Le Garde Manger est une sorte de joyau culinaire qui, de prime abord, n'en présente pas les apparences. Il faut d'abord dénicher l'endroit, dans une ruelle quelque part près des quais du Vieux-Montréal. De plus, ce bistro sans prétention, situé près du centre des affaires, ne possède pas d'enseigne extérieure. Malgré tout, depuis son ouverture en juin 2006, il est devenu une adresse de choix auprès des professionnels branchés qui ont envie d'une cuisine de la Côte Est et d'une pinte de bière locale après une dure journée de travail.
Dans l’ensemble, les avis sur Garde Manger décrivent une expérience culinaire maritime exceptionnelle mêlant ambiance chaleureuse et service attentif. La cuisine est largement saluée pour sa fraîcheur, ses fruits de mer généreux et ses plats créatifs, présentés avec soin et équilibre. Le menu degustation est souvent un point fort, même si certains visiteurs trouvent les portions parfois petites et le déroulement des plats peu clair sans support imprimé. La carte des vins et les cocktails reçoivent aussi des éloges, avec des accords judicieux, même si quelques convives regrettent le choix au verre et préféreraient des options plus fruitées ou off-dry. L'ambiance est décrite comme vivante et accueillante, et le cadre du Vieux-Montréal est souvent mentionné comme un atout majeur. Des critiques signalent néanmoins des réalités pratiques comme une certaine confusion autour du menu, une arrière-salle bruyante et des tables serrées, ou des temps d’attente qui peuvent décevoir lors des soirs plus chargés. Malgré cela, l’enthousiasme demeure fort et beaucoup recommandent Garde Manger comme une expérience mémorable à Montréal, un lieu où la nourriture et le service s’accordent pour offrir une soirée exceptionnelle et inoubliable.
Wow, wow, wow was this place FANTASTIC!!! My husband & I were lucky enough to stumble upon this cute, cozy, charming restaurant. There are no signs, so we just went in & gave it a shot. We just saw a performance at the Centaur Theatre up the street & walked by. I noticed the fireplace through the window & saw it as quite lively for almost 10pm on a cold Wednesday evening. We entered with a friendly greeting by David, who sat us at the end of the bar bc all tables were taken. The restaurant is intimate, warm, & cozy. The lovely bartender, Emma, was amazing! She was professional, personable, & took great care of us, which really added to the dining experience. She walked us through the menu, suggested options, made exceptional drinks, all with a warm & friendly demeanor. Being a seafood specialty restaurant, we ordered all seafood. We ordered 3 starters (tuna, arctic char, & snow crab), & 1 main (swordfish), & focaccia bread. Every bite was exceptional! We were in seafood heaven! I HIGHLY recommend & look forward to our next visit.
The staff & vibe was impeccable . We had the tasting menu & it was such a lovely experience. Fresh seafood, rich tender beef, delightfully prepared vegetables. I cannot overstate how much I loved the experience. The pistachio profiterole & amaro meletti pairing was indescribably perfect. I cried it was so good. The only negative of the entire night was in the final course. It was a plate of small bite desserts that was just too much after such a decadent meal. The brown butter macaron was so overpoweringly sweet that it turned my stomach & I couldn't eat the rest of the options on the plate. My partner said the rest (salted dark chocolate wafer, a fruit gelée, & a petit four) were delightful. I don't want this to dominate this review, so I'll just leave it at-maybe avoid the macaron but absolutely devour everything else. The oysters were perfectly shucked & cleaned. The mignonette served with it was nuanced yet bold. The cocktail sauce with the shrimp was familiar yet surprising (super fresh horseradish & perfect Worcestershire) I could have eaten just that & left happy. The bathrooms smelled like maple syrup. Every detail has been thought about here. It's obvious the staff cares deeply.
4 janv. 2025
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Had a great time yet again at Garde Manger; I think this was our 4th visit at least, & it was great to have some variations, with the same level of quality on all fronts. The seafood tower & A5 Wagyu beef were the key highlights! We also had the chance to meet Chef Hugues, who was super friendly.
