Auberge St-Mathieu du Lac

I usually tip 25% at restaurants, but here I left 19%, and they seemed to think that was about the most the service merited. The sommelier was the only one who came across as enthusiastic. Service from the rest of the team felt cold and inexperienced, and the waiter seemed new to the job. I’ve been to dozens of Michelin restaurants, and this was the worst service I’ve had. There was a one-hour power outage, and even the toilet couldn’t be used. We also had no signal, couldn’t make calls, and couldn’t access Google the whole time. It takes two hours to drive here from Montreal, and the Michelin star was the only reason I felt it was worth coming. I gave five stars because it’s a Michelin restaurant in Quebec and I didn’t want to leave a bad review for Quebec’s new Michelin star. I’m not sure I’ll come back.

The food is what made our four-hour drive worthwhile. Chef Samy Benabed and the well-trained team serve a locally inspired menu with creativity, execution, and ingredients that can stand alongside some of the best Parisian restaurants. Every wine pairing was excellent, with a couple I won’t forget. The auberge itself is comfortable and updated, in a beautiful spot by the lake. The restaurant recently earned its first, well-deserved Michelin star. This was our first visit, and hopefully there’ll be many more.

We had a nice stay, though getting dinner nearby took a 30-minute drive on our first night. Both nights, the people in the neighboring rooms played music late and were very loud. We could hear everything through the walls, even their conversations.

The lake view while dining is lovely, and the food was delicious. We’ve stayed here twice, and both times the owner and staff were pleasant and accommodating about arranging a late dinner that worked with our dietary restrictions. It’s a beautiful place, and when in Saint Mathieu Du Parc, I’d say a stay here is a must.