An otherwise promising dining experience was overshadowed by inattentive, dismissive service that left us feeling disrespected and unwelcome.
We began the evening with three appetizers and one main course, hopeful that despite an initially unwelcoming atmosphere, the quality of the food might redeem the experience.
A male staff member with glasses approached our table and began clearing plates without first checking if we had finished. We mentioned that we had ordered bread and hoped to enjoy it with the remaining sauce from one of our appetizers. Rather than responding with courtesy, he chose to mock our comment. We let it slide.
Later, while waiting for our main course, we were discussing our next destination with a phone placed at the center of the table. He returned and, without a word, placed the main dish directly on top of our hands and phone. No apology, no acknowledgment. He then began explaining the dish in French, despite the fact that we had been conversing with him and the rest of the staff exclusively in English throughout the evening.
The interaction reflected a surprising lack of social awareness and professionalism, which affected our overall experience.
This experience was reflected in our tip. To which, our server later approached us to address it—condescendingly informing us that “in Quebec,” a 15% tip is customary and that, due to low wages, staff rely heavily on gratuities.
Having lived in Montreal for over a decade before recently relocating to Ontario, I can say with confidence that no Quebecer would feel compelled to tip 15% after being treated so poorly. But I do understand the assumption that, because we were speaking English, we must have been unfamiliar with local norms.
To the Salle Climatisée team: while a 15–20% tip is a widely accepted guideline, it remains at the guest’s discretion and is contingent on the quality of service. There are a number of negative reviews across your Google page, that closely reflect our experience with him. If this behavior has been brought up before, I hope management will consider how it impacts the guest experience and how it will inevitably be reflected in future tipping behavior.
The food was good—but regrettably, not worth the experience.
PSA: Adding to the irony, a restaurant named Salle Climatisée seemed to lack any effective air conditioning, leaving us physically and metaphorically uncomfortable throughout the evening.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
Hannah ter Weeme
My husband and I had such an enjoyable meal here. Brendan and his team were friendly, funny, attentive, and it was clear that they care so much about the food, the wine, and the guest experience. We sat at the bar which was great fun to watch the chefs at work and enjoy the bustling activity of the restaurant. We shared a number of stellar dishes - leeks with two sunflower dressings, steak tartare, a warm corn dish, bread & butter, halibut from Gaspésie, and sticky carrot pudding. Each dish was delicious, with the halibut being a particular standout. It’s so nice that restaurants like this exist - where you can enjoy food that has been prepared with care and served with that same care and attention. We’ll be back the next time we’re in Montreal!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Anna Stevens
A truly incredible dining experience, one for the books. We had the pleasure of sitting at the counter and were able to watch the care, precious and love that went into every dish from the efficient kitchen crew. Brendan's wine recommendations were exceptional, his attention elevated our experience in every way. We worked through 5 or 6 courses and each bite was delightful. We leaned deeply into the summer produce bounty and seafood and the flavors were complex, nuanced and layered. Every drop of sauce was soaked up by the delicious bread. This dining experience was the star of our trip to Montreal. Thank you, team, for a truly memorable night. If this restaurant were in Brooklyn, we'd be regulars, truly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Wagner
Wow! We were visiting from the States and I wish I could bring this place back with me. Started with the steak tartare (half order), I so wish I ordered the whole thing. It was fabulous, that’s all I can say. My wife ordered Halibut and I ordered half chicken and we split. I was so hopping she would get full so I can more but I think she actually took 60%. Chicken and halibut not easy to get perfect but both shined bright. Service may have been the best part, highly recommend sitting at the bar and watching chef prepare everything. Dinner and a show, I love Montreal. Thanks for a great night !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emma
Salle Climatisée is truly a gem - so special that I plan my trips from Toronto to Montreal around a reservation there. Even if I only visit once a year, walking through the door feels like returning to somewhere familiar and comforting. Over the years, the experience has been remarkably consistent, and the quality never falters.
The food is dreamy and elusively nostalgic. The people are warm, genuine, and gracious. The atmosphere is effortlessly charming.
