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Vallier
Category: Restaurants Canadian (New) Canadian (New) [Edit]
425 Rue McGillMontréal, QC H2Y 2H1
(514) 842-2905
- 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:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
30 reviews for Vallier
Review Highlights
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"Window seat, good jazz, tasty cheese plate with excellent..." In 3 reviews -
"Oh yes, and it was topped with a sliver of foie gras." In 3 reviews -
"Very tasty Quebec comfort food, like the Pate chinois au..." In 9 reviews
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27 reviews in English
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Review from DAVE I.
Montréal, QC
3/4/2012 1 Check-in Here
VALLIER
Terroire cuisine with a comfort food approach? Does that make sense? Well that was my experience anyway. The restaurant is modern but not overly chi-chi to be hip and it's welcoming with all the warm wood, the art and its general warmth. The service itself, I was divided. Our server was being nice but it felt so forced and somewhat pretentious, however all our other servers who visited our table were very nice so I'll chalk it up to that guy. There's also the issue of the chairs. Lots of different chairs of different heights and I had to move some around in order to have a chair low enough to no longer having the table leaning on my legs.
We started out with a cheese platter. It was for one, but we had more starters in mind as well. There was a firm and soft cheese as well as a blue cheese. Some nutty breads and a delicious fig jelly. All very delicious however we would have appreciated an explanation of what cheeses we were being presented with but no such luck.
Our secondary starter was the foie gras served with apple liquor infused mousse. Really delicious. However I found myself salting the foie gras, was a step forgotten? And it was sitting on a mini-baguette that was so hard it was not permitting me to cut into the delicate foie gras. I had to remove it from the equation. I suppose pain perdu or a buttery pastry like a croissant is out of the question? Unseasoned foie gras and tough chewy baguette was unfortunate. But the mousse was its savior and its foie gras... unless you torch it, you can barely mess it up.
I had the meatloaf made of venison and duck if I remember correctly. It was unremarkable but it wasn't bad either. Maybe I'm just not a big meatloaf fan but I followed the waiter's suggestion. I forgot that when a waiter pushes dishes it's because they need to move the product fast. I should have gone with my initial choice which my friend took, a delicious... I mean insanely delicious pulled lamb shoulder topped with a sweet potato purée with homemade cream corn, that's what I was looking for.
Cheesecake, again?
Now as a foodie and I use that term loosely, I run through restaurants like Charlie Sheen goes through kilos of cocaine. If there's one thing that have become so ubiquitous that they have lost their relevance its cheesecake (and Crème Brulée). Every frakkin' restaurant has them on their menus, much like Cesar salad in the 90s - if you serve it I won't come - and Tortellini Cardinale in the 80s - now relegated to cafeteria food. I'm seriously fed up with them and are usually manufactured and not made on the premises. But the menu at Vallier calls it the best cheese cake in Montreal and all I could think was "Challenge Accepted". I am defeated. It was by far the absolute best Cheese Cake I've had in years and years. Smooth, creamy cake seemingly collapsing under its own weight, covered with cream and salted caramel, it was the best Cheese Cake experience of my life, any more pleasurable and the cake and I were getting a room.
In short, its great place to get a very good meal. There are a few faux-pas; such as a full bar not being able to make the original drink, the Tom Collins. The funky chair assortment. And a pretentious waiter. But all those things are overshadowed by really good grub with really good presentation in a warm welcoming setting in the heart of the gorgeous Old Montreal - truly my city is the greatest city. Please go for it. -
Review from Lawrence L.
1/29/2012
I came here in the beginning of January, wandering the empty evening streets of Montreal when most restaurants shut down after the holiday busyness. Vallier was quite alluring given that it was the only lit up venue in the area - you can imagine how warming the sight of the glow in the crisp cold air would be.
The menu isn't huge and there weren't too many adventurous items, so my choices were basically made for me - bone marrow appetizer and braised lamb shoulder stew for my main. They were good enough although the bone marrow had an odd smell to it and I'm not sure if I was even eating it right (probably one of those things where there's not a right way to eat it).
I was actually surprised that the waiter didn't check up very often and did not try to offer me a dessert. I had to basically beg for a coffee after the meal before I got my check.
I probably wouldn't be back given all the choices in Montreal that offer more unique French-Canadian cuisine with better service, especially since Holder is just next door. -
Review from Steve H.
