Hotel de l'ITHQ

The wine pairings worked really well with each dish, and the room was very nice with professional staff. Some of the elaborate dishes had combinations of ingredients that didn't quite work for me. The desserts in particular were awkward and only semi-sweet.

The restaurant isn't part of the culinary school's student dining program, a distinction I misunderstood before coming. Our lunch itself was lovely. My daughter ordered a few à la carte dishes while I had the Table d’hôte menu, and everything was delicious and beautifully put together. The butter sauce with her trout was a favorite, and the rhubarb custard was fantastic, especially since I love both rhubarb and flan. Our server was gracious and patient, answered all our questions, and took great care of us despite speaking limited English. My daughter and I would happily return.

It’s a convivial spot with attentive servers, and it’s good value for a meal with family or friends. I’d enjoyed a delicious dinner here in February, and this time the tasting menu had some real highlights: the flavorful filet mignon and the cabbage and celery root salad, both with interesting combinations. The corn and pea amuse-gueule was less to my taste, a bit flat. There are still plenty of tempting dishes and the atmosphere is excellent.

Even with the restaurant nearly empty, possibly because of the heavy rain, the service was excellent. The young staff were friendly and attentive, and explained the dishes well. The food was good for the price, though we found there was quite a lot of bread: sourdough with the first delicate taster, more with the starter, then croutons on the main. Maybe that’s a Canadian thing. Glad we went.