We really enjoyed our experience at the Garde Manger. Coming from San Francisco we have had some amazing food, but Garde was next level. The seafood starter blew us away. David & Chuck were gracious hosts that explained the menu & provided an unforgettable night. From one'Hughes' to another we truly appreciate the night we had & can't wait to visit again! Thanks so much for the time for a fun night out!
Overall excellent experience here at Garde Manger - some rough edges but ultimately memorable & would love to go back again. Tried the $175-value Chef's menu, & one thing that stood out compared to the few other tasting menus I've tried was the variety. Meaning, they don't just give you & my friends (party of 3) the same dish; for most of the courses we ended up with three different dishes that were fun to share & also complimented each other very well. While I wouldn't say any of the dishes were disappointing, there were some that I found to be just okay, like the amuse-bouche that started us off. It had caviar (my first time trying it), but it didn't leave much of an impression after tasting, which I was surprised by. Of course, when you're paying this much, you really want each dish to hit. However, in other courses where there was more of that aforementioned variety, anything that I found underwhelming would immediately be checked by something I found unique & delicious. This worked out pretty well, since each of us in our party had slightly different tastes. It's an interplay most apparent in what I assumed to be the show-stopper: a large plate of fresh seafood with different sauces & condiments (pictured). It's an arrangement that allows for some customization (what should I try first?) & conversation on preferences (do you like this more?) & I always enjoy meals that allows a party to engage in a dialogue in this way. One thing to know is that the music playing in the background was loud (maybe it paints a better picture to say it was playing in the *foreground*). I personally didn't mind it (probably because I was inebriated) but my co-diners found it a little much, & they're not wimps. It did make it hard to hear what the waitstaff were saying at times. Service was excellent. Though thinking back I don't think I saw any women among the staff, which strikes me as unusual. Is this common in fine dining? Unsure.
As others have mentioned, the move here is to go for one of the tasting menus to try multiple dishes (& trust me they do not skimp on the portions). We did the smallest 4 course tasting & still left absolutely stuffed. Our favorite was the seafood tower to start. I will say that the service was on the slower end so make sure you allocate a lot of time to finish your meal. Bonus points for a great playlist as well!
The ingredients were all fresh & well-prepared, but the sauces on each dish were truly outstanding! We made a last-minute reservation, so only bar seats were left, & at first, we were a little disappointed. However, the bartender who prepared our seafood plate kept us entertained the whole time-he was quite the entertainer. He was very attentive to all the customers, & I'm sure he would be more discreet with groups having serious conversations. On top of that, every server & host was super friendly, making us fall in love with this place. We'll definitely be back!
25 sept. 2024
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Absolutely amazing seafood! The cocktails were delicious, & the pricing was very reasonable. We left feeling completely satisfied. The bartender, Jihad, was not only funny but also great to chat with. Will definitely be coming back again.
Tried the table d'hôte at Garde Manger in December 2023, & it was a feast for our eyes & palates. The seafood platter was beautiful & had an amazing selection, everything was super fresh. We enjoyed the lobster "pogos", as well as the grilled octopus & fish with brussel sprouts. The white truffle & pecorino pasta was tasty, yet not the favourite truffle pasta we've had. Service was efficient & friendly, & price was acceptable for such a meal, although we recommend coming with a big appetite if you plan to order this six course meal!
My husband & I have been here before & really enjoyed it. Yesterday we decided to try our odds without a reservation since it was very early & see if we could be seated. To our delight the GM said that there was a table available. Our server was very lovely & helpful upon arrival. We ordered drinks, the seafood platter for 2 & 2 appetizers to share. I was a little confused when the seafood platter came out first, but figured the rest would be out shortly. The seafood platter was tasty but portion sizes were so tiny. One shrimp each, a tiny bowl of smoked salmon, one lobster claw & tail. For $120 I would have expected more. This seafood platter was more of an appetizer than a main. Still hungry, I waited patiently for the other two dishes we had ordered. 20 minutes passed with the finished seafood platter, another server came by & brought plates & new cutlery which seemed promising. He assured us the other dishes were coming. 10 or 15 more minutes passed. Our server didn't even come to check on us or give us an update. At this point I approached her at the bar & asked her to just cancel the other dishes. She seemed irritated but obliged. We weren't offered anything not even an apology or explanation. The classy thing would have been to rush the dishes out & comp them. We left hungry & went somewhere else after $250 bill.
