In creating Toqué!, more than twenty years ago, we wanted to showcase the Quebec products and the work of those who supply us. We want more than ever to acknowledge the contribution of these suppliers who deserve the glorious title of artisans. We owe them the foie gras or samphire; lamb or vegetables, seafood or herbs. These tireless artisans inspire the cuisine of Toqué! to which they bring the flavors, textures and natural aromas of irreproachable freshness. We are members of Relais & Châteaux and Grandes Tables du Monde.
Toqué! is repeatedly described as a refined, elegant destination where seasonal Quebecois ingredients shine through precise, balanced cooking and inventive but restrained flavor combinations. The tasting menu and wine pairings are highlighted as outstanding, with standout courses such as seafood and duck, and desserts praised for creativity and finesse. The service is consistently praised as attentive, knowledgeable, and warm, with the sommelier guiding the experience without being intrusive, and the open wine cellar and chic, comfortable ambiance adding to the overall delight. While prices are noted as premium, many say the quality, craftsmanship, and overall experience justify the cost, and the restaurant is recommended for special occasions and memorable dinners. Some critiques note occasional fluctuation in dish presentation or consistency and a few moments of service missteps, but the overwhelming impression is one of a milestone dining experience with terroir focused flavor, thoughtful accommodations for dietary restrictions, and a sense of hospitality that makes guests feel valued and eager to return.
Service was great, ambiance was great, the decor was a refreshing take that gave a retro-space-age-esque vibe to it which was really pretty (reminded me of the hotels of The Shining & The Grand Budapest). The tasting menu was a 7-course meal. The first couple appetizers were interesting but missed the mark. They were too similar in flavour that used the same broth. There was a lamb dish (shoulder & belly (?)) that was wonderfully tender but tragically under-seasoned. The foie gras tartine with a toasted brioche bun was delightfully memorable. The two desserts were also a highlight of the meal. Overall, a great meal, but nothing eye-opening.
Literal art on every dish! The tasting menu was a treat for all the senses & soooo good for the soul! Each dish was incredibly delicious, attentive service, & the ambiance so chic & intimate. Truly one of my favorite tasting experiences in Montreal.
Dec 8, 2024
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Enjoyed a multi-course tasting menu here which was a treat to our senses! The service was excellent & the staff were very kind & courteous to accommodate our schedule to make some adaptations! Come here to enjoy a delicious feast!
Before I start this review, I want to acknowledge something: it takes a lot of work to run a restaurant. I wouldn't know this personally, as I am just someone who loves food experiences, but I respect the effort. Food is an art form that, at its highest moments, tells a story. The best restaurants weave this story seamlessly, from the moment you are greeted by the maître d' to the time you sign the check. The food should justify its place on the plate, the art should be meaningful, & the ambiance should tie it all together, saying, "Thank you for choosing us. Here's why it matters." Unfortunately, Toque's story was incoherent, like the ramblings of someone lost in a drunken stupor, clinging to a reality that exists only in their head. Upon entering, the décor felt like a relic of the early 2000s-a carpeted (why carpet?) time capsule. It reminded me of someone who over-prepped for Y2K, only to be left with stacks of toilet paper in their closet. My spouse & I were there to celebrate a special occasion. Having dined at similar establishments in New York, we were excited to see what Toque would deliver as a supposed bastion of fine cuisine. THE BREAD The bread was one of the only highlights-a mix of sourdough with a chewy crust & impossibly soft interior, paired with butter that could have sparked wars in earlier centuries. 9/10. THE TRAGEDY The rest of the meal spiraled into chaos, beginning with an amuse-bouche. The server offered a "surprise" or foie gras, & we opted for the surprise, only to receive lobster in a buckwheat shell-despite my well-communicated shellfish allergy. After a brief "oh...sorry," they replaced it with hastily thrown-together tuna salad. No apology beyond that, not even a simple glass of champagne to acknowledge the mistake. Here's the breakdown of the courses: 1. First Course: Trout ceviche in cold miso soup. A confusing pairing that felt random rather than intentional. (4/10) 2. Second Course: Trout (again), with beurre blanc, walnuts, & trout roe. Not terrible, but shockingly underseasoned-I had to request salt. (5/10) 3. Third Course: Walleye from Lake Erie with black garlic sauce, confit pear, & pickled radishes. Fish was fine, pear was great, sauce needed salt. (5/10) 4. Fourth Course: Young rooster with vegetables. Chicken on a tasting menu needs to be magical, but this was bland beyond forgiveness. (3/10) 5. Fifth Course: Sirloin the size of my index finger (& I'm not a large person), served lukewarm with yet another forgettable sauce. (2/10) 6. Sixth Course: The pre-dessert "surprise" was purple ube ice cream, poppyseed cake, & chocolate in a pool of Minute Maid lemonade. It