Ethan delivers a robust exploration of Szechuan culinary traditions through a menu defined by bold spice profiles and authentic regional techniques. Diners encounter signature dishes featuring numbing peppercorns, vibrant chili oils, and meticulously prepared proteins that characterize this distinct style of Chinese cooking. The kitchen focuses on the balance of heat and flavor complexity, utilizing aromatic ingredients to elevate classic Asian preparations. Each plate reflects an adherence to traditional seasoning methods, ensuring that the signature profile of the cuisine remains intact. The environment facilitates a direct focus on the food, prioritizing the intensity of the flavor profiles over superfluous aesthetic distractions. This establishment serves as a deliberate destination for those seeking a sincere and uncompromised approach to the nuances of Szechuan spice and traditional preparation methods.
Restaurant Ethan is widely recognized in Montreal Chinatown for offering a broad menu of authentic Cantonese-style cuisine at very affordable prices with generous portion sizes. While many visitors appreciate the quick service, cozy atmosphere, and great value for a casual meal, opinions remain divided regarding the overall experience. Some patrons highlight the efficiency and friendliness of the staff, while others report inconsistent food quality and express frustration over aggressive tipping practices or impolite service. The dining environment is often described as dated or simple, but for those seeking a convenient and budget-friendly spot for staples like dumplings, BBQ meats, or bubble tea, it remains a popular and frequently visited destination.
We were lucky enough to choose this restaurant for lunch today. Had the duck meal for four & it was a true banquet! The salt & pepper shrimp were amazing, all of the dishes that came were delicious. We eat a lot of Chinese food in various locations & can say this meal was excellent. Our other daughter had #150 sliced pork & duck soup with noodles & she was very pleased. If we are ever in Montreal again we will be sure to stop in. Also the meal came out much quicker than expected. Wait staff was pleasant.
Food wise....
1. Soup with pekking duck & bok choy was bland
2. pekking duck sliced thinly was tough & I could tell it wasnt from the display.
3. eggplant stir fry is too watery, to much oil, & bland.
4. steam rice wasnt made today. bit into some hard grains that were dried.
Quickly seated & served during busy lunch time. Excellent Szechuan chicken with some kick, perfectly cooked white rice, & savory wonton soup. Served hot. Popular.
Nous voulions un souper rapide & le service a été super expéditif c'est apprécié. Les prix sont très abordables & la nourriture est correcte. Ce n'est pas de la grande gastronomie il faut nivelé ses attentes en conséquence c'est normal. Le problème que j'ai & est que les xio long baos étaient pas assez cuits, la pâtes était visiblement encore crue. Autrement les autres plats étaient correctes. Le rapport qualité prix est acceptable.
If you are feeling charitable this is the best place for you!! The food is soooo cheap (10 dumplings for 7$) it's perfect for feeding the homeless. The portions are large, & their take out containers are sooo transportable. I got 20 dumplings, two soups, a bowl of rice & a heaping plate of orange chicken doused in a thick thick saw. Take my word for it, don't bother trying the food; just give it to the homeless.
I go to this resto all the tiiime.🤩 I think they're the only restaurant I know of that did not raise their prices like all the others from the recent inflation. It's great if you don't want to end up spending like 20$ on one single plate of food.
I like ordering the dumplings because they're WAY cheaper then any other place. Love that they have plates with rice & a choice of meat dish, it saves money when you're by yourself & don't want to have to order 2 big plates. I like the soups & noodle dishes as well.
The only dish I tried so far I didn't like was the chow mein.
Staff are always super nice with me, I don't understand what those bad reviews are talking about lol. I'm pretty sure I skipped tips occasionally but they never got mad at me for it, but that may be because they know me & I go there often & will tip what I can afford most of the time.
It has to be the worst experience I've ever had….
From the second I got in I was very polite, said'hello' no reply, said'thank you' again no reply, not even a smile on her face..
I got served my Wonton Soup with nothing on the table, well for the other tables, she served them water, ustensils, sauces, salt & pepper.
I had to go ask, they eventually brought me a glass of water.
She brings the tea & spill it on my table, obviously it was on purpose, no extra tissues, no cleaning.
I went back asking for tissues & sauces.. then she came bringing them to my table.
They don't deserve the tip, tho I've tipped..
FYI Ive removed my 5 stars review from two years ago, I've visited this restaurants numerous times & today I was shocked by the customers are getting treated.
Looking at the comments it doesn't seem to be a surprise to treat their customers the way they did with me.
