We made a reservation for a table for 2 for a lunch on Christmas Day. We arrived 10 minutes early and were still immediately seated on a table overlooking the river. The hostess who seated us could not have been nicer. The restaurant has a nice ambience and vibe. It is fancy without being pretentious. They had holiday special drinks and we ordered the Rudolph Punch and Snowbank lift. Both drinks were Christmasy and the right amount of boozy (not very boozy). I don't recall the drink ingredients, but they tasted amazing. I had also requested a hot water as we had walked in the Quebec cold. Hot water was served with a cinnamon stick and lemon wedges, which was a nice touch. We ordered soup of the day (creamy asparagus with goat cheese) and the French onion cheese. Both soups tasted great. The French onion soup had a nice old fashioned presentation and came on a hot plate and in a hot bowl. Normally we would have shared an enteré after having a soup each, but because we were having a good time and did not mind spending more time in the warm restaurant with a view of the ferries crossing the river, we ordered an enteré each - GOAT CHEESE PUFF PASTRY and RICOTTA RAVIOLI. Both dishes tasted great and had excellent presentation. The cheese puff pastry was set on a good amount of salad with beets and greens. Ravioli similarly had a good amount of olives, cheese and tomato in the sauce. Lastly we shared an EARL GREY CRÈME BRÛLÉE. Again both the presentation and taste were excellent. The service throughout was on point - did not keep us waiting, and never made us feel rushed. I would highly recommend visiting this place when on a trip to Quebec City and making a reservation if at all possible. read more

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5 stars for all the food ordered. We ordered orchard salad, raw oysters, Au gratin seafood cassolette and flank steak. The orchard salad was good, the peaches were tasty and the dressing they used was good for the lettuce and the peaches. The flank steak was grilled perfectly too a medium rare as what we wanted. And my seafood cassolette was delicious, this one has lobster crab ravioli with pieces of shrimp in a clam chowder base. The raw oysters were not bad, the size was around medium. Service was excellent, waiter was attentive and our food arrived not too long. While waiting for our food we enjoyed watching the flurries/ snow and saw some people playing with it. The ambiance was on the romantic side, low/ dim lights, and almost like a formal clothes kinda restaurant. But of course it's in the expensive side. This restaurant is inside the Fairmont Frontenac/ Quebec City. read more

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Beautiful restaurant with the breathtaking Fairmont Le Château Frontenac hotel. Beautiful dining area with deep vibrant tones , chandeliers and view of the river. This was an amazing birthday dinner. The server was very descriptive with the menu and attentive. My grilled tuna was tender, potatoes were creamy and vegetables very seasoned just right. Very light but satisfying dish. My husband enjoyed the tender filet with a very rich and creamy foie gras, the peppercorn sauce was a nice accompaniment, vegetables added a needed lightness to the dish. Very enjoyable though. The chocolate dessert was very rich so the earl grey crème brûlée was not too sweet with a light tea flavor. Enjoyable! Tip- make a reservation far in advance, this dining experience is in high demand. Worth visiting for sure!! read more

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It was good. It was 11:30 am on a Tuesday and we were looking for lunch near the Fairmont Hotel. We'd eaten at Bistro Le Sam in 2022, so we knew the food would be good, albeit pricey. We didn't have a reservation, so we could not be seated near the windows overlooking the terrace. We were seated in a comfy half round booth. I ordered the Caesar Salad with Chicken. My wife ordered the French Onion Soup and the Lobster-Crab Arancini. My salad was excellent. Her soup was also excellent. Her Lobster-Crab Aranacini was not good. It was mostly devoid of any seafood at all. The service and the atmosphere were great. We'd eat here again. read more

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This restaurant was so nice, I ate here twice! Bistro le Sam is located in Le Chateau Frontenac , but don't let its location inside the hotel fool you. This is actually the informal dining option at the hotel, but it still offers a ton of elevated options. The decor is rich colors and brass finishes; views are of the art deco style bar or the St. Lawrence river and boardwalk -- there isn't a bad seat in the house. I had dinner one day and lunch another. Everything was delicious. Highlights were the poutine, butternut squash soup, and steak tartare. Drinks were generous and cocktails well mixed. They made my friend a cosmopolitan on "snow ice" basically a cosmo on shaved ice, that was a real treat. Service was impeccable both times, but I would recommend getting a reservation if possible to avoid lines of tourists and hotel guests looking for a last minute meal. Reservations are via OpenTable or through the hotel. read more

