4.5
Superb
450 Reviews
150 Rue Saint-Zotique Est, Montréal · 8.49 miles
Customers’ favorites
- Scallop Sandwiches
- Buckwheat Cake
- Fish
- Le Croque-Pétoncle
“As Mon Lapin is ranked as the 2nd best restaurant in Canada and the 5th best in North America, it is natural that there is a lot of hype around it. We booked a month in advance, such is the demand for table. On the other side of the coin, you will see some (few) reviews from customers which are on the negative side. Whether these are authentic is hard to say, but perhaps the hype invites Contrary Mary's to have their say - the hype who would complain about the sky being blue and the grass being green. What is easy to say is that my partner and I had, without a doubt, the most enjoyable dining experience of our lives last night. We opted for the sharing menu, which features some items from the menu and some surprises. Our server, Nino, was incredibly accommodating, and while we are not fussy, nor have any allergies, he was scrupulous in his efforts to ensure that we would be served dishes which were to our taste. He also talked us through several wine options, without a hint of pretentiousness, and made us, two run-of-the-mill teachers from the back end of Scotland feel very much at home in this borderline fabled restaurant with his easy going, funny, yet professional manner. Mon Lapin, if you are reading this, Nino deserves a raise - he is terrific. The food speaks for itself. The only dish not pictured here is the fried pasta with sopressata and radicchio (which was wonderful, we simply forgot to take a picture). We started off with clams, sea urchin and tomato, all of which were an absolute flavour bomb, though fresh and light enough to not totally dominate our dining experience from minute one. They were a delightful prelude to the slightly more rich yet incredible sopressata and radicchio pasta dish. Our next plate was a medley of tomatoes and tuna accompanied by Mon Lapin's renowned scallion toast. The scallion toast reminded me of home, a very classy fish and chips type vibe. It was light and melted in our mouths. The tomatoes and tuna, however, were on another level. The flavour and freshness that this dish brought were unlike anything I have ever tasted before. It really blew me away and for me, was the star of the show. Also pictured are our spinach and ricotta pasta, which was just incredible, the duck breast and leg which came with a plum and beetroot sauce and a cabbage salad - tremendous - and our sensational dessert, a sort of salted caramel tiramisu cake (I think with caramelised onion?) and these delightful wafers which dissolved in our mouths. I also want to compliment the pace of service. I feel that, at times, when dining at a small plates restaurant, service can be too rushed and you don't get the time to enjoy and digest each course. This is not the case at Mon Lapin, who pace their service to allow you the time to enjoy your experience there. It was a wonderful place to spend an evening. I can't say anything that will do this place justice - you have to try it for yourself. But if you have an open mind and a hungry belly, you will have a truly wonderful time. I haven't tried every restaurant in Canada or North America to comment too much on the rankings, but this is the best restaurant that I have ever visited. Thank you to the chefs at Mon Lapin and to Nino for giving my partner and I such a wonderful memory.”