We named our restaurant Bistro Nolah, an acronym for New Orleans, out of a love for the style of comfort food they serve down south. This style of food will be the inspiration behind some of the dishes we will be serving at Nolah.
Bistro Nolah is described as a warm, intimate spot with a small but lively dining room and a vibe that nods to New Orleans. The food receives high praise across the board, with standout dishes including gumbo, jambalaya, shrimp and grits, fried chicken, brisket, catfish, hush puppies, bread pudding, and beignets, noted for rich flavors, generous portions, and thoughtful presentation. Brunch is a major draw, offering inventive southern favorites and a few guests calling it among the best, though the restaurant can be busy and reservations are often advised due to limited space. The service is repeatedly described as attentive, knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating, contributing to an overall welcoming atmosphere that makes it feel like a special occasion without being overly formal. Several reviews mention a charming interior and, in good weather, a terrace experience that enhances the mood. Occasional notes of spice balance and timing show that the kitchen can be very busy on weekends, with a few patrons noting long waits or specific dishes that could have more heat or variety. Overall, Bistro Nolah is seen as a top choice for southern comfort cuisine in Montreal, delivering consistent quality, strong hospitality, and a dining experience that fans are eager to repeat.
I was looking forward to this experience having read all the amazing reviews on this website. Maybe because the reviews hyped it up so much, I was expecting greater things that did not materialize. Don't get me wrong, the food is really very good with lots of flavours, but I would not say it was totally mind blowing.
They start you off with the biscuits, which are good, but not fabulous. The hush puppies are very good with a delish jalapeno remoulade, but overly deep fried. The crab cakes really have a lot of crab meat but are also very deep fried. Our mains were also very good but we felt we did not get value for the price. We had the bread pudding which had a beautiful, luscious bourbon sauce & a real decadent chocolate torte. However, the caramelized pecans on the torte were burnt.
The ambiance is ok, but feels a little cafeteria-ish. Maybe table-cloths & different finished décor would help. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. It is good, although a bit over priced for what you get. Maybe it's not as mind-blowing for me as everyone else seems to think.
Excellent food, excellent service. We each started out with a hush puppy. My husband started off with the crab cakes, I with the seafood gumbo - delicious, with a good-sized scallop & shrimps, but I wish there was a little more seafood thrown in. My husband's main course was the shrimp jambalaya, mine was one of the evening specials - pork osso bucco - both delicious as well. For dessert, we selected the trio - bread pudding with a chocolate torte, & beignets - also excellent.
A little out of our usual dining budget, but well worth the occasional visit. I would definitely go back there.
May 18, 2014
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I went to Bistro Nolah with my son & had a great time. We started off with the trio appetizer & the fried oysters. I didn't care much for the fried oysters but the trio was amazing. There was scallop ceviche, which melted in your mouth, crab cake, & lastly, grits. I would have licked the bowl. It was that good.
For our mains we had the braised short rib, & my son had the cornish hen Both were very good.
I was very happy that I had finally tried this restaurant. When we left, my son who is 10yrs old looked at me, & said "Thanks Mom for bringing me here, it was great!!"
J'y suis allé car j'étais dans l'ouest & je voulais diner dans un resto sans gluten. Je suis coeliaque. J'ai été accueilli à bras ouvert. La gérante, dont la fille est aussi coeliaque, est hyper sympatique. J'ai pu manger une soupe SG alors que dans de nombreux restos elles sont faites avec un roux donc gluten. Je le recommande à tous les coeliaques !
GREATTTTTT FOODDD my boyfriend called the duck "the best thing he has ever tasted" the service was very friendly also. i will go again, but only for a special occasion. A lil over priced to be somewhere we go often.
What can I say, absolutely fantastic! I have dined at over 1000 restaurants in my lifetime (38 years old), & this one is on my top 5 list. I love the service, warm & inviting. & Chef Richard & the gang can create unique, flavorful food! I have been here 7 times in 6 months, have tried almost everything, & still want more. Bravo! Try duck confit, a must & best on the island.
This is the one spot I go to when I visit Montreal. The Chef, Staff, food, & ambiance make for a great night. You have to try everything on the menu over time, but you especially need to try the bread pudding for dessert. Well worth the trip to the West Island. I highly recommend Bistro Nolah!
Mar 12, 2013
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