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.

Crepes were great along with the omelette. Nice clean…read morebreakfast and brunch restaurant. Service was friendly and helpful. We spoke no French and waitress little English but she got help when needed. Definitely recommend for a stop if in Lavas.

Excellent brunch restaurant. Must get the kale and mango…read moresmoothie and for $1 more get the large size Eggs Benedict were amazingly good

EdiBle :)) ++…read more Ambiance is charming, authentic, old and touristy. Old wooden snow shoes on the ceiling, sharpie written signatures on the old walls, window sills etc. with shutter style windows that open to rue St. Louie. It was full and had a line out the door. +++. Food is Canadian. I had their version of shepherds pie and it was the best one I've had in 3 decades including those I've tried in England, Scotland and Ireland!! Well balanced combination and smooth mash potatoes. Their homemade ketchup is amazeBallS! It does NOT look like Heinz by the way. I tried to buy some at their store next door but were out of it :/. Idk about their other dishes but I would eat their shepherds pie every week! +++ Service is friendly prompt and well informed staff. +++. Price was very fair for the best shepherds pie eVa! - Forget about parking. This is a pedestrian friendly old Quebec. All the oddities add character bc their food is good. I'll be BaaaaacK :)) MY RATINGS - - - Inhumane - - Disgusted - Don't bother = Missed the Mark + Good ++ Better +++ EDIBLE...WHERE have you been all my LiFe!

3,5 stars The food…read moreis ok. The vibe is lively and quirky. But the price is touristy. The ham plats I was recommended was way overpriced @$70. To put that in perspective, you can get a 14 oz steak for $70 at the fancy steak joint nearby. Come here for the vibe, the $5 hand made taffy roll (that you can get for $3 in the corner store) but watch out for the waiter's upsell recommendations. If you bring the kids, may be the kids plats is the way to go as you get the Taffy included.

We had breakfast here one morning. Turns out that we arrived just in time because after we were…read moreseated, there was a line going out the door. I ordered the Me I Take ALL Brunch which was massive enough that I never needed lunch. I managed to finish 90% of it though. A nice little breakfast spot on the quieter end of the Rue St Jaques. We would easily go there again.

We had a great time at Au Petit Chalet. Upon arrival, we were asked if we would prefer to sit…read moreoutside or inside because it was a beautiful day. There was a lot to choose from on the menu and the food came quickly. I really enjoyed my goat cheese spinach Benedict. The side of potatoes was very delicious and on the table mat, it also said that we could get refills for the potatoes, but that they didn't want to have too much food waste so they didn't give a lot of of it. The table also had a QR code for wifi and the menu. Excellent service and delicious food!

Good French Onion Soup. Good Burgers. Great service. It can be a little pricey. It wasa little…read moreloud in there at times. The voices echo quite a bit.

Tartare is wonderful , so is the French onion soup . I did not expect an Unisex Bathroom experience…read morethough. It's Understandable that located on a busy tourist street .

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.

Crepe, crepe, creeeeepe! I was craving a good crepe and after consulting with the front desk of the…read morehotel, got a recommendation for Eggsquis. Nice diner, not as nice as Cora's up the street, but nice. Super friendly waitresses who refer to the menu as if they made everything themselves. "I have for you my cocktail of juices..." Adorable. Back to the crepe- it was delicious! Tons of fruit all over the place and custard filling. You can order some chocolate syrup on the side to drizzle over the whole thing. SO SO GOOD.

Actually went to the one in Saint-Nicolas on rue des Rivières for breakfast/brunch a number of…read moretimes. Very popular with the locals. The food and service were absolutely fabulous. Many choices. The food and coffee are brought to the table piping hot. The waitresses I had were outstanding. The kitchen is on top of its game making for an all around very lovely experience.

Tucked into the charm of Old Quebec, Chez Temporel delivers a cozy café atmosphere paired with…read moresurprisingly elevated flavors. The pear martini with gin was bright and elegant, lightly sweet with a clean botanical finish that felt refined rather than sugary. The MSG with mezcal cocktail brought a smoky, adventurous character with depth and balance that made it stand out. The chili con carne was pure comfort. Rich, slow-cooked flavor, hearty without being heavy, and perfectly complemented by fresh greens and crisp bread. What truly elevated the experience was the amazing service from our waitress. Warm, attentive and effortlessly welcoming, she made the entire meal feel relaxed and personal, the kind of hospitality that turns a good dinner into a memorable one. A charming local spot with thoughtful drinks, satisfying food and genuinely exceptional service

Great French Bistro experience off Rue St. Jean…read more Food, service, & ambiance was great, the owner Louis is a great photographer as well. LOL. Started with a few favorites from the fabulous waitress who took great care to go over the menu with my group before we ordered. The French Onion and Creamy Tomato were both excellent. In particular, the French Onion might be the best iteration I've ever had. The crusted cheesy, bready top held up well to savory broth and caramelized onions. The Buvette, Tartare, and Escargot were all also very delicious. The Buvette was tender and beefy on top of a bed of cream of corn, roasted corn and tomato caramel for a slight sweetness. The Tartare was a classic rendition, beefy and mustardy, and one of the few times I've had tartare that was filling. After our meal I was snapping a photo of the restaurant and the owner Louis saw me and took a few photos for me. He's an excellent photographer as well!

I was looking for a good poutine meal today and this location satisfied my tastebuds…read more The service was also good and the ambiance was casual. Plus it's close to the passenger ferry service.

Le Corsaire was OK. Our server was super friendly, definitely a strength of the places the…read moreemployees. The food was OK. The drinks were good. The vibe is just OK. I would go back, but it will never be my favorite place.

Food was very good. Very good service. Clean inside with a cool interior and would eat here againread more

I was in between two tours and needed a place to grab a quick lunch in the area. I saw La Buchette…read moreand thought its antler lamps, taxidermy, and other wilderness-themed decor seemed like a great way to experience casual, yet modern, Canadian fare. I took the few steps up to the front desk where a host told me that the bar was first-come, first-serve, but that I could look for a spot. Thankfully, there was a stool open right in the middle, so I hopped up and made myself comfortable. The friendly server greeted me with a smile and handed me their vast menu, which included breakfast served until 2:00 pm, which sounded great to me at that moment. I started with a regular coffee, which was surprisingly bold and gave me the wake-up jolt that I needed to make it through another afternoon excursion and a busy evening. For my meal, I ordered the "Les deux œufs", which meant two eggs prepared however I wanted. I opted for scrambled egg whites, and despite forgetting to ask for them more on the well-done side, they were delivered as such. The fluffy whites were also very well-seasoned and flavorful. They were served with roasted Yukon Gold potatoes, which had been coated in an oil that had been infused with fresh garlic and parsley. They were definitely on the greasy side, but were otherwise fantastic. I also had the option to select some sort of breakfast meat or fruit, so I went with the latter, which turned out to be fresh blueberries and strawberries that were kissed with sweetness. Lastly, the accompanying toast was from a real artisan loaf, not a package. It was, honestly, all delicious. Plus, they managed to have all of the food out to me within thirty minutes, even with the crowd and without me asking for a rushed order. I just wished La Buchette was a little closer to home!