Burgundy Lion — Restaurant in Montreal

I don't know what's happening in the world but lately, everyone is addicted to salt and overly salted foods. I knew the fries at Burgundy Lion and their other spot (Wolf and Workman) were crazy salty, like, McDonalds or more -level salty but I didn't expect my breakfast potatoes to be sooo salty that my lips were burning. I don't normally send food back, I don't want to be "that customer" but yesterday, I would have, had our waiter ever returned to check up on us. Actually, to be fair, he might THINK he did, but walking by our table briskly and saying "you guys got your food -okay good" and then leaving before I could even lift my head up, doesn't really count! (I didn't catch his name but he was rude, spent most of his time chatting with the table of mid 20's girls a few tables over from us, and he had red suspenders & nose ring)

I was disappointed that the lunch menu wasn't available at 12:30 on a Sunday, we originally came in for scottish eggs because my parents had never had one before and we picked Burgundy Lion specifically for that reason, they drove several hours from Ontario that morning to meet up with me (for my birthday lunch and then got told we would have to "come back an hour later" if we really wanted a scottish egg and the full lunch menu). I totally get it, if your kitchen needs time to prep special things like scottish eggs but maybe a note on your website about weekends not having the typical lunch menu available would have saved us the trip and an awfully salty meal. My mother had the fish and chips, and was so disappointed with the quality of the food, I felt bad that they came that far and this was their experience in Montreal this weekend. I could have brought them to cheaper chain restaurant and they would have had the same quality meal. I only kept the two stars on this review because the french toast was decent, but my Croque Madame had been sitting on the pass so long that it wasn't even warm anymore, the beschamel sauce had formed that layer of skin from cooling down (see my photo!) and my egg was undercooked where the white part ran clear and watery when I cut it open (don't forget, the crazy salty potatoes!). These are all things I would've liked to tell our waiter but, like I said, he came once and didn't ask us how our food was. He also didn't refill my water or coffee until after he cleared our plates, when he came to bring the bill. Overall, it was such a disappointment, that I won't come back here anytime soon. If the owner reads this review, you guys should renaming the place to The...

I apologize for this long write-up, but unfortunately I have to write a negative review for an establishment that's been at the top of it's game, but has been going steadily downhill :/

I live and work in the neighbourhood and have been going to the pub since it opened; my colleagues and I normally go there for lunch once in a while as well.

On my last visit, I went for brunch on a Sunday late morning, with a friend. We reserved in advance.

1. Once seated we were pretty much forgotten by the waitress and had to literally run after her to get served.

2. The pub was showing a game on the TVs (which is great), but there was a group of people on the 2nd floor that were so loud that my friend and I couldnt hear ourselves talk, despite seating inches appart in front of each other and our table was diagonally at the opposite end of the pub where the soccer fans were sitting - other customers (many elderly people) were clearly disturbed by this racket as well - the folks upstairs were literally acting as if they were in a stadium - louder than loud.

That being said, when the waitress brought us our food, I asked her if there was some special event going on and pointed out the inconvenience of the excessive noise.. as an answer, I got (with an unwelcoming tone/attitude).. and I quote.. ".. this is how it is here.. this is the pub experience.. you should expect this kind of atmosphere when coming here"; not even a "sorry for the inconvenience".. almost as if to say "you don't like it you can leave" - This was ON A SUNDAY MORNING

For the record, I also visit their sister pub, Wolf and Workman, and there is never such atmosphere there; the staff is very warm and welcoming and even if busy, there is never a racket, at least not a ridiculous one like this time at the Lion

3. Last but not least, while the food is quite good, the presentation and portion size of some dishes is totally not worth the money; I ordered eggs benedict with salmon; while the price was within the norm ($24), all I got was a few very tiny slivers of salmon and barely a tablespoon of hollandaise (on english muffin with eggs, of course) and a little bunch of potatoes; no fruit, no effort in presentation, nothing.. it looked like it was just slapped together in a hurry..

This place is becoming less and less desirable and makes us feel less welcome.

Once again, my apologies for this long review.. and thanks for having taken the...

The place has an insane variety of whiskeys, so if you're a fan of whiskey or just curious in trying some, this would be the perfect place to do it. The food is great and the quality has remained consistent thought-out the many years that I've been coming here.

On the menu: • Salmon Wellington: Canadian Atlantic Salmon, spinach and cream cheese wrapped in puffed pastry, served over a bed of Québec asparagus. • Liverpool Broil: Slow braised beef shoulder, fingerling potatoes, pearl onions, bacon, wild mushrooms, heirloom carrots. • Eric's cut: Butcher’s cut, red wine & whisky reduction jus, seasonal vegetables, chips. • Burgundy Lion Sandwich: Prime rib, Aged cheddar, arugula, tomatoes, pickled onion & peppers, house Branston, Dijon, onion brioche, crisps.

Dessert : • Pudding Yorkshire Lyle's

Cocktails: • Guava Nice Day: Havana Dark Rum, Guava Nectar, Orgeat syrup, Lime juice.

Everything was fresh and delicious, including the tropically flavored cocktail. The portions are also quite large, so if you're starving as you're reading this review, this would be the place to go. They have a small, inner court yard terrace, which is nice and cozy during the summer and the fall months, and a large outdoors terrace, located in front of the restaurant during the summer months.

I've also had a chance to experience their High Tea service, happening every second Sunday and last Sunday afternoons of each month (by reservation only). Please note that if you'd like to give this experience a try, you'd need to book it way in advance. I've reserved my spot 20 days in advance, and otherwise it was fully booked.

Start the morning with one of the many available, delicious, organic teas, followed by some savoury snacks and sweets, served on two-layered platters. At a first glance it doesn't look like a lot of food, but it's quite deceptive. Mimosas and specialty cocktails are also available for this service. I've tried the King Cole Mimosa and the Burgundy Julep, and both were delicious. Overall, a fun and relaxing Sunday morning experience at the bright and sunny, top floor garden conservatory, with friendly and courteous service from...