Reviews of Nora Gray paint a picture of a small, intimate Italian spot with a warm, stylish vibe and a strong emphasis on fresh pasta and wine, but with results that vary by visit. Positive notes highlight attentive service, knowledgeable staff when it comes to wine pairings, and memorable experiences at the bar with great recommendations; several dishes and desserts are praised for their balance, texture, and originality, and the overall atmosphere is described as cozy and welcoming, making it a good choice for dates or special occasions. On the other hand, some visits are described as overpriced for the portions, with mains not always filling, and occasional missteps in kitchen execution or timing; the dining room can be cold or noisy, and service can be slow or misdirected at times, detracting from the experience. The wine list and dessert selections are frequently mentioned as strengths, while price-to-value and consistency are common points of critique, though many still plan to return to chase a more consistent, higher-impact meal. Overall Nora Gray is viewed as a refined option worth trying for confident food and wine, with room for improvement in consistency and comfort.
Shelby & Lexi (bartender) were exceptional. All staff were kind & personable. The food (we asked the chef to pick favourites) was wonderful. I really liked the tomato spinach pasta & beef with onions. The Japanese turnip was fun to try! Overall, highly recommend. We had a wonderful time sitting at the bar, chatting with staff!
Dec 5, 2024
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If you're looking for a five-star, cozy fine-Italian experience, this is it. It's pricey but the food is incredible - I'm vegan & they accommodated me with apps & a main. The wine list is fantastic & their staff is knowledgeable & helpful. Fantastic place.
Salad was good, but olive oil was not. Fish did not have any taste. Also, end seat at the bar is not a seat, theres no place for your legs, they really should not offer it.
We ate here for the first time Thursday night. My husband & I shared a salad, our own small portions of pasta, & individual entrees. The ingredients & preparation of each course were excellent, & the service staff were skilled & kind. The wine our server recommended was a pleasure all on its own, pairing beautifully with our food & distinctive enough to warrant a google search for future purchasing. Meticulous but unpretentious, it was a meal to be savored.
The server staff was excellent. Super friendly & very welcoming. Atmosphere & ambience were also really nice & relaxing. However... The portions of each plate are VERY SMALL. It's fine Italian dining but much smaller than portions in Italy. DO NOT GO if you are really hungry. This is a really nice restaurant if you're there to enjoy their wine menu or a cocktail & are fine with trying some dishes to sample, but are only feeling moderately hungry. The serving sizes here don't justify the prices per plate & the menu is seasonal, but small just like their plates. The atmosphere & ambience though definitely give it a nice, local neighborhood vibe.
I finally got to experience Nora Gray & it exceeded my expectations. From the summer salad to the linguine, chef's kiss! I had a bite of my friend pan-seared sea bass & almost regretted my choice but my chanterelles on a bed of creamy linguine was divine. The surprise of the evening? The simple yet delectable summer salad. My friend & I both agreed that it may have been the best salad we have eaten thus far. I loved the atmosphere, it was nostalgic as it felt like we were transported back to the our grandparents retro basement. I will be coming back.
We were only in Montreal for 2 nights & are so happy we chose Nora Gray for one of our dinners. Charming space, even more charming staff, & outstanding food. Wine pairing recommendations were spot on!
Unreal food experience. Food clearly is made with love, the dessert pleasently brought back memories of my wife's grandmas pavlova! Will not go wrong with heading to this epic neighborhood spot in Montreal!
