Had to try this Michelin guide restaurant in Montreal. Heard so many great things and just had to book a reservation! The restaurant was cozy and intimate with below average noise levels. The servers and waitstaff was kind and attentive. The restaurant also had a high chair for our baby, which was nice! The prices were fairly reasonable for a restaurant of this caliber at $$ to $$$ depending on the main course. Cromesqui (9/10) - a very delicate appetizer. Expertly crafted with a nice crisp outer shell and a flavorful gravy burst in the middle. Foie Gras Nigiri (9/10) - another fantastic starter. Foie gras over flavored rice serve on an Asian soup spoon. They provided a soy sauce to add to the appetizer and it was very good! Squid ink Risotto (8/10) - solid main dish. Had large pieces of squid and whelks. I'm usually not a risotto guy, but this was good. Only feedback I had on this dish was I felt it was a bit too salty. Duck in a Can (8/10) - this was one of their marquee entrees. The whole entree came in a can they opened table side and presented onto the dish. It came with duck, Foie gras, braised cabbage and celery root puree. Great presentation and I only wished the duck was a bit more tender on mine. Pounding chômeur (10/10) - We topped off dinner with the pounding chômeur or "poor man's pudding." This was one of the best things I ate in Montreal. Definitely add the ice cream and enjoy one of the best desserts Montreal has to offer! read more

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This place was a must on our list. I recommend making reservations because they get booked fast. The restaurant is beautiful and elegant, with a modern vibe. They also had a high chair for our baby! One of the only places in Montreal with a high chair!!! So thank you for that. Here is what we ate: Appetizers: Cromesqui - 9/10 - crunchy on the outside and creamy on the inside- very delicious! Foie Gras Nigiri - 9/10 - the rice and foie gras combo is a hit! Mains: Squid Ink risotto - 7/10 - this was a bit too salty for me. Was just ok. Duck in a can - 8/10 - one of their most popular dishes. The presentation is top notch. Great flavor and texture. Side: we got some fries for our baby 10/10 - nothing better than gourmet fries! Dessert: Pounding Chomeur- 10/10 - this was phenomenal. Chomeur is what they call a "poor man's pudding" it's like a cake batter with ice cream on top. Def recommend. Service - 12/10. I mean, they were remarkable! Our waitress was incredibly friendly and helpful. The whole staff made sure we had everything we needed and checked on us regularly. Everyone was outstanding. Honorable mention - as a parent it's hard to dine with a baby, and there was no area to change him. The restrooms are not kid-friendly. Well, our waitress and her manager allowed me to go next door so I can have some privacy and change my baby on a table. For a parent this was AMAZING! I was so grateful and thankful! Overall, this place is excellent! The restaurant is beautiful, the food is great, and the service is spectacular. You will have a top-tier experience here! read more

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Definitely need reservations to enter. The place was packed the whole time we were there. I was anticipating an incredible meal from all the great reviews. The menu is limited, but I appreciate the focus. They know what they do well and aren't afraid of perfecting it. We ordered the fraisier cocktail (vodka with aperol and strawberry sorbet on top) and the Mexican mojito (got a kick in the bottom of your throat spicy). Both really good and didn't skimp on the alcohol. I was very giddy by the time they brought the foie gras nigiri. This is why I wanted to eat here and am so glad they keep it on the menu! One order comes with 4 spoon servings, by the way. Add the soy ginger sauce because it cuts the fattiness just right. Oh là là! Decadent, smooth and buttery. Why don't more places serve foie gras like this? Genius! We got the pork chop, paparadelle pork ragu and a side of the salt and maple sugar fries. All were good, but the foie gras still had them beat. The fries had nice flavor, but we were really disappointed that we got the tail end of the fry basket. The bottom and middle of our order was all the broken bits. I felt a bit deceived. We got the pudding chomeur that people said was a classic dessert with a scoop of ice cream. It honestly was too sickly sweet. It's basically cake doused in a pool of maple sugar. So, if you love sweet sweet desserts, then the pudding is for you. We really should have ordered another foie gras for dessert. Do it for me when you go. I would come back for the cocktails and foie gras. read more