5/24/2012
Stopped here for a bite last Monday and loved everything about it. Off the beaten path so a spot for regulars instead of the tourist eateries around the corner. highly recommend Vallier Bistro.
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Review from Tara L.
Toronto, ON
10/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a great lunch place - food was so tasty but not over seasoned. This is my second time back in 3 days so it really was a hit with me. They serve fudge with their coffees which is such a cute touch. Well worth getting a window seat when possible to watch the very fashionable people of Montreal go by.
Had the chicken burger with avocado, salad and fries. Looking forward to future visits!! -
Review from evan b.
7/11/2011
Super cute Mid century modern feel. Bistro fare that is consistent and tasty. I love the atmosphere especially on an off hour when it isn't so crowded and you can hear yourself and your date talk.
If you sit at the bar you have a good view of the bartenders. If you sit in the dining room you have a good view of the diners. But, if you can snag a window seat, especially over lunch, then Montreal is on display for you, and that is a treat.
As for the food: After two years of going here on and off, the food is always good. It's bistro fare. it won't knock your culinary socks off but it's comfort food and sometimes that's good enough. (See: Burgers and mac and cheese on their menu. yum.)
Servers are nice and friendly. Practice your French. They may answer in english to help you out but it's because they are kind.
Now. Some people complain about the price of the food. It is Old Montreal (i.e. expensiveville) but honestly it isn't that bad.
Some people complain about the price of everything.
But if you like food, and like good food, then you'll happily pay for it because what else would you spend your money on, anyway?
If you consider everything expensive and never good enough and not ever worth paying for, I have news for you: You don't like to eat.
And you're cheap.
There. I said it.
Enjoy Vallier. You won't be disappointed. -
Review from Avitania B.
Toronto, ON
It's been over a year since my last visit to Montreal, and my visit to Vallier. My husband and I were staying in the area again and decided to try it again. This time, we decided to avoid the burgers. I had the duck confit shepherd's pie, which was quite good -- served in a little cast iron skillet, it comes fresh out of the oven. The duck was a little bit dry, but on the whole the dish was really good. My husband's strip loin was also quite good: well-marinated in lime and smoky spices. The restaurant was also happy to sub the potatoes for extra salad since he's keeping on the Paleo diet these days; the salad was nice and lightly dressed.
Service was pretty good. I still find the prices to be quite high for the quality of food -- there are other restaurants in the area that are better in the price range -- but for casual comfort food, Vallier does the trick pretty well.Listed in: Vive Montréal!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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2/19/2010
Hopped in here for our late lunch because Le Cartet's kitchen was closed. I had the Mac n' Cheese… Read more »
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Review from Kel S.
3/17/2011 6 photos
So, the mushroom soup du jour was fan-freakin-tastic. It was topped with nuts. Have you ever heard of such a thing? Seriously?
The atmosphere was trendy, but not pretentious. The decor was cool...The crowd was business yuppy-ish when we went in for lunch yesterday.
Let's talk about some other things... I ordered the seared white tuna entree... which was not in fact, seared but rather well done. It was accompanied by toasted sesame seeds, pomegranite seeds, orange and many unidentifiable Canadian veggies...something I was told was similar to spinach and a rhubarb-like item, as well.
Our server was slow and unable to translate some of the items on the menu...but I feel she meant well.
Many items on the table had an antique feel, but not in a good way. The glasses were the same I grew up with in the 80's -- quite ugly actually. The steak knife had a wooden handle and looked as if it quite possibly held bacteria for as long as the glass had been around. The bowl the soup was served in was somewhat french onion-ish -- beige with a brown half.
There were some ACTUAL antiques which were cool... like a type writer by the entrance.
I'd give this place another chance, but considering what I describe above, the prices are a bit over the mark... -
Review from Melanie T.
3/28/2011
Mmm. This has been our favorite meal in Montreal so far. Great atmosphere and really enjoyable food. Wine list was a little pricey for us, but not so much that it stopped us from getting a bottle.
My martini was made perfectly dirty and my chicken and vegetables was delicious and just the right portion size. Fries were so so so good here and the homemade mayo was excellent on them.
Our waitress was super kind and encouraging about my crappy French. I was just as encouraging about her broken English. When i clumsily spilled my espresso, they kindly brought me another one without question. No hassle there.
Canada uses the at table credit card machines. Love that. I wish the US would catch on.
Anyway, lovely night. Would definitely recommend. -
Review from Beth M.
