The addresses of the Cuisinomane: gastronomic institutions to visit

MISE À DAY

This week, let's honor the restaurants that have participated, in their own way, in the development of the Quebec gastronomic scene. These restaurants offer unique atmospheres forged over time , as well as immutable recipes over the trends. A little love for our Quebec institutions! 

Maam Bolduc 

Behind its orange sign, well anchored in the Plateau Mont-Royal (formerly the De Lorimier district), hides a whole history of passionate entrepreneurs simply wishing to meet the needs of people in the neighborhood. From a butcher's shop in the 1940s to the restaurant Mme Bolduc in 1955, then Maam Bolduc in the 1970s, the current owners confirm that the soul has not changed: gourmet, family cuisine (including several unchanged recipes from Mme Bolduc ), everyone will take pleasure in perusing the menu and ordering more than not enough. 

► maambolduc.com
► 4351 , avenue De Lorimier, Montreal 

Le Saint-Amour 

Arrived in Quebec in his early twenties as a savior to fill the many positions in the kitchen for the 1976 Olympic Games (while he was doing his army service), Jean-Luc Boulay quickly carved out a place for himself as a choice in a few bistros in the city, before opening, with two partners, the Saint-Amour, in 1978. By perfecting his knowledge every year for several years at the École Lenôtre, in Paris, and by popularizing desserts in the plate, Chef Boulay slowly built the reputation of Saint-Amour, as we know it today. It makes you wonder what this institution would be today without the declination of foie gras, squab and sweetbreads land and sea, the latter being on the menu since day 1?

► saint-amour.com
► 48, rue Sainte-Ursule, Quebec 

Au Petit Poucet Restaurant 

Épicerie Petit Poucet in 1926, Rôtisserie Au Petit Poucet in 1945, up to the Restaurant Au Petit Poucet in the 1970s: no one knows the said Poucet, but he will soon be 100 years old. It's not nothing. However, he can certainly be described as greedy, generous, in love with Quebec cuisine – and ham, nationally renowned for more than 70 years. We go to this icon of Route 117, in Val-David, to savor the cream of our traditional dishes: tourtière, pea soup, cretons, buckwheat pancakes and… ham sandwich! A real must in the city.

► aupetitpoucet.ca
► 1030 QC-117, Val-David 

Café Buade 

Eat in a century-old establishment, in a building dating from 1860, a stone's throw from the Château Frontenac: head to Café Buade! You can taste honest, unpretentious dishes, where several classics of French cuisine are overlapped by that of Quebec. Don't look for daring dishes, but rather the essentials, such as prime rib au jus. Not to mention exceptional value for money.

► cafebuade.ca
► 31, rue de Buade, Québec 

Au 14 Restaurant 

This Vietnamese restaurant, located at 14 rue Prince-Arthur, a stone's throw from the Plateau-Mont-Royal, has been welcoming its loyal clientele (as well as new palates!) since 1976. Ha family recipes – today to the third generation – are meticulously respected to provide the most authentic experience possible. You can taste several types of soups with complex homemade broths, spring rolls, various grilled meats, as well as Bánh Khot, these small Vietnamese pancakes filled with pork and shrimp. It is possible to eat in, or pick up your take-out order.

► au14princearthur.ca
► 14, rue Prince-Arthur Ouest, Montréal  

The Continental 

Well nestled on rue Saint-Louis since 1956, the restaurant Le Continental is an emblem of the Old Capital. Opened by an Italian quartet fresh from Montreal, it was in 2009 that the restaurant, recognized for its service at the table and the outbreaks at the table, came under the leadership of Mr. Pettigrew (who began his career as a as a diver at 13), then Mr. Pageau, who also began his career at the Continental. Although the menu has evolved – farewell to the turtle consommé – several classics have not left the menu: Caesar salad assembled at the table, “canned” filet mignon, duck à l’orange, not to mention the flambé coffees. Le Continental has even been endorsed by none other than Anthony Bourdain!

► restaurantlecontinental.com
► 26, rue Saint-Louis, Québec 

Auberge Saint-Gabriel 

It is impossible to talk about restaurants that have marked and continue to mark history, without mentioning the Auberge Saint-Gabriel, in Old Montreal. Building protected under the Cultural Heritage Act, the oldest establishment in North America still in operation (built in 1688), the first liquor license granted in Canada (in 1754), not to mention the great historical moments that took place under this legendary roof. Admittedly, the many rooms as well as the restaurant have undergone a few facelifts over time, but nothing to distort the soul that is still alive. Gastronomically, the identity of the Auberge is found in high quality dishes, under the sign of generosity, abundance and richness… Think prime rib with aligot, chicken on a spit and unmissable Swiss fondue. Auberge Saint-Gabriel is much more than a gastronomic experience.

► aubergesaint-gabriel.com
► 426, rue Saint-Gabriel, Montreal 

Buffet de l'Antiquaire 

Today ountry, finding a restaurant with continuous service from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. is a real challenge. Adding to that a place where it is as appropriate to order the famous brunch plate at 11 a.m. as at 8 p.m. can seem mission impossible. Admirably, you have to head towards the Old Port district to come across a real gem straight out of the antique shop, to learn that this kind of establishment still exists… Here, since 1976. We are charmed by the sense of belonging that reigns there, the warm atmosphere, the family service, as well as the comforting dishes worthy of the best grandmothers.

► lebuffetdelantiquaire.com
► 95, rue Saint-Paul, Old Port, Quebec

Tommy Dion is a food columnist/critic and founder of the web platform and gourmet guide< /em> www.lecuisinomane.com