Oncle Lee propose une sélection raffinée de cuisine du Sichuan et chinoise axée sur des profils d’épices authentiques et des méthodes de préparation traditionnelles. Le menu présente des combinaisons de saveurs complexes comme le tofu mapo, le poulet croustillant au piment et divers plats de nouilles étirées à la main qui témoignent de racines culinaires profondes. Les convives découvrent une approche audacieuse du piquant où les grains de poivre et les huiles aromatiques créent une sensation anesthésiante caractéristique de la cuisine asiatique régionale. L’environnement conserve un design fonctionnel qui met en valeur l’art culinaire tout en assurant une efficacité pour tous les clients. Des légumes frais de saison et des protéines de haute qualité forment la base de chaque assiette minutieusement préparée dans ce cadre dynamique. Cet établissement assure une qualité constante grâce à des techniques privilégiant l’équilibre et la précision technique.
Oncle Lee propose une interprétation moderne et vibrante de la cuisine fusion asiatique qui séduit de nombreux clients par ses saveurs créatives et ses ingrédients de qualité. Le plateau de canard aux cinq épices et les nouilles au sésame épicées sont souvent cités comme des incontournables, tandis que le pain perdu en dessert est régulièrement décrit comme une conclusion parfaite. Bien que l'établissement soit reconnu pour son service attentionné et son ambiance animée, certains convives trouvent le niveau sonore parfois élevé et les prix relativement élevés compte tenu de la taille des portions. Si la majorité des visiteurs qualifient leur expérience d'exceptionnelle et mémorable, quelques clients ont exprimé des réserves sur l'assaisonnement ou le rapport qualité-prix, faisant de cette adresse une destination idéale pour ceux en quête d'une expérience gastronomique inventive plutôt que d'un repas à petit budget.
Oncle Lee on Laurier is the kind of meal you keep thinking about long after you've left the table.
We started with fried calamari & shrimp - simple, but executed perfectly. Then scallops in XO sauce, & a ceviche so creamy & flavourful it stopped the conversation at the table. A strong opening act.
The spicy sesame noodles & garlic fried rice followed - both loved, both demolished. Fair warning: there's an aioli mayo on the rice that isn't for everyone. It wasn't for me. Didn't stop me from scraping every last grain.
Then came the highlight of the night: the five-spice duck platter. A refined spin on Peking duck - perfectly cooked duck breast served with pancakes, sauces, cilantro, peanuts, & chilli oil. Elegant & deeply satisfying. The kind of dish that justifies the trip on its own.
We finished with the pain perdu - French toast with ice cream. The right ending to a remarkable meal.
Michelin rated. The service is excellent & attentive throughout. If you're visiting Montréal, this is a non-negotiable stop.
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What a lovely treat to dine at Oncle Lee. The staff was extremely attentive to guests' needs. I felt well hosted & given enough alone time to catch up with my group of gals. The food served was delicate & delicious - we opted for mostly vegetarian options & really enjoyed the fried rice, eggplant dish & the tofu dip is so so unique (a must try!). Left with a happy belly.
We really enjoyed our dinner on the back patio. Food, service & atmosphere were great. We tried deviled eggs, salmon on rice cakes, steamed bream, eggplant, spicy noodles & garlic fried rice. The fried rice was my favorite. Also had gin cocktail #2 that was delicious & so refreshing.
The newish Oncle Lee has developed a strong name for itself in a short period of time for a take on Chinese-style dishes. The overall ambiance when you enter Oncle Lee is warm & inviting, with the exposed brick wall contrasting against the deep red Chinese lanterns setting a very unique vibe. The menu is tight & not necessarily what you'd expect from a typical Chinese restaurant & here is where I need to point out that this is not a Chinese restaurant in a classical sense but a restaurant serving strongly inspired Chinese dishes. The portions are relatively small for sharing (again, a difference from the Chinatown restos) & you should be prepared to order multiples of the same if you are a large party. For our meal we Deviled Eggs (good), Fried Calamari (excellent...very good batter & sauce), the Scallops with XO Sauce (very good), Sweet & Sour Eggplant (very good & tasty), Sautéed Greens (good but not especially flavorful), Garlic Fried Rice (very good but for rice the portion was far too small), Crispy Noodle Seafood Chow Mein (very good), & the 5-Spice Duck Platter (good but not the typical Beijing version you may have had) & ending with the French Toast with Ice Cream (very good but a little out of place in a Chinese-style restaurant. Service was extremely friendly, helpful & attentive & we never had to want for anything on that front. Enjoy!
3.5/5 overall, the atmosphere & service were great but expect the food portions to be small for the value. The flavours aren't really tailored to the Asian demographic either; some of the dishes seem to be doused in sauces that take away the original flavour of the food vs elevating it (ie. was not a big fan of the tofu with caramelized onion that came in a paste format, sautéed veggies doused in buttery sauce or the ribs that had too much sauce) but really enjoyed the garlic fried rice & French toast dessert. It might also be helpful for the dishes to be more descriptive, as there are no pictures on the menu.
