This week, let’s honor the restaurants that have contributed in their own way to the growth of Québec’s dining scene. These restaurants offer unique atmospheres created over time, as well as unchanging recipes over trends. A little love for our Quebec institutions!
Mrs. Bolduc
Photo courtesy of Maam Bolduc
Behind its orange shield, well anchored in Plateau Mont-Royal (formerly the De Lorimier neighborhood), lies a whole history of passionate entrepreneurs who simply wanted to meet the needs of the people living in the neighborhood. From a butcher shop in the 1940s to Mme Bolduc restaurant in 1955 and Maam Bolduc in the 1970s, the current owners attest that the soul has not changed: gourmet family cooking (including several of Mme Bolduc’s unchanged recipes) will everyone take pleasure in reading the menu and ordering more than enough.
► www.maambolduc.com
► 4351 De Lorimier Avenue, Montreal
The holy love
Photo courtesy of Le Saint-Amour
Jean-Luc Boulay came to Quebec as a rescuer in his early twenties to fill the many positions in the kitchen for the 1976 Olympics (while doing his military service) and quickly secured a spot as a choice at a few bistros around the world City before opening in 1978 with two partners, the Saint-Amour. Perfecting his knowledge every year for several years at the École Lenôtre in Paris and popularizing desserts on the plate, Chef Boulay slowly built the reputation of Saint-Amour as we know it today. One wonders what this institution would be today without the declension of foie gras, swab and sweetbreads from land and sea that have been on the menu since day 1?
► saint-amour.com
► 48 Sainte-Ursule Street, Quebec
Restaurant Au Petit Poucet
Photo courtesy of Au Petit Poucet
Épicerie Petit Poucet in 1926, Rôtisserie Au Petit Poucet in 1945, to the Restaurant Au Petit Poucet in the 1970s: nobody knows said Poucet, but it will soon be 100 years old. It’s not nothing. However, he can certainly be described as greedy, generous, in love with Quebec cuisine – and with the ham, which has been nationally known for more than 70 years. We go to this icon of Route 117 in Val-David to enjoy the cream of our traditional dishes: tourtière, pea soup, cretons, buckwheat pancakes and… ham sandwich! A real must in the city.
► aupetitpoucet.ca
► 1030 QC-117, Val David
Cafe Bude
Photo courtesy of Cafe Buade
Eat in a centuries-old establishment, in a building dating back to 1860, a stone’s throw from Château Frontenac: visit Café Buade! You can sample honest, unpretentious dishes where several classics of French cuisine intersect with those of Quebec. Don’t look for the daring, instead look for the essentials, like prime rib au jus. Not to mention the exceptional value for money.
► cafebuade.ca
► 31, rue de Buade, Quebec
Restaurant Au 14
Photo courtesy of Cult IG
Located at 14 rue Prince-Arthur, a stone’s throw from Plateau-Mont-Royal, this Vietnamese restaurant has been welcoming its loyal clientele (and new palates too!) since 1976. Ha family recipes – now in their third generation – are meticulously respected to provide the most authentic experience possible. You can try different types of soups with complex homemade broths, spring rolls, various grilled meats, as well as bánh khot, those small Vietnamese pancakes stuffed with pork and shrimp. It is possible to eat on site or pick up your order to take away.
► au14princearthur.ca
► 14 Prince-Arthur Street West, Montreal
The Continental
Photo courtesy of Le Continental
Located on rue Saint-Louis since 1956, the Le Continental restaurant is a landmark of the old capital. Opened fresh from Montreal by an Italian quartet, the restaurant, known for its table service and tableside outbursts, came under the helm of Mr. Pettigrew (who began his diving career at ) in 2009. 13), then Mr. Pageau, who also started his career at Continental. Though the menu has evolved—say goodbye to turtle broth—a few classics haven’t left the menu: Caesar salad assembled at the table, canned filet mignon, duck à l’orange, not to mention the flambéed coffees. The Continental was even recommended by none other than Anthony Bourdain!
► restaurantlecontinental.com
► 26 Saint Louis Street, Quebec
Auberge Saint Gabriel
Photo courtesy of Auberge Saint-Gabriel
It’s impossible to talk about restaurants that made and continue to make history without mentioning the Auberge Saint-Gabriel in Old Montreal. Listed building under the Cultural Heritage Act, oldest facility still in operation in North America (built 1688), first liquor license in Canada (1754), not to mention great historical moments that took place under this mythical roof. Admittedly, the numerous rooms and the restaurant have seen a few facelifts over the years, but nothing that could spoil the still lively soul. Gastronomically, the identity of the Auberge is reflected in high-quality dishes, characterized by generosity, abundance and richness… Think prime rib with aligot, chicken skewers and the unmissable Swiss fondue. The Auberge Saint-Gabriel is much more than a gastronomic experience.
► www.hostelsaint-gabriel.com
► 426 Saint-Gabriel Street, Montreal
antique buffet
Photo provided by Buffet de l’Antiquaire
Today it is a real challenge to find a restaurant with non-stop service from 6am to 9pm. Add to this a place where ordering the famous brunch platter at 11am is just as appropriate as 8pm, may seem impossible. Admirably, to find a real gem straight out of the antique shop, you have to head towards the Old Port to find that this type of establishment still exists… Here, since 1976. We’re charmed by the sense of belonging The warm atmosphere reigns there, the family service and the tasty dishes worthy of the best grandmothers.
► lebuffetdelantiquaire.com
► 95 Saint-Paul Street, Old Port, Quebec
Tommy Dion is a columnist/food critic and founder of the web platform and gourmet guide www.lecuisinomane.com