on a meal. However, for us, it is no longer our number one choice in Montreal. -
Review from Amy Z.
10/6/2009
Toque, work in progress.
Setting -
Décor was a little dated and dining room was stuffy.
Food-
Amuse bouclé: corn soup had a flat flavor and lack of texture. No, it does not taste like popcorn!
Oysters: maybe it was our luck, the oysters were Not fresh that night and left us with a fishy taste to start our meal.
Foie gras Terrine: ask the server for a plate of sea salt, otherwise, the terrine was pretty good. I especially enjoyed the warm and EXTREMELY buttery brioche bread.
Scallops: cooked perfectly, but not very memorable.
Entrée Gnocchi cooked with Foie Gras was the star of the night! Perfectly flavorful Ricotta Gnocchi topped with LOTS of foie gras pieces. Although oily, it was very tasty.
Entrée suckling pig - bring your own knife, because Toque does not have steak knives. The waiter was really nice and offered to send back to the kitchen and have it cut up. But the pork was a little over cooked with very little flavor. I wish they could be a little more generous with the jus.
Dessert chocolate cake - plain, simple, nothing special.
For a restaurant like Toque, with a celebrity chef's name one the door, the price tag on the menu, and the ambiance it tries to create, we went with a lot of expectations, but it fell short in many ways. Overall, the food was good, but we found it safe and uninventive. Other than the gnocchi with foie gras, everything else, including the decor, still has a lot of room to improve. -
Review from Jarrett H.
10/12/2010
Came here at 9pm on a Saturday night, ordered the tasting menu. We had a nut/seed allergy that we made them aware of and the first course and the bread both had seeds on them, but once we alerted them to the mistake they took the food back and gave us new food and gave us a different onion bread(which was refilled as fast as we ate it) and never made another mistake. The sommelier was knowledgeable and suggested a great wine, but never came by again to check on it. The food was expertly prepared, creative, and very filling - by the 5th course neither of us could finish the entire plate. The entire experience took just over 4 hours, so don't come here on a tight schedule. A special occasion, but worth it, at $300+tip with a bottle of wine
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Review from M B.
5/16/2011
Delicious. It has some very interesting and avant-garde type dishes, such as the creamed/whipped corn appetizer. The waiters and waitresses are polite and accommodating, even speaking in both English and French when they first greet you. I would definitely return the next time I am in Montreal.
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Review from Kevyn L.
12/25/2010
I now see why this is arguably Montreal's best restaurant. We got the 7-course tasting menu and every dish was original, exciting and most importantly, deliciously memorable. Forget the other high-end restaurants in town, this is the only one you need to try.
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Review from Holly T.
12/12/2008
This place gave me a whole new perspective on molecular gastronomy. I'd had it before, but never executed quite this well. I was a little skeptical of all the great reviews, but this place lived up to its acclaim.
This was one of the few Montreal restaurants on Open Table, so reservations were a snap. This is also one of the more elegant restaurants I've dined at in Montreal, so I'd recommend dressing up a bit.
We got the 7 course tasting menu, along with the vintage wine pairing (there were two wine pairing options, vintage and regular).
Amuse: Tangerine juice, served in a shot glass, topped with fir foam.
First course: Scallop served in the shell, with apple foam & cranberry water. Wine pairing: 1998 macon late harvest chardonnay
Second course: Monkfish liver with sake gelée and organic soy sauce. Wine pairing: 1993 soave
Third course: Seared foie gras with chili jelly, groundcherry, daikon, apple water, sugar/salt on flower petal. Wine pairing: 1996 sauternes.
Fourth course: Chicken topped with a sheet of homemade pasta with green onion oil. Wine pairing: 1996 Morgon beaujolais.
Fifth course: Venison with elderberries, red pepper chips, garlic, root vegetables, brussels sprouts, Wine pairing: 1970 Rioja Faustino (bottled in 1974).
Sixth course: Cheese plate with melted local cheese, homemade potato chips, pine nuts, red bell peppers, quince. (Wine pairing: didn't come with the tasting menu but we got a N.V. aged Tokai)
Seventh course: Baked cored apple with apple sherbet, coconut/sour cream powder, cranberry reduction.
Needless to say, it was a pretty impressive dinner. The colors and presentation of each dish were a work of art to behold, as well as to taste. The service was impeccable throughout the evening; the kind of service where your every need is anticipated. At one point a busser poured tap water into our sparkling water glasses, and even though it wasn't that big a deal our server immediately noticed and whisked those glasses away, bringing out a new bottle of sparkling water. Of all the meals we had on our last trip, this is one of the ones that was the most haunting; days later I'd still be thinking about some aspect of this meal. Montreal has so many excellent restaurants, so this is yet another one that is worth trying at least once.Listed in: Yelp-inspired Excursions
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Review from Brian M.
4/14/2009
One of my favorite restaurants, and absolutely worth it. The wine pairings really did compliment the food, and the food was exquisite.
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Review from Lawrence W.
10/28/2010
Simply amazing. I don't know if I'll ever be to another restaurant better than this.
The decor and ambiance was modern, nothing to talk much of. Clean and simple. Service was very professional.
The food was brilliant. We had the Tasting Menu and left $500 lighter for two, but it was worth it. The dinner was not just a meal, but a while experience. Very creative food with complex flavors and textures, but still very accessible for most people.
Wow, I hope to go to Montreal again someday so that I can go to Toque again. -
Review from Diane And Allen S.
6/18/2010
Toque was freakin' fantastic!!!
I was here last week with my co-workers for a company offsite and our party of 12 loved it. Toque was extremely accommodating of our large and loud group! We started off at the bar with a few reds, whites, whisky and mojitos before moving to the table. Once we got settled, I ordered:
1. Sweet peas salad, foie gras terrine shavings, radish, white asparagus and pop corn powder - Amazing! Came with a light,fluffy brioche, which was the perfect vessel for the foie gras to go from plate to mouth.
2. Suckling pig cooked sous vide, Parmentier cream, shiitake mushrooms and fiddelheads - Equally delish! Fiddleheads were steamed to perfection and pork was tender.
3. Dessert. I sat at a table of four sugar addicts. We each decided to order a different dessert to share. Chocolate puff pastry, strawberries, whipped cream with yuzu, black currant souffle and maple mousse!!! EXCELLENT!
We will be back! -
Review from Debbie P.
3/15/2010 4 photos
Ordered the tasting menu with the wine pairing. I'm very particular in where I don't eat fruit not due to any allergies but I just simply don't like the taste or texture of any fruit so I was very pleased when they were able to accommodate my request without blinking an eye. They even came back to confirm the menu with my after speaking to their chef to make sure there wasn't anything on the menu that would displease me. The best part was the chocolate dessert which I devoured in no time.
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Review from Kim G.
6/6/2011
I wish Yelp allowed for half stars because Toque! is 4.5 in my mind - not perfect, but darn close. I did the tasting menu with foie gras the other night and I'm so glad I did. The entire meal was awesome - I can't think of a single dish that wasn't exceptional. One member of my party thought the amuse buche was salty, but that was the only negative the entire night! I loved the sea urchin soup, probably the best sea urchin I've had and I thought the bone marrow dish was fun and inventive. Overall the food was top notch. At this point you're probably wondering why not five stars! Well the service was somewhat sporadic, but not bad either. At the beginning of meal it's like they forgot to put our order in because the amuse came out quickly and then nothing while we watched some tables around us power down two courses. They apologized for the delay and then things started going. Some servers were also friendlier than others and I thought it was strange how we seemed to have a different server for each course. Overall the experience was great and I'd eat here again - truly great fine dining experience.