2/14/2010
Vallier wasn't our first or second choice for dinner. Garde-Manger appears to be super popular and their voicemail says to leave your name & number and if they have any reservations available, they'll call you. No call back. We huffed it over to Boris Bistro only to find it closed until the new year. We couldn't take being outside any longer (Montreal in December) and walked a few doors down to Vallier.
The atmosphere was jovial and we started with some good, local microbrews. The food is bar food but with some of it on the more upscale side. The waitress admitted she had forgotten to put our order in and gave us a free calamari appetizer. This was great for me but not so much for my non-seafood eating husband. The calamari was just okay with the breading not as crispy as it could have been. When our entrees came out, the burger for my husband and a special with white fish for me, the burger was definitely the better choice.
Overall, Vallier is an okay place that won't break the bank.Listed in: A Midwesterner in Montreal
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Review from Kellie C.
1/26/2010
After being recommended by the W Montreal concierge, myself and my husband tried Vallier out over the weekend. We were excited to try it out after seeing a great menu online filled with comfort food.
We were going to the hockey game in Montreal at 7:00 so we made a 4:00 dinner reservation for an early dinner before the game. We arrived early and decided to sit at the bar for a drink before eating, we told the maitre d that we were there for our DINNER reservation. After having a few drinks we told the bartender we would just eat at the bar and asked for a menu. He handed us a paper printout with FOUR items on it, he said it was a limited menu until 5:00. None of which we wanted and none of which were on the menu online.
I understand if they have a limited menu before 5, but knowing that we were there for dinner and letting us sit there and wait for our dinner reservation AND THEN tell us that we have a choice of four items was rude. We asked if we could just order the Mac and Cheese, we were greeted with a quick NO. No explination, just No.
We asked for the check and left.
After realizing that there were no decent restaurants in the area after the game, we decided to go back because my husband really had his heart set on the Mac and Cheese with Bacon. We order the mac and cheese, french onion soup and the buffalo wings. The mac and cheese was EASY MAC, no taste and watery. The french onion soup and buffalo wings were OK, nothing great.
I don't see what the attraction is with this place and would never recommend it to anyone I know. Besides the food being mediocre, the staff was unfriendly and rude. -
Review from Ashley B.
2/14/2010
I've been to Vallier a couple of times, both for brunch and dinner. I went for dinner last week and had grilled chicken with a maple reduction, asparagus, and mashed potatoes. The food is always consistently good, but not anything spectacular.
The prices are a little steep for what you're getting but that's pretty common in Old Town. It's a good place to go if the line is too long at Le Cartet, otherwise I would try somewhere else. -
Review from Monica L.
8/29/2009
For an American who has no idea what Canadian cuisine is (do Canadians really know what Canadian cuisine is?), Vallier did a nice job explaining it to me. Apparently, it consists of similar things as American comfort food (your meatloaf, your mac and cheese, etc), but with a northern twist.
For example, I had the meatloaf (or pain viande, if you must), but it was made of game. It was like eating a really big, juicy hamburger patty that happened to be spiced and had delicious pieces of bacon peppered within. Oh yes, and it was topped with a sliver of foie gras. Not exactly for the faint of artery or the humane. The side of vegetables was perfectly roasted. The carrots were so carrot-y! The asparagus asparagus-y! The tomatoes were sundried, yet somehow incredibly tender!
For dessert, my server Pascal (what a wonderful French name!) recommended the maple pudding, but fearing it might be Canadian overkill, I chose the crème brûlée. It was not maple-flavored, but coffee-infused, and was topped with some round yellow thing that I thought was a tomato but wasn't a tomato at all. The mind boggles.
Anyway, for an out-of-towner, Vallier was a great choice because the food seemed pretty authentic (rather than cheesily catering to poutine-craving tourists), and the price wasn't bad. Attentive service, too. The wine list could be a little more comprehensive (or more carefully selected) for the type of gastronomic experience the place strives to be; nevertheless, a fantastic find! -
Review from E L.
10/31/2010
It was decent. I would agree this is maybe a 2.5. There are certainly better places for the area and the price. We were just tired of walking and hungry so this suited our needs.
The service was okay and the food was decent. If you have mac n' cheese on the menu it should be phenomenal. . . and it wasn't. The halibut BLT was much better, but still not enough flavor to be wedged between two pieces of bread.
However, the space is very open and inviting with tall windows and a good view of the street. I could see myself going back for drinks and appetizers but I would not choose to sit down during my next visit. -
Review from Lindsay D.
