Aldea, it is a traditional cuisine inspired by our Portuguese villages that invites you to sharing and conviviality. It is the small village of Portugal, in the heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal.
Aldea consistently delivers authentic Portuguese flavors with fresh seafood, tender octopus, mussels, bacalhau and a seafood platter that showcases quality ingredients. Service is repeatedly described as attentive, warm and professional, making guests feel welcome whether at a small table or a larger gathering. The atmosphere is noted as cozy and family run with a lively yet refined setting that often feels like a brief trip to Portugal. Value is praised with generous portions and reasonable prices alongside a well curated wine selection. Conversations reflect consistency across visits, with meals arriving well plated and served at the right temperature. Many reviewers highlight the menu variety from tapas to main courses and the chef's ability to tailor dishes to guests. Occasions are celebrated here and recommendations to friends and visitors come naturally, underscoring Aldea as a go to dining experience. All in all the dining experience blends traditional Portuguese cuisine with modern touches, earning high marks for food, service and ambiance.
I live in the Mile End & work downtown, so I've walked past Aldea, probably hundreds of times since it opened, & I was always intrigued by the inviting elegance of the decor, & what seemed to be really beautiful plates as I saw them through their generous floor-to-ceiling windows as I passed. Finally, I decided to take advantage of a rare evening off from the restaurant I manage to try it, & I am beyond glad that I did.
Honestly, one of the best dining experiences I've had in Montreal. This place is a gem.
The key to the whole thing, & the thread that pervaded our entire experience, is attention to detail. & it begins as soon as you walk in the building. The room is simply & tastefully decorated, with a cozy, but modern ambience. The furnishing is stylish without sacrificing comfort. Before you order a single thing, you're already glad you came. Even the washrooms were spotless on a level I've seldom seen.
My boyfriend doesn't drink, so I just ordered a half litre of the house red for my self & was pleasantly surprised by the quality. It robust & fruit forward, with a nice little tannic zip - not the flabby offering you get from most places as "vin maison". He & I both opted for the Table d'Hote, though we were certainly tempted by the ample selection of tasty-sounding tapas. Ranging from $30-42 for three courses, the price point is reasonable on its face, however once you see what you get it's incredible.
We were presented with a basket of fresh-to-the day Portuguese crusty rolls & sliced cornbread, & a lovely unexpected amuse bouche of meatball (done in a still reminiscent of brandade) with a spicy mayo. We ordered a queso fresco & tomato salad on top of the fixed menu offering, & it came out simple, fresh, & tasty - exactly what you'd hope for from a dish of this kind.
Soon after we finished that our Table d'Hote appetizers arrived - Lisbon Shrimp for me, & the chef's salad for my co-diner. The salad was dressed in a light vinagrette, garnished with strawberries & some cressons (which was a nice touch), & the shrimp . . . my goodness; large, flavourful without being fishy, & steeped in a stunning rose-type sauce (I detected red pepper & paprika notes, but I could be wrong. It was so delicious I wiped every spare drop out of the bowl.
By this point, everything had been so delightful, we couldn't wait for the mains, & they didn't disappoint. My veal chop was huge (at least 10-12oz) & cooked to a perfect medium, with traditional Portuguese style roast potatoes, & sauteed asparagus & broccolini. It was lightly seasoned, with the perfect amount of char. If I did it over again, I might try to get a side of the sauce from the shrimp appetizer, but that's more a testament to how amazing that was, rather than an indication the chop was in any way lacking flavour. My partner had the Filet Mignon & Jumbo Shrimp skewer, which also came cooked to perfection. They shrimp had taken just enough grill fire to benefit from the flavour, but still maintained a nice soft texture inside, & the steak pieces were tender & juicy. His dish came with the same vegetable mix, but with chip cut potatoes, in place of the larger roasted potatoes I received. He loved them, & finished each & every one, despite rapidly becoming full from the generous portions.
The presentation of the plates was fantastic, & every time a new plate arrived at one of the adjacent tables we were following it with our eyes, planning what to order on our next visit. The Giant Shrimp plate, Seared Cod, & Octopus we saw all looked mouth watering, & we were wishing we'd brought a few more people so we could sample them all.
We finished off with a nice homemade chocolate mousse (which was elevated by stirring a couple spoonfuls of my espresso into it), & a classic creme caramel. We had to stop ourselves from licking the plate clean.
From a service standpoint, we couldn't really have asked for me. We were assisted by two veteran waiters, who were polished, without being pretentious, & friendly without being intrusive. There is an open kitchen, so we also had the opportunity to thank the cooks who prepared such a formidable meal.
Aldea offers what are very much traditional style Portuguese dishes. They are not seeking to re-invent the wheel, but have clearly focused on freshness, quality, & careful preparation to elevate the fare over establishements offering similar cuisine (which are ample in the quartier). For my purposes, I know I will be back, & would enthusiastically recommend it to anyone, whether for a special occasion, important date, or just a really well-executed meal in a gorgeous, intimate dining room.
Again, in a city with such a diversity of offerings, this was one of the most satisfying overall experiences I've had, & it will be one of a small handful of go-to restaurants for me moving forward.
Super expérience ! Le restaurant & l'équipe sont très chaleureux, les plats de la table d'hôte sont excellents & raffinés. Nous recommandons sans hésiter ce restaurant
Mar 3, 2019
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C'était notre première fois dans ce restaurant Portugais & nous avons très bien aimer notre expérience. Un petit restaurant au grand coeur & de bon goût :)
Feb 17, 2019
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Excellent repas & service au Aldea! Le goût du Portugal à Montréal dans toute sa finesse & excellence! Je le recommande fortement! Je retournerai avec famille & amis très bientôt !!!
C'est par simple hasard que nous avons décidé de s'arrêter dans ce restaurant portugais, & laissez-moi vous dire qu'il est vrai que le hasard fait bien les choses! Une ambiance à la fois chique & familiale, avec un service de grâce, une nourriture exquise remplie de saveurs & quelques petites surprises à tables pour finaliser le tout, c'est ce qui vous attend dans ce beau restaurant portugais. Ça faisait longtemps que j'avais aussi bien mangé & reçu un aussi bon service à table. J'encourage fortement quiconque à vivre cette belle expérience gastronomique!
On retournera; belle sélection de vins, d'importation privée accessibles (on a été enchanté avec le Dona Berta reserva). On était 30 minutes en retard mais notre table était toujours dispo...
Stellar restaurant!
Fabulous evening! Exceptionally delicious Portuguese dishes with outstanding & attentive service. This restaurant is consistent & never disappoints. Can't say enough good things - looking forward to our next visit!