3 août 2024
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Sitting at the seafood bar was an amazing experience. Sam is such a thoughtful host as was the whole team. Every dish was served with love & tasted fantastic!
Signature Québécois-Canadiana dining @ 408 Garde Manger falls into the'must-experience' category - this is not your average'pantry chef' (translated)-themed restaurant, but a cool, nuanced, & intentionally-not-to-be-found seafood-focused eatery (despite the massive chandelier, open kitchen, & well-stocked bar top). An intimately designed but vivacious resto created by Chuck Hughes (known for defeating Iron Chef Bobby Flay on Iron Chef America, but his enduring accolades (Top Chef Canada, Chopped, Chuck & al Cuisine, to name a few) supersede that accomplishment), Garde Manger exudes Canadiana cottage time; imagery of canoes, backpacks, sandy firepits to cook up the day's fresh catch, married with eye-rolling innovative creations, from start to end. Presentation span wonderfully the spectrum, exemplified by delicately-prepared Turbot Crudo, laced with the freshest of herbs, all the way to roll-up-the-plaid-lumberjack-sleeves to slurp down briny freshly-shucked maritime oysters. Service for everyone. We were seated at the bar to indulge in our mid-level menu de dégustation - certainly sufficient for two. Our bar seating - while may not be for everyone - was on point; regular Bartender & Head Chef chat-ery, hustle-&-bustle for the eyes & ears, & attentive food & drink on display, all made for a vibrant, eclectic & fun experience. A pair of Amuse-Bouches started strong, with a quirky Homard Pogo topped with an incredibly generous porion of sturgeon caviar, followed by a contrastingly delicate, dill-infused Razor Clam, expertly prepped & served on shell. Observant wait-staff providing (almost too) efficient service & clearing - cadence for these experiences should be tempered, to allow for a fuller appreciation of the offerings, wouldn't you say? Thankfully, it did slow to a comfortable pace. The Seafood Platter did not disappoint. Maine lobster, Nordic shrimp, mussels, briny Oysters from NB, PEI, & Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine, served up with a variety of house-prepared mignonettes & Chuck's own sauce piquante. Tres bien! Paired from this point a Kamptal Reisling, we savored Charred Octopus on a bed on seasoned baby potatoes, the aforementioned Turbot Crudo, & a dill Nordic Salad. We followed with their interpretation of surf & turf, exemplified by aromatic Hangar steak, alongside fresh yet savory scallops bedded on smashed potatoes. Merveilleux. Closing out with a serving of Nonino Prunella to pair with Profiteroles, & Crème Glacée breaded pudding. A degustation to remember; taste buds treated well with a marriage of flavors. Bières pour la cuisine! Hints- ample online pay-ahead-of-time parking next to GM. Bar seating: ask for the end bar seats. Mid-level Service can be filling, but not uncomfortably.
Not to be dramatic, but this truthfully was the best meal/ experience we've ever had. We got a short notice reservation at the bar @ 9:15pm. From the moment we walked in, until the moment we left, the service was 10/10. Our wine glasses or water cups were never empty. We opted in for the 4 course "chefs menu", & had a 2 different wine pairing recommendations. Everything was great - from the seafood platter, to the gnocchi with scallops, duck, beans with smoked tuna belly, carpaccio. We also got a cute little sparkler in our dessert dishes since we weee celebrating our engagement. Thank you Garde Manger team for the incredible evening!
