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Toqué! was an unforgettable dining experience from start to finish! The staff was warm, attentive, and made us feel truly cared for throughout the whole meal. The cozy yet elegant ambiance tied it all together. Everything we ordered was amazing, from the scallop to the steak. But the duck confit deserves its own spotlight. The meat was tender, moist, and not at all greasy. The skin was crispy, adding that perfect savory crunch. Each bite was rich but balanced, and you could tell the quality and care that went into every step of its preparation. But the true highlight for me was the dessert. Not only was it stunningly plated, but it tasted even better than it looked. Layers of texture and flavor that played together beautifully. I still miss that exact taste of jasmine tea and yogurt crémeux. Every single dish we ordered was memorable in its own way. Toqué! isn't a cheap meal, but it's one of those rare experiences that's worth the money for all the senses, imo. Easily one of the best culinary experiences we've had in Montreal.
Excellent and beautiful restaurant. I started with the foie gras terrine and was largely expecting a good terrine similar to multiple Montreal bistros. Toque's dish was incredible, the flavors, the consistency, was both great and very unique. It is a dish you should not miss. I also enjoyed the black cod, cooked perfectly, tender and melted in my mouth. The restaurant itself is elegant, with a very cool open wine cellar.
I came to Toqué! for their tasting menu and it was definitely a full-on experience seven courses, multiple surprises, and a lot of flavors to process. Some dishes were delicious, others a little confusing, but overall it was a memorable night. The first course was grilled snails, which were surprisingly really good nicely seasoned with a great texture. Then they brought out sourdough bread (seems to be the Montreal trend), and while sourdough isn't my favorite, this one was fluffier than the one I had the night before. Next up were the shrimp. They were really tiny and kind of hard to eat definitely not my favorite. The salad underneath had some tasty leaves, but also this mystery green thing that confused me a bit flavor-wise. Then came the snow crab course, which had some interesting components. The crab itself was good, and there was a jelly-like layer in the middle that tasted fine but the texture was a little odd. The cucumbers were super refreshing and added a great crunch, and there was a cream that tied it all together well. Then I got the foie gras with brioche, and the bread was fluffy and buttery. The foie gras was good, though I've had better, and it had a bit of a strange aftertaste. It came with apple purée, which I ended up smearing on the foie gras, and it worked surprisingly well. My first main course was pigeon which I did not expect. The flavor was fine, but the texture was very soft and chewy, which isn't really for me. But the maple caramelized carrots that came with it were amazing. Crunchy and full of flavor, probably my favorite thing on the plate. Then came the sirloin beef, and it was one of my top courses. Super flavorful and tender, and the wine sauce underneath really brought it all together. There were Brussels sprouts that didn't look like Brussels sprouts, but they tasted decent, and the little round potatoes were soft, salty, and really good. For the pre-dessert, they gave us a sorbet with this little coral-shaped cake, which was fun and tasted great. We got the cheese option instead the cheese was creamy and super soft. Then came the actual dessert, which had a bread base with chocolate mousse, ice cream, and these tiny maple leaves. It was okay the chocolate and ice cream were fine, but the bread part was kind of weird, and the maple leaves were cute but didn't taste great. Finally, they brought out these little chocolate mini cakes at the end, but by then I could barely breathe from how full I was. I took a bite and it was a bit harder than I expected, which threw me off, but the flavor was still nice. Overall, Toqué! was definitely a high-end, creative experience. Some dishes were incredible (like the carrots, sirloin, and brioche), while others weren't quite to my taste but that's part of the fun with tasting menus. If you're a foodie looking to try something adventurous and very Quebecois, it's worth visiting at least once.
Toque is very stylish restaurant with a large modern dining room with ample space and food prepared to the highest order with attentive and charming service. I began my meal with a first course of foie gras terrine. The rich duck liver pate was enhanced by the blended beets, hazelnut and toasted brioche. My main course was Magret de canard (Duck Magret). The sliced duck was succulent (like duck steak), accompanied by the earthy taste of parsnip. For dessert, I had the financier sarrasin (buckwheat). This hardier and more earthy tasting grain was in the pastry and the ice cream that balances the dish. Note that Toque frequently prepares in a molecular style where the components of a dish are meticulously prepared and separated on the plate (see photos). The meal also included bonus items like an amuse bouche. Overall, I was so impressed with the high level of the cuisine, the frequent attention and many courses of wonderful food.