Toronto, ON
6/27/2009
This place was decribed by our concierge at the W Montreal as Quebecois comfort food. It exceeded all my expectations. The macaroni and cheese was delicious and complex. The gazpacho, satay marinated shrimp, rosemary cressini & roquette salad was so good, I almost wished it was meal sized.
They also have local cider (cidre) available, and there was one called Perle which I liked better than most I have tried in Canada. You don't find many tourists in Vallier, which is a nice change from the area it's in, and you can't go wrong with anything you pick out from the menu. -
Review from Andrew W.
2/22/2010
My review is almost exactly the same as Avitania B.'s review on 2/19/10. I think we may have eaten the exact same night, we were there on the 19th as well around 9:00pm. We ordered the EXACT same items. My girlfriend had the Mac & Cheese with Bacon and I ordered the Cheese Burger and salad with wax paper wrapped french fries in a soup can. Tasty, but as Avitania B. wrote, it was not worth raving about. I gave it a solid good.
As we arrived in Montreal late - driving in from Quebec City. We asked our hotel concierge [W Hotel] what they recommended in the area that was open late and affordable - a Montreal feel - which we specifically wanted cheap. I expected a downtown location would not have cheap/dive type, so above cheap is what I expected. But, $17 Mac & Cheese was a bit over priced. The Mac & Cheese could have had something to go with it at least at that price.
Our food was better than average and it was a little better than we expected at 9pm. We did not leave loving it or hating it. We were just happy. -
Review from Megan H.
6/3/2009
What a great find! Vallier is very well priced for the quality of the food and the service and was just a few blocks away from my hotel without being too tourist-y. Before visiting, I was picturing a true diner-type atmosphere but was pleasantly surprised at the chic interior - a little retro in keeping with the theme, but very sleek and elegant with tall windows and warm fixtures.
The menu has been very thoughtfully compiled and though it is relatively small, there is something for everyone - fantastic comfort food like steak tartare, duck shepherd's pie, macaroni and cheese with bacon - I had a difficult time choosing, but our server was very helpful in pointing us toward his favorite items and he was absolutely right! I had scallops over parsnips and fennel with bacon and maple topped with asparagus - they were cooked just perfectly; I couldn't have asked for anything better. I also tried the wild game meatloaf with porto foie gras... wow. I'm also a fan of the fries with homemade mayo - OK, mostly the homemade mayo!
Along with a nice wine list, there are several good microbrews available and though I didn't make it all the way to dessert, there were some delicious offerings - I was very tempted by the chocolate maple pie (among several other things). Vallier was really an excellent experience, and a much better value than many other restaurants in Old Montreal. -
Review from Kevin H.
9/3/2009
Great food at a reasonable price!
American food with a french-twist.
I think I had almost everything on the menu and I liked everything. Great burgers(they are not normal burgers no)! YUM YUM
Try it if you are in the area - definitely one of the better places to eat. -
Review from Fancie L.
5/18/2010
I would give it 2 1/2 really on food quality. It's Montreal I want tasty French food my friend checked tripadvisor instead of taking the concierge recommendations or checking YELP?!. Boo!! Hiss! terrible! the waitress was ok nice, my pinot was smoking loon eh (what $10 bottle retail right)... This is just to give you an idea of what people here think is good. I had the calamari eh... and a chicken salad I hadn't eaten all day and its 8pm I'm angry hungry and this was barely edible. The bread is sustaining my spoiled butt until I find something better tomorrow!!!
I didn't like my chicken salad because it seemed confused. it was a guacamole salsa cold chicken breast salad with grapefruit. I imagined a citrus dressing with the grapefruit but I think it was literally mayonaise?! not sure what you call mayo in French but I say NON!NON! no good. Go elsewere Montreal is known for restaurants right... Bonne chance! -
Review from Alex L.
7/14/2011
Ending afternoon in old Montreal, Vallier was a nice surprise. Window seat, good jazz, tasty cheese plate with excellent small French rolls. Relaxed clientele, all enjoying themselves. Casual, comfortable decor, a favorite spot.
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Review from Amber M.
1/14/2009 1 photo
Oh happy day I get to be the first to review this fabulous eatery.
I can't quite figure Vallier out. It's in Old Montreal which you would think would draw tourists but I haven't seen too many every time I've been there.
The space has high ceilings, big windows, cozy tables or a diner style counter to enjoy some of the best food in Montreal at. I love a good counter.
