DAY
Dimmed lights, pleasant and romantic surroundings, wonderfully well-dressed dishes, all complemented by attentive service, shining with just discretion…
A few days before Valentine's Day, here are some restaurants offering the perfect setting for a sweet evening which, we hope, will not end with dessert!
Bivouac
Whether you are seated on the outdoor terrace in huge domes – with a remarkable view of the Quartier des spectacles – or in the splendid dining room which immerses us in a boreal atmosphere, the Bivouac restaurant has already set the table for you to experience a superb romantic evening. The cuisine takes us on a journey to the four corners of Quebec, reminding us that the Quebec terroir is surprisingly rich!
▸ restaurantbivouac.com
▸ 1255 Jeanne-Mance Street, Montreal
Barranco
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For an outing that is more festive and exotic than romantic, the Peruvian restaurant Barranco offers a special menu for two that will certainly make you travel. The concept of surf'n'turf will be declined in many ways, including anticuchos (skewers) of octopus, chicken and filet mignon, chicharron(pork), fish ceviche and many other revisited specialties. Don't forget that every great evening at Barranco starts with a pisco!
This menu is only available from February 10 to 14.
▸ barrancorestaurant.com
▸ 4552 Saint-Denis Street, Montreal
Navy Blue
At Bleu Marine, all the attention can be focused on your better half, since you will have (almost) no choice to make. Choose between the 4 or 6-course menu, paired with the wines or not, then let yourself be lulled by the waltz that the young and talented team will offer. This experience is more recommended for wine lovers, as the pairing is an integral part of the experience. A promising evening!
▸ restaurantbleumarine.com
▸ 50, rue Saint-Louis, Québec
< h3>The Net
Chic, elegant and modern, without being intimidating or pretentious, Le Filet is the perfect restaurant for a couple's outing that does not want to be embarrassing. With the open kitchen and the atmosphere just lively enough, everything will be in place for a princely waltz where oysters, scallops, pasta with seafood and sweetbreads will exchange the baton, before attacking a trilogy of desserts by the talented pastry chef Masami Waki.
▸ lefilet.ca
▸ 219 Mont-Royal Avenue West, Montreal
The Edge of the Wood
Located slightly outside the city, discreetly nestled on the edge of a wooded area, the Orée du Bois restaurant offers one of the warmest immersive experiences possible. The chic, rustic and inviting decor will put you in a romantic mood. We opt for the four-course table d’hôte menu, quite gourmet enough to leave sated. Valentine's Day or not, we like to go to this restaurant 12 months a year.
▸ fr.oreeduboisrestaurant.com
▸ 15, chemin Kingsmere, Chelsea
Chez Truchon Bistro-Auberge
In Charlevoix, the Chez Truchon inn-restaurant is a destination of choice for spending a romantic evening. Dominique Truchon, the chef-owner, really cares about his region and wants to share it with you in his own way, by cooking inspired by many flagship ingredients of Charlevoix. The five-course menu is certainly the best way to live this experience as a couple. No need to stay at the hostel to have access to the restaurant. But it will certainly earn you some bonus points!
▸ aubergecheztruchon.com
▸ 1065, rue Richelieu, La Malbaie
Chez Muffy
Warmth and romance reign at Chez Muffy, a farm-to-table restaurant, snuggled up in a historic building dating back to the 1800s. Stone wall and wide wooden beams, plus a fireplace in the center of the room to eat put us in a very special atmosphere. The menu, largely based on local products (and from their own farm), gives way to a beautiful variety of noble products, worked in an original and gourmet way.
Chez Muffy is located within the magnificent Auberge Saint-Antoine (member of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux family); reservations are therefore highly recommended.
▸ saint-antoine.com/chez-muffy
▸ 10, rue Saint-Antoine, Québec
Kimono Sushi Bar
If the sushi evening is imposed by your better half, everything suggests that the Kimono Sushi Bar will create sparks. After getting into the mood with a dry martini (or a glass of champagne), we relax in front of a table of nigiri, sashimi, maki and futomaki – all halfway between tradition and innovation –, while enjoying a sumptuous atmosphere.
▸ kimonosushibar.com
▸ 1137, route de l'Eglise, Québec
Foxy
Fire, heat, dishes prepared with love and delicacy… Bubbles at the start of the game with some cooked oysters. Grilled feta still simmering, plump and airy flatbread generously topped with seasonal ingredients… Lamb or char roasted over a wood fire, accompanied by one or a few glasses expertly recommended by the sommelier : Foxy restaurant is without a doubt one of the sexiest restaurants in town!
▸ foxy.restaurant
▸ 1638, rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Montreal
Tommy Dion is a food columnist/critic and founder of the web platform and gourmet guide www.lecuisinomane.com