The meal I was most excited about when visiting Montreal, and it delivered! From the moment you walk in, the staff are warm and welcoming, guiding you through menu recommendations both savory and sweet. Little treats along the way are a pleasant surprise but the true showstoppers are the desserts!
Great food and service. Really enjoyed the seasonal heirloom tomato appetizer. Lobster cavatelli was also a good choice for lunch. The lunch menu seems like a good deal relative to dinner pricing. Bar service was very attentive.
Amazing vegetarian tasting menu! Expensive of course but it was so tasteful! Of course this is fine dining so portions are tiny and unique but I REALLY enjoyed it! Of course customer service was 12/10 and ambiance was even better!
Excellent service from the moment I walked in, but unfortunately, the food did not impress me at all. I visited this restaurant because I heard the experience would cost a thousand dollars in the States. Since I went for lunch, it wasn't a course menu. All mains included one appetizer and coffee, priced at $49-53 CAD, which is a very good deal for fine dining menu. They have quite a good wine collection, and many table customers opened bottles. They also offer half glasses of wine, priced at around $10 CAD each. For my meal, I had foie gras as an appetizer and duck leg as the main course. Both dishes were heavy, overly sweet, and salty. While the duck skin was crispy, the meat was dry, and I couldn't understand the purpose of the bread placed between the mushrooms and sauce. My server, Phill, was efficient and well-organized. He handled customer questions about the wine selection quickly and knowledgeably. The post-meal coffee, however, was machine-made, a bit watery, and took over ten minutes to make. In summary, the service and ambiance were excellent, but the food was underwhelming.
Beautiful presentation. A bit overpriced. Great service. Beautiful space.Perfect for special occasions.I Went here because it was supposedly one of the best restaurants in the world in 2022. It was very good from seating to finish. It was an experience. For 1 person for lunch It was very pricey though. $125 for 3 courses and champagne. Everything was visually appealing and tasted delicious. Only problem is that I had pretty bad food poisoning afterwards (1 hour later) and all I had eaten was at this place all day. That was disappointing. I'm thinking it was from the marinated fish as it didn't taste super fresh at all. But overall it was a nice place to try but I don't think I would come back. Great for photos and to treat yourself.
After a week trying a half-dozen of Montreal's better restaurants (2 had one-Michelin star, the other 4 were recommended... all reserved before the first guide came out), lunch at Toqué! impressed me the most. Fine dining comes down to two things: Great food and welcoming service. This is a *hospitality* industry. People should feel welcomed as well as nourished. Toqué! understands that and now, even after many years for a restaurant in this class, it still has it. I had minor reservation walking in: the interior is very chic and formal, which can sometimes be a mask and allow for unnecessary pretension. That concern melted away with warm, genuine care from a staff that made me and my party feel welcome, listened to, and valued. Our selections from the table d'hôte menu were all flavorful. I had a special on offer for the first course that was superb: a rich foamy sauce on lobster. The beef I ordered was cooked to perfection with fresh and flavorful vegetables and mushrooms. I was glad we ordered the cheese plate. I have no doubt they do all dishes this well. My cocktail was well crafted--so in addition to an architecturally interesting display cellar, they have a good bartender. At the end of our trip, this is the meal we enjoyed the most. I hope I will return to try the dinner blind tasting menu. They have my trust.
Nostalgia is often wasted energy. Twenty years ago we had a fabulous dinner at Toqué. We should have let our memory remain in 2004. Tonight's meal was the most expensive of our vacation and one of the worst. For $420 Canadian with a 20% tip, the cheque was highway robbery. The space had not changed much since 2004 and was dated. What was ahead of its time twenty years ago is now behind the times. Again, we sat at the bar, but we might as been at a two top. The staff was professional, but they reserved their warmth and friendliness for the local French speakers. Camaraderie was around us, but never directed to us. Americans, caveat emptor. Menu offerings read well, sounded great, and looked nice, but the dishes themselves lacked harmony. The asparagus with lobster appetizer was the best taste of the night. My Foie Gras Terrine was a simple pâté accompanied by some discordant jelly and strawberries. It was served with one stingy piece of toasted bread. Walleye, described as such: "Seared walleye confit fennel, fiddlehead, swiss chard stuffed with oyster, pak choï, gremolata, green garlic and smoked butter sauce" was a mess. While the walleye was cooked well, it was bland, and the Swiss chard, and greens overwhelmed the mild taste of the fish. The chef was using seasonable ingredients without thinking of the gestalt of the dish. Nothing went well together. The "Cavatelli with grilled lobster and mushrooms, roasted garlic purée, dulse, asparagus, hazelnut, mizuna purée, Parmigiano Reggiano mousse 68" lacked any harmony. The combination of the ingredients made no sense as a whole. Three out of four dishes were bad. Service was haphazard. We didn't know who our bartender or server was. Pacing was off with too long of a wait between the appetizers and entrees. Our dinner was not good, and the experience was sad. I yearned for Monarque, L'Express, and Lawrence. With two glasses of wine, two cocktails, the total bill was over $400. I felt fleeced.
