Le Violon presents a sophisticated market-driven approach to seafood, sourcing the freshest catches to showcase their inherent quality and flavor. The culinary team expertly transforms premium fish and shellfish into elegant dishes that highlight regional influences and seasonal availability. Patrons can expect a focused menu featuring expertly prepared seafood preparations, from delicate crudo to robust grilled entrees, all designed to celebrate the ocean's bounty. The environment is curated to provide a refined yet approachable setting for enjoying exceptional aquatic ingredients. It is a destination for those who appreciate the art of seafood preparation at its peak.
Le Violon consistently earns praise as a standout culinary destination in Montreal, celebrated for its intimate, warm, and elegant atmosphere that makes it a perfect setting for special occasions. Many diners highlight the food as exceptional, noting the creative, flavor-packed dishes and the superb mastery of sauces that define the menu. The service is frequently described as top-notch, with staff often noted for being passionate, knowledgeable, and genuinely welcoming, which significantly enhances the overall dining experience. While some guests find the pricing high for the portion sizes or encounter inconsistencies, the majority of visitors are captivated by the unique, high-quality ingredients and the vibrant energy of the space, leading many to plan their return to this highly regarded establishment.
I thought the food, ambiance, & service were all phenomenal. I'm from NYC, the home of Michelin star restaurants & every cool place is a degustation concept now, but this one was phenomenal. Me & my gf shared 7 plates & 2 desserts & had drinks. Everything was excellent. Every server had a vast amount of knowledge on every dish served, what it paired well with, & the order the dishes were brought out & they explained why. Kudos to everyone there, but especially our server Melissa, she was phenomenal. My gf isn't really a wine person but felt like having a glass & Melissa went into detail about each wine & let her sample a few before she settled on one. Well done to everyone at Le Violon. I will absolutely be back.
We were 6 people total & decided to get the tasting menu. It was a delicious & well rounded meal, all dishes were delightfully presented & the wine we had was a perfect match. Thank you!
Absolutely fabulous meal & service. Great cocktails & deep wine list. We had the chef's tasting menu featuring highlights of menu & some special additions. We were treated as royalty. Great service & an amazing dining experience.
What a great experience. The food was obviously incredible (the tagliatelle was actually the best pasta I've ever had) & very creative. The wine selection is very fun, the cocktails were amazing. The staff there were an absolute highlight, laughing & joking with us & they all seemed to be really enjoying themselves.
The only down side was feeling judged in the bathroom by the fancy French ladies (this was a joke - see my pictures!)
Nothing not to like. Great food with a changing menu. Great cocktail & wine list. Food is simple ingredients done really well. Seafood focused but vege & meat options too. & the wait staff are incredible…seems like they're all very happy & have a great time. They really want to ensure you enjoy your time there. Sit at the bar & talk to the servers & you'll have a blast.
Amazing time at Le Violon. The food is amazing, the drinks are fantastic & the wine list is out of this world. Great place for a date night & to share with small to medium groups of friends. I would highly recommend having a great night at Le Violon! Bon appetit!
I really miss La Maison Publique & was so pleased when I had heard that Danny Smiles was taking over the location. Came in with high expectations & was left somewhat underwhelmed. At first, I had to make a paradigm shift as I loved LMP's charming rustic interior & to see the space transformed into an elegant dining space full of light with a clean white & beige colour scheme took a few moments to adjust. First off, everything was really nice & pleasant: the service, drinks, food & atmosphere. But nothing really stood out in an exceptional way. The ingredients were fresh & of good quality for my fennel salad & fish, & the flavours were subtle & pleasant (yes that word again). So there was never really a "wow" moment where I was wow, this is sooo good! It was also very expensive. My friend & I had cocktails, starters, a glass of wine with our main dish, & shared a dessert. My portion was $112 including tip. Yet I was left still feeling slightly unsatisfied. I've had similar meals at places like Le Majestique where I left feeling I had a deliciously satisfying meal & the bill was a good $25-30 less. I would say the food exactly reflected the interior design: elegant yet safe, minimalist & beige, as if saying: here at Le Violon, there is nothing too bright or colourful to pop out & jar you from the tranquil yet slightly bland surroundings. I know I keep comparing it to Le Maison Publique, but it's as if Le Violon was intentionally created to be in stark contrast to its predecessor. The problem is that it all feels somewhat self-conscious & soulless, like a younger person's idea of what a fancy, upscale restaurant should be for a 30-something clientele. This is really a place one would go to impress a first date (most of the clientele seemed to be straight couples), & it's not really a place where you'd go regularly, like a neighbourhood joint (what LMP used to be), unless you have a fat pocketbook! I'm glad I gave Le Violon a try, but I don't have much desire for a return visit, unless I have a lot of money to throw for a special occasion.
Ate really well. Everything was top quality. Maybe the chocolate cake at the end was the least good dish, but otherwise everything else was fantastic. Wine was great as well. Old fashioned is good.
One of Montreal's newer restaurants, featuring locally sourced ingredients. It took over the space from Maison Publique, one of our perennial neighbourhood favourites (Yo Yo's before that, which was also a fav). Total bill was $270 for two with a $70 bottle of wine, &, in my opinion, not a lot of value for the money. $7 for two pieces of ciabatta bread. Portions are very small. My partner had sweetbreads ($40) which were very tasty but miniscule. I had the pork shoulder which again was tasty, but tough, & served with one(!) piece of Swiss chard, & a couple of star-shaped veggies with cheese. We never order dessert but were still hungry at the end so had the chocolate dessert with creme fraiche, which we both enjoyed. Atmosphere is great, as is the service