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Quebecois cuisine is a marvel in the world of cooking. French cooking methods adapted to the harsh conditions of this part of Canada result in true masterpieces. Martin Picard, the chef of Au Pied de Cochon, is somewhat of a legend in this Canadian province. Intensely filling, fatty, meaty dishes unapologetically fill the menu of this otherwise laid back dinner establishment, while focusing on local ingredients and sourcing. For dining in North America, this restaurant has become a right of passage to visit. Chef Picard's most famous dish is the Duck in a Can. It's a pretty ridiculous concept to pull this off and it's basically as gruesomely appetizing for a carnivore as one would imagine: cooking organs and parts of the duck simmered slowly in a can, then dumping out the concoction into a fancy Bernardaud porcelain plate in a manner that will probably make most vegetarians cringe. It's not a presentation for the faint of heart, that's for sure. The quality of the meal here is truly world class. And yes, do get a side of Foie Gras poutine to make the fatty meal even fattier, might as well at this point. For those who did not yet interpret what this spot is about: it's the comfort food of comfort food, Quebec style. read more

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This is a must stop when you're in Montréal! In fact, you should come to Montréal just to eat here, it's that good! Came on a Thursday night, and the tiny restaurant was full so make sure you reserve in advance. Besides excellent food, the service was impeccable, everyone was so attentive without being intrusive. My son and I were lucky enough to sit at the kitchen counter to watch the chefs in action. It was loud, fast paced and exciting to watch them create each dish with precision and perfection! You can tell the chefs really care about their craft! But, the highlight of our dinner was Emile. He prepped every dish for presentation before they're served and really made us feel truly welcomed! He was energetic and very friendly, even under pressure! Now, for your enjoyment are pictures of our dinner (I enjoyed eating it even more). The Plogue was so good (perfect blend of sweet maple with savory foie gras) that I ordered a second one for just for dessert. read more

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Believe the hype, this was place is worth it. We booked a reservation for the dining room on a Friday night and was seated right away. We let our server know we aren't fluent in French and we never saw her again so a little random there. We got a new server and he was wonderful but didn't catch his name! The main reason we came here was for the duck in a can. I'm a lover of foie gras and it can be hard to find in the states at the times. It was everything I dreamed of and more. The smells from the duck and foie gras are still engrained in my head. I just wish u had a better appetite and could have are more! We also got the Milanese pork and it was enough for a small army. They really do hook you up with the portions here. Small is space and quirky. The bathroom is in the middle of the bar and bar area which i wasnt expecting. I was surprised at the price once I got the CAD to USD conversion, I was expecting it to be more expensive. read more

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We decided to dine at Au Pied de Cochon for our last night in Montreal. My brother and I split choices for dinners, and this was one of his. Despite not being on my radar, I got really excited to check this place out after doing a little reading and scoping out their Yelp page. That being said, we booked a table and made our way over. APdC boasts a very Québécois menu, with somewhat adventurous selections; I was a little intimidated, but took this as an opportunity to expand my palate. There are also a lot of approachable items though, so I wouldn't say this place is *only* for the adventurous. The restaurant itself is a decent size; we sat in the front section, though I noticed a large bar in the middle of the area and more seating in the back. The decor was fairly straightforward - nothing too outstanding but also tastefully done. I wouldn't classify this as a touristy restaurant - both by where it's located in the city and the overall vibe I felt. Even though the menu is broken down into sections (notably with one specific to foie gras), our server explained that all of the dishes were meant to be shared. That being said, we ultimately landed on several items - sweetbreads, foie gras nigiri, Milanese pork chop, pasta all'amatricana, and a side of greens. In general, all of the food was delicious. I stepped out of my comfort zone with the sweetbreads; they were prepared in a sandwich with lettuce and homemade ranch sauce. I'm not going to say I'm a convert to sweetbreads, but they weren't bad either; this is more a me thing. The foie gras was tasty - it was prepared with a peanut sauce with the rice giving a good balance to the relative richness of the other components. The pork chop wasn't really a chop as it was prepared boneless - but regardless of what it was I really enjoyed it. The meat was tenderized, breaded, and served super thin in a zesty sauce; I usually find pork a smidge tough, but not here. The all'amatricana came with the pork, it was good though probably the weakest component of the meal. The side of greens were surprisingly salad greens; these were good and provided a freshness to the other relatively heavy dishes we had. We could not leave without dessert, though I don't remember the name of what we had but it was almost like an Indian Pudding but with something similar to pound cake instead of cornmeal; I'm pretty sure there was also maple. It was warm, comforting, rich (but not too rich), and uniquely Québécois. Service was great - everyone from the hosts to our server to the kitchen staff made us feel very welcome. One of the chefs actually came out to serve some of our dishes while describing them which I thought was a great touch. Overall, I really enjoyed my experience at Au Pied de Cochon. This is a uniquely Canadian restaurant and one I would definitely return to for another meal. read more