The menu is just big enough for variety but small enough to be executed perfectly every time. Gourmet burgers, meat loaf with fois gras (seriously?), mac n' cheese with sharp cheddar, duck shepard's pie, roast beef and the list goes on.
The duck salad (with beets, warm potato, greens and raspberry vinaigrette) is quite possibly my favorite meal in Montreal (so far).
Staff is friendly and really knowledgeable about the menu. The last time I was there the bartender (an adorable, bilingual little guy) described so many items from the menu that I had to take a deep breath and not order one of everything.
Regular rotation of wines by the glass on the chalkboard near the kitchen.
Oh and the kitchen - small and proudly displayed at the end of the bar - it appears to be a well oiled machine that churns out beautiful food to every plate.
Great for a date, after work, closed on Sundays so don't fight your way through the snow only to be heart broken.
Bring the foodie in your life here and watch them fall in love. -
Review from Yuval M.
This restaurant was amazing. If you go anywhere near this place eat here. Don't think of anywhere else to eat. The prices here were reasonable, the service was good too but the thing that surprised me was the decor. I think this place is a good place for kids to eat (7 and above) lower not good choices. Overall this restaurant is the best in Montreal!
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Review from Joseph C.
12/12/2010 1 Check-in Here
Never have been treated so bad in a restaurant in my life!!!
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Review from Rod M.
Updated - 7/18/2010
Was stunned when on my last visit they had removed the Salad Nicoise from the menu. This also removes my #1 reason for eating at Vallier!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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4/23/2010
Just got back from a nice evening at Vallier. Great Salad Niçoise and don't eat here without having… Read more »
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Review from Vanessa M.
9/8/2009
If you're looking for Canadian comfort food, then this is your place. Was looking for a modestly priced place for dinner that wasn't too scene-y. They have things like mac-and-cheese with bacon (note Canadian bacon, not American style), steak, burgers and more. The mashed potatoes I had with my steak were just okay, not creamy and buttery enough. But my chocolate ice cream for dessert was tasty. Please also note that families like to come here, so if you're not in the mood for kids, you may want to come here on the later side. It's a solid place, but not mindblowing.
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Review from John D.
3/31/2010
I like the retro deco and ambiance. Very tasty Quebec comfort food, like the Pate chinois au canard confit (Sheppard's Pie of duck). They have a nice beer and wine selection too. Nice spot.
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Review from m g.
5/24/2011 2 photos
I and my bf came here for our first dinner in Montreal ealier this month. My first impression when I looked at the menu was that everything was over-priced. The dishes that I wanted to order were well over my comfort zone as far as price. We ended up ordering the creamy vegetable and lager soup with cheddar cheese gratin and the braised lamb sheppard's pie with sweet potatoe puree, mushrooms, corn and peppers. Unfortunately, the soup was a real disappointment. especially at $9CA. After 4 spoonfuls, I couldn't continue, as it was much too rich and more like a sauce than a soup. And where were the vegetables? I had a few small cube-shaped orange things which I am guessing were carrots, but that was it. However, the sheppard's pie was redeeming and had great flavor and texture. If i ever visit again i may come again for the sheppard's pie and nothing else.
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Review from Adi N.
12/4/2009
We were looking for a casual but nice restaurant within walking distance of our hotel, The W, and the concierge recommended Vallier. We were excited when we walked inside--the place was full, lively and cozy. We were seated at a corner table and settled in, starving. We plunged into dinner headfirst with the mac and cheese which was ...decent. Kind of on the watery side, but also kind of on the flavorless side. Hmm. Not a good start. For our entrees my boyfriend and I split the goat cheese salad with pear and honey (for $18.50 I had high hopes) and the lamb. The salad was a huge idsappointment. Nothing about it worked. The dressing wasn't right, the pears weren't done well (our friend could barely even tell they were pears when he tasted them), and even the goat cheese wasn't right! I found this salad to be a hgue rip off and very unsatisfying. The next dish was the lamb which I found to be cooked well but rather flavorless. I forget what the side dishes were, but I know I did not like them (some kind of cous cous type thing which I would normally like but not here). The whole thing was off. The service was good and the atmosphere enjoyable, but this is an overpiced place that can't seem to get their food right. They were 0 for 3 this night anyways. The 5-star reviews baffle me. We felt so unsatisfied and annoyed, we actually waited an hour and then hopped in the car to Globe for a second dinner.
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French (3)
