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.
I had an incredible 3-hour experience with their 7-course tasting menu! My favorites were the beef steak, quail, & two desserts. The beef & quail were exceptionally tender, & the accompanying sauces were bursting with flavor. Both dishes had a divine aroma when they arrived. Even though I'm not usually a fan of sweet dishes, I thoroughly enjoyed their desserts. They struck a perfect balance, not overly sweet, & the sorbet with sponge cake combination was delightful. The meal began with a brown butter mousse amuse-bouche, followed by the sea urchin as the first course. While the brown butter mousse was delicious, the sea urchin lacked a bit of its distinctive flavor for my taste. Unfortunately, the complimentary bread was served cold & didn't make much of an impression compared to the other outstanding dishes. The service was fantastic. They efficiently cleaned our table, & water & wine refills were prompt. However, I found the ambiance to be a bit noisy compared to Europea, where I had dined previously. Overall, it was a memorable night at this restaurant.
I did the tasting menu here 20 years ago & it was the best meal I had in my life until that point. This week I brought my husband here for the first time. We did the tasting menu again it was great. What really set it apart was the service & attention to every detail. My husband order a unique beer to drink & the server was able to recommend on of my favorite wines by me only telling him what I liked & didn't. The food came & each plate was a different experience. It was a very enjoyable evening.
TL:DR- Excellent tasting menu & wine pairing, expensive & time consuming. We had the tasting menu & the discovery wine pairing. Each dish & wine pair were explained as they came, so I'll cover them roughly; Amuse bouche- smoked fish & shitake mushrooms in a dashi broth. First course- Marinated scallops (also on the A La Carte menu), with an Austrian reisling, a 2021 Heiligenstein Second course- Salmon gravlax(from the a la carte also), with a 2022 Les Safres chateauneuf du Pape. Third course- either Foie gras terrine( on the a la carte also) & a 2021 Cuvee Domain Juracon or Sea Snails with a green sauce, & a 2021 Barrell aged assrytiko from Santorini Fourth course- A turkey & cranberry filled pasta, with a 2021 Santa Barbara Pinot Noir, Presqu'ile Fifth course(main)- grass fed Quebec beef filets, & a 2015 Jean Pierre Gaussen, Bandol Sixth course- Clos-des-Roches & Le Fleurmier de Charlevoix cheese plate with a Thunevin calet Maury, 1984', or a pre dessert sweet, cinnamon & maple sorbets with caramel popcorn & a (graham?) cookie, & a 2021 catawba(?) Seventh course- White chocolate ganache & pumpkin seed oil, with a incredible Louise Prescott ice cider, 2012' After dessert- strawberry gummies(?) & caramels, with coffee, tea, or a digestive. Each dish & pairing were well balanced & well explained, by incredible staff members. Everyone was helpful, professional, & knowledgeable. Be prepared to spend both a long time & a large sum of money here. We spent over four hours, but it didn't feel like it at all. Final bill including tip was nearly $500ca per person, but managed not to feel pretentious or overpriced.
At a cost of over $1,100 for a group of four, the experience was wholly unsatisfying. We dined here last week & chose the 7-course tasting menu. Five of the dishes were mediocre/ok, & two were unpalatable. Unfortunately, the evening was made worse by the incessant presence of fruit flies for the latter half of the evening. -- The service was subpar. Example 1) When multiple dishes went uneaten, the staff didn't enquire as to why // or offered any alternatives. Example 2) We told our server one of our guests was allergic to seafood & another was vegan - unfortunately, we were all given strictly vegan dishes (because, I assume, it was less work) - it was only on the fifth dish, when this was communicated to the server - that the last two dishes served contained any meat (one of which was a dessert).
I was excited to visit Toque, a name on the canadas100best list we've yet to check off. We were a party of 4, two of which are vegans. We called ahead to verify the restaurant could accommodate 2 vegan tasting menus & 2 regular tasting menus. The restaurant confirmed it would be no problem, both over the phone & at the restaurant. Unfortunately there was a communication issue with the kitchen & we all ended up with vegan dishes. I'm open to vegan food, but we were looking forward to the regular 7 course experience. When confronting the staff, they acknowledged their mistake & offered us an extra quail dish, which was a nice gesture but made things a bit awkward as our vegan friends waited. The restaurant is a bit dated, especially the staff uniforms. Although clean, the fruit flies around our food & drinks was definitely a downer. Considering the reputation & what we paid, I expected more from Toque. It was a disappointing dining experience, that stems from poor service.
Nov 28, 2023
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Service was very good. Food was good, but a little bit underwhelming. The tasting menu was interesting. I would try again but not sure it was worth the price. Perhaps my palette is not sophisticated enough for this restaurant. The desserts were very good.
This was my 2nd visit to Toqué. Instead of the tasting menu, we went à la carte this time. Top notch service. Ordered the acras & quail appetizers, lamb & filet de boeuf mains, & mousse de café. Loved all the flavor combinations in each dish. Everything was beautifully plated, too. We were surprised to receive complimentary amuse bouches & sweet finishes. Definitely lives up to the hype.
The best restaurants in Montreal by far. Only one in the city that delivers a true Michelin star experience, & a real brigade kitchen! Staff is beyond knowledgable & friendly. Recommend the tasting menu!
Sep 14, 2023
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Toque was disappointing. The meal, served over four hours, was mostly forgettable. The service was fine, but was at times stuffy & both over & under attentive.
Our group of five, including a vegetarian, got the tasting menu. To their credit, a few dishes stood out. They were: the airy, salty & rich corn amuse bouche (which everyone received); the light & refreshing tomato gazpacho (vegetarian only); the deeply flavored tomato tart (vegetarian only); the scallops, a smooth mix of buttery, briny & pickled flavors; & the best dish, the dessert, a refreshing mixture of fruit, texture & taste.
Unfortunately, most of the remaining dishes, including the main courses, lacked creativity or flavor. The vegetarian main course was a mediocre pasta with vegetables. The meat main course was pigeon, which was tough & bland. Meats & flavors were repeated throughout the meal, but not in novel ways.
If you're looking for a dynamic, exciting meal, I would recommend looking elsewhere. We enjoyed several of the city's upscale wine bars here that served inspired, creative dishes.
In May 2023, I ordered the tasting menu & the 5 wine pairing. The flavors were fabulous!!! Every bite made me smile. I did not want the evening to end. Every staff person I interacted with was amazing! Everyone took their time & explained each plate & wine.
