L'Express s'impose comme une référence incontournable de la culture bistro, illustrant un engagement profond envers les techniques culinaires françaises traditionnelles grâce à une carte rigoureuse et précise. La cuisine se spécialise dans les préparations de viandes crues, notamment les tartares signatures qui constituent l'emblème indissociable de l'identité gastronomique du lieu. L'établissement présente un décor caractéristique composé de sols en damier, de chaises en bois courbé et d'un long comptoir en zinc structurant l'espace principal. Le personnel assure un service rapide et technique, maintenant une cadence constante au sein de la salle animée. Le menu privilégie les classiques tels que les os à moelle, le confit de canard et une sélection de fromages artisanaux, reflétant une loyauté absolue aux standards culinaires classiques. Chaque assiette témoigne d'une volonté d'excellence technique et d'une exécution constante parfaitement maîtrisée.
L'Express est largement reconnu comme une institution montréalaise incontournable qui capture avec succès l'atmosphère authentique et animée d'un bistrot parisien classique. De nombreux clients louent la qualité constante des classiques de la cuisine française tels que le confit de canard, le steak frites et leur bocal de cornichons signature, soulignant souvent le service professionnel et attentionné comme une marque de fabrique de l'expérience. Bien que le restaurant soit fréquemment célébré pour son ambiance énergique et son excellent rapport qualité-prix, certains convives trouvent l'environnement très bruyant et bondé, ou ont rencontré des irrégularités occasionnelles dans la préparation des plats et les standards de service. Malgré ces avis mitigés, l'établissement demeure une destination prisée tant pour les repas décontractés que pour les grandes occasions, la plupart des visiteurs recommandant vivement de réserver pour s'assurer une place dans ce pilier de la scène gastronomique locale.
Classic French brasseries serving hearty dishes. We got the bone marrow for the starter which was okay but too oily & very filling. Personally, I would not recommend this as an appetizer as it was quite oily & essentially another version or bread with butter. But if you like bone marrow you will enjoy it. For main course we got the Boudin Noir (blood pudding) with apples & the hangar steak. Both were quite good & filling but the blood pudding was my favourite. The blood pudding was rich with a creamy texture while the mashed potatoes it comes with were very buttery. The fries with the steak were extra crispy (maybe a little over cooked) as well. Both the steak & the blood pudding felt like they were deep fried. We also got the maple profiteroles for dessert which was alright. The maple flavour is quite strong but it is essentially just profiteroles with maple ice cream in them. Overall not bad but you can get better food at a similar price at Monarque, which is much better.
It was one of the best experiences I've had. The restaurant staff were excellent & very professional. The steak was really good, & the best thing I had was the profiteroles for dessert-I definitely recommend trying it.
Small but mighty! L'express was a happening place on the Monday night in March when we visited from New York. Ordered the beet salad (red & yellow beets, goat cheese, arulgula, candied almonds, raspberries, with an apple cider vinaigrette), the duck confit, & the steak frites. Salad was delicious, duck was lovely & the steak was the best I've ever had. So tender. & can't forget the complimentary bread, butter, cornichons, & mustard!
The waitstaff was friendly & made an excellent recommendation for a wine pairing with our meal. At times we waited for water refills, but it was so lovely to be there we didn't mind. Food was rich & delicious, probably would have a heart attack if you came here regularly, but this is a great spot to celebrate a special occasion or just enjoy the company of someone you love. Small, bustling restaurant with a lovely neighborhood vibe. Would absolutely come back next time we find ourselves in Montreal. 10/10 would recommend to a friend!
What you'll notice immediately about L'Express is its authenticity. The room looks like it was plucked straight out of Paris. There is a long bar with a partition separating it from the dining room. The tables are well spaced, but the room has energy, so bring your own. Reservations are highly recommended. I arrived as a solo diner on a Monday at 7:45 & had to return an hour later just to sit at the bar-it was worth waiting.
After choosing my meal, the waiter set a massive container of cronichon on the table with bread, butter, & mustard. Don't skip tasting them-the cronichon are pure perfection, & the mustard is spicy & tart, a classic dijon. The real challenge is not finishing it all (though with the huge jar of pickles, it's impossible; but beware: bread is the enemy).
My order needed to be classic but not pedestrian, so I chose the cured salmon, served over a bed of thinly sliced cabbage, dressed with cream, lemon, & dill, & garnished with radish & micro-greens. Wow, this was such a surprise. I was blown away. Great fish, paired with a salad I would have never considered, a true win.
For my main, I ordered the hanger steak (Aka Steak Frites) along with a wine of the server's choosing after letting him know what I usually enjoy. The steak was great, served with hotel butter, cooked to perfection. On the side were the fries, hot & crisp, with a fluffy interior & a generous serving of mayo.
I ate everything & required a coffee just to make it to my hotel. I will be back, with reservations & a larger group next time, so I can try more of the menu, but my first impression... O la la!
Ma conjointe & moi même recommandons ce restaurant. Les prix sont légèrement hauts mais la qualité des produits & des services est de haut niveau. Le canard est excellent.
Sat at the bar with my daughter last night. Service was amazing by bartender. She recommended great wine & dinner. We had the bourgot app. My daughter had trout & I had traditional steak frites. Dessert was creme brulee & raspberry glacee. We had made reservations.
Très bon restaurant avec une belle ambiance. Le personnel est professionnel & accueillant. Tout ce qu'on a commandé était excellent & bien présenté. Je recommande la place sans hésiter.
We decided to try L'Express after hearing many positive reviews, & the dining experience was great.
The interior gave me a classic Parisian bistro feel, just like stepping into an old French film set. Staffs were friendly. The large jar of house pickles brought to your table was such a fun & memorable touch that adds to the classic French bistro atmosphere.
Food was great, we really enjoyed everything. Celery remoulade was refreshing. I also highly recommend the Boudin noix aux pommes, it was rich & flavorful. My boyfriend even stepped out of his comfort zone to try this blood sausage dish, & he ended up enjoying it as well.
Definitely will come back to explore more of the menu next time in Montreal.
