Restaurant Bivouac
Montreal
Beoordelingen
My husband and I had dinner at Bivouac before attending a concert across the plaza at Sallie Willie’s Pelletier. The ambiance was lovely with modern furnishings and warm lighting. The service was excellent and very attentive. Cocktails were also excellent. But the food was far from it. We ordered the Bivouac salad to share, which was described as grilled baby gem lettuce with pickled red onion, crispy fried shallots or onions, and pistachio stracciatella. I assumed the salad would have a vinaigrette to balance the creamy but mild tasting cheese. The lettuce arrived swimming in so much white stracciatella that the lettuce wasn’t visible. It was extremely unappetizing to look at and unpleasant to eat. Had the grilled lettuces been lightly topped with a fraction of the cheese and drizzled with a good balsamic, it would have been a nice dish. As it was it was bland and a visual mess. I ordered the salmon which was described as seared but it arrived pale and flabby and the whole dish was screaming for seasoning and acid. Two good ideas very poorly executed. And at $190 with tip for two, not worth the cost.
Went here before a show at Place des Arts and honestly blown away. The boreal Quebec concept is so well done, the decor is stunning and the food is next level. Foie gras, fresh bread with three butters, great wine list and service that actually makes you feel taken care of. Way better than any hotel restaurant has any right to be.
Overall, this is a very good restaurant, however something must have gone awry in the kitchen on my visit. I had a business lunch and it was noted that the service was outstanding and the atmosphere great. No complaints at all. Further to that, the beef tartare I ordered was exquisite. Now, I ordered the trout as the main course. The presentation looked a little sad. However what struck me the most is the utterly bitter flavour of the fish. It was really strong and really unpleasant to eat. It wasn’t lemon, it wasn’t pepper - it was just bitter for whatever reason. Under normal circumstances I would have sent it back. Due to the company I was with - I just finished eating it without a fuss. I do hope that the chef takes note of this issue and the trout gets investigated. A small note: perhaps the butter could be served just a tad softer. 3.7 stars for this visit.
Excellent experience way over expectations for a restaurant at the Double Tree by Hilton in Montréal. Phenomenally original high quality dishes and wine pairing. Beautiful interior architecture and service that paces the amazing food and wine. We shall return. Merci a toute l’équipe Restaurant Bivouac Montréal
