Having just spent 6 nights in the area, we tried as many restaurants as we could while we were…read morethere. On one of those nights, we went to l'Orange Bistro. RESERVATION NEEDED? SURE To play it safe, we called about an hour before we went to ensure they would have space and made a reservation. When we got there, the place was pretty full for a Monday night with only a few tables empty for walk-ins. As such, a reservation was a good thing. However, on our last night in town which was a Thursday and which one would assume would be busier than a Monday, it was pretty quiet. FOOD? HIT AND MISS All restaurant reviews come down to how good the food is. At l'Orange Bistro, this really seems to come down to what you order. For an appetizer, I started with their Migneron Fondant which I really, really enjoyed. So essentially, the meal started on a good step. However, my main dish, which was a daily special (grilled deer or moose meat?), was over cooked and not remarkable in the least. For the missus, it was the opposite with her not enjoying her appetizer much but I believe she enjoyed her main meal more. So, it seems there is quite the disparity in how good the menu items are. If you happen to choose well, you can be in for a treat. But there is a risk you may choose things that aren't as tasty. (Though of course, tasty for one doesn't necessarily mean tasty for others). SERVICE? DEFINITELY MORE OF A MISS There were a few elements that we disliked with our service. The first was that it wasn't attentive in that we had to wait long periods of time to get our servers attention. Our server also did not check with us after our meals were served to ensure everything was correct. To top if off, when it came time for coffee, we asked for decaf which we were advised they only had as 'espresso' which they could do with hot water. As this is the norm for the area and in Quebec City, we said that was fine. She dropped the coffee off but never brought milk or cream and as she disappeared, after waiting a couple of minutes I finally went in and got my own milk. Also, as coffee was included in the meal (table d'hote) she didn't tell us they charge extra to have it as espresso which we found out when we got the bill. It was only a $1 more but we contested it because she didn't advise us of it before hand. She wouldn't change the bill so in exchange for that we simply dropped her tip by that amount. All in all, the service was definitely lacking. Some of it may be due to how busy it was and not having enough staff, but some of it definitely comes down to just not having enough focus on customer service. PRICE Dinner for two with wine was about $90 with tax and before tip. Their web site has their prices but they are not correct. I believe the web site says the table d'hote charge is + $13 when they actually charge you +$14.50 to your main meal. PARKING? IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, GO FOR THE SCHOOL PARKING! There are a few onstreet parking spots which are limited to 30 minutes. There is also a paid parking lot across the street for $5. But if you are visiting in the summer months, park in the school parking lot which is right next to the restaurant. There is a 'P' sign on the street to note it and you can park there for the day for free. --- So, would I got back? If both my appetizer and main dishes would have been bad, I definitely would say no and have given them 2 stars for both bad food and bad service. But as one dish was good, I would probably try something else if I were to return. However, if you are only in town for a night or two, I would suggest one of the other restaurants where you will probably have better luck.

If you want a big satisfying breakfast this is a good option. Nothing to rock your world but if…read moreyou need to be fortified for a day of touring the sites this can check off the box. I had the ham and cheese and salmon omletes on separate occasions. Coffee could be better

We had a great meal and our kids enjoyed their first fondue experience. We had been unable to make…read morea reservation earlier in the afternoon so had to wait a bit for a table but it was worth it.

We were looking for a Christmas Eve spot and fondue sounded great. The place itself is very well…read moredecorated and has a fun and upscale feel but also very comfortable. The food is great! We started with the smoke cheese fondue and it was beyond good. We then had the surf and turf fondue with hot oil and we couldn't get enough! Finished with dark chocolate fondue for dessert and left very satisfied...only down side was service was slow and not super attentive...it could be because they expect people to take their time or they just aren't into it...but wasn't a major issue for us.

Nice family restaurant, or on yelp yet, it has some home made dishes like stew and meat pie, I…read moretried and it is pretty good! We also order Spanish dip (4/5), salmon (4/5), pizza (4/5). The portion was big and The service was great!

We had a fantastic experience at La Grolla while on vacation. The restaurant was very cozy for a…read morebrisk evening. Service by Oliver was excellent!! He was super helpful with explaining the menu and making recommendations. He also let me speak my bad French but amiably switched to English when asked. The food was so good! We got the Swiss fromage pot and the one with Quebecois cheese, mushroom, and cognac. Both were so so good! We also got a small chocolate fondue at the end which was a perfect size. Great meal!