By far the best meal we've had during our stay in Montreal, dining at Garde Manger was an incredible experience from the moment we walked in the door. The atmosphere is everything you want in the old city--exposed brick & stone, light just bright enough to enjoy the meal but not overpowering, tables set far enough apart to give a sense of intimate dining. The staff are outstanding. Our server was charming & attentive & never seemed rushed. The other staff supported him well & were equally attentive & polite. Our server helped us choose a crisp white wine, perfect on one of the hottest days of the year. We ordered the Chef's Menu & loved the cold seafood platter that came out first. I don't know how the cold lobster could be so tender, but it was. The salad course included a turbot dish & another with potatoes that we practically fought over--it was that good. The protein course included hanger steak & scallops, which were also excellent. I preferred the scallops--I'm not a fan of steak--& my partner preferred the steak, so that worked out well. We were full when the dessert course arrived, & somehow we devoured both the flourless chocolate cake (which we both usually dislike & couldn't stop eating until it was gone) & the lemon curd with a moist cake beneath, & this too we finished off & then sat back in a stupor after eating so much great food. On our way home we agreed that when we return to Montreal, we'll return to Garde Manger--in fact, we would come back to the city just to eat there. This place is that good.
20 juin 2024
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A very lovely & fun dining experience. We tried the 6 course chefs tasting menu, & each course consisted of up to 3 separate dishes; we were stuffed at the end. Some dishes were pleasant, others great (I loved the steak, wife loved the apple vinaigrette salad, we both loved the seafood platter & the rich chocolate cake). The atmosphere & service was warm & fun, almost irreverent. It was pricey, but well worth it for a date night splurge.
We had a great experience here while visiting Montreal. It is a bit of a hole in the wall. There is no signage for the restaurant, you just have to know which door to go into based upon the street number. We were sat right on time & started with cocktails. The Smash cocktail was great! We decided to order the Chef's Menu ($100 per person). There are different levels to the Chef's Menu, with this being the lowest option, meaning you get the least customization with it. We were open to trying anything so this was fine with us. The first course was a seafood platter, the waiter brought out the food & explained every single item on the platter & the recommended way to eat it. It was delicious! The second course included a wonderful vinaigrette salad, a tartare, & some sort of incredibly delicious cod bites (they were amazing). The third course was duck in a beet roux, roasted carrots, scallions & artichoke. All wonderful. Finally, for the final course, we were brought two desserts. A lemon sponge cake with a crunch meringue & another creamy creation with a chocolate center that was delectable. Throughout the experience, our waters were constantly filled & plates & silverware exchanged for each course. Wonderful experience.
Excellent restaurant with interesting selection of seafood dishes, attentive service, incredibly delicious desserts🧁🫐 It's better to book a table in advance.
Safe to say this was a massive fail. I came with a colleague to show him what Canada & Montreal has to offer the culinary world. Sad to say, I was left apologizing . We did 6 courses for 200 option. The raw bar was pleasant & so were the wine recommendations. Service was relatively friendly. But the mains were a disaster - 2 of three were sooo over salted that they left my mouth literally stinging. This was at a level that no one could ever enjoy . In retrospect I should have sent this all back. What they did to those scallops was a crime against seafood. By the time the dessert came I swallowed all the ice cream just to get the awful taste out my mouth. I was well mannered when raising the extreme usage of salt in some of the dishes. He listened but didn't do anything else. I left a similar review to this on OpenTable the next day & they gave a call to follow up. I won't be back, I should've gone to a place I was familiar with when showcasing Canada & Montreal to my colleague. Unfortunately the trust is now gone 😞
We were able to get a last minute reservation here during our stay in Montreal & had the best meal we have ever experienced. My husband & I ordered the middle tier tasting menu & each course came out with multiple shared tastings that were beautifully plated & so delicious. The chef chose each course so we had no idea what we would be served & we loved this element of surprise. The seafood platter, lamb, squash, trout, beef carpaccio...omg, everything was perfect! Our server & all of the staff we interacted with were lovely. Wish we lived closer because I would be coming here all of the time! Cheers!
