Bar Kabinet offers a chic, intimate vibe with a creative cocktail program and attentive service, and the space feels inviting at first; however, seating can be cramped and the small tables detract from comfort, while the food is often described as decent but not memorable and portions can be small for the prices; many reviews highlight the cocktails and the wine list and caviar with champagne pairings as bright spots, and the venue works well as a pre dinner or a drinks stop with friends, with guests generally happy to return for the atmosphere and drinks even if a full dinner may not always meet expectations.
nice atmosphere, decent service, mid food. nothing special regarding food, its actually underwhelming & very small portions considering its not a fine dining restaurant.
i think kabinet ir better for grabbing drinks after a dinner.
It wins you over at first glance. The space is undeniably charming-warm lighting, thoughtful design, & an intimate atmosphere. It's aesthetically pleasing in a way that suggests a carefully curated experience.
Unfortunately, the reality doesn't quite live up to the setting.
We were seated at a wobbly table-a small detail, perhaps, but one that instantly chips away at comfort. It's something that's easy to fix & hard to ignore. The tables themselves are also notably small, packed tightly together in what feels like an effort to maximize capacity. While understandable from a business standpoint, it comes at the expense of ease & intimacy. Instead of feeling cozy, the space can feel cramped.
The cocktails were creative, well-balanced, & reasonably priced. It's clear that the bar is a strength. The wine list, though short, is well-selected as well.
The food, however, was underwhelming. The bites are serviceable but not particularly memorable. The beef tartare, in particular, lacked the depth & seasoning one hopes for-it felt flat & uninspired. At those prices, you expect something that excites the palate, not something you struggle to recall the next day.
This works well as a pre-date night stop: a place for a good drink in an attractive setting before heading somewhere else for dinner. We're glad we gave it a try, but between the cramped layout & the forgettable food, it's not somewhere we feel compelled to return to.
My friends & I walked into this beautiful place on a Thursday night without a reservation & were immediately sat at the bar. The staff was super friendly, the drinks were excellent, & the decor is so chic! I had a pornstar martini, which was one of the best drinks I've ever had. I can't wait to try the food here next time!
Kind of chose this on a whim in our 30hr visit to Montreal from Vermont. Greatest whim in a long time Grigor was out server & he was great. He described the dishes & drinks perfectly. Guided us towards house specials & for our food order, made sure we not only had enough, but also made the experience so enjoyable. Grigor offered tastes of all of the wines by the glass & also described them to a t. Made me want to stay & have more but family...
As for the food, we had one of each dish & every one was prepared very well. From the opener of Hamachi crudo which was so simple but the flavors of the tomato base & the Hamachi itself made a great marriage in the mouth. As the food progressed, the layers of flavors increased to the showstoppers in my opinion, the potatoes & then the duck.
The potatoes were on a base of what I'd call ajvar, a pureed red pepper sauce but with some vinegar in there too. This offset the richness of the duck fat potatoes & I could have ordered more of them until I passed out from a food coma, but family...
Then the duck came out. On a base of pureed apple, the duck was perfectly cooked medium rare & the flavors melded so perfectly.
Along with the food, the cocktails were expertly crafted & again, worth seeking out.
Overall, this was a crazy good experience that I'd come back to Montreal from my home in Brooklyn for. I have a reason to drive further to ski Tremblant
A beautiful apéro with Gregor as our server! Thank you so much for the great recommendations, & big thanks to the kitchen & the bar for the amazing dishes & drinks! 100% would recommend!!
Fantastic experience! The duck was delicious, & the fries with the bell pepper sauce were incredible. The tartare was also amazing-even for someone who isn't a big fan of salty dishes, it was perfectly balanced & flavorful. & the drinks were amazing,truly a Craft bar. Carrigan was so friendly, welcoming, & funny-she made the meal even more enjoyable. Ixchel was also wonderful, & their great teamwork really stood out. Looking forward to my next visit!
The most amazing spot for a drink & a laugh. Carrigan & Laura were the most phenomenal servers I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. The cosmopolitan was DELICIOUS, I cannot wait to return. Thank you for everything
Popped in for a couple of cocktails on a warm early spring day. The drinks were excellent & surpassed only by the pleasant staff. Great place all around!
Cocktails are good & the terrace is nice, perfect spot for a drink & share olives & nuts. Unfortunately the food was very disappointing. Whatever you do, do not order the Focaccia. Its a toast with cold roast beef cubes topped with fresh cranberries, it has no taste & nothing to do with a focaccia. Fish crudo was mainly a cucumber/tomato salad.. put aside the food & it's a great place to go for a drink before dinner.
