Restaurant L'Express, located in Le Plateau Mont-Royal, Montreal is one of Montreal's best-known French bistros. The menu rotates somewhat, and there are always daily specials, but l'Express specializes in: pâté, foie gras and bouillabaisse appetizers; steak tartare, steak-frites and veal kidney main courses; and cheeses, crème caramel or chocolate mousse desserts.
L'Express comes across as a Montreal institution that conjures a classic Parisian bistro with damier tiled floors, dark wood, mirrors and a lively, intimate atmosphere. The menu sticks to timeless French brasserie fare with touches of Quebec, delivering crowd pleasers such as bone marrow, celery remoulade, beef tartare, duck confit, octopus and ravioli alongside a dependable steak frites, all complemented by a strong wine list and the simple abundance of house pickles and bread at the table. Service is frequently praised as attentive and friendly, with guests noting warm welcomes and guidance in ordering, though some visits describe occasional lapses or a dining room that can become very noisy when busy. Desserts like creme brulee, profiteroles, baba au rhum and other classics are often highlighted as memorable finshers, while a few diners report dishes that were only good rather than outstanding or prices that feel high for the value. Taken together, the sentiment is that L'Express offers authentic French comfort with a nostalgic vibe, solid quality, and a reliable, if sometimes imperfect, experience that keeps guests returning and reservations advised.
Generally good. The duck was a bit too salty & every table was offered pickles expect us. Don't know why. To help us consume a bit less salt? lol. Merci alors.
A premium restaurant with classic French bistro flair, dressed-up & very attentive waitresses & waiters serving very good French food. Expect to pay 60-70$ for a starter, main dish, & dessert together.
Booked our table 2 weeks in advance. Had a very good experience, the server was very patient with us as it's our first time eating in a French restaurant. They also do speck English & has English menu when you dine in. Very happy with my visit.
At first, I thought L'Express was a tourist trap, but was I wrong. Packed at 2:00 on a blistering hot Tuesday in the middle of June, L'Express would feel comfortable in any arrondissement in Paris. We settled in at the expansive bar, ordered wine & a cocktail, & didn't miss Paris at all. Romanik took great care of us, & his graciousness was welcome after the often self entitled servers in the United States. Maybe Canada's universal health care has something to do with that. The menu covers every classic French dish, & we ordered calves liver with frites & Duck Confit for nostalgia's sake. Ooh La La. They were both fantastic. Our late lunch was long & so relaxing. Regrettably, we left the AC of L'Express to take a stroll in 93 degree heat. Mistake. We should have stayed at L'Express & ordered dessert.
Si vous avez envie de bien manger a tout heure de la journée, l'Express est l'endroit tout indiqué. Absolument tout est délicieux. Le service est IMPECCABLE. Je recommande fortement!
Jun 3, 2024
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Excellente nourriture & excellent service, mention spéciale a Pierre qui a su s'assurer que tout se passait correctement. Je recommande & je reviendrais! Merci pour tout!
One of my favorite for French Food with an authentic retro vibe. Food is excellent however they are extremely cheap on AC & everytime I go there I sweat my life!
L'Express is the Express... Been going there for decades & it's always a pleasure... Take the time to look at the staff pictures over the years. It makes you travel through time...
Great Food&Dessert(I really liked the it!)& a 1999 Sassicia in Really Great Condition from their Cellar!! Haven't Got a 1999 Sassicia yet!! Wonderful Pickels & Mustard! Wine List is Really Weak on BORDEAUX though.A note on the Sassicia it drank like it was years Younger than it's Age means that it has many Years to go before it reaches it's Potential! Possibly cellared at a lower than recommended Temperature? Will have ask when I'm back! Can't wait to possibly do a 5 year Sassicia vertical ! We'll see!! February 22/2023 the 2000 Sassicia a bit better but was cellared at 14C with the white wines 13 C or 55 F is considered by to be Ideal & for others depending on the type of Wine 18.5 C Still pretty Good!! I enjoyed the Boar Pasta & the Beef tartare was Acceptable. The Dessert was AWESOME 👌
Incredible customer service above & beyond ! Super fast knowledgeable & patient with explaining menu in English ! Made the experience so relaxing after a chaotic entrance ( road closure + rain storm) Food was superb !! The mustard served both gherkins is out of this world
