Europea group’s main restaurant, a gourmet jewel in the Canadian metropolis. Europea opened in 2002, in the heart of downtown Montreal. Voted best restaurant in 2008 and 2010, it has now been chosen as one of the Top 10 restaurants worldwide by Travellers’ Choice Award 2012 by Travel Adviser. Mr Jerome Ferrer, Grand Chef Relais & Chateaux, and Europea restaurant have gained both notoriety and prestige proposing a unique gourmet cuisine of exceptional quality using the best local products.
Reviews of Jérôme Ferrer Europea portray a dramatic, fine dining experience in Montreal where food is presented as art and the ambiance feels refined and welcoming. Echoed throughout is praise for attentive staff, behind the scenes kitchen access, and a tasting format that showcases creative plates and strong use of Quebec ingredients. Standout moments and dishes such as the lobster cappuccino and the Kobe beef are frequently celebrated, and the wine pairings are often praised as well. Yet opinions are mixed on flavor balance and consistency; some meals are described as spectacular and generous, while others are criticized for heaviness, overrich sauces, saltiness, or a lack of cohesion, as well as occasional service gaps or pacing issues. The move to a newer location is noted by some as improving atmosphere, while others feel the service can feel rushed or impersonal on busy nights. Overall the experience is seen as unforgettable and worth trying for a special occasion, with many agreeing that the restaurant earns its reputation, even if the value proposition depends on expectations for theater versus taste.
We chose the 11-course tasting menu for dinner, priced at $235 per person. While the presentation of the dishes was elaborate, the flavors didn't quite meet expectations.
The meal started with several small appetizers, including hanging beef jerky & a variety of other dishes that didn't leave much of an impression. The only standout was the lobster cappuccino, which had a nice truffle aroma & a creamy texture.
Next came a brioche bread course, which felt unnecessary. The bread was fine but didn't add much to the meal & seemed to be included just to fill the course count.
The main courses featured snow crab scallops, veal, roasted lobster, & deer. The snow crab was underwhelming, offering just a tiny amount of meat. The veal, prepared as braised beef, lacked depth of flavor. The lobster, while okay, was overshadowed by an unpleasant smoky flavor from the presentation. The deer was difficult to finish, as its strong, gamey taste didn't pair well with the overly sweet sides.
For dessert, we had cotton candy, mini cream puffs, raspberry jelly, & an apple made from apple puree. While these were playful, they felt more appropriate for a casual setting than a fine dining experience. I would have preferred a more focused, thoughtfully crafted dessert.
Throughout the meal, many dishes were served with similar creamy sauces, making them taste quite alike. The restaurant also used smoky elements in the plating (like with the lobster), but unfortunately, the dishes didn't capture that smoky flavour well.
The service also left much to be desired. They were quick to serve & clear dishes, but their level of attention & care was inconsistent. It felt like they were merely going through the motions, almost as if reading from a script. At one point, a server asked how the meal was, & when I responded with'it was okay,' he seemed surprised & asked,'Just okay?' After I confirmed, he quickly moved on without any further engagement. This lack of genuine interest made it clear that the staff didn't really care about our feedback or experience.
In the end, while the menu was varied, I would have preferred fewer courses with more attention to flavor. The focus on presentation seemed to overshadow the taste, making the experience feel more about style than substance.
Bonjour monsieur Ferrer, Je sais pas si ce courriel se rendra à vous, mais je voulais sincèrement vous remercier. Depuis plus de 25 ans, nous célébrons la veille du jour de l'an avec un couple d'amis. Depuis la pandémie nous ne préparons plus la bouffe nous-mêmes & nous commandons des boites repas préparés. Je connais votre restaurant depuis plusieurs années pour y avoir souvent mangé, j'ai toujours apprécié votre haute gastronomie & votre générosité dans le nombre de services, barbe à papa, madeleines, mignardises & autres… Nous avons été unanimes tous les 4, c'est le meilleur menu des Fêtes que nous ayons eu. Tout était parfait des hors d'oeuvre au dessert…que dire de votre dessert, c'était tellement original un des convives disait c'est mon top des desserts cette année…& tout ça sans aucun chaudron à laver, toute la vaisselle dans une seule brassée du lave-vaisselle. Encore une fois un très grand merci & tout ce que nous souhaitons tous les 4, qu'il y en ait d'autres durant l'année pour ne pas devoir attendre au 31 décembre prochain… Lucien Larrivée
Jan 2, 2025
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After reading some negative reviews I wasn't sure what to expect . However the service, food & food presentation was exceptional! We eat around the globe but this restaurant really stood out . We had the restaurants anniversary dinner & it was so good ! Table side they flambé the excellent steak ! Before that a in house baked bread was brought with churned butter . Attention was giving to fill our sparkling water or anything else we needed. Dessert was so yummy & besides the chocolates & mouse they brought out cotton candy it looked like it was a tree . All in all a very pleasant experience despite the fact they were super busy . The price for dinner was reasonable considering the service & super food we had !