was shocking, in the worst way. The cheese dish-a brie with spelt cracker-was utterly forgettable. (1/10) THE DESSERT FROM HEAVEN The seventh & final course was miraculous: a white chocolate mousse with soaked pear, chocolate bark, & citron sorbet. It was thoughtful, balanced, & decadent, erasing-almost-the disaster of previous courses. If the rest of the meal had been even a fraction as inspired as this dessert, Toque might have redeemed itself. But one great dish cannot carry a meal that failed at nearly every other step. WHAT MORE? The service lacked the attentiveness expected at this level. The manager's "gift" for our celebration-a stock card signed by the chef-felt hollow. No creative dessert, no thoughtful keepsake menu, just an afterthought. The inconsistent music-alternating between too loud & imperceptibly soft-only added to the disjointed experience. & so, we left wondering what story Toque was trying to tell. In the end, we had to make up one ourselves: Toque is an establishment so convinced of its greatness, it doesn't feel the need to explain why its food matters. Instead, it says, "We thought of this yesterday-eat it & go." Overall Rating: 2/10. The bread & dessert were phenomenal, but I would have been happier at a bakery with a pint of Häagen-Dazs. After all, man cannot live on bread alone.
We ordered the seven-course Tasting Menu with wine pairing. The service was very slow making the dinner last 4-hours. Our server, Eve, spent most of her time re-filling our water glasses. The venue was a bit dated. Finally, the design of the coffee cup with no handle, delivered at the end of the meal, was just plain silly.
I tried the tasting menu. Without considering the price, foods were good but when we considered the need to pay CAD202 per person, I became picky & think it is not that special & many restaurants could provide similar quality of foods at more attractive price. I just tried another two French restaurants tasting menu before visiting Toque, & the price is only CAD120 per person.
Very good tasting menu & wine pairing on an enjoyable night out at Toque. The first couple dishes were seafood forward with two well matched white wine pairings (dry German Riesling & Austrian Chardonnay). The next course was a transition from sea to land, which was a nice touch, as such the wine also moved from white to Rose, nice attention to detail. Moving onto red wines, the dishes evolved to land based ultimately finished with a rich foie gras, short rib, & loin paired with a Bordeaux from Pauillac. Continuing the trend of transitioning we were given the option of sweet or savory before the final dessert, my wife & I chose different, which was a nice option. All in all was a very attentive staff, great explanations from the Sommeliers, & good quality food. Would definitely recommend Toque as a quality option for food & wine pairing in Montreal.
Oct 19, 2024
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My partner & I have visited Toqué three times over the past couple years, & it seemed high time to leave a review. All three experiences have been excellent. We get the tasting menu every time & are never disappointed. I would highly recommend adding the wine pairing to get the full Toqué experience. Some highlights of this establishment: - The tasting menu varies seasonally, showcasing different local ingredients. - Each dish is flavourful & beautifully arranged, with every ingredient--no matter how simple--playing a role. The focus is on discovering & appreciating high-quality local foods. They do this so well that my partner & I have found that we even enjoy ingredients we normally would not. I don't usually care for raw tomatoes, but I would eat this season's fresh tomato salad by the bowl, given the opportunity. - The staff are knowledgeable & attentive. A big part of the experience here is the staff's presentation of the dishes (& wines, if applicable) as they are brought to your table. They pay close attention to you without being obtrusive, making the pacing of the meal feel perfect as they bring out the next dish not long after you finish one. If you get up from the table, a staff member seems to magically appear to fold your napkin & pull your chair out for you as you return. - The staff are bilingual & can provide excellent service in either English or French. - They have been wonderfully accommodating of my dietary restrictions (more on that separately) & never made me feel like an inconvenience. For prospective diners, here are some points to help shape your expectations: - Interaction with staff is a big part of the tasting menu experience. If this isn't your cup of tea, the tasting menu may not be the best choice. - The focus here is on quality, not luxury or decadence. Toqué does not try to impress its guests with exotic or flashy ingredients. Expect local fruits, vegetables, & proteins, presented elegantly, with natural flavours. You will likely not be served a plate swimming in truffle oil & gold leaf. You may, however, eat the best parsnip purée of your life. - The price of the meal reflects the quality of both the food & the service. For most of us, eating here is a rare treat, but it is a treat indeed, & I have never regretted a dime spent at Toqué. All in all, Toqué has offered my family & me a delightful experience time & time again, & I cannot recommend them highly enough. My only regret is that I have not yet had the opportunity to enjoy each of their seasonal menus.
