La Betise - Verdun — Restaurant in Montreal

La Bêtise st Hubert was one of my favorite restaurants. My friend and I were in the neighborhood so decided to try the new one at Verdun. Super disappointing.

When we starting ordering, the waitress didn’t mark anything and kept reconfirming if that’s what we wanted. Then a few min later, came back to take the order again while writing.

We got our first entree very quickly, maybe too quick. We think that it belonged to our neighbor table cause they were there first but got that dish way later.

I asked for chopsticks. “We don’t have chopsticks here.” The waitress said that and just left while half way finishing that sentence. I’m sorry to expect chopsticks in an Asian fusion restaurant.

Right after our first dish... 45 min passed and nothing. We ordered a raw platter and 4 appetizers.

It really shouldn’t take that long. So I mentioned it to the waitress and she seemed shocked. She came back and said that the kitchen is just very busy.

I was like, please tell us if they think it will take another 45 min cause we can just cancel and leave. I can’t believe when they think they are busy on a Friday night when it’s only half full.

The beef tataki was too salty. The crackers that came with our salmon tartare was a joke. Under two full crackers, there were crumbs. Why bother to serve it?

The oysters were not fresh.

All in all... I’m never...

I found La Betise to be pretty meh. I got a cocktail (unicorn basil smash) because I like gin-based drinks, but I could not taste much gin - it was just like sugar water and basil in a very small cup. The service was a bit slow but they just seemed busy. Once our server arrived he was very nice. The menu seemed to not know what to do with itself, mix of basic pub food with some random Asian influences despite the more upscale look and feel of the space. The ahi tuna melt with halloumi was fine but not much of a standout. The General Tao poutine was not great and didn't have many fries. The 1$ oysters we did appreciate!! They were pretty good for a dollar each and I only wish I'd ordered a glass of wine rather than the not great cocktail. The burrata was also pretty good though basic, basically just a pile of burrata to spread on bread, and with pretty pale tomatoes (although this is not unique to this restaurant - I do not understand why so many places offer expensive dishes featuring tomatoes as a main component when they are tasteless and white in the fall/winter). I would not go back although the vibe and space had a lot of potential. To me it would be better to go hard core on really good pub type food or on really nicely presented fancier dishes...

I went with a friend, had reservations, was pretty early. We were well greeted. Food was good. Lots of fish and seafood , so if you are more a meat person, this might not be the place. The serving staff was eTing at the corner of the bar, the restaurant had been opened for at least an hour , so.i recommend you eat before you open. Waitress comes over takes or order. We go for drinks first. After 10 mins same waitress comes to see if we want to order food , we hadn't gotten or drinks yet. She said sorry, and went to try and make or drinks. Mine was a Ceasar , well she had no clue, tried looking for things, one other waitress tries to help. She even went to the bar tender, maybe a boss aswell. Any ways he helped her a little just to show her were some ingredients were, then sat back down, a little while later she finished my drink and star5wd the same thing for my friends drink. Same thing. Finally bartender got up and decided to help. Poor waitress she had no clue. I put this on the bartender or owner, it's called training . I even got up and went to get some Tabasco for my Ceasars, poor her didn't put any it it.

Rest of the evening went well. But the price on twist off wines is totally excessive. 60$ for a twist off...