First time was amazing second time was just average & for the price you'd expect above & beyond, service was as they nicely put it in french " bâclé " the whole food experience was not so amazing & actually some of the dish were boring & what was extremely boring was the dessert shack ...stale meringues & biscuit ....especially biscuits that were not cooked through but really the experience is obviously not about biscuits but once again , for the premium price you charge i believe everything should be top notch....at the end we actually felt the waiters just wanted us out to go home . Definitely removed it from my google favorite list Definitely not taking a chance at spending more than 2000$ there ....I m never been a gambler so i shall leave it to however want to try & let see were it will go .....its a shame cause my first time was amazing !
C'est beau à voir mais surtout à goûter!! C'est une expérience culinaire incroyable ! Les repas qui arrivent de tous les côtés & la variété des 9 services ajoutent certainement à l'excitation. Le guéridon arrivait à la table pour nous faire vivre l'expérience encore plus intensément à chaque fois!! Le filet mignon, étant plus tendre que le veau, c'est un régal selon moi! C'est toujours un plaisir de voir à quel point la présentation des plats pouvait être aussi impressionnante que leur goût. Ils m'ont tous porté une attention particulière pour mon intolérance au gluten!! Merci spécial pour ça!! J'ai même eu droit à du pain! Pour le dessert, On nous a amener au 2e dans une petite chambre où ont a pu encore apprécier de plus en plus l'effervescence du moment! Beaucoup de cadeaux pour chacun de nous mais en plus une huile d'homard pour mon conjoint parce c'était sa fête! On a même eu droit à quelques photos avec le fabuleux Jérôme ferrer! Toute une expérience à revivre très bientôt! P.S. Pour 2 la facture s'élevait à plus de 500$ avec la bouteille la moins cher soit 100$( oufff) mais j'ai un petit bémol pour ça car tout autour des plats principaux était trop cher à mon avis! De l'eau pétillante à 29$/ personne c'est exagéré selon moi! Une chance que nous sommes aller durant le spécial moitié prix 99$ au lieux de 199$!!! Je suis pas une fan de steak alors j'aurais aimé avoir un poisson sur le menu découverte! Mais bon c'était fou & j'y retournerai a coup sûr!! 😊
I have been to Europea back in the 2010s & it was one of the best dinning experience I had. However, now going back in 2024, the experience was less than spectacular. The quality of the food decreased. As similar to another reviewer, they focused too much on presentation & lost some of the flavor. The portion sizes were also much smaller than expected for the price (i.e. the foie gras dish, I barely find 3 tiny pieces of foie gras). The decor was very trendy & the service was great. Only thing is, they need to focus more on tastes of the food & less on presentation (i.e. one dessert they rolled out a microwave to make instant cake for the next table, but had the microwave within inches from my head. I can still feel some of the radiation... joking).
My wife & I have eaten at hundreds of restaurants, including those under the Relais & Châteaux accreditation. These restaurants & hotels have many hoops to jump through to get this label, but I do not know if it's possible to lose it or if it needs recertification every year. This restaurant should be re- inspected as soon as possible. Our experience was not'haute cuisine,' I do not recommend wasting your money here. The service was very good, lots of dishes prepared tableside that provide a unique experience, but the food left little to be desired. (For reference, The beef carpaccio I had at Marcella in Montreal was better than any dish I had at this restaurant.) This review is not about portion size or experience, it's about food quality & flavor. A restaurant should not make mistakes when they change 350$+ per person. They also simply cannot make mistakes when they are supposed to represent Relais & Châteaux. This restaurant had a number of mistakes: Mistake #1: The dessert that was listed in the tasting menu did not exactly match what was served. If I'm supposed to have chocolate syrup, & you give me blueberry without explanation, that's a mistake. Mistake #2: The waiter forgot one of my drinks & I waited over 20 minutes, eventually having to remind them. Mistake #3: There are indeed flies flying around this restaurant, the reviews below are correct. Mistake #4: The toilet did not flush, & the hand dryer did not work. No signage posted. Mistake #5: The woman that brings you to pick your duck prize appears to be a customer service manager, but I can't confirm. When she asked how everything was going, we stated we were not thrilled about the food, & she replied "You are entitled to your own opinion, & there is nothing we can do for you." -- We were not expecting them to do anything for us, we simply gave feedback when you asked us how our meal was. Is that response part of a high quality experience? This was very unprofessional! Mistake #6: Sommelier was late with wine pairing, it was missed during the lobster cappuccino course. Mistake #7: Bringing a microwave tableside & using it as part of your dessert experience. Mistake #8: Throwing away 3/4 of a loaf of bread instead of asking us if we wanted to take it home, very wasteful. With so many other good restaurants in Montreal, this should not be on your list.
