Holder occupies a sprawling industrial space characterized by high ceilings and exposed brickwork that define its bustling atmosphere. The kitchen focuses on refined French brasserie staples with an emphasis on technical precision. Signature preparations include expertly seasoned hand-cut beef tartare served alongside crisp, golden frites. Mussels arrive in generous portions, steamed in aromatic broths that highlight the natural salinity of the shellfish. Diners navigate an expansive menu that balances traditional techniques with contemporary presentations. Large circular booths and polished woodwork foster an environment conducive to focused consumption of classic culinary favorites. This establishment maintains a consistent reputation for delivering robust, flavorful plates that remain grounded in the core principles of European culinary traditions through careful ingredient selection and diligent, systematic kitchen execution.
Holder is widely regarded as a staple in Old Montreal, offering a classic French brasserie experience that frequently delights visitors and locals alike. Many guests praise the authentic menu, highlighting standouts such as the beef cheeks, duck confit, beef tartare, and mussels, often paired with an extensive wine list. While the atmosphere is consistently described as lively, bustling, and stylish, some diners find the dining room can become quite energetic and noisy, which may not suit those seeking a quiet or intimate environment. Service is a frequent highlight, with many reviews commending the professional, attentive, and welcoming nature of the staff, although a small number of patrons have noted inconsistent experiences with both service pacing and food quality. Overall, the restaurant is frequently recommended for its generous portions, great value, and warm hospitality, making it a reliable destination for group dinners, business lunches, and special occasions.
This place was recommend by a local I met the day before & I am so grateful because it was amazing. The server was fantastic & spoke French with me & English with my partner. He had the filet mignon & it was mouth watering. I had the goat cheese salad & an endive salad & both were delicious. We got the dessert special & wow, it was special. Cheesecake with a thin top layer of a cherry paste & a scoop of ice cream with bits of white & dark chocolate, & a chocolate crumble. Definitely want to come back.
It is my favorite place to eat out. I have so many good memories from this place. I remember dining there with my mom & her boyfriend who is super picky with what he eat & every dish on the menu had something wrong with it. I finally convinced him to have the Joues de boeuf braisées. The man cleared out the plate, to a point that it was almost imbaracing. That's how good the food is. So yes I totaly recommended to anyone to try this place out.
French onion soup was really delicious. I felt the food was a bit salty. It may take a long time for food to come out, so I wouldn't recommend it to busy people.
Feb 21, 2024
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Well, this was a very happy choice for a second-last meal in Montreal. The space is a lovely, classic & grand dining room that also manages to have a cozy & warm feeling. The service was perfect & the food really was delectable. The braised beef cheek really stands out - so buttery, meltingly tender & extremely tasty. Overall, this resto is a definite recommend!
It's one of my favorite restaurants around Square Victoria neighborhood. Great place for having a business lunch, 5à7 (happy hour), or dinner. My favorite dish is confit de canard, but I also recommend pasta, risotto, sea food... another option for lunch is the menu of the day (midi express). The dessert options are also very good! Great wine & sparkling wine menu.
My experience at Holder was truly delightful! From the moment I stepped into this charming establishment, I was captivated by its classic French bistro ambiance. The ambiance exudes warmth & authenticity, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. The food at Holder is not only delicious but also beautifully presented, a testament to the culinary artistry of the chefs. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted & plated with precision, adding to the overall charm of the dining experience. Moreover, the servers at Holder are among the friendliest in Montreal, enhancing the dining experience with their attentive & welcoming demeanor. Their genuine hospitality truly makes guests feel at home. For anyone who appreciates French cuisine & the ambiance of a classic bistro, I wholeheartedly recommend Holder. It's a culinary gem in Montreal that never fails to impress. ----- Mon expérience chez Holder a été vraiment délicieuse ! Dès que je suis entrée dans ce charmant établissement, j'ai été séduite par son ambiance de bistrot français classique. L'ambiance est chaleureuse & authentique, ce qui ouvre la voie à une expérience gastronomique inoubliable. La cuisine du Holder n'est pas seulement délicieuse, elle est aussi magnifiquement présentée, ce qui témoigne de l'art culinaire des chefs. Chaque plat est élaboré avec soin & présenté avec précision, ce qui ajoute au charme général de l'expérience gastronomique. De plus, les serveurs du Holder sont parmi les plus sympathiques de Montréal, rehaussant l'expérience gastronomique par leur attitude attentive & accueillante. Leur hospitalité authentique permet aux clients de se sentir comme chez eux. Pour tous ceux qui apprécient la cuisine française & l'ambiance d'un bistro classique, je recommande de tout coeur Holder. C'est un joyau culinaire de Montréal qui ne manque jamais d'impressionner.
During my visit to Montreal, eating at a French bistro was at the top of my to-do list. Appearance-wise, the restaurant looked like a typical French bistro but a lot bigger than the average one. When we sat down, we were famished & waiting to be attended to. Service, however, was mediocre at best, as servers were not very attentive & seldom checked up on us. It took a while before the servers took our order & a long time for food to arrive. When the server arrived, we ordered the salmon tartare, the beef tartare, the grilled salmon filet with beurre blanc, & the duck confit. For appetizers, the beef & salmon tartare were under seasoned & could use more acidity to bring out their freshness. For mains, the salmon was cooked well but bland while the duck confit was dry & sat on top of a mountain of underdressed arugula. The finger potatoes that went with the confit were seasoned well & delicious, but there were too few of them (5 pcs) as compared to the mountain of arugula. Overall, Holder fell short of my expectations from a French bistro in Montreal & I'd recommend eating elsewhere for French cuisine.
Food was absolutely scrumptuous! I had a glass of tawny porto, the duck confit served with little potatoes & a wonderful dessert some sort of Brownie topped with some sort of strawberry mouse topped with a beautiful tuile. I am salivating just writing this review & thinking about my dinner. One old couple complained about the music which for some reason they disliked... I thought it was wonderfull a mix of modern jazz. It was spot on. I highly recommend trying this place! I will certainly go again. La nourriture était absolument délicieuse ! J'ai pris un verre de porto tawny, le confit de canard servi avec de petites pommes de terre & un merveilleux dessert - une sorte de brownie surmonté d'une sorte de mousse à la fraise & d'une belle tuile. Je salive rien qu'en écrivant ceci & en pensant à mon dîner. Un vieux couple s'est plaint de la musique qu'ils n'ont pour une raison quelconque, pas appréciée... Moi je trouvais que c'était merveilleux, un mélange de jazz moderne. C'était parfait. Je recommande vivement d'essayer cet endroit ! J'y retournerai certainement.
Delicious food, plates are small but this is to be expected. Everything I tasted is something I'd recommend: „carpaccio de ayla betray jaune, sauce ran troh" (salmon carpaccio), Huîtres / Fresh oysters, „Ravioli au homard, beurre blanc à l'huile de ruffe" (lobster ravioli), Tartare de saumon au yaourt & caviar de Mujjol..Salmon tartare with yogurt & Mujjol caviar (salmon tartare), & goat cheese. The only thing worth it would probably would have been the goat cheese & salmon tartare.