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It got packed few minutes after we got seated, but the staff were friendly and on top of everything. Every dish that came out was bold, and rich in flavour. We ordered: * Duck temaki: it was savoury, and packed with umami. The anchovies gave it that sharp hit that cut through the duck's fattiness beautifully. * Foie gras terrine + truffled maple butter: a silky and buttery, also delicately sweet dish, with the truffle rounding out everything nicely. * Mapo Tofu & Foie Gras: such an unexpected combo that works. Rich, spicy, and a little chaotic, but in a good way. * Beef Tripe: hearty, comforting, and full of texture. Everything here is flavour-forward. The foie gras is definitely the star, and they're not shy about using it. I'd absolutely come back here when I'm in Montreal again. Next time, I'm trying their famous Duck in a Can and maybe foie gras poutine. read more

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Thankfully managed to snag a last minute late night reservation here. The place was buzzing when we got there at 9pm. Real meat lover's menu - options range from duck, pork, fish and many more. Menu also includes traditional old school dishes such as trotters and tripe. The mashed potatoes were divine. Portions were very good also. read more

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La nourriture était très bonne. Nous avons pu observer les chefs tout cuisiner et préparer les plats. Le service a été extrêmement rapide. L'espace de circulation était un peu étroit, mais cela n'a posé aucun problème. L'ambiance était excellente. read more

Au Pied de Cochon is a must-try if you're in Montreal. The atmosphere is lively and rustic, so be sure to make a reservation, as it gets packed. My group of 5 came on a Saturday night and there was not a single empty table in sight. Service was warm and welcoming from start to finish. For appetizers, we started with the duck temaki and foie gras poutine. - Duck temaki: tangy and refreshing. The duck tartare was very soft wrapped with a crispy seaweed and topped with fried shallots. - Foie Gras Poutine: BEST POUTINE I'VE HAD! A bit pricey lol but worth a try! The crispy fries were soaked in rich gravy, topped with gooey cheese curds, and chunks melt-in-your-mouth foie gras that brought everything together. For my main, I had the duck in a can which was absolutely delicious. The server explained that the duck and other ingredients are sealed in a can and cooked for 27 minutes. When opened at table side, it is poured over a slice of toasted bread with celeriac purée and braised cabbage. The result is incredibly rich and flavorful, with tender duck confit, melted foie gras, and deep, concentrated juices soaking into everything. It is bold, buttery, and intensely satisfying. That said, I would recommend sharing this dish. While it is undeniably delicious, the richness can become a bit overwhelming after a few bites because of the amount of fat. Halfway through the meal, I stole a couple of bites of this cranberry duck dish (I forgot the actual name, but I think it was a special menu item) and it really helped refresh my palate. Overall, I would recommend visiting this restaurant at least once if you're into duck or just love bold, creative food. read more

This was my first time there, but I went with family who have been several times and always talk about the good, so I was excited for the meal. Attentive excellent service with a delicious, seasonal and changing menu. Loud restaurant, so it was hard for me to hear the waiter at times, sitting in the corner. Obviously very pork forward, but everything was delicious and unique. My dining companions always get the foie gras poutine - so why not order one of each foie gras dish tonight! Sure, go all out and enjoy a nice bottle of wine with it. Come ready to try something new, as it's not for the picky eater. Nice single stall bathroom. Some street parking available. No large sign up front so it's easy to miss - look for the store front next door and the address number. read more

Not gonna lie -- Au Pied de Cochon wasn't originally on our short "must-hit" list every time we visit Montreal... but it's climbing the ranks. . Come starving. Like, skip lunch starving. Everything here is rich, decadent, and flavor-bombed to the max. . First-timers: you got to order the legendary Duck in a Can (magret, foie gras, butter-braised cabbage, cauliflower purée, and a shameless amount of browned butter). It literally arrives in a can, gets cracked open tableside, and plated in front of you. You will not finish it alone. Family style is the way to go here. . Honestly? The whole menu slaps. It's not huge, but it rotates with the seasons and everything is executed at a ridiculous level. Just close your eyes and point -- you can't go wrong. . If you're heading to Montreal, do yourself a favor and go. Your arteries will forgive you eventually. . Fun fact - I once made reservations and chose the Paris location by accident ‍ - I was so embarrassed, but they were so accommodating and was able to seat me. So make sure to choose the correct location read more

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The allure of this restaurant had me in a chokehold for the months leading up to this visit. I never posted my review, but this is in hindsight. All of the Foie gras dishes I had were some of the best dishes I've eaten in the last year. The Foie gras nigiri was insanely decadent and perfectly balanced, the Foie gras poutine could bring me to my knees. The duck in a can was very fatty dish but worth it to try once in your life, the duck is magical. Plan a trip and be prepared to splurge. read more