Aug 4, 2024
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I had an amazing experience dining here recently. Ordered the Midi Gourmand menu & it was so worth it. Even when I had to add extras for the Grilled Lobster Tail. Service is impeccable & attentive. Since I do not drink alcohol they made for me a non alcoholic cocktail which was delish! Ended the meal with the dessert & a macchiato.
Can't complain about the service. Loved the second course, the soup which they called cappuccino something & the main courses(lobster / steak). Dessert didn't exceed my expectations, I left more than a half of it untouched. Well honestly, I wasn't that full after all 8 courses as in some other comments.
Good location in downtown. I don't care about price if great. This might seem a bit harsh, but not worth the money.... Because I can't feel special. Idea is good but taste is normal I can't remember. One third of corse are sweet & dessert, also surprised me. They invite us for cookies room, this is fun but I didn't think this is one of course. & I can't believe one of last dessert is cotton candy. The plate on which the cotton candy was a little broken. We can't feel high quality ingredients & good hospitality. Ambience is great.
Very creative. But not that tasty. I feel like half of the courses are desserts. & the bread too hard. I can see the server are professional trained but with no smile. Bad attitude. Maybe one time try for sure not going back or recommending to other of my friends
Apr 26, 2024
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Worth a visit. The food is consistently good, but the service & presentation is what blows you away. The dessert course is especially satisfying, reaching Willy Wonka levels of whimsy. The staff seem perfectly trained & manage a full room of tables & multiple courses with ease.
Top-notch French restaurant in the heart of Montreal! If you're looking for a special experience, Europea consistently delights with some of the best food & wine in the world. The best ingredients available turned into art for the eyes & taste buds combined with great service is what drives me to come back. Some of the menu highlights included fresh mint tea, onion soup served in an onion, lobster cappuccino, & more paired with phenomenal wines; also, eye watering variety of desserts - my personal choice for best dessert was the maple cotton candy. The highlight of the wine pairing was a mistery wine served in black glass. It was of course outstanding in flavor but also unique in appearance.
One of the finest innovative tasting menu I've had. Came here on our first night in Montreal with a same-day reservation. The main dining room offered a direct view of the kitchen, & we liked its lounge-like ambiance. Shortly after being seated, we were bombarded with an assortment of amuse-bouche: Sea Lion Puffs, Scallop Crudo, & Onion Soup. The Sea Lion Puffs were particularly shocking. While the meat was slightly pungent, the novelty behind the puff was certainly commendable. Each dish that followed was also flawlessly executed. Far from mundane, every item on the menu either offered a fresh perspective or a creative twist, & the presentation was consistently impressive. Standout dishes included the lobster cappuccino, the signature calamari, & the roasted lobster tail. I was initially skeptical about the concept of savory coffee, but the lobster cappuccino turned out to be more akin to a lobster bisque with a hint of coffee to enhance its creamy richness. Both the calamari & the lobster tail had exquisitely soft textures, & it almost seemed like they have perfected the art of delicate poaching. The dessert course was an unforgettable finale to the tasting menu, perhaps the most memorable I've experienced. It began with a brief stroll to their upstairs "vault room", a space thoughtfully designed to stir up childhood nostalgia. Here, we were treated to an array of small bites such as meringue, brownies, & cookies. Following this initial treat, we returned to our table to indulge in two more rounds of desserts. Among these, the standout for me was the Calvados-flavored'Pomme d'amour.' The Lychee foam & lime zest added a sweet & zesty flavor, & I liked the touch of sparkling sugar, which added a pleasantly lingering aftertaste. Overall, a sublime dining experience that's worth every dollar. If you want a great introduction to an experimental tasting menu, I highly recommend giving them a try.
I enjoyed the experience of the 8 course meal. The service was pretty good & the food & presentation was creative & interesting. The cocktail of the evening was also good. I am thinking they could likely cut it down to 6 courses easily, as the last three dessert courses could be combined into one. For me, it was way too much sugar, & I would challenge anyone to eat it all & enjoy it. It's an expensive meal, but you are not only paying for the food, which takes time & skill to prepare, but also the many staff that support the service. The location is fantastic, with many people walking by on the street outside as you enjoy your meal.