La Grolla had the best fondue! We tried the traditional Quebec cheese fondue and also a mushroom…read moreversion--both were absolutely fantastic. Andre, our wonderful host, guided us through the ordering process. At first, we were about to order way too much cheese fondue, but thanks to his advice, we saved room for the incredible filet of beef. The beef was served to cook on a hot stone right at the table--such a fun and delicious experience (you can see it in the photo!). Everything was top-notch, and the service was warm and attentive. Highly recommend--this is a true five-star dining (casual) experience in Quebec City!

Our first meal in QC. And it was memorable in all the best ways…read more Located in the lower part of the city in the midst of all of the tourist shops, you could easily miss this gem. Great atmosphere (we opted for indoor seating since it was rather warm out), excellent service, and food that was easily some of the best we had during our weeklong stay in the city. Definitely try the rabbit. There are a few variations available. We had the Tourte Lapin and the Rable de Lapin along with a fondue to share. Also, some great local beers and a rose cidre to quench our thirst.

A Delicious Lunch in the Heart of Old Québec…read more We stopped into Lapin Sauté for lunch following a wonderful walking tour of Old Québec, and it proved to be the perfect place to relax and enjoy a memorable meal. Both of us opted for the table d'hôte menu, which included an appetizer, main course, dessert, and tea or coffee. We happily paid the small supplement to begin with the Duck Foie Gras served with strawberry-rhubarb jam and brioche--a decision we did not regret for a second. The foie gras was rich and silky, while the sweet-tart jam provided a beautiful contrast. For our entrées, I chose the Pulled Rabbit Poutine with devil's sauce. Comfort food elevated to another level, it was hearty, flavorful, and utterly satisfying. My dining partner selected the Cassoulet with duck sausage and duck leg confit. While the duck was excellent, it was the beans that stole the show--perfectly cooked, deeply flavored, and exactly what a great cassoulet should be. We finished with desserts: a traditional Far Breton for me and a beautifully executed Crème Brûlée for my dining partner. Both were wonderful endings to an already excellent meal. The service was warm and attentive, the ambiance charming and inviting, and the food delicious from beginning to end. Located in the heart of Old Québec, Lapin Sauté is exactly the kind of restaurant travelers hope to discover--authentic, welcoming, and serving food that leaves a lasting impression. Highly recommended, and we would gladly return on our next visit to Québec City.

This place is amazing and so cute and quaint. The food is absolutely the best. The chef cooks the…read morefood right behind the bar in the tiniest kitchen but so efficient. We hope to come back to Quebec City one day and this place will be one of the first places we will come to!! We had the lobster roll, fondue and seafood chowder. All of it was delicious!!

Great place in old town Quebec. We had the fondue with beer sausage. Tasted just as good as the…read morepeople watching! Small kitchen and indoor seating as well as outdoor patio. Service was attentive and friendly!

While walking through the city, I wanted something light to eat, and stopped by Le Petit Chǎteau,…read moreas the deck look inviting. The service was friendly, there was a light breeze in the deck seating area, and the umbrellas provided a perfect shade from the sun. I ordered the soup of the day, which was a delicious turnip soup, nicely puréed with a hint of maple syrup. Then I looked the dessert offerings, and the waitress recommended the maple butter crepe with ice cream. With a cup of coffee, it was the perfect ending to a nice restaurant experience. I recommend stopping by.

Friendly staff but still a tourist trap. Food was mediocre and yet, quite pricey. The spot was a…read morebit cramped. At least they had some decent live music. It's not a bad spot, but you could do better if you walked around more.

Sat at the bar with Sebastian as our bartender. He was friendly and outgoing! I got the tuna…read moretartare, so good! It was fresh and flavorful. My husband got the buffalo wings and was very happy with them. Old restaurant with a ton of charm.

Not a beer drinker, but had a couple pilsners. Not bad. Had to order and share poutine, was better…read morethan I hoped. Service not bad. Nice to sit outside.