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I will start off by saying if you don't like true rustic French food (all the parts lol) then this probably isn't for you. But if that's what you're into then you will be thrilled! Great cocktails and wine selection. Our server Nils was splendid, he gave us great recommendations on the food and the wine. The place is small and buzzing with energy and excitement. Lots of smiles and laughter from servers and customers alike. The vibe was truly infectious enthusiasm! The foie gras poutine is an absolute MUST! If you're lucky you will be able to order the Pied Koffmann (a pig's foot with the bone removed and stuffed with sweetbreads, foie gras & morels) absolutely extraordinary. The fish was extremely tender and delicious. read more

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We sat at the bar across from the kitchen Many talented culinary professionals working exceptionally hard all evening long to provide incredible tasting and well presented dishes. The weight staff easily switched to English based on our poor attempts to communicate in French The asparagus appetizer was absolutely astonishing Perfectly cooked asparagus amazing pesto house made cheese and nuts Foie gras poutine out of this world, best of each ingredient expertly executed. Duck in a can over the top in flavor and richness. The peasants pudding was delicious. Very lively and loud. Do not listen to the haters! This place is legendary and they work hard to deliver on that rockstar status with every dish. read more

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Had a delicious meal at au pied de cochon with my partner during our trip to Montreal. The foie gras poutine was my favorite poutine the entire trip - super flavorful! Special shoutout as well to the duck temaki which was delightfully balanced, and the duck in a can which was sooooo rich and a fun, unique dish! Service was friendly, and the place was packed even on a Sunday. Be sure to make a reservation, they don't really have walk-ins! read more

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I did not have a good time here. everyone was loud, (granted, the group next to us was really loud but still) and the music was not necessary. And the food was way too small for the price it is. I honestly thought that it was going to have bigger portions. The only good part about it was the staff. The staff was really nice. But things took way too much time for what it was. read more

I'm almost ashamed to admit that, despite visiting Montreal multiple times, I had never dined at Martin Picard's legendary institution--until now. Luckily, I managed to snag a last-minute late reservation, and let me tell you, it was worth the wait. The only way to describe Au Pied de Cochon is excess--in the best possible way. This meal was pure indulgence; I think I may have consumed a lifetime's supply of foie gras in one sitting. We started with the foie gras poutine, which I dare say might be the best poutine in Montreal. Then came the famous duck in a can--and what a dish it was. How did they cook this thing (I know they explained this to me, but how?), how did they pour it so esthetically? I have many questions. Every flavor melded together in perfect harmony, and the dramatic tableside presentation added to the experience. If you're looking for bold, unapologetic, and outrageously good food, Au Pied de Cochon is an absolute must. read more

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I'm really so conflicted by this place. I was excited to come because I've never had "Canadian" food before other than poutine and everyone labeled this place as one of the must-eats. I made a reservation a few days beforehand for a party of 3 and they only ended up having a 5 pm seating time available so I would recommend reserving weeks beforehand. - Shepherd's Pie - I should've gotten Duck in a Can. I knew it, I really did and I sorely regret getting this dish. This is exactly what you would expect shepherd's pie to taste like except there wasn't much flavor and the pork was really tough to chew on. I did really like the fruit ketchup as it was different from normal ketchup but in general, this pie felt very strong in bland flavor. Why didn't I get Duck in a Can?? - Oysters - And it's the oysters that were truly redeeming to this meal. It was genuinely one of the best oysters I've ever had as I loved how the yolk covered the entire meal and there was almost a scallop taste to the meat. I also appreciated the salinity and freshness of the oyster. I ordered the wrong dishes and I will be back to order better. Maybe seafood and actual foie gras next time. read more

Au Pied de Cochon - Oysters - Canadian (New) Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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Quite impressive meal, with a plethora of fois gras dishes, excellent wine list (including local offerings), delightful service and a charming terrace for seating. Don't miss the fois gras nigeri - it's worth the trip for that alone, especially with a drizzle of ponzu sauce and the subtle base of maple rice. The seasonal tomato tarte in puff pastry was sublime. Not too rich but not dull at all. The whelks were something we'd never had before. It was a lovely dish with perfectly cooked whelks and well chosen fresh veggies. Duck in a can is legendary - very rich though! And the pithivier puff pastry pie was incredible, but so rich, I recommend sharing with 4-6 people. Highly recommended. Pro tip: if you can't get a good reservation time, try again the day of for cancellations. read more