Toque was fantastic. From the food items, to the service, to the atmosphere: all hit the mark. We started off by ordering a couple of non-alcoholic drinks. Then received sourdough bread and butter from a local Montreal bakery. Both of which were great. We were then served an amuse bouche that was top-tier. For our apps, we ordered the foie gras and the cheese plate. Both of these items were our least favorite and it might have solely been due to our personal palate preferences. You could see though that a lot of thought and care went into the preparation of the items. Mains: my fiancé got the tomato cavatelli with lobster and I got the beef tenderloin. Both of these items displayed immense intricacies and unique flavors. For my dish, the tenderloin was not the sole star of the show. The mushrooms, vegetables and sauce complemented the beef very well. For our dessert, the waiter said he would surprise us with something. What came out was the Manjari ganache. We could not be more pleased with the dish. I'd be remiss if I didn't consider this to be in one of my top 3 favorite desserts of all time. We then received a small parting dessert, compliments of the chef. All-in-all, Toque was a success. We intend to visit Maison Boulud in a couple of days and look forward to seeing how that compares.
Service was phenomenal. Very pretty and nice inside. Was very pleased to see the tables were not packed close to each other. Food was interesting and done well however, I felt it was missing a wow favor or a signature dish. Tasting menu is the way to go. Left beyond full.
It is tough to imagine a nicer lunch experience. Exceptionally authentic, five star, and amazing service where everyone receives their plates exactly the same time. Presentations are gorgeous, ambience is superb, and the food is both gorgeous and delicious, too beautiful to even want to eat! Prices are also amazing, especially when you consider that the appetizer and main course are bundled together in price. read more
Wowww! Definitely come here for a quick delicious and reasonably priced high end lunch! The service was friendly and the food was simply fire! I will dream about the foie gras brulee for years to come I think. They also had a really cute hanging wine cellar I enjoyed looking at. read more
7 months ago
It's amazing in one word. Enjoyed the seven surprising courses with flavors and taste. Definitely will come back for more. read more
Toqué! was an unforgettable dining experience from start to finish! The staff was warm, attentive, and made us feel truly cared for throughout the whole meal. The cozy yet elegant ambiance tied it all together. Everything we ordered was amazing, from the scallop to the steak. But the duck confit deserves its own spotlight. The meat was tender, moist, and not at all greasy. The skin was crispy, adding that perfect savory crunch. Each bite was rich but balanced, and you could tell the quality and care that went into every step of its preparation. But the true highlight for me was the dessert. Not only was it stunningly plated, but it tasted even better than it looked. Layers of texture and flavor that played together beautifully. I still miss that exact taste of jasmine tea and yogurt crémeux. Every single dish we ordered was memorable in its own way. Toqué! isn't a cheap meal, but it's one of those rare experiences that's worth the money for all the senses, imo. Easily one of the best culinary experiences we've had in Montreal. read more
Excellent and beautiful restaurant. I started with the foie gras terrine and was largely expecting a good terrine similar to multiple Montreal bistros. Toque's dish was incredible, the flavors, the consistency, was both great and very unique. It is a dish you should not miss. I also enjoyed the black cod, cooked perfectly, tender and melted in my mouth. The restaurant itself is elegant, with a very cool open wine cellar. read more
I came to Toqué! for their tasting menu and it was definitely a full-on experience seven courses, multiple surprises, and a lot of flavors to process. Some dishes were delicious, others a little confusing, but overall it was a memorable night. The first course was grilled snails, which were surprisingly really good nicely seasoned with a great texture. Then they brought out sourdough bread (seems to be the Montreal trend), and while sourdough isn't my favorite, this one was fluffier than the one I had the night before. Next up were the shrimp. They were really tiny and kind of hard to eat definitely not my favorite. The salad underneath had some tasty leaves, but also this mystery green thing that confused me a bit flavor-wise. Then came the snow crab course, which had some interesting components. The crab itself was good, and there was a jelly-like layer in the middle that tasted fine but the texture was a little odd. The cucumbers were super refreshing and added a great crunch, and there was a cream that tied it all together well. Then I got the foie gras with brioche, and the bread was fluffy and buttery. The foie gras was good, though I've had better, and it had a bit of a strange aftertaste. It came with apple purée, which I ended up smearing on the foie gras, and it