I honestly can’t say enough good things. It’s not just my favourite restaurant in Montreal - it’s my favourite restaurant, period.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gabriel Obadia
Delicious meal, friendly staff. Looking forward to my next visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mike Long
Shockingly so, was shook after my initial experience in this magickal room. How is it that a leek can taste this good? How did I get high on vegetables and a glass of sparkling wine?! Staff super stoked to serve, it’s really lovely to see this level of care. I think it took three minutes just to finish that leek’s preparation. We are so LUCKY to have this gem. Cannot wait to revisit this 500 star experience
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Susan Geraghty
We've been coming to Montreal for 15 years in the summer and have followed several chefs/restaurant managers as they deepen their talents. The current iteration of Brendan's Salle Climatisée achieves one of highest pinnacles of Montreal's special experiences: well-conceived and excellent local fresh and seasonal exquisite bites. I couldn't say a word while eating the poached lobster and the accompanying Hof Kelsten bread, which helped me get every last drop of the sauce. The halibut, green bean salad, and carrot bread pudding brought similar pleasures. A fun atmosphere, convivial staff, and a great wine selection. Can't wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
E K
Outstanding! We had almost everything on the menu and loved all of it - love the small + shareable plates!! The duck heart stood out to me as one of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten. Staff were so kind, and the entire environment is so welcoming and laid back. We sat at the counter, which truly made the experience once in a lifetime.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sam McDougle
This is a divine restaurant. Every dish we got was perfect (the leeks, the halibut, cheese plate, sticky pudding). We sat at the counter and watched the excellent chefs make it look easy. The wine we had was also great (glasses, white). The price is fair. The whole vibe is endearingly laid back and confident. Great time.
Very welcoming and kind staff. Food was delicious. I’m still thinking about the leeks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Olivier
I've been here twice, the first time was mind blowing. The second time I went it was a different menu, however it was still delicious. I'm always blown away by the sauces. My favorite dishes so far have been bigorneaux,pot & oseille, I could eat this every day of the week and the pork with the sauce of chasseur was insane. The pork itself was good but the sauce was on a different level.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sonia li
Amazing food and service. I absolutely loved the halibut with the morels. The sauce was divine. I have never eaten such good radishes too with the whipped ricotta.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kevin Custodio
Food was very good but the price point was very high. Happy to have gone once but would not return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julie Fortin
An absolute amazing experience, with a small 10 options menu but all are researched and well thought off with fresh produce of the season. With only 2 chefs in the small kitchen you would think service would take long but no, they are efficient and so focus. Service was also amazing with all the servers helping everyone. We had a amazing time.
An otherwise promising dining experience was overshadowed by inattentive, dismissive service that left us feeling disrespected and unwelcome.
We began the evening with three appetizers and one main course, hopeful that despite an initially unwelcoming atmosphere, the quality of the food might redeem the experience.
A male staff member with glasses approached our table and began clearing plates without first checking if we had finished. We mentioned that we had ordered bread and hoped to enjoy it with the remaining sauce from one of our appetizers. Rather than responding with courtesy, he chose to mock our comment. We let it slide.
Later, while waiting for our main course, we were discussing our next destination with a phone placed at the center of the table. He returned and, without a word, placed the main dish directly on top of our hands and phone. No apology, no acknowledgment. He then began explaining the dish in French, despite the fact that we had been conversing with him and the rest of the staff exclusively in English throughout the evening.
The interaction reflected a surprising lack of social awareness and professionalism, which affected our overall experience.
This experience was reflected in our tip. To which, our server later approached us to address it—condescendingly informing us that “in Quebec,” a 15% tip is customary and that, due to low wages, staff rely heavily on gratuities.
Having lived in Montreal for over a decade before recently relocating to Ontario, I can say with confidence that no Quebecer would feel compelled to tip 15% after being treated so poorly. But I do understand the assumption that, because we were speaking English, we must have been unfamiliar with local norms.
To the Salle Climatisée team: while a 15–20% tip is a widely accepted guideline, it remains at the guest’s discretion and is contingent on the quality of service. There are a number of negative reviews across your Google page, that closely reflect our experience with him. If this behavior has been brought up before, I hope management will consider how it impacts the guest experience and how it will inevitably be reflected in future tipping behavior.
The food was good—but regrettably, not worth the experience.
PSA: Adding to the irony, a restaurant named Salle Climatisée seemed to lack any effective air conditioning, leaving us physically and metaphorically uncomfortable throughout the evening.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 2
Service: 1
My husband and I had such an enjoyable meal here. Brendan and his team were friendly, funny, attentive, and it was clear that they care so much about the food, the wine, and the guest experience. We sat at the bar which was great fun to watch the chefs at work and enjoy the bustling activity of the restaurant.
