Reviews portray Monarque as a refined Montreal dining destination that blends a chic brasserie vibe with a formal dining room, offering an elegant yet lively atmosphere. The cuisine is repeatedly described as superb, with standout dishes including bone marrow with escargots, bouillabaisse, tartare, duck, veal cheeks, and a highly praised seafood selection, though a few items are noted as overly salty or uneven in texture. The presentation is praised, ingredients are described as high quality and carefully balanced, and the open kitchen and kitchen-facing tables are frequently highlighted as special touches. Service is described as professional, attentive, and knowledgeable, with many guests feeling well taken care of, while some reviews mention variability in service levels, language gaps, or occasional delays. The wine list is extensive and a strength, though prices can be high. Ambiance is consistently described as beautiful, classic, and Montreal style, with some comments that the space can be loud or the temperature a bit cool, and a few complaints about dessert quality or portion sizes. Reservations are recommended given popularity and the two-menu structure, and many leave eager to return for another memorable meal. Overall, Monarque is viewed as one of Montreal's top dining experiences for technique, presentation, and hospitality, albeit with occasional inconsistencies in service and value.
Classic French, excellent food & excellent service. I need to mention this, my wife ordered a glass of wine & asked our server their thoughts on it... He was charming & honest & said in the nicest way it was not good & offered her a taste. It was not very good & my wife ordered a different glass. Excellent service.
Went here for the first time last night to celebrate my anniversary with my partner. I wrote a comment in the reservation but never spoke about it during the dinner. They came out with a dessert tasting menu & a candle to celebrate it. Our waiter recommended a sparkling wine & I accepted but didn't love the taste so he immediately got me something that speaks more to my pallet preferences without charging us. He managed our expectations well when I ordered the beef cut & told us it would take about 25 mins. We accepted. Highly recommend the lobster farroto. The flavour profile was impressive! The attention to detail, the responsive staff, the quality of the food - absolutely worth the price.
We met friends at Monarque last night for dinner & drinks. The wait staff was fantastic, with a perfect measure of attentiveness - always making sure that our experience was great without getting intrusive. We sampled a number of dishes. The fries were done to perfection (gotta start somewhere); the steak tartare was extremely flavorful (a must try); we then progressed to share a dozen oysters - with fresh grated horseradish & mignonette. For mains, we ordered the special - a roasted pork shoulder served on a bed of vegetables - which took an hour to prepare. Our friends ordered the pork chop & the cuit du jour - grilled flank steak. While we waited for our mains we shared a plate of sauteed mushrooms, & another of asparagus & fiddleheads. Both were extremely tasty. The mains arrive... The lamb shoulder was... Wow. Just wow. Slow roasted to perfection, it had a crispy exterior & juicy, succulent flesh. Every taste was spectacular. We wrapped up with dessert - my wife had the ice cream sandwich, I had the creme caramel. Nice way to finish off. A great shout out to Sonia, our server, & Serge, who assisted us in making the overall experience such a pleasure.
Very nice place, The food is well prepared & cooked especially the bone marrow with snails. The platter is very good indeed as well. Everything is well done except the Halibut I have, which is not as fresh as I imagine. I like seafood & I am quite picky at this price range. Don't get me wrong, the dish was quite nice but simply not up there yet, I am sure you can do better. Otherwise, it was a very nice time dining at Monarque with nice staff.
Meilleure expérience culinaire de mon séjour Montréalais. Os à moelle/escargot à tomber (j'ai encore le souvenir vif du jus superbement réduit qui accompagne ce plat en bouche, l'onctuosité de l'assemblage escargot / moelle), homard parfaitement cuit & sauce « thermidor » parfaitement dosée pour ne pas écraser le goût délicat du crustacé.
Jun 1, 2024
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Surprised how crowded it was on a Friday around 5:30. Didn't appear to be a seat available but were accommodated. The service was excellent. It was apparent throughout the meal there is a level of quality control & observation that is lost in most restaurants to keep the table clean of plates, refreshing of water & drinks & to inquire if anything is needed. The charcuterie board was delicious & impressive in assortment. Presentation of each dish was a small work of art. The menu is relatively small which my assumption is it's rotational & by chef's selection which keeps it interesting.
Phenomenal experience. Our waiter was Samuel & he gave us great wine pairing options for our food & explained all of the menu. The service was excellent & the food was amazing.
After a few visits to Montreal with no reservation success, I was able to snag a last minute Brasserie table reservation for 1! I arrived & was immediately brought to my table & walked through the menu by Vincent. He gave great reccomendations & was great about checking in. Honestly, the entire staff felt like they were trained in hospitality. The host came by to check on me in & took another drink order. & the server, who was taking care of the table next to me, also took a moment to make small conversation. I regularly dine out alone due to work travel & while I don't always feel comfortable, I was put at ease the entire time. Okay the food/cocktails - AMAZING! The bartenders make wonderful cocktails that are both enjoyable to watch being created as they are to drink. I got the Farigola & the Colibri. The food was wonderful as well. I ordered the ricotta ravioli which balanced the cheese & meat super well. Raviolis were cheese filled & the meat was underneath. The fried cauliflower was huge (this is the single portion) & very butter forward if that's your thing - it's my thing so I obviously loved it. The steak was cooked to exactly medium rare (as ordered) & the fries were perfectly crispy. 10/10 would reccomend... if you can get a reservation ;)
1. Salmon tartare: I love the combination of the softness of the fish & crunch add on 2. Pearl salad: love the sauce & cheese. Very flavourful with the ingredients 3. Steak with fries: fries were the highlight. (Usually I don't like fries). The steak was my least favourite prob maybe because of the cut.
Dining at Monarque in Montréal is an unforgettable culinary experience that perfectly blends contemporary elegance with classic French sophistication. From the moment you step into the stylishly appointed space, you're greeted by an atmosphere that is both welcoming & refined. The restaurant's interior is a harmonious blend of modern design & timeless charm, featuring high ceilings, exposed brick walls, & an open kitchen that adds a dynamic touch to the dining experience. For the main course, the lamb is a standout, cooked to perfection & paired with imaginative sides that elevate the dish. This lamb is low-cooked to tender perfection & served with a savory jus that adds depth to each bite. Service at Monarque is impeccable, with attentive & knowledgeable staff who enhance the dining experience with their professionalism & warmth. The team's dedication to providing an exceptional dining experience is evident in every detail, from the thoughtful recommendations to the seamless service. Overall, a dinner at Monarque is a celebration of culinary excellence & refined hospitality, making it a must-visit destination for anyone looking to enjoy a memorable meal in Montréal. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply indulging in a night out, Monarque offers an unparalleled dining experience that is sure to impress.
Consistently underwhelming: the food is satisfactory, although there is nothing on the menu that would draw me back. Regarding the service, greeter & waiter can be occasionally snobbish, but employees in other roles are pleasant. :) I've been there twice in the space of three months & will aim to avoid going there a third. Recommend Bar George or Birks.
May 9, 2024
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Delicious food in a very trendy environment. Great for a date or even business as it wasn't all that loud in there. The staff were very helpful guiding me through the menu to accommodate my lactose intolerance. Everything was delicious & the portions were just right. I was full but I wasn't feeling heavy.
I had a great experience here for a presentation in their basement conference room. The service was attentive, the staff were super friendly & refilled our drinks/water constantly throughout the night (we never had an empty glass). The food was nicely prepared, flavors were balanced, the pavlova dessert was huge : some of my colleagues were not able to finish it. Overall a great experience & I can't wait to come back & try their full menum