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Excellent food. Service was polite and very attentive. Love that the waitress knew the menu well and had made very good recommendations. Wish I had room for dessert maybe next time. Would have loved to try the strawberry tart that was recommended. We split and tried the chocolate pudding and it was so delicious too. To top it off the view of the St. Lawrence river was a nice addition. read more

Bistro le Sam - Cheese in puffed pastry with salad - Canadian (New) Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

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1. Beef short rib My daughter had this and said it was very good. 2. Beef tartar My son had this and said that it was very good. Only he wishes there was a side of seasoned potato instead of the french fry. He said the ratio of french fry to main course was a bit much. 3. Mushroom burger My wife had this and she said it was OK for a mushroom burger. Nothing to wow at. 4. Special of the day (seafood risotto). I had this dish. The risotto was nice and plump. Generous pieces of lobster and seared scallop. The peas were a nice touch as well as the garnish. Our server was very nice and even helped us and escorted us outside of the Château to help us get our car! So this speaks very well for their service. In summary, the food was at most a 3 1/2 star. But the service was five star. Therefore my rating of four star. read more

Bistro le Sam - Dinner Table - Canadian (New) Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

Came here for a special occasion. The menu is one page showing you what is being offered. I ordered the steak however it had to be sent back do to being overcooked. The staff is friendly. The ambiance is business casual with a pleasant setting. The seafood was good. I suggest this as a once in a lifetime treat rather than a regular occurrence. read more

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Outstanding. First - the elegant yet cozy atmosphere made for the perfect setting for a great dinner. We had a wonderful view of the river from our table - thank you for granting our request!!! The food and service were both phenomenal. I started with onion soup, which had such rich, hearty flavor. It was scrumptious. My smoked meat sandwich was out of this world. It was similar to pastrami and had a good salty taste. Perfectly complementing the meat were some good pickles and a sweet coleslaw. The crème brûlée was the chef's kiss. Wonderful evening here. Check this place out! I'm always reticent to eat in hotels, but being this was the hotel we were staying in, and the restaurant was as pretty as the hotel, we had to try it. It was worth every bite! read more

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Food was excellent, as was service and ambiance. Was seated by the window with a wonderful view of the river and falling snow. Ordered the orchard salad which was terrific, loved the dressing and grilled peaches. Also had the flank steak, which was also very good. Cooked perfectly, and the fries were also very good, although not very crispy. Wife ordered the seafood ravioli. Very good, exactly like the menu says, ravioli with a seafood chowder sauce. Would come back here again! read more

Bistro le Sam - Entrance - Canadian (New) Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

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A fancy bistro with stunning views of the St. Lawrence River. Service was extremely professional and immaculate. Staff were very courteous and attentive to patrons' needs. Dishes were exceptional as well. The seafood casserole that I had was very rich and delicious! The maple creme brûlée tasted like heaven on earth! It's a popular venue so I advise making a reservation prior to your arrival. It's a perfect lunch spot either before or after a guided tour of Chateau Frontenac! read more

Bistro le Sam - Maple crème brûlée - Canadian (New) Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

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Ambiance is top-notch. We were seated near the window which was lovely. Although the table was a bit low and the couches had no back support. The other chairs looked more comfortable. Service is attentive and friendly. Food was good, but not amazing. French Onion Soup was very good. Cheese board was solidly disappointing with 2 soft cheeses and some meats, some honey, a jam, and some scattered fruits. No olives, mustards, pickles, or really anything tart. I'd expected more for $55. Hubby liked his goat cheese tarte, and the oysters were good. Drinks were good, but not amazing. To me this was a solid, mid-range meal for premium prices. read more

What a great experience. The views are amazing. Service was great, our server took extra time to explain the menu. The Fried calamari was delicious/ if you are staying at the Frontenac this is a must try. read more