worked surprisingly well. My first main course was pigeon which I did not expect. The flavor was fine, but the texture was very soft and chewy, which isn't really for me. But the maple caramelized carrots that came with it were amazing. Crunchy and full of flavor, probably my favorite thing on the plate. Then came the sirloin beef, and it was one of my top courses. Super flavorful and tender, and the wine sauce underneath really brought it all together. There were Brussels sprouts that didn't look like Brussels sprouts, but they tasted decent, and the little round potatoes were soft, salty, and really good. For the pre-dessert, they gave us a sorbet with this little coral-shaped cake, which was fun and tasted great. We got the cheese option instead the cheese was creamy and super soft. Then came the actual dessert, which had a bread base with chocolate mousse, ice cream, and these tiny maple leaves. It was okay the chocolate and ice cream were fine, but the bread part was kind of weird, and the maple leaves were cute but didn't taste great. Finally, they brought out these little chocolate mini cakes at the end, but by then I could barely breathe from how full I was. I took a bite and it was a bit harder than I expected, which threw me off, but the flavor was still nice. Overall, Toqué! was definitely a high-end, creative experience. Some dishes were incredible (like the carrots, sirloin, and brioche), while others weren't quite to my taste but that's part of the fun with tasting menus. If you're a foodie looking to try something adventurous and very Quebecois, it's worth visiting at least once. read more
Toque is very stylish restaurant with a large modern dining room with ample space and food prepared to the highest order with attentive and charming service. I began my meal with a first course of foie gras terrine. The rich duck liver pate was enhanced by the blended beets, hazelnut and toasted brioche. My main course was Magret de canard (Duck Magret). The sliced duck was succulent (like duck steak), accompanied by the earthy taste of parsnip. For dessert, I had the financier sarrasin (buckwheat). This hardier and more earthy tasting grain was in the pastry and the ice cream that balances the dish. Note that Toque frequently prepares in a molecular style where the components of a dish are meticulously prepared and separated on the plate (see photos). The meal also included bonus items like an amuse bouche. Overall, I was so impressed with the high level of the cuisine, the frequent attention and many courses of wonderful food. read more
1 year ago
The meal I was most excited about when visiting Montreal, and it delivered! From the moment you walk in, the staff are warm and welcoming, guiding you through menu recommendations both savory and sweet. Little treats along the way are a pleasant surprise but the true showstoppers are the desserts! read more
Great food and service. Really enjoyed the seasonal heirloom tomato appetizer. Lobster cavatelli was also a good choice for lunch. The lunch menu seems like a good deal relative to dinner pricing. Bar service was very attentive. read more
Amazing vegetarian tasting menu! Expensive of course but it was so tasteful! Of course this is fine dining so portions are tiny and unique but I REALLY enjoyed it! Of course customer service was 12/10 and ambiance was even better! read more
Excellent service from the moment I walked in, but unfortunately, the food did not impress me at all. I visited this restaurant because I heard the experience would cost a thousand dollars in the States. Since I went for lunch, it wasn't a course menu. All mains included one appetizer and coffee, priced at $49-53 CAD, which is a very good deal for fine dining menu. They have quite a good wine collection, and many table customers opened bottles. They also offer half glasses of wine, priced at around $10 CAD each. For my meal, I had foie gras as an appetizer and duck leg as the main course. Both dishes were heavy, overly sweet, and salty. While the duck skin was crispy, the meat was dry, and I couldn't understand the purpose of the bread placed between the mushrooms and sauce. My server, Phill, was efficient and well-organized. He handled customer questions about the wine selection quickly and knowledgeably. The post-meal coffee, however, was machine-made, a bit watery, and took over ten minutes to make. In summary, the service and ambiance were excellent, but the food was underwhelming. read more
5 months ago
5 months ago
1 year ago
3 years ago
Beautiful presentation. A bit overpriced. Great service. Beautiful space.Perfect for special occasions.I Went here because it was supposedly one of the best restaurants in the world in 2022. It was very good from seating to finish. It was an experience. For 1 person for lunch It was very pricey though. $125 for 3 courses and champagne. Everything was visually appealing and tasted delicious. Only problem is that I had pretty bad food poisoning afterwards (1 hour later) and all I had eaten was at this place all day. That was disappointing. I'm thinking it was from the marinated fish as it didn't taste super fresh at all. But overall it was a nice place to try but I don't think I would come back. Great for photos and to treat yourself. read more
