I was so wowed with my experience at Toque in Montreal that I had to go to the other establishment that is overseen by Chef Normand Laprise, Brasserie T, located next door to the Place des Arts.

It’s a cool space! Modern designed, the building looks like a futuristic loading bay, or shipping container, or the grand entrance to a contemporary museum – it’s a glass-walled rectangle shaped box that holds about 80 seats inside and another 40 on the terrace. It is very bright inside and allows for great people watching outside. The architectural design is very unusual. What a great place to go pre or after theatre or concert! Or go as we did, on a Sunday afternoon, after strolling in the area, and watch the picturesque dancing fountain, and young families, tourists and locals strolling in the area.

As you could guess, the place is much more casual and reasonably priced than Toque, after all, it’s brasserie food. The main course prices are not above $26. The restaurant turns out classics like tartars, foie gras, coquille Saint-Jacques, charcuterie, burgers, and steak and frites.

We had a lovely experience but don’t expect the level of service or quality of food that you would get at their other location, Toque. This is more about being convenient to the arts area. That being said, the servers were efficient and enthusiastic. The kitchen itself is minuscule, and many things are prepared off site in their other restaurant.

I absolutely adored my appetizer of mixed mushrooms with a poached egg on top. The gazpacho was also notable. Unfortunately the burger was a disappointment. The texture and colour were strange. It was heavy, not juicy and over cooked. On the other hand, our neighbours seem to be enjoying their steak and fries. The meat looked beautiful, cooked perfectly to a medium rare. The special of the day, the tuna tartar sprinkled with crispy quinoa which was okay but not memorable. But the fries were fabulous, and just what you would expect in a French bistro – cooked to perfection. Some say they are the best fries in Montreal.

For dessert the coffee creme brûlée was brilliant, with just the right balance of texture and flavours, it was a standout. The strawberry tart was not too sweet and was delightful.
I enjoyed my meal, but don’t think I would necessarily return unless I was in the area.

Recommended.

Happy dining,
Shanea

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