Reservation at 9 but not seated until 10. A two course meal turned into a 3 hours venture. Traditional home cooking techniques with modernized ingredients. The duck in a can was extremely greasy. The taste was decent but definitely overrated. read more

Au Pied de Cochon - Tripe stewed. - Canadian (New) Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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What a fantastic dining experience!! The duck in a can (while very oily) is a must and the poutine with all the fixings is delicious!! If salt intake, and weight management weren't a consideration, I would want to go back here every night that I possibly could. read more

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The first time I came here, I was really impressed by the dry age pork chop and novelty of the duck in a can. The second time coming here, the quality has gone down substantially. I was so surprised the second time around. Pork chop- this tasted more like a slice of winter ham. It was incredibly fatty and the sauce did nothing to enhance the dish. It was overpowered by a bad onion taste. Chicken dish- the chicken was way too dry and the sauce didn't help here. I had to drink water to help get it down. Duck in a can - there was a very overpowering gamey flavor this time with the duck liver. I am not sure how it changed so much since the last time I came. I was not a fan of how it tasted this time. Small chicken slider- these were probably the best dishes here. The skin was crispy and the meat was moist and tender. Purée- it was very cheesy and elastic. It tasted completely different from the first time I had it where it was light and fluffy. The taste of cheese was too much this time. Ambiance and service were good but the food quality has changed a lot. read more

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Although Au Pied de Cochon literally translates to "With the Pig's Foot" if I remember enough of my high school French, it was the duck and foie gras we went overboard with. I did start with oysters topped with quail egg and mignonette but that's about as light as our dishes went. When in Canada at a spot that specializes in Canadian cuisine, I could not say no to foie gras poutine and I am glad I didn't as it was one of the most memorable dishes I had eaten in Montreal as it was loaded with buttery chunks of foie gras. Following up with their specialty Duck in the Can of duck breast, foie gras, cabbage, bacon was too rich for us especially after having foie gras poutine. However, that presentation and reveal over celeriac puree made it worth trying once. Just make sure to skip the duck skin in favor of the foie gras pairing with the duck breast. If you had to choose one, go for the foie gras poutine. I didn't even mind that much needed long walk back to the car due to the lack of parking but do note that there is definitely a shortage of parking so better to Uber it or give yourself at least 30 minutes to find a space that is probably 6 blocks away. Do note that this is not a romantic dinner type of spot as it is extremely loud where it is hard to even have a conversation. read more

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Tried this place on our first night in Montreal. The duck tartare temaki was really unique with the quail egg and it was so tasty! Def our fave dish of the night. We were thinking of ordering the duck in a can which seems really popular but our server recommended the duck magret as his fave dish so we went with that instead. It was also a duck breast dish and came with a fruity sauce. It was quite good but we found some parts of the duck slightly chewier. The smoked arctic char was also nice. The roasted pork loin was a bit dry though and not quite what I was expecting. The seating is quite tight and the restaurant was louder than I expected so we had trouble hearing each other. read more

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Au Pied de Cochon came recommended by my cousin since she knew how much I loved foie gras. Sadly, I wasn't able to make it the past few trips but finally made a point to dine here after fp1/2. Getting to the restaurant was fairly easy by way of the metro and a quick 10 min walk. I had 2 other friends with me and the table the originally sat us at was pretty small and directly across from the kitchen. Knew we'd be uncomfortable so we asked to be seated on their outdoor patio. This was actually a nice spot but wished they had more lighting. It was challenging to see what we were eating without turning on the flashlight on our phones. Foie gras poutine - one of the dishes I have been dying to try. This was awesome and super filling. Only thing I would've liked more is if they pan seared the foie a bit longer so that it would be slightly crispier on the outside. Wagyu steak special - perfectly cooked to a medium rare, the steak was phenomenal. Loved the mushroom sauce that accompanied the steak along with the asparagus. Wasn't a huge fan of the other vegetable dish as it tasted a bit sweet to me. Duck in a can - probably the dish they are most known for. Loved the presentation along with the flavor of the dish but the duck breast was extremely tough. We struggled cutting the duck breast even with the steak knife. Not sure if the duck was overcooked or whether we just had bad luck with the breast. I'd definitely come back for the poutine and to try other wines on their menu. read more