1 year ago
After a week trying a half-dozen of Montreal's better restaurants (2 had one-Michelin star, the other 4 were recommended... all reserved before the first guide came out), lunch at Toqué! impressed me the most. Fine dining comes down to two things: Great food and welcoming service. This is a *hospitality* industry. People should feel welcomed as well as nourished. Toqué! understands that and now, even after many years for a restaurant in this class, it still has it. I had minor reservation walking in: the interior is very chic and formal, which can sometimes be a mask and allow for unnecessary pretension. That concern melted away with warm, genuine care from a staff that made me and my party feel welcome, listened to, and valued. Our selections from the table d'hôte menu were all flavorful. I had a special on offer for the first course that was superb: a rich foamy sauce on lobster. The beef I ordered was cooked to perfection with fresh and flavorful vegetables and mushrooms. I was glad we ordered the cheese plate. I have no doubt they do all dishes this well. My cocktail was well crafted--so in addition to an architecturally interesting display cellar, they have a good bartender. At the end of our trip, this is the meal we enjoyed the most. I hope I will return to try the dinner blind tasting menu. They have my trust. read more
Nostalgia is often wasted energy. Twenty years ago we had a fabulous dinner at Toqué. We should have let our memory remain in 2004. Tonight's meal was the most expensive of our vacation and one of the worst. For $420 Canadian with a 20% tip, the cheque was highway robbery. The space had not changed much since 2004 and was dated. What was ahead of its time twenty years ago is now behind the times. Again, we sat at the bar, but we might as been at a two top. The staff was professional, but they reserved their warmth and friendliness for the local French speakers. Camaraderie was around us, but never directed to us. Americans, caveat emptor. Menu offerings read well, sounded great, and looked nice, but the dishes themselves lacked harmony. The asparagus with lobster appetizer was the best taste of the night. My Foie Gras Terrine was a simple pâté accompanied by some discordant jelly and strawberries. It was served with one stingy piece of toasted bread. Walleye, described as such: "Seared walleye confit fennel, fiddlehead, swiss chard stuffed with oyster, pak choï, gremolata, green garlic and smoked butter sauce" was a mess. While the walleye was cooked well, it was bland, and the Swiss chard, and greens overwhelmed the mild taste of the fish. The chef was using seasonable ingredients without thinking of the gestalt of the dish. Nothing went well together. The "Cavatelli with grilled lobster and mushrooms, roasted garlic purée, dulse, asparagus, hazelnut, mizuna purée, Parmigiano Reggiano mousse 68" lacked any harmony. The combination of the ingredients made no sense as a whole. Three out of four dishes were bad. Service was haphazard. We didn't know who our bartender or server was. Pacing was off with too long of a wait between the appetizers and entrees. Our dinner was not good, and the experience was sad. I yearned for Monarque, L'Express, and Lawrence. With two glasses of wine, two cocktails, the total bill was over $400. I felt fleeced. read more
Toque was fantastic. From the food items, to the service, to the atmosphere: all hit the mark. We started off by ordering a couple of non-alcoholic drinks. Then received sourdough bread and butter from a local Montreal bakery. Both of which were great. We were then served an amuse bouche that was top-tier. For our apps, we ordered the foie gras and the cheese plate. Both of these items were our least favorite and it might have solely been due to our personal palate preferences. You could see though that a lot of thought and care went into the preparation of the items. Mains: my fiancé got the tomato cavatelli with lobster and I got the beef tenderloin. Both of these items displayed immense intricacies and unique flavors. For my dish, the tenderloin was not the sole star of the show. The mushrooms, vegetables and sauce complemented the beef very well. For our dessert, the waiter said he would surprise us with something. What came out was the Manjari ganache. We could not be more pleased with the dish. I'd be remiss if I didn't consider this to be in one of my top 3 favorite desserts of all time. We then received a small parting dessert, compliments of the chef. All-in-all, Toque was a success. We intend to visit Maison Boulud in a couple of days and look forward to seeing how that compares. read more
Service was phenomenal. Very pretty and nice inside. Was very pleased to see the tables were not packed close to each other. Food was interesting and done well however, I felt it was missing a wow favor or a signature dish. Tasting menu is the way to go. Left beyond full. read more
3 years ago