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I was skeptical of this place because of the location inside a hotel, even if it is a chateau, and given that there was a snow storm the same day keeping all guests stranded at the hotel. However, I was very pleasantly surprised by the staff that was able to extend the restaurant hours to seat all guests and the quantity of items that were still on the menu. We even asked to move to a larger table knowing how much we planned to order and were accommodated very quickly. The overall vibe is one of a nice lounge with intimate and group setting places including a nice fireplace. Our waiter was very friendly and despite working so many tables and literally running at times he never stopped being friendly and giving great recommendations. We ordered the French onion soup and it was a good portion for 1-2 people. It was flavorful while not feeling too heavy that we wouldn't be able to enjoy our entrees. For our mains we ordered the steak and goat cheese en croute. For the goat cheese dish I wasn't sure what I expected but I loved it. The ingredients were mixed and combined almost into a mini pie which was delicious and crisp yet soft at the same time. The honey with caramelized onions and goat cheese was the perfect combination of flavors - this actually may be one of the best dishes I had while in town. For dessert our waiter recommended the sticky toffee pudding and it was amazing with a slight nutty flavor yet sweet. That dessert alone would be enough for me to go back. read more

Amazing food. You pay for the view. The soup is good but the sandwich was ordinary. The server was very nice and polite.

The restaurant is inside the Fairmont Hotel. It's a luxury restaurant that it located on the ground floor of the hotel, however, compared with the Dufferin Terrace, the restaurant is on 2nd floor. We arrived around 3pm that the lunch time was almost over, we just needed to wait for a few minutes. Then we got seated to close to the window. The view was nice, we could see the terrace widely. We had Smoked Meat($35), which was different layers of beef on a burger, it was really juicy with the sauce and cheese as part of the layers; and Roasted Cod with veggie ($44), which was not a big piece, but it was really fresh tho, served with squash and its sauce, really tasty; and add on foie gras ($22), which was like a dessert, with some cherry sauce and mango sauce, it was a small piece of duck liver, not spreads. The sauces were homemade, totally nice, not too sweet. I would love to go again, if I live close by. The prices are reasonable, view is gorgeous, and server was nice. read more

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We accidentally ended up in Le Sam after the bar area at 1608 outside the restaurant was so full we couldn't get in and I'm glad it ended that way. A super beautiful restaurant and an amazing bar area with top notch servers. I absolutely loved our drinks and apps here at the bar. The staff are so professional and courteous and check in on you . We ordered a Rosè for my friend and I had the corpse reviver . Loved my cocktail in the nick and Nora glass with my flower. Drink was nice and refreshing and light. Our food was also perfect for drinks. The cheese board was amazing and full of goodies , 3 cheeses which we got to choose and fruit and crackers and jams and it was beautifully presented. Also the salmon tartar was my favorite. So fresh and great with a little lemon juice and the dressing was light and salmon not fishy which I normally have an issue with. Both went down well and we still left ready for dinner as we were able to take our time and not be rushed. It's a fancy place at the fairmont Frontenac definitely worth a visit if you're not staying there. A beautiful dining area and the service like I said is amazing. Also tried the oysters and they were smooth and went down well with the mignonette. Not sure where they were from but they were fantastic. If I came back just here I'd go for the actual dinner. If you're looking for high end that's worth your money Le Sam is a good bet. read more

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Beautiful restaurant. Very popular place to be. Service was slow to start but our waiter improved once he took our order. I found the food items to be wildly overpriced and the portions were quite small. The restaurant is more expensive than some restaurants at more luxurious hotels. I ordered a pasta dish and asked them to add shrimp to it. The portion was the size for a small child and they added 3 shrimp to it for $49. Should have been more like $35 at most. I was still hungry after eating my dish. And for the record I'm fairly petit and am not a big eater. But if you just want the experience of dining at the Fairmont (the prettiest bldg in the area) then this is a nice place with a nice view of the water and Pufferin Terrace. read more

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I was very excited to dine here since it is located inside a beautiful and historic chateau. However, the food was so so. What I wanted to call out is I didn't have good experience with the host. The host was very unfriendly. I did show up 15 minutes before my rsvp time. I came up to her and she did not check my name or anything. She asked me what my rsvp time was and said I needed to come back at my rsvp time. I then asked her "Don't you want to check to see what my name is on the list" and she didn't even bother. I never seen this attitude any where else. Normally the norm would be to show up a few mins before rsvp time in the event there is a line to get in. But any way I don't think I will ever come back read more