We had the tasting menu & should have really read more of the recent reviews as we had a similar experience. We had the tasting menu & the first couple of dishes were pretty good but things quickly fell off. Overall the food lacked seasoning & just didn't pop the way you would expect. The lamb was inedible, fat not properly rendered, the young piece was like chewing gristle. Worst of all they burnt the demo glacé & it tasted like they used the same sauce in the following beef dish. The steak was good but just lacked flavor like everything else. We finally asked for salt & pepper which we should have done much earlier. What's most disappointing is that we provided this feedback during the meal & really weren't offered anything else. When the manager asked at the end I told him the sauce was burnt he proceeded to explain to me how Demi glacé is made, which I found incredibly offensive. I've eaten it & made it dozens of times & I know when it's burnt. We spent over $500 & left hungry as we didn't finish 3 of the 7 dishes.
Had the tasting menu here, the meal started off strong with the amuse bouche & ended off really well with the cheese dish & the dessert but everything else was nothing special.... the rest of the dishes didn't leave a memorable impression & our party was left feeling quite disappointed. We had high expectations from this highly rated restaurant, but I probably wouldn't come back. As far as high end restaurants go.... 3.7/5
We didn't get a chance to do the tasting menu but ordered individual drinks. Everything was delicious & the service was over the top. Next time I'll definitely do the tasting menu!
We just finished a superb supper at Toque in Montreal! We had the tasting menu & every dish was spectacular! The wine pairings were expertly chosen & the service (Benoit, Sam & Frédéric especially) was stellar!
Toqué is renowned as one of Canada's top restaurants, & for good reason. The chic ambiance, the impeccable service, & the exquisitely sublime food all play in harmony for a superlative experience. We opted for the 7 course tasting menu paired with 5 remarkable wines. An extravagant spread gifted for our anniversary. Pricing is not for the faint of heart. If your wallet permits, then by all means, indulge!
Jul 10, 2024
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We experienced the tasting menu at Toqué fourteen years ago, circa 2010, & it was without question the most incredible meal I have ever enjoyed in my entire life, still to this day. It was more than a meal, it was a superfluous gastronomical experience. I still consider returning to Montreal just to go back to Toqué every year. They are doing things with food there which I did not know was possible. Treat yourself & you will see what I mean.
I had the most wonderful evening at Toque! I ordered the champagne tasting, oysters, the degustation menu & the wine pairing. Everything was wonderful starting with the team. They were kind enough open their patio just for me!! I will be back next time I am in Montreal ! I highly recommend !!
Went for our anniversary dinner had a wonderful experience very nice quiet atmosphere custom made non alcoholic cocktails were made to our liking. I am celiac & the kitchen was very accommodating including making a few custom dishes just for me when I couldn't have others on the tasting menu. Would recommend. In fact I have reservations to go again later in the yea
Toqué is a culinary gem that truly delivers an exceptional dining experience through its "menu dégustation". From start to finish, this restaurant exuded excellence in service, presentation, & taste. Upon stepping into Toqué, we were greeted with impeccable service that set the tone for the evening. The staff were attentive, knowledgeable, & made us feel welcomed & at ease throughout the dining experience. The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the seven-course tasting menu that proved to be a culinary journey like no other. Each dish was not only beautifully plated but also showcased a careful balance of flavors that left us wanting more. From the first bite to the last, every course was a delightful surprise, showcasing the chef's mastery in combining ingredients to create a symphony of taste. My girlfriend, Julie, & I were thoroughly impressed by the thoughtful execution of each dish & appreciated the attention to detail in every aspect of the meal. ... & the champagne pairing was excellent.