Mar 15, 2024
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Nous avons passer un bon moment, l'endroit n'est pas trop guindée, ce qui est appréciable, la musique adaptée & le service de Nicolas était remarquable. Merci à lui. En ce qui concerne la nourriture nous avons beaucoup aimé le choix du menu dégustation, nous aimons découvrir de nouvelles saveurs. Des entrées au dessert nous avons été ravis, le homard était parfait. Les détails visuels change également l'expérience. Nous avons adorés le moment de la cabane à sucre, c'est le petit plus de repartir avec des gourmandises. Peut-être un peu cher, l'envie de revenir n'y est pas forcément même si c'était très bon avec des ingrédients de qualité. Les petits mots & attentions ont également été appréciés.
Nous avons été très déçus au niveau gastronomique. Il y a tellement de bons restaurant à Montréal. Nous avons trouvé que la nourriture ne valait pas le prix. Le service était cependant excellent. Nous sommes content d'avoir vécu l'expérience, mais nous n'y retournerons pas. Les portions étaient bonnes. Nous n'avions plus faim suite au repas. Cocktails: très ordinaire pour 25$ le cocktail. J'ai bu de bien meilleurs cocktail pour la moitié du prix. Mise en bouche: Bien mais sans plus. La soupe à l'oignon était très bonne. Jerky bon. Pétoncle, ok sans plus. Cappucino de homard: délicieux Dumpling de fois gras: saveur de l'assiette se marient bien. Les dumplings manquait un peu de cuisson à notre goût. Tagliatelle de calamar: nous avons détesté. Je n'ai pas mangé la moitié. Omble chevalier: bon mais sans plus. Pain brioché avec beurre de truffe= très bon. Homard: mon conjoint l'a trouvé bon mais sans plus. De mon côté grande déception car ma queue de homard était caoutchouteuse en bouche. La texture était désagréable. Mignardise en haut: concept cool, bon mais sans plus. Les meringues à saveurs variées ne goûtent pas vraiment différentes les unes des autres. Barbe à papa: très bonne Bâton de guimauve: on ne goûte pas la saveur, ça goûtait la guinauve maison régulière Dessert aux pommes: granité très bon, dessert bon mais sans plus. Ah-miel (vin dessert): très bon
Do not come here if you don't speak French. They treat you very poorly, very cold, speak rudely & when coming down the stairs from the dessert room, I was shoved to the side by the waitress. We did the 10 course menu. Food was not amazing for such an expensive restaurant. The small lobster cappuccino was the highlight of the night, the venison tasted AWFUL & they focused more on theatrics (lots of smoke & dry ice) versus the quality & taste of food. Atmosphere was clean but the staff again treated you very poorly once they know you speak only English. Would not come again.
first of all the service was without flaw. but that wasn't the case for the food. the first service was really good & the bread was delicious however the second was left to be desired & the beef was mid at best. but what saved it all was dessert which was devine.
Grosse déception chez Europea! Accueil très froid par le maître d'hôtel en service, très pompeux & sourire absent. La cuisine est très grasse & salée, rien de bon pour la santé. Tout est préparé avec de la crème 35%, du Cappuccino de homard jusqu'au dessert. L'entrée de crabe avec supplément de $15 ne vaut absolument pas le coût. Le goût correct mais sans plus & portion minuscule. La morue d'Islande préparée avec le lait de coco était sans goût & celle préparée avec la sauce au beurre, levait littéralement le coeur(ne goûtait que le beurre). Nous savons tous que les restaurants français sont axés sur la cuisine très riche & salée depuis toujours, mais Europea bat vraiment tous les records. Leur chef aurait avantage à se réinventer & vivre la réalité qui se concentre maintenant sur une cuisine plus saine, plus santé & avec plus de légumes. Il aurait intérêt à suivre l'exemple des restaurants méditerranéens par exemple(Portuguais, Italiens, etc...) qui n'ont pas besoin de saler & beurrer à l'excès pour que ce soit goûteux. Décor, ambiance froide envahie par une musique de style "lounge" stressante qu'ils ont refusée de changer. On se sentait littéralement comme dans un bar d'hôtel. Lorsque nous sommes ressortis, une hôtesse se tenait devant la porte. À notre passage, elle a baissé la tête sans dire un mot... Vraiment, il y a plusieurs excellents restaurants à Montréal & autour, où la cuisine, service & ambiance sont de meilleure qualité & à moindre coût!
MICHELIN