Top notch cocktails! I was highly impressed with the fun creations these guys put together and as the place filled up to a FULL bar and restaurant, they continued to keep the drinks flowing. Set inside the infamous Fairmont le Château Frontenac, anyone can enter... The lobby of this hotel is beautiful, but just walk through and find yourself at SAM and seat yourself at the bar (or they will seat you)... enjoy views of the St Lawerence River, but as impressive as the views are, these bartenders are amazing at what they do. Beautiful cocktails. And tasty! I had to eat along with my drinks or... well, we all know what happens when you don't eat when you drink, right? The board they suggested was the smallest available. It was really big and I tried hard to eat it all, but I had leftovers. It was so good, I actually took it with me! These guys know how to handle a crowd and make fantastic drinks. This is a must visit - I don't care how many times you've been here. I love it! read more

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Had our first dinner here after checking in at the fairmont hotel where we were staying. Even if you're a guest you still have to make reservations since they get very busy and it was a Friday night so I'm glad we did! This restaurant had great views if you request it, we didn't know so we had standard seating which was very chic and cozy since we sat right by the fire place! After eating here I now understand what the rave was all about! We ordered a bunch of small plates with a bottle of wine since we wanted to share and taste it all. We had the French onion soup, pulled beef cheek poutine, calamari, fries and the burger, ribs, . Every bite I had of everything we ordered was delightful. It was my first time having poutine and beef cheek and so glad I had it here for my first time. It was cooked to perfection, it honestly melted in my mouth and seasoning was just right. It was quite filling so I'm glad we shared everything we had. Having poutine here for the first time made me wanting more for our trip! Def worth having a meal here, whether you're a guest at the hotel or not. You won't regret it! read more

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The cocktails are where it's at at Bistro le Sam! Beautifully presented, well balanced and tasty. The main bar had a more extensive mixology menu, but opened at 2pm and didn't fit our timeline. Fortunately, Bistro le Sam opened at 11:30am for us to get our drink on. My nephew got the burger (he said it was ok), my niece got the kids chicken tenders (she said they were ok) and my bf got the foie gras terrine (he said it was pretty liver-y, and also just ok), so I'd say stick with the drinks here. Super chic ambiance and there's even have a sunroom dining area with a view. Ask for a seat there if you can! Make reservations if you can. We walked in at opening and were able to get seated right away, but might have gotten lucky because it seemed like it was the only option open at that time and the line grew pretty quickly. read more

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food delicious service friendly ambiance delightful, hip, and not too loud (go early/pre-8pm) read more

Bistro le Sam - Canadian (New) Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

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I was under the weather and accidentally overslept, so we missed our original reservation time (by a lot). But luckily they were able to squeeze us in at the bar, which sadly meant that we did not get the incredible view that most rave about. Ambiance (alone) deserves a 5-star rating and we had to walk through the seating with the view before we left the restaurant. Food-wise, I got the oysters (excellent) and the beef tartare as my apps and the smoked meat sandwich for my main. The beef tartare was just ok, and while the meat in the smoked meat sandwich was incredible, I thought the cold slaw and bbq sauce overpowered the dish. I was so looking forward to this, as our final meal of our trip (and the most pricey), but didn't feel that the food justified the price tag, tbh. read more

Bistro Le Sam is amazing!!!! First, when you walk in the restaurant is gorgeous with stylish decor fit for royals! Our service was fantastic and our food was amazing as well. You won't regret coming to this place for lunch or dinner. It is pricey, but well worth it. read more

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Amazing food. We had a booth looking at the river. The food was excellent and our waiter was 5 star. Would definitely come back again.