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Last quintessential Montreal dinner of our weekend trip. Flavorful items and a fun atmosphere. 4.5 stars Food: 4 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 4.5 Cost to worth it rating: 3 Opentableable: no, their website Return worthiness: yes Eve award: best fusion use of foie in foie nigiri Highlights: - Foie variety: so much for a foie fan I was in heaven - Foie nigiri: delectable slices on top of rice and placed on 4 spoons. A squeeze bottle of sweet salty sauce to use on top. Creamy, delicate, unique, and delicious. 5 stars - Shepherds pie: a special my hub enjoyed which was creamy and bursting with flavor served in a little casserole dish. 4 stars - Duck in can: one of their signature dishes was bursting w so much flavor. Loved the cabbage bacon but the duck breast was a bit tough. Bonus for the tableside service fanfare plating this. 3.5 stars - Atmosphere: nice long dining room with fun music playing. I was worried this was going to be a stuffy and formal place and was so happy it wasn't. - Ciders were delicious Lowlights: - No steak option which was different as usually there is an item we get for my son. he got a pork option and thought it was ok. Some big hits and some items that were fine, but I enjoyed the experience and would return. read more

Au Pied de Cochon - Foie nigiri: Creamy, delicate, unique, and delicious. 5 stars - Canadian (New) Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

To be honest, we had read some reviews that said that APDC was overrated, but we decided to give it a try anyway. First off, it is hard to make a reservation so plan in advance. Thankfully, we were able to find something last minute. Our adventures in Montreal that day were taking longer than expected and APDC was able to accommodate a later reservation. When we arrived, we saw that there were a few tables open, so we were glad we were able to get seated. Then, the remaining open tables quickly filled. The food and drinks are why. They have a good selection of drinks, but we are tequila people and they didn't have many tequila offerings on the menu, but were able to make us tequila based cocktails and provide us with recommendations easily. Now the food, the duck in a can is a must. You'll see why. It's so flavorful and all of the dishes are great to share so you can try a few dishes at once. We also go the pork dish which was also very tasty. The mashed potatoes were so delicious, they were the perfect complement to the entrees. For dessert, we had a lovely sweet, similar to crème brûlée. The service was good, but it does get crowded, so some things were slower during some times. To us, this place was not overrated and we would definitely like to try it again soon! read more

Au Pied de Cochon - Duck in a can to the left, mashed potatoes, sourdough bread, pork - Canadian (New) Near Me - Montreal, Quebec

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"Legendary" At least that was how all my friends who knew of Au Pied de Cochon reacted when I took a picture of the duck in a can... Personal experience? Some hits and misses, if you ask me. From the start, I was amused by how much Au Pied de Cochon just didn't want to be noticed - no outside signage and a menu posted literally behind plants? It definitely gave off the "if you know, you know" vibes. Looking for the menu, it was heavy on the foie gras and we were all for that! The duck in a can was a given, but the foie gras nigiri was also screaming to be ordered. We also decided to add the aged pork chop, the lobster rotolo, and a Roquefort salad (for health, sort of). Since we were already starting dinner late (reservations at 9pm), we definitely didn't expect our appetizers to take so long to arrive! It took nearly 45 minutes! In that time, we all made observations about how LOUD it was inside and how difficult it was to hear one another. At two points, every one in the kitchen started slamming on everything metal which made conversation even harder with the din. I don't know if someone may have bought a round for the staff or something, which, cool, but it was jarring and unpleasant otherwise. The best parts of the meal? Foie gras nigiri, no questions. It was buttery smooth and just a little sweet and nutty from the maple and peanut flavored rice. Second? Definitely the duck in a can. It was unexpectedly a little sweet but it was an experience to have. We paid for extra bread but ouch - at $4.50, you'd hope the bread was at least fresh. It was warm but drier than a rock. Not great for soaking up the rich duck jus. Third fave was probably the salad. They certainly didn't skimp on the blue cheese and I liked the crunchy endives, candied walnuts, and thinly sliced apples to balance it out. The rotolo was kind of cool in that it was one long ribbon of pasta rolled up, but the lobster got lost in the bisque in my opinion. You didn't really get that natural sea sweetness especially with all the other strong flavors present on the dish from slightly bitter fiddleheads, earthly morels, and spicy/rich njuda. The pork chop, in my opinion, also would have done better with a lighter sauce. I think mushrooms and pork do pair nicely together and using a premium mushroom like morels is a real treat, but the sauce felt very heavy and I didn't think it helped the pork much. Something with a little more acid, maybe with a stronger splash of wine, probably would have played better with the pork chop. I will commend the pork chop though! The meat was crisp and the fat layer was melt in your mouth divine! Even though we didn't have a lot of food, everything was so rich that it will catch up with you. By the time we were asked if we wanted dessert, we all felt full even though we all had acknowledged shortly before that it was "just enough but I probably could eat more". Dinner for 4 with no drinks came to $280 with tip. read more

