Restaurant Le Matelot — Restaurant in Baie-des-Sables

11th of August 2018

Dear Journal,

We came upon Matelot by chance at night after a long day of hiking in the nearby Bic national Parc. We had worked up quite a hunger and although we had plenty of snacks we felt we needed something more substantial. We saw the great reviews that others had left and felt we were in luck. Unfortunately the kind staff advised us that we needed a reservation.

Such a shock! That a restaurant all the way out here is full up. We made a reservation for later in the evening and set off to make our camp for the night. We made record time pitching our tent and getting our bed ready and found ourselves in the Matelot parking lot once again 15 minutes early admiring the beautiful sunset over the water. We were so taken by the scenery and our excitement for the coming meal that we decided to commemorate it with a polaroid picture.

Finally we enter the restaurant and are seated at our table. We peruse the menu and are tantalized by the possibilities. Neither of us have eaten lobster before so we felt compelled to take the double lobster table d'hôte. We foolishly filled up on bread before the salmon mousse arrived which, of course, we scarfed down greedily. Such a fresh, strongly flavoured salmon dish!

Next came the main course. With some experimentation (some more successful than others) and a few messy mishaps, we set to work dismantling our prey. The firm fishy flesh we found inside was divine. We laboured for the next hour and a half; pulling and cracking, poking and sucking until we were as exhausted as our lobster supply.

Almost delirious on butter and lobster (not to mention some top notch mashed potato) we ordered desert, totally convinced we were far too full and unable to eat another bite. However the delicious tea, carrot cake and Charlotte aux fraises promptly arrived we were again compelled, almost involuntarily, to almost finish our plates.

The very attentive staff brought our bill, which we payed easily via the payment method of our choice and stumbled into the parking lot, painfully full but happy having eaten, laughed and loved with the lovely staff in their homey maratime themed décor.

Many other patrons seemed to be celebrating their birthdays with a rousing song from the staff. I think we shall have to return when it is our turn and bask, once again, in the glowing warmth of this...

It was around 4 p.m. when, after a long drive from Gaspé, we arrived at this restaurant. About an hour earlier, still unable to find a decent place for lunch, I had spotted it on our car’s map, and everyone, including my 10-year-old son with ASD, was hungry and eagerly waiting to get there.

When we arrived, the restaurant was nearly empty. Aside from a few tables, perhaps 80% or more of the tables were free. My son was impatiently waiting to eat. Unfortunately, the reception staff (two middle-aged ladies), despite clearly seeing our situation and our child, responded rather coldly. They told us the restaurant was fully reserved for the evening starting at 6 p.m. Even when I asked, “But what about now? With whatever menu is available…” they insisted: “No, it’s not possible.” This response came after one quickly explained something to the other before answering me.

We left, and outside, right by the roadside where the restaurant is located, our son had one of the most severe meltdowns and crises of the entire trip, putting all of us at risk.

It was not a good experience. They could have been a little more hospitable. After all, we are all human, we can see what’s in front of us, and sometimes it’s important to think outside the rigid rules. Exceptions can and should be made when the circumstances are...

HORRIBLE SERVICE! J'avais lu les commentaires tout comme vous sur ce restaurant. J'ai pris réservation et j'ai roulé d'Ontario en arrêtant à Québec pour prendre une amie pour nous rendre à ce restaurant.. J'ai roulé 900 kms. Ils ont mal pris la réservation, ils l'ont prise pour le lendemain résultat, on a pas pu rentrer dans le restaurant, aucuns moyens de discuter avec eux, revenez demain! J'avais beau expliqué que j'arrivais d'Ontario rien n'a été réparé, comme quoi c'est mon problème!!! On nous as offert le menu pour apporter mais ce qu'on voulaient manger sur le menu normal n'était pas sur le menu pour apporter, résultat pas moyen de rien discuter... choisissez sur le Menu pour apporter.. Étant donné la distance on a pas eu le choix vu que l'on avait pas de réservation pour les restos autour.. (Le deuxième propriétaire m'a dit qu'il n'y a pas de menu pour apporter?? Et essayant de faire passer cette situation sur un autre resto et non le leurs!) Il y a au moins des tables de pique-nique pas loin mais si il pleut vous mangerez dans votre voiture!!! Aucuns moyen de discuter avec le personnel pour régler le problème et aucunes compensation possibles (tu manges le menu pour apporter ou tu vas ailleurs, pas dit dans ses mots mais ils te laissent te débrouiller seul) !!! Je n'y retournerai jamais et ne conseillerai jamais ce restaurants à aucuns de mes amis(ies) car si le même problème se reproduit, ils/elles devront manger ce que le menu pour apporter seulement et dans leur voiture si il pleut. J'ai commenté le problème à la propriétaire sur son Groupe Facebook et elle efface simplement tous les commentaires négatifs... Donc soyez prudents en lisant les commentaires de ce resto.. Lisez plutôt les commentaires de Trip Advisor! Le deuxième propriétaire est venu me parler, aucunes façon de se faire réparer la situation, même pas un coupon rabais et oubliez un remboursement les deux proprios ont été très clairs là-dessus.. Bonne chance avec votre expérience avec eux, on a été trois couples pognés dehors dans cette situation semblable.. une chance qu'il n epleuvait pas.. confirmez votre réservation plusieurs fois! Notez que si vous n'avez pas de réservation que le menu pour apporter est disponible.. les autres choix du menu normal ne sont pas possible même pas dans une situation comme la nôtre.. aucun...