Wonderfully terrific! The servers(especially the asian guy who was probably assigned in our area) we had were all real courteous, proactive, quick and accomodating! They also speak english. Food was also exceptional, a real quebecois palate experience! We had a tour of their kitchen and it was absolutely a clean and organized process. The vibes and atmosphere was calming. Table spacing was also appropriate for some deep conversation. They accept credit/debit cards(not discover). Valet parking available. If we ever go back to montreal for another fine dining meal, we surely be back here once again read more
Service and meal were outstanding. We had the Ritz call for a reservation and we're lucky to grab a cancellation, otherwise a very hard restaurant to get into day of. The restaurant was recommended to us by our server, Julian, the prior evening at Maison Boulud. The meal started with an amuse-bouche of lobster in a mint soup with roasted quinoa. Most exquisite taste I've sampled. We then both ordered the sea bass (see pictures) which was wonderful. Deserts were also otherworldly. After the meal we were provided with a sampling of candies include a sucre a la crème. Very creamy and not overly sweet. Shout-out to Nick for getting us a couple extra sucre a la crèmes. read more
Perhaps Montreal's most important restaurant, with an ingredient-focused tasting menu that highlights the quality of the food but demonstrates clear attention to classic technique. The space itself is sleek and modern, with splashes of color. Service is flawless, captaining a dining adventure. If Michelin comes to Montreal, this is a likely one star recipient. The star dishes included a small lobster appetizer that had intricate flavor combinations. Mushrooms are also excellent here; the lions mane was a better savory dish than either the duck or strip loin. And this is the kind of restaurant (like Quince in San Francisco) that is truly market driven, with no night's menu exactly the same. Dietary accommodations are easily made, with no cost to the experience. Joe Beef will get all the tourist attention, but this is the better meal. read more
We don't frequent many restaurants of this caliber but, once in a while, a celebratory splurge is enjoyable. @restaurant_toque has been creating dazzling dishes made with local, fresh ingredients of the highest quality, for 30 years. Every dish is like a work of art that envigorates almost all the senses (don't eat with your hands). The perfectly balanced, multi-layered, complimentary, harmonized flavours in every course knock you off your seat. Very close attention is payed to the last element by a very knowledgeable, quick but calm and unrushed, engaging staff. They are also very accommodating to dietary restrictions. We may not come back for a little while but we most certainly loved our experience read more
2 years ago
Before I start this review, I want to acknowledge something: it takes a lot of work to run a restaurant. I wouldn't know this personally, as I am just someone who loves food experiences, but I respect the effort. Food is an art form that, at its highest moments, tells a story. The best restaurants weave this story seamlessly, from the moment you are greeted by the maître d' to the time you sign the check. The food should justify its place on the plate, the art should be meaningful, and the ambiance should tie it all together, saying, "Thank you for choosing us. Here's why it matters." Unfortunately, Toque's story was incoherent, like the ramblings of someone lost in a drunken stupor, clinging to a reality that exists only in their head. Upon entering, the décor felt like a relic of the early 2000s--a carpeted (why carpet?) time capsule. It reminded me of someone who over-prepped for Y2K, only to be left with stacks of toilet paper in their closet. My spouse and I were there to celebrate a special occasion. Having dined at similar establishments in New York, we were excited to see what Toque would deliver as a supposed bastion of fine cuisine. THE BREAD The bread was one of the only highlights--a mix of sourdough with a chewy crust and impossibly soft interior, paired with butter that could have sparked wars in earlier centuries. 9/10. THE TRAGEDY The rest of the meal spiraled into chaos, beginning with an amuse-bouche. The server offered a "surprise" or foie gras, and we opted for the surprise, only to receive lobster in a buckwheat shell--despite my well-communicated shellfish allergy. After a brief "oh...sorry," they replaced it with hastily thrown-together tuna salad. No apology beyond that, not even a simple glass of champagne to acknowledge the mistake. Here's the breakdown of the courses: 1. First Course: Trout ceviche in cold miso soup. A confusing pairing that felt random rather than intentional. (4/10) 2. Second Course: Trout (again), with beurre blanc, walnuts, and trout roe. Not terrible, but shockingly underseasoned--I had to request salt. (5/10) 3. Third Course: Walleye from Lake Erie with black garlic sauce, confit pear, and pickled radishes. Fish was fine, pear was great, sauce needed salt. (5/10) 4. Fourth Course: Young rooster with vegetables. Chicken on a tasting menu needs to be magical, but this was bland beyond forgiveness. (3/10) 5. Fifth Course: Sirloin the size of my index finger (and I'm not a large person), served lukewarm with yet another forgettable sauce. (2/10) 