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Food and service were terrific. Only a couple of oddities, they said entree portions are huge and should be shared and recommended that we not order an entree per person but the turned out to be normal portions, even foie gras poutine appetizer was not a huge portion and we could have easily order appetizers and entrees per person. Also ordered sourdough bread $4.50 for table to soak up the delicious sauces but they brought bread out only after we finish entrees and it was two thin half-slices of bread (each slice was size of a deck of card) not a loaf or a couple of full slices of bread that we were expecting. read more

I sat at the bar and ordered the Mexican Mule. The cocktail had the perfect balance of spiciness from the ginger beer and a refreshing citrusy kick from the lime, making it both invigorating and pleasantly buzz-inducing. For my entrée, I chose the Duck in a Can. This dish was an absolute delight--rich, decadent, and bursting with flavor. The duck was tender and succulent, complemented perfectly by the savory sauce. The highlight was the waiter's theatrical presentation, where they opened the can at the table and poured the contents over a bed of crusty bread and a smooth puree. The combination of textures and flavors was nothing short of spectacular. You have to try this restaurant when you're in Montréal. read more

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This place is seriously insane (in a great way!). This was my favorite meal in Montreal and one of the most memorable of my life. The whole menu is adventurous, but one daily special in particular was wild: the whole pig's head. Sitting at the bar yields a full view into the kitchen. They literally take an entire pig's head (with only the hair and eyes removed) and dunk it in a pot of hot oil for about half an hour, then present it to you with sides of rice, veggies and sauces. You then eat like a caveman, just ripping off the snout, ears, tongue, brain and everything else you can find. It's all edible! It's certainly not for the squeamish, but this was a massive dish for two people and very reasonably priced at $73 Canadian. It was so unique and delicious too. In hindsight we didn't even need an appetizer, but the sea urchin pasta was another winner, and a big portion for the price. The urchin is placed in a whole raw egg which you crack over the pasta, then mix it all together. The combination is rich umami. The drinks could rival any great cocktail bar, and the atmosphere was energetic and fun. This is not a restaurant for picky eaters. But if you can stomach it, Au Pied de Cochon is unforgettable. read more

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An absolutely amazing experience, from the service to the atmosphere to the food. You can't go wrong with the Duck in a Can. Merci Beaucoup!

I came her with my family to try their trotters but was recommended by their amazing servers to give their foie gras nigiri which was amazing. I liked their wall arts and the way they set up restaurant. read more

I have to say. I think this was my best Canadian restaurant experience so far. Michael the owner and Alex the director of beverages both made it a fun and intimate experience. When we first arrived, we didn't have reservations, they weren't answering the phone, so we thought we would take a chance and come anyway to see if we can get a table. They said they only had seating at the bar, we were unsure if we should sit at the bar stools, not only was it not in front of a bartender but it was actually right in front of the people cooking in the kitchen. So we felt like it had less privacy. While this might have been true, what we didn't realize is the level of intimacy with the staff and the owners and managers we were about to gain. We also learned a lot about their restaurant, the food, options and the other 2 locations they own in Canada with different menus. The Foie gras poutine, my favorite item as well as the most popular on the menu. It not only comes with the traditional gravy which is the brown sauce on the picture but it also has the lighter color sauce which is a mixture of egg yolk and foie gras made into a delicious sauce, almost taste like the sauce they use on eggs Benedict but the flavor was better and more suited for the dish. There was cheese curds in the bottom as is with any traditional poutine, and foie gras pieces on the side of the highest quality. This may be the best savory meal item I've had in Canada followed by an appetizer that was my second favorite. The duck tamaki, my second favorite item on their menu, also a beautiful twist of cultural foods made into this beautiful fusion dish. Wrapped in seaweed in a hand roll, with nori leaf, sushi style rice, home made maple vinegar, spicy Mayo, fried pampas for a crunch, then you flip the quail egg upside down and it get oozing with quail egg yolk. It's mind blowing how good it is. The owner is a culinary genius. It was almost a tie for third place but the creativity in how the duck in a can was prepared and presented, really pushed this dish to number 3 on our list. The ingredients used are 100 grams of Foie gras, duck confit, butter braised cabbage, carrots, bacon, home made balsamic vinegar reduction, and obviously duck haha. So apparently they actually can it themselves , so don't think it's some old food that they just open and serve. They actually Can these a few times a week and then slow cook all the Ingredients together while it's in the can, so the flavor of everything inside marinades. So the Can isn't just there for quirky asthetics but it also serves a practical purpose. Then they slap the label, heat it up and serve this beautiful master piece of a meal to you. The last item we got is a sea urchin pasta, it normally comes with a quail egg but we choose to also add caviar on it as well which is why in the picture you see all those black eggs. It was the best sea urchin pasta I've ever had and I've had plenty before, normally the issue is the pasta not having the sea urchin flavor and being bland but they did a great job of over coming those obstacles. The drinks were also great here, you really can't go wrong. We had the Mofo mojito and it was mofo-ing gooood! The owner and beverage director were awesome people here too, they saw us enjoying ourselves and even did a shot of their house made jalapeño vodka with us! It's very rare for owners to interact in this kind of way especially at a busy popular restaurant so it was a treat. read more