We shared a number of stellar dishes - leeks with two sunflower dressings, steak tartare, a warm corn dish, bread & butter, halibut from Gaspésie, and sticky carrot pudding. Each dish was delicious, with the halibut being a particular standout. It’s so nice that restaurants like this exist - where you can enjoy food that has been prepared with care and served with that same care and attention. We’ll be back the next time we’re in Montreal!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A truly incredible dining experience, one for the books. We had the pleasure of sitting at the counter and were able to watch the care, precious and love that went into every dish from the efficient kitchen crew. Brendan's wine recommendations were exceptional, his attention elevated our experience in every way. We worked through 5 or 6 courses and each bite was delightful. We leaned deeply into the summer produce bounty and seafood and the flavors were complex, nuanced and layered. Every drop of sauce was soaked up by the delicious bread. This dining experience was the star of our trip to Montreal. Thank you, team, for a truly memorable night. If this restaurant were in Brooklyn, we'd be regulars, truly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wow! We were visiting from the States and I wish I could bring this place back with me. Started with the steak tartare (half order), I so wish I ordered the whole thing. It was fabulous, that’s all I can say. My wife ordered Halibut and I ordered half chicken and we split. I was so hopping she would get full so I can more but I think she actually took 60%. Chicken and halibut not easy to get perfect but both shined bright.
Service may have been the best part, highly recommend sitting at the bar and watching chef prepare everything. Dinner and a show, I love Montreal.
Thanks for a great night !
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Salle Climatisée is truly a gem - so special that I plan my trips from Toronto to Montreal around a reservation there. Even if I only visit once a year, walking through the door feels like returning to somewhere familiar and comforting. Over the years, the experience has been remarkably consistent, and the quality never falters.
The food is dreamy and elusively nostalgic. The people are warm, genuine, and gracious. The atmosphere is effortlessly charming.
I honestly can’t say enough good things. It’s not just my favourite restaurant in Montreal - it’s my favourite restaurant, period.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious meal, friendly staff. Looking forward to my next visit.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shockingly so, was shook after my initial experience in this magickal room. How is it that a leek can taste this good? How did I get high on vegetables and a glass of sparkling wine?! Staff super stoked to serve, it’s really lovely to see this level of care. I think it took three minutes just to finish that leek’s preparation. We are so LUCKY to have this gem. Cannot wait to revisit this 500 star experience
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
We've been coming to Montreal for 15 years in the summer and have followed several chefs/restaurant managers as they deepen their talents. The current iteration of Brendan's Salle Climatisée achieves one of highest pinnacles of Montreal's special experiences: well-conceived and excellent local fresh and seasonal exquisite bites. I couldn't say a word while eating the poached lobster and the accompanying Hof Kelsten bread, which helped me get every last drop of the sauce. The halibut, green bean salad, and carrot bread pudding brought similar pleasures. A fun atmosphere, convivial staff, and a great wine selection. Can't wait to go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Outstanding! We had almost everything on the menu and loved all of it - love the small + shareable plates!! The duck heart stood out to me as one of the best dishes I’ve ever eaten. Staff were so kind, and the entire environment is so welcoming and laid back. We sat at the counter, which truly made the experience once in a lifetime.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is a divine restaurant. Every dish we got was perfect (the leeks, the halibut, cheese plate, sticky pudding). We sat at the counter and watched the excellent chefs make it look easy. The wine we had was also great (glasses, white). The price is fair. The whole vibe is endearingly laid back and confident. Great time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Very welcoming and kind staff. Food was delicious. I’m still thinking about the leeks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I've been here twice, the first time was mind blowing. The second time I went it was a different menu, however it was still delicious. I'm always blown away by the sauces. My favorite dishes so far have been bigorneaux,pot & oseille, I could eat this every day of the week and the pork with the sauce of chasseur was insane. The pork itself was good but the sauce was on a different level.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food and service. I absolutely loved the halibut with the morels. The sauce was divine. I have never eaten such good radishes too with the whipped ricotta.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was very good but the price point was very high. Happy to have gone once but would not return.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
An absolute amazing experience, with a small 10 options menu but all are researched and well thought off with fresh produce of the season. With only 2 chefs in the small kitchen you would think service would take long but no, they are efficient and so focus. Service was also amazing with all the servers helping everyone. We had a amazing time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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