6. Sixth Course: The pre-dessert "surprise" was purple ube ice cream, poppyseed cake, and chocolate in a pool of Minute Maid lemonade. It was shocking, in the worst way. The cheese dish--a brie with spelt cracker--was utterly forgettable. (1/10) THE DESSERT FROM HEAVEN The seventh and final course was miraculous: a white chocolate mousse with soaked pear, chocolate bark, and citron sorbet. It was thoughtful, balanced, and decadent, erasing--almost--the disaster of previous courses. If the rest of the meal had been even a fraction as inspired as this dessert, Toque might have redeemed itself. But one great dish cannot carry a meal that failed at nearly every other step. WHAT MORE? The service lacked the attentiveness expected at this level. The manager's "gift" for our celebration--a stock card signed by the chef--felt hollow. No creative dessert, no thoughtful keepsake menu, just an afterthought. The inconsistent music--alternating between too loud and imperceptibly soft--only added to the disjointed experience. And so, we left wondering what story Toque was trying to tell. In the end, we had to make up one ourselves: Toque is an establishment so convinced of its greatness, it doesn't feel the need to explain why its food matters. Instead, it says, "We thought of this yesterday--eat it and go." Overall Rating: 2/10.The bread and dessert were phenomenal, but I would have been happier at a bakery with a pint of Häagen-Dazs. After all, man cannot live on bread alone. read more
4 years ago
I was looking forward to visiting Toque the most and it did not disappoint! If you decide to go with the tasting menu, the entire table has to order also. The seven courses are all surprises (the only choice you get to make is foie gras or no foie gras), otherwise a la carte menu looked great too. It's also expensive but hey, I'm not eating like this all the time! Food was top notch, there were some surprises to pairing ingredients but they worked really well together. Plates were also beautifully and delicately arranged. Service was great, staffs were really attentive but this meal took 3.5 hours (protip, make a reservation in advance to get an earlier time slot). Ambiance was good, the interior was spacious and some of the tables were quite close, so you can hear what your neighbours were discussing. DO NOT CONTINUE READING OR SEE PHOTOS if you're visiting in the next few days and don't want to potentially be spoiled from surprises - Tasting Menu $182 0. Compliments of the Chef Amuse-bouche Dashi broth with canola seed, bacon, basil & chives 1. Flounder fish in lemon bell pepper water, vinaigrette with puffed rice, strawberry & sturgeon caviar 2. Monk fish on a thin crunchy bread, with poultry juice cream sauce, potatoes, tarragon oil 3a.Foie Gras made in house with brioche, confit celeriac, freeze dry huckleberry & blueberry sauce Or 3b. Beetroot risotto with black fungus mushroom, hazelnut & goat cheese 4.Duck breast magret, cherry tomato, broccolini, shiitake mushrooms with vermouth sauce & pepper purée 5. Strip loin with oyster mushroom & parsnip on squash purée, black garlic purée, berry sauce 6. Almond nugget, gel & cake, with fresh & compressed strawberry & mascarpone cheese sorbet 7. Chocolate cake, raspberry gel and sorbet; hazel nut sauce, rosewater crisp & cardamom ice cream read more
From the moment we walked in the door we had a spectacular experience at Toqué. Thank you to Ben for making this a spectacular night of celebration for our daughter birthday! The service by the team and the kitchen was above and beyond!! As for the food, the tasting menu was a perfect experience. From the a·muse-bouche to desert every course was an experience. The seafood was fresh and delicate. The meat courses were succulent and perfectly prepared. We were especially amazed by the food gras, slightly charred, tender and melt in your mouth prepared. The tenderloin was delicate and delicious, well balanced and delicious. The surprise of the night was the kimchi and cheese course. A risky combination that was really a hit. Props to the chef for taking a risk that truest pays off! Finally a tremendous thanks to the kitchen for making this a special night for our daughter. The kindness of bringing her into your place was over and above expectation. It is a night she will never forget!! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
4 years ago
We went to Toque for dinner during our vacation trip to Montreal. We both had the tasting menu and hubby also did the wine pairing menu. Been to quite a few fine dining places around the world, I find our experiences a bit unsatisfactory for the price and the reputation. Service: This place seemed to be too busy and though there were quite a few waiters, I'm surprised about the lack of attention to details. Our server brought a plate to me but forgot to give me the utensils. At the beginning of the meal, they asked for our dietary preferences and said the chef would customize based on our preferences. My hubby doesn't eat mushrooms and we don't eat raw onions. They changed the ingredients in the first dishes for us, but seem to have forgotten bout it after a few courses, serving him dishes with mushrooms and me