Laurie Raphaël

Having dined in the Quebec City location a few years back my husband and I opted to make a reservation at the Montréal outpost of Laurie-​Raphael while we were visiting Montréal recently, and while nothing can ever match that first visit, I was far-​from disappointed.
Service is excellent and professional. Full-​bar is available, but the drinks are a bit skimpy. (To be fair, we noticed this in every restaurant we’d dined in while in Canada.) The wine list is pricey-​but there are some lovely wines to be had by the glass.
I was a bit worried when I realized the a-​la carte menu consisted of ‘small plates’ as I was starving, but I needn’t have worried about going away hungry. Yes: the plates are small — but the quality and the rich flavors of each plate will sate your appetite — expecially the seared foie-​gras. (truthfully, though: how anyone could eat anything after the seared foie-​gras is beyond me — sheer bliss!)
This is a fine-​dining establishment. It is about quality, not ‘quantity.’ There are hundreds of restaurants in Montréal which will fill your stomach. I’d like to think that Laurie-​Raphael fills your soul.

The reason I give this three stars is the exorbitant price tag. It was about $ 400 for 4 people without a lot of wine. The food is good although in the style of nouvelle cuisine with small portions. Previous comments I read about good service and excellent bread selection I concur. Was impressed with the deserts. However, I can pay $ 100 for a meal that I will never forget, I don’t think this meal qualifies. The décor is pleasant and relaxing.

Déception! Nous avions tellement d’attentes envers le haut lieu de la gastronomie… Certains plats étaient plutôt ordinaires, d’autres bon mais rien a avoir envie d’y retourner… Service plutôt ordinaire, je convient que le jeune homme à fait de son mieux mais une mauvaise connaissance du menu n’a pas expliquer celui ci… Et il avait un français approximatif bravo pour l’effort mais va né va pas si tout. Au prix de l’expérience celle –ci se doit d’être parfaite, ce qui né né fut pas le cas. On y retourne… Non

A good 3.8 because they make here some really nice combination of ingredients. However, portion are all appetizer size and you will be left hungry for sure and service was really to slow, with several meal arriving not warm at all (pan seared fat liver foie gras should be served hot, not just medium warm!)

Small plates in a hotel? This sounds like a recipe for crappy food at a high price!
I was surprised to find the food here is really good but when you throw on the hotel prices it’s getting up there with some of the big players in Canada! For that I had to bring the score down as it’s good but you can get much better in the amazing gastronomical city of Montréal for the same style of food.
The service is great as well as the atmosphere. If you’re looking to impress the ladies then this might be a place to do it. Otherwise I’d steer clear of here for those occasions.

The food is very good, the bread is fresh, the service is quick and the staff is knowledgeable.
Only problem: it’s GROSSLY overpriced. You basically have the choice of an all-​inclusive for two, that comes to almost $ 200. Or you select from a list of small tapas at around $ 20-​$ 25 each. My gf had a cocktail that came at $ 26. I mean… the place is good but I’m sorry, those prices are pretentious. And it’s not like I’m not used to pay to go to good restaurants. I enjoy dining out at good spots and I usually don’t care about the price. But Laurie Raphael is the most expensive place I’ve been in a couple years. This is why I actually know you can get equally good food and experience (even better to be frank) for half the $ 150 you’ll pay per head at Laurie Raphael.
Bottom line: had a good experience but the inflated bill ruined it all. Will not return.

The dishes are in a small plate format and are excellent. Fresh bread selections (pistachio, cranberry, rosemary, mini wheat baguette…) are baked daily. There is a pot of perfectly delicious, soft butter at the table.
The décor in the narrow dining room is modern with mostly tables with a voyeuristic view via a large, lightly tinted circular window to the kitchen where you can see your food being prepared. There is a small number of banquettes facing the street view to one side. In back there is a curtain for parties wishing more privacy. I noticed harsh lights overhead at a number of tables and was happy to not have to sit there. Many of the diners are hotel guests.
Chef Owner is Daniel Vezina, a well-​known local chef
The tasting menu is $ 100 and with wine it is $ 175. It is a separate menu from what is offered a la carte. The menu on the website is largely what was being offered when I visited, with some items changed.
We ordered about 6 or 7 dishes and shared — including:
–Huîtres fraîches au granité de «Granny Smith «18
–Thon façon «Général Tao «, brochette de betterave jaune et tatsoy, soba à l’huile de homard et soya bio 24
–Carpaccio de veau de lait piedmontais de Valcourt, vinaigrette aux anchois, niçoise et espuma d’hollandaise 15
–Ris de veau laqué à la betterave et canneberges, purée de céleri rave et popcorn de boudin
–Veau de lait piedmontais de Valcourt en millefeuilles de pleurotes, sauce à la truffe et os à moëlle
— a ‘foie gras lollipop’ dish that I don’t recall clearly
–and a cheese croquette with melted cheese in the center
I was surprised to find what reminds me of a pecan sandie creatively used in place of a biscuit in a layered dish. The popcorn boudin was enveloped in a thin layer of seaweed as a part of the coating. And finally, in the dish with the bone marrow, the bone is filled with a bone marrow based stuffing.
I can highly recommend the by the glass bubbly which was I think, from Ontario.
Overall my views on the service are mixed. It was lacking in consistent attentiveness for the price point — we had to ask on several occasions to see the drink list or to have more bread. On the other hand, the food was well explained and the staff was very knowledgeable and helpful with tasting and selecting wines to try. I got the impression that the very best service is reserved for those who spend the most.
Our chatty waiter referred to regular water as ‘municipal’ water, when listing our choices.
You will be informed that all of the china is the made by local artisans and available for you to purchase.
I think that you will enjoy this place, just remember that it is small plates that can be fun to share however, you will need to order several dishes due the the format and while you will not leave hungry, this is not for you if you have a big appetite. So go here to enjoy the food. The party over from us was commenting that they enjoyed their dinner here more than their last visit to Toque… :)
Laurie Raphael is open on Mondays!

A place to go for good food at Montréal