We came here for dinner with reservations. For two people, we got the half size Caesar salad (no additional toppings), the French Onion Soup, and the Guinea Fowl Confit. Guinea Fowl Confit: best guinea fowl I've ever had, one of the top poultry dishes I've ever had. The meat was so tender it was almost creamy. It was also super flavorful with that rich dark meat flavor and the browned outside. It was served on a bed of "risotto" (some kind of pasta). The risotto was creamy but a little bland. It had no chance against the star of the show. French Onion Soup: really delicious as well. The cheese was not overpowering and the soup itself was so rich. The generous portions of onion was so soft it would melt in your mouth along with the soaked bread and cheese. Caesar salad: I wasn't expecting much and just wanted to eat some veggies. This was not great and I'm glad I only got the half size. Pass on this. The service was great and our food came out super fast. Our waiter was very attentive and checked in on us multiples times. Ambiance is casual but elevated. A good number of nicely dressed older couples as well as families with children. read more

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Unfortunately, this cozy bistro lacked imagination in food, leaving one confused about the menu options provided. For such a world famous site. I'm left unimpressed and greatly disappointed.. if you're looking for a place to eat avoid this place. The views are better on the outside. read more

Food is good but not amazing. Drinks are ok. Service is quick. Views and ambiance are nice. Pricey but that's expected because of where it's located. read more

DELICIOUS MEALS AT THE CHATEAU FRONTENAC On a recent trip to Old Quebec, we had lunch and dinner at Bistro Le Sam, a casual upscale eatery at the famous hotel Chateau Frontenac. Bistro Le Sam has it all - ambiance, good food and professional and friendly service. This is a popular restaurant for both locals and tourists. Recommend reservations especially for a window table in the indoor terraced area from which you will have a photo perfect view of the mighty St. Lawrence River and Dufferin Terrace. Although it is too dark in the evening to appreciate the river view, the terraced area has a more romantic feel than the brightly lit inner front room of the restaurant. It was a splurge to dine here. Among the appetizers, we ordered the French Onion Soup ($25 CAD), the Orchard Salad ($20 CAD) and the Lobster Crab Arancini ($26 CAD). For main courses, we had the Seafood Cassolette ($58 CAD), the Chateau Burger ($25 CAD) and the XXL Pork Ribs ($45 CAD). For dessert, we enjoyed the Earl Grey Crème Brulee, the Ile D'Orleans Strawberry Tart, the Classic Cheesecake and the Warm Chocolate Caramel Pudding (each $17 CAD). The generously sized dishes are large enough for two people to share. We enjoyed the onion soup - a rich beefy broth filled with caramelized onions topped with a thick layer of hot bubbling cheese. Without realizing how large the portions were, we ordered both the Seafood Cassolette and XXL Pork Ribs. We should have just ordered one entree. The creamy Seafood Cassolette featured at least 10-12 seafood stuffed ravioli served in a cream sauce with lobster, baby scallops, minced clams and shrimp. The Pork Ribs platter was large enough for 3 people to share - three slabs of moist and tender meaty ribs - each slab had at least 4 large ribs meaning the dish had almost a dozen ribs! The ribs came with a lightly dressed salad. For our second meal, the Lobster Crab Arancini appetizer was a perfect light lunch for one - three hot crispy arancini balls served atop a salad. The Chateau Burger featured two smashed burger patties, onion rings, bacon, lettuce and tomato, all served on a tasty soft and lightly toasted bun. The side of fries was hot and crispy. Our favorite desserts were the Warm Chocolate Caramel Pudding that resembled a British sticky toffee pudding and the Earl Grey Crème Brulee. The Classic Cheesecake was perfection. For Quebec newbies - note that your bill will reflect two fees - TVQ (Quebec provincial sales tax) and TPS (federal goods and services tax) that will add almost 15% to your total bill. These fees are not in lieu of your tip that is calculated on the food total only. read more

Marc was absolutely wonderful. He made us feel welcome and never seemed rushed, always answering all our questions very relaxed and made suggestions. The food was wonderful and the view from the window was spectacular on a cloudy day. Whenever I am back in Quebec City I will definitely make sure I visit Bistro Le Sam again. read more

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My boyfriend treated me for my birthday! All the staff was lovely and the food was great! We got the cheese platter, the seafood casserole, the mushroom rigatoni, the crème brûlée, and some espresso! So so tasty :-) read more

Bistro le Sam - Quebec Cheese Plate!! - Canadian (New) Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

