Quebec City Restaurants: 2010 Update

 I go to Quebec City as often as I can. Food is a big attraction. I have written about it before (see: Quebec Restaurants: A Frequent Visitor’s Favorites (2004), Celebrating the New Year in Quebec City Restaurants (2006), Some Quebec Restaurants October 2007. Luis Tetu, executive chairman at Coveo, the Quebec based enterprise search provider, offers this excellent list of great places to eat. I am including the ones new to me first. I look forward to trying them out.

Montego Resto Club: owner Mario Bernardo provides fun trendy italian/fusion on Maguire street (more for locals but great). It is located at 1460 avenue Maguire, Quebec (418) 688-7991

Le Champlain – a classic inside the Château Frontenac – Luis said to ask for a table in the Verriere. Sophisticated for dinner. Chef Jean Soulard is one of Canada's top chefs and executive chef of Fairmont hotels. Thier site says, “Le Champlain features French and Continental gastronomy in an intimate atmosphere of old-world charm and hospitable service.” It is located at 1 rue des Carrieres, Québec, (418) 266-3905

Le Panache - restaurant within Auberge Saint-Antoine - owner is Evan Price. Fodors writes, “Chef François Blais has taken traditional French-Canadian cuisine and tweaked it for the modern palate. The menus change with the seasons, but you'll find the duck, roasted on a French spit, any day. A family-owned farm supplies ingredients for the restaurant's recipes.” The duck is enough for me. It is located at 10 rue St-Antoine, Lower Town, Québec City, 418/692-1022

Aviatic restaurant - fun fusion - in the train station. I went there for a New Year’s Eve party and had a great time but have not eaten there during a regular night. They have a Facebook page.  It is located at 104-450 Rue de la Gare-du-Palais, Quebec, (418) 522-3555

Le Charbon, next to the Aviatic in the train station. Undoubtedly one of the best steak house in the country. Try the dry aged Sterling Silver steak 32oz!  Yahoo says that “this attractive steakhouse, located within the old Gare du Palais, is a favourite for its maple charcoal-grilled steak and seafood in an inviting atmosphere.” It is located at 104-450 Rue de la Gare-du-Palais Quebec, (418) 522-3555.

Marie Clarisse - great seafood and fish, very charming 250 year old house right at the end of Petit Champlain street. Their site says, “Every day upon the spirits of the seasons, le Marie-Clarisse and its staff allow you to create your own table d'hôte.
Many combinations of tables d'hôte are possible from a wide selection of entrées, soups, salads and main dishes. Fishes, seafoods and fine meats have the honours of the chef's creation.
“ It is located at 12 Rue Du Petit-Champlain, Quebec, (418) 692-0857

For a fun breakfast try Cochon Dingue (Le) I have seen this place many times and thought it was a place to try. Now I know to do it. The site mentions, “Our famous mussel duo, our French-style sandwiches, and our steak frites, a reinvented classic!” I am there  It is located at 46 boulevard Champlain
Quebec (Qc)

Phone : 418 692-2013

Le Savini, opened recently on Grande-Allee. It is called a phenomenal wine bistro. (Grande-Allee has many restaurants but most can be more tourist traps in general).  It is located at 680, Grande Allee E, Quebec, 418-647-4747

Also a casual restaurant for the summer is Le Toast in the Priori boutique hotel. It is located at 17 rue du Sault-Au-Matelot, Québec, (418) 692-1334

For Sushi - although while in Quebec you generally will eat French cuisine especially if you are visiting - try the Yuzu on Charest. It is located at 438 Rue Du Parvis, Quebec - (418) 521-7253

And for a truly exceptional Italian, the Michelangelo is a must, although not near old Quebec City and more for the locals. Great 5 star service. Nicolas Cortina the owner is a great host and quite entertaining. Wine cellar has 12,000 bottles and can be visited; some of the best super Tuscan you can find. Fodors says , “One of only a handful of eateries outside Italy recognized as genuine Italian restaurants by the Italian government.” Try the Pasta Quatuor! It is located sat 3111 Chemin Saint-Louis, Quebec, (418) 651-6262

Luis also recommended these four below that I have been to a number of times and greatly enjoy.  Here is what I wrote.

Initiale - This is my favorite placed in Quebec for the big night out. The hostess is very welcoming and will remember you after a few times. It provides innovative French cuisine as Smoked salmon from Charevoix with oysters “alba” with cucumber, marinated baby leeks with krill oil or sea bass filet with thyme, fried asparagus and salicone. Finish the meal with impressive Québec cheeses, followed by a tart of white wine and maple syrup. High ceilings, large windows and subtle lighting provide a nice setting with tables a good bit apart. There is an eight-course grand menu. It is located at 54, rue Saint-Pierre, Vieux-Port de Québec Tél. (418) 694-1818

Le St-Amour - Wine Spectator rated – Luis said that it has one of the nicest wine list in Canada and it is his favorite. Here is what I said: This is well-established upscale French restaurant, best in the Upper Old City, has won several awards. We had a great dinner, artfully presented with multiple dimensional presentations. It is located at 48, rue Sainte-Ursule, Vieux-Québec, (Québec) Tel. 418-694-0667

Laurie Raphael - Daniel Vézina (Chef) and Suzanne Gagnon, owners, named their restaurant in honor of their two children. Established in 1991, it provides lighter nouvelle French cuisine. In September 1997, Daniel Vézina won the Roger Champoux award given by the Fondation des Amis de l'art culinaire. This prize is awarded to a chef-owner who has been able to maintain high quality standards in his establishment for at least five consecutive years. It is located at 117, rue Dalhousie, Vieux-Port de Québec, Tel. (418) 692-4555 Fax: (418) 692-4175

Cafe du Monde - is a French bistro and a great place for brunch. See entrance to right It was near the ferry terminal in a nice   old building but has now moved next to the cruise terminal. Fodor’s says. “, this restaurant has a view to equal the food. The outdoor terrace in front overlooks the St. Lawrence River, while the side verrière, a glass atrium, looks onto the agora and the old stone Customs House. Etched-glass dividers, wicker chairs, and palm trees complement the Parisian-bistro-style menu. The menu includes such classic dishes as duck confit accompanied by garlic-fried potatoes, and appetizers like artichoke pudding with smoked salmon.” 418 - 692-4455

 

Comments

[holyland tours]

What a nice review of that wonderful city restaurants. I have visited Quebec for a month and been in lots of good restaurants, and in three places from your list. Most of all I loved Laurie Raphael and on my next trip to Canada I will try to visit there again.

[costamesa chiropractor]

I am there It is located at 46 boulevard Champlain
Quebec