Our family is likely the longest patrons of Jardin Du Puits, as regulars since they opened on Villeneuve street in 1985 (40 years ago!). Unfortunately this latest dining experience will mark our last.
We ordered four plates of sultan kebab (their filet mignon), & were shocked by what we received. I would compare the quality & presentation to that of a shopping mall food court. I kid you not, the so-called steak was the thickness of a Loonie coin, & just a couple of loose cut pieces of meat. It was ordered medium-rare, but it is was so terribly thin it came well-done. Dry & lacking tenderness. The taste wasn't bad nor good, just very unexciting & bland. Likely they're cutting corners by using scraps of meat, but it was embarrassing that they serve this.
The potato wedges were few, small & overcooked, & appeared to be reheated left overs. Certainly not fresh. Even the rice tasted like it came from a box. Salad came in a small soup bowl (instead of on the plate), & was white/yellow iceberg lettuce. A very amateurish presentation, like something I'd lazily make at home in under a minute. & their lentil soup, once a staple, was surprisingly very bland--it needed salt to have any taste.
We also ordered two garlic cheese bread plates, but they apparently ran out of bread & used the cut ends of a baguette & melted supermarket cheese slices on it (one plate had large bread pieces, the other just several bite-sized pieces, little tiny circles). The taste was like a quick snack a child might make after school, not a nearly ten dollar restaurant entree. It just felt like they did not stock enough food ingredients, & were scavenging the kitchen for scraps of left over bread & meat!
The dessert included was baklava, but it was in the shape of a tiny-thin cylindrical log, about the size of a Costco sample. It was likely an in-house dessert & warm, but very low quality tasting (soggy, no nuts & bland, lacking sweetness. A wet Eggo waffle is how I'd describe it!).
The waiter admitted they've had to make cutbacks because of inflation, & I understand, but to pay well over $200 for four people, & be served what felt like reheated left overs from a food court or cafeteria? That is unacceptable. I should add the restaurant ambience is very minimalist, it feels like a cafeteria with bare tables & chairs in an empty room, & the air stuffy. Very distant from the cozy & elegant atmosphere they had at their original location, which also had vastly superior food. I understand times are tough & cut backs are unnecessary, but I feel like they've gone too far.
Sadly, because of this experience, we likely will not be returning, breaking 40 years of loyalty to Jardin du Puit. I can't imagine they will be around much longer if they continue cutting corners to this level. It is also for that reason, I cannot recommend them any longer. If this was simply an off night, I'd welcome the owners to reach out, but needless to say we were terribly disappointed.
Jy suis allé samedi le 28 juin & j'ai eu une langouste pas fraîche a la première bouchée c'était évident ( y a t il eu d'autres gens)désolant pcq fait plusieurs années que j'y vais & je sais pas si je vais y retourner on a fait la remarque & juste notre merveilleux serveur a sembler nous croire résultat des courses intoxication alimentaire pandant plus de 24h je vous evite les détails
English after
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J'ai vraiment adoré mon expérience au petit restaurant où on peut apportez son vin. Je te le dis tout de suite, ne juge pas l'endroit sur la base de son apparence. Je te le garantis, c'est un bel endroit, la cuisine est bonne & le service aussi.
Salut ! J'ai pris la table d'hôte avec une assiette d'agneau en accompagnement. C'est vraiment très bon. & bonne assiette, bien copieuse :)
Merci
😎
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I really loved my experience at the little bring-your-own-wine restaurant. I'll tell you right now, don't judge the place by its looks. I guarantee you, it's a beautiful place, the food is good & so is the service.
Hi! I had the table d'hôte with a plate of lamb on the side. It's really very good. & a good, hearty plate :)
Thanks