Darn you Canada! Darn you and your insane good ability to have foods made better than in the Yay…read moreArea! Ha ha ha! You'll know why I'll type this in a bit. Cochon Dingue, The Crazy Pig in French, is a chain of Quebec Provence French restaurants that according to their site combines bistro refinement with the feel of a local laid back atmosphere. It just so happens that I'm typing a review for the original location on Quebec City's Champlain and Traversiers intersection. Of course, you'll see both English and French on the menus, and I felt bad that my French is horrible as I visited Quebec City and Montreal, but remember. San Jose and the Bay Area as a whole are Spanish speaking areas given its history, not French, and while I'm at it, Tagalog and Spanish are way more similar than Tagalog and French. It is nice that the Toronto cousin driving us around can still speak it to a point though. Before I forget, do realize that though there are two entryways, only one of them is really walkable, as the other's closed off. As I insert the old "Yes guys, the ladies are cute" and "Yes ladies, the guys are cute" statements pair, I notice how the place has that simple old school French charm, and I get that hospitality that will always stick with me. I wish I can remember what drink I had as it is pretty, but I do remember ordering a Quebec City pork sandwich (I need to coordinate after all as Mr. John Witherspoon would have wanted) and a pavlova dessert along with the group ordering a deluxe poutine. Oh, remember the "Darn you and your insane good ability to have foods made better than in the Yay Area!" statement I typed up, the second statement of this review? This is in regards of the pavlova. So, the first time I had a pavlova was at an Oakland/Berkeley Japanese restaurant called Iyasare (which I actually reviewed). I told our server that I had a pavlova in/near Oakland, and she asked me to see if theirs is better. Normally, I don't like nuts of some sort with berries in desserts, but this place made me actually like the format because a pavolva isn't so much of a guilt dessert, and with this in mind, I developed now the fondness of nuts with fruits with low guilt/guilt free desserts. I still don't like nuts with fruits in desserts, but that now only applies to guilty desserts. Our server went back to our table and asked if she and everyone else at Cochon made a better pavlova than the one at Iyasare. Seeing that I couldn't lie because Canada, I told her yes, which had her giddy. Go be giddy young lady! Yay Canada getting another food victory! The flaw. Seeing that "They made a better pavlova than my fellow Yay Area residents!" isn't a legit flaw, though my one visit was and is memorable, the one flaw the various locations have in general if I should even call it one is that they add Swiss cheese to their Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. I get that it's to have a healthy cheese, and French is spoken in Switzerland, but adding Swiss to the sandwich is a Philadelphia no-no. Cochon Dingue is quite a fabulous place. If it weren't for the perfect score Toronto places I reviewed, Fran's and Makilala (as Tsujiri is shown all over Canada, which is why I didn't type it up), this would have been my favorite Canadian restaurant. To Canadian residents not in Toronto, I'm sorry that none of your beloved restaurants will ever be my top Canadian spot, but remember. Toronto has the most Filipinos of all of your cities, and of course, I'll have that attachment like they do. At least you can hang your hat on how you have a place that makes a better pavlova than my fellow Bay Area residents! So, for people not from Canada, go check the place out, as it's that good! +/Cochon Dingue is cleverly divine for having some of the best hospitality I experienced, the simple old French charm and really good food. -/"You can't put Swiss cheese in Philly's classic sandwich, everyone!"

Stopped here for lunch during our tour with about 50 minutes to eat before catching our St…read more Lawrence River cruise. After a long morning, I was starving and needed something substantial. I ordered the half rack of ribs, which was a mixed bag. The flavor was good, but several ribs were so burnt they were completely inedible--straight to the discard pile. They came with a well-dressed Caesar salad featuring seasoned croutons and delicious shaved bacon, plus sliced fried potatoes that were crispy and not greasy in the least. The thick layer of BBQ sauce wasn't quite my style--I'm a dry rub girl--but I was too hungry to care much. No photos because I devoured everything. My dining companion had a chicken sandwich she raved about. She ordered a Nordic spritz while I indulged in some Quebec cider. Honestly, I expected more pork options given the restaurant's name, but they fed us quickly and efficiently, which was exactly what we needed. No real complaints except for those burnt ribs. The interior has eclectic, cool-looking decor that's worth checking out. Our waitress provided quick and efficient service as well.