dishes with onions. That was quite disappointing. Food: overall I didn't find the food very impressive. All the courses tasted fresh but they didn't have many "rare" or "high end" ingredients. The same type of mushrooms showed up in at least 3 dishes and didn't taste much differently - I was too bored to eat them. The sauce and flavoring didn't taste special or "eye-opening". I felt like some dishes almost tasted like they had similar sauces. I got an "extra" dish after getting the foie gras terrine course which I didn't like. (The terrine tasted good but I just don't like terrine.) I appreciated the gesture but the dish they offered had onions on it. I was quite excited about the duck but it turned out to be a bit too chewy for me. My favorite dish of the night was actually the pre-dessert dish which was a sweet cheese "cake" with camomile sorbet on top of almond powder. The flavor was so unique that we both wowed. If they ever sell that sorbet, I would buy it. The actual dessert was a white chocolate brownie, which I didn't care too much for. Decor: lastly I can't appreciate the decor style. The interiors feels a bit "cheap" with clashes of greens, oranges, and reds. I would not associate their dining environment with high end fine dining. It was not a memorable experience and I don't think I will want to go back. read more
7 years ago
3 years ago
One of the most memorable meals I've had in a long time. If Michelin reviewed in Montreal, Toqué would surely have a star, maybe two. Fairly formal experience with amuse-bouche and petit fours. Pioneer in "farm-to-table" but you can feel they are still innovating. Bartender and servers were supremely personable given the relatively formal setting. If you can afford it when you are in town, it is worth a visit. Plus, it is the most delicious asparagus dessert I've ever eaten. Also the only asparagus dessert I've ever eaten. I'd recommend other dishes, but I'm sure they change by the time you get here. read more
3 years ago
This is fine dining at its absolute finest. If you're looking for a special place to eat or if you're a foodie exploring Montréal, forget the rest and come to Toqué. My fiancé and I decided on the chefs tasting menu with a wine pairing. My tasting being a pescatarian option. Each and every single dish was out of this world. The delicate yet flavorful ingredients accompanied with a perfectly paired wine made this an experience I'll never forget. Our Server Ben was an absolute gem keeping us not only entertained, but taken care of every moment of the evening. Each wine was explained and presented to us by the sommelier Sam whose passion and love for wine translated into each word. At the end of our experience we were given a tour of the wine cellar that is seen from the suspended wine bottles in a glass room. This is a beautiful experience and I couldn't thank everyone enough for their skill and passion! read more
Excellent service and ambiance. Waiters had good knowledge of their wines and food. The bread was average. We took the 7-course tasting menu and order our own wine. Food is nicely presented and is great but not amazing. The main courses we had was quail and duck magret. The quail is perfectly cooked but in terms of taste, I find it pretty average and the duck was a bit too chewy. We had a generous piece of foie gras (terrine) or maybe even too generous and it was hard to finish the last few bites! The fish was scrumptious and the dessert is a piece of art. But I guess at this price we are really just paying for the service and experience. We've had better food in Montreal. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Such a wonderful dining experience. The tasters menus exceeded our expectations. Definitely a special occasion kinda of restaurant. read more
7 years ago
I visited Toqué by myself in Jun 2018. It was a dinner reservation squeezed into the 2-hour long free time slot before having to head to the airport. Because of this time constraint, I had to opt for the a la carte menu though the tasting menu looked very attractive. The experience was...interesting. Lots of the details of that meal has faded, but I'll always remember the scallop main course. How delicious was it? Well...I almost always browse random stuff on my phone when I'm dining alone, but upon taking the first bite of that dish, I just decided that I should put my phone aside and just focus on eating. It was almost magical...the scallops had perfectly thin and crispy crust, salted just well, and the interior was still very tender. Other things in the plate included some crispy fried scallion, pieces of mushroom full of umami flavor, and some other ingredients I couldn't fully recall. Every single bite was so delicious that I didn't want to be distracted by anything...I just wanted to taste it. Luckily the portion was quite generous so I had a lot of enjoyment :D However, the appetizer and the dessert were quite underwhelming. There were elements in the dish that didn't mix well with other ingredients, or just...tasted a bit strange. The restaurant seems to also have a large wine collection, but I didn't try any that time. read more
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