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I make it a point to stop by Au Pied de Cochon every time I visit Montreal, and it never disappoints! Although a bit on the pricier side, I've never left feeling dissatisfied with the food, whether it be foie gras poutine, duck in a can, duck temaki, or any number of their delicious desserts! The service can be hit or miss, but that's not why you come here - you come here for the detectible (and often creative) menu items that know how to utilize the richness of foie gras to enhance the dish. I've gone as recently as last weekend, and can still vouch that the quality is set at a high bar. Already looking forward to my next trip out to Montreal! read more

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Foie gras heaven! At Au Pied de Cochon, you can have foie gras on everything: even as a topper on your bread pudding for dessert! We came here for the contraband we can't get in California. Everything is made fresh, in house with local ingredients...down to their alcoholic ciders! We were blown away with the starters: loved the fresh scallops, bison temaki and the foie gras nigiri. For entrees, we got the duck in a can and aged pork chop. Solid entrees, but we thought the starters were way better. In retrospect, we probably would have gone heavy on the apps and shared the duck in the can for gimmicky purposes. We were also asked if we wanted to keep the can as a souvenir! Nicholas was our server and he took great care of us! A little fun fact: PDC sells the most foie gras in the world! Make sure to make rezzies online on libro (via PCD website). Every table was taken on a Friday evening! read more

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A trip to Montreal would not be complete for foie gras lovers if you don't dine at Au Pied de Cochon. During our last trip to Montreal six years ago, we did eat at Au Pied de Cochon. It wasn't particularly memorable and I was not keen on going back. But FOMO got the better of us, so I made a dinner reservation for my husband and I. Funnily, we were seated at the same table we sat at 6 years ago. Service was super slow. It took a long time before our server came by our table. A supposedly 1.5-hour dinner turned into a 2.5-hour dinner. This was not a 2.5-hour dinner type of place. Service was just super slow. Nothing had changed from the menu since six years ago. The restaurant was still making and serving the same food. Nothing on the menu was new or exciting. My husband and I decided to start with some sweet breads from the daily specials. The sweet breads were tender and tasted pretty good. From the regular menu, we had the foie gras poutine, the PDC dinner and the Duck in a Can. The PDC dinner was basically mac and cheese with foie gras. We decided to get the Duck in a Can again since they ran out of the Tanjia Bourguignonne. I don't remember what it was like the last time we were here, but this time the duck was tough to cut, tough to eat. Everything pretty much tasted good, but anything would taste good if you put generous portions of foie gras on it. We stuck around for dessert, and shared the Pouding Chomeur with Pure Maple Syrup, a traditional French- Canadian dessert, which sounded very sweet. And it WAS sweet, but it was also really good! My husband and I took turns scooping cake submerged in warm sweet maple and stuffing our faces. Overall, dinner could have been better. The staff were very polite, but our server barely checked in on us. This was not a cheap meal, and I expected better service from a restaurant of this level. read more

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Reservations: Highly recommended! I accidentally mixed up my reservation date but they were able to accommodate me and my friend as we arrived once they opened. Service: All the staff who tended to us were super friendly. Our main server funny enough had the same spiel with other diners. Ambiance: Clean and nice decor in their main dining space and patio area. It was quieter earlier and then got louder as the evening went on. Staff had to show me where the restrooms were as it is not obvious or clearly marked. Food: Foie Gras Poutine: decent poutine with foie gras Bison Temaki (came with 2): bison tartare, spicy mayonnaise and nori; basically a hand roll with bison tartare. This was my favorite item of the night. I'd come back just for this! PCD Dinner: cheddar sauce, bacon and foie gras; This dish was super salty but the seared foie gras was perfect. It felt like an elevated mac and cheese dish. If you're a foie gras lover, this is the place for you! read more

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