Located inside of the Fairmont Frontenac in the 1608 restaurant. We ordered some calamari and the foie gras mousse. I thought the food was just ok. The drinks was just average. Our server though, was great. Very attentive. read more

It's in a very popular hotel. There was a lot of car and foot traffic trying to get in And out of the building. However, it seemed fairly quiet for a Friday night. We did make reservations but it seemed like we probably didnt need it. I always recommend reservations if it's an option though. The service was great. Our waitress was very nice, informative and routinely checked on us. Drinks were brought out quickly and so was the food once we ordered it. It's fairly quiet inside and the tables have plenty of room between each other. I ordered the French onion soup which was my first time ever and while I probably wouldn't get again due to the soggy bread texture, it had a great taste and I'd think if you like French onion you'd love this one. My main was a special of the day. It was a white fish but I couldn't make understand the name. To be honest, it gave me red snapper impressions. A light flaky white fish that doesn't have a ton of flavor. It was light and paired well with the cauliflower mash and wild rice. I'm not a big seafood eater but I try to make myself try new things. Bread 8/10 Cheese and Charcuterie board 8.5/10 Fish and rice 7/10 French Onion Soup 9/10 I was pleasantly surprised with the place. I would definitely return on another visit to Quebec City! read more

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Important to have a reservation beforehand. The service is impeccable, the interior is stunning and the views from the hotel are beautiful. For the given price point, the quality of the food was acceptable. I recommend the roasted cod and the Québec cheese board. The beef flank steak was salty and a little tough. read more

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The French onion soup was one of the best I've had. Everything else was better than average. The view to the river was very nice. Wait staff was prompt and friendly. Prices are not inexpensive. A nice ambiance albeit dark. read more

You have to make a reservation at least 3 or 4 weeks ago before you get there. They won't take walk-in. For service: The only thing I disappointed is the service. I had the appetizer very quick but the main dishes came up too late, I got mad after waiting 30 mins. For food: Confit Guinea Fowl Thigh is my favorites. The chicken thigh is crispy and the pasta and the sauce are taste good. It came up with cheese and mushroom, which has enrich the texture. The sauce is very creamy too Black Garlic Rack of Lamb has gravy and mashed potato under the lab. Duo Of Monkfish and Scallops is the most expensive but worthless dish. Monkfish is so bland. Opera of Foie Gras with Coureur Des Bois costs $22 but I couldn't believe that is a dessert. It's so sweet. The texture is more likely a mousse cake, but made of foie gras. Appetizers Tasting Board has three appetizers including Quebec Beef Tartare, Lobster cake and Gambas and Avocado. Quebec Beef Tartare taste really good. Me and my friends all love this tartare. But compare to it Lobster cake and Gambas and Avocado are just decent. For vibes: That was a nice environment. The restaurant inside Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, which is next to the river. If you are lucky enough, you will be assigned seating next to the river, which has a great view of St Lawerence River So overall, this restaurant deserve a 4 stars read more

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Staying at the Chateau Frontenac so we decided to try Le Sam at the hotel since we had a long travel day. I was a little nervous because I never know what to expect from hotel restaurants. Also, I had some very traditional eaters with me who don't like to explore new thingsDuck Wings so I had my fingers crossed. Everything was amazing from the service to the food and atmosphere. Annie (I think was our waitresses name) was very attentive and helpful with navigating the menu and it was a packed Friday night so at first service was a little slow but we also requested to sit in a specific area so understood because they originally wanted to seat us at a different table. She was wonderful though at juggling all her tables and our thousand questions. We had the cod, salmon and fish and chips and all were fantastic. I had the oyster appetizer and duck drumsticks - both were fantastic but I'll be coming back for the duck before I leave and will dream of them for years to come! read more

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My first time in Canada so I felt compelled to get poutine and this hit the spot! The fries were smother in cheese curds, gravy and the braised beef cheeks set it over the top. read more

Bistro le Sam - Poitine - Canadian (New) Near Me - Quebec City, Quebec

Service is a bit slow but the foie gras was amazing!! We had the restaurant add it as an add on to our eack of lamb! I loved the french onion soup too - very rich and filling, great to share! read more