Le Passé Composé — Restaurant in Montreal

I’ve known Le Passé Composé for many years now , back when it was still located in the Village. Since then, they’ve closed that original location and reopened closer to Old Port / Griffintown. The new space is absolutely beautiful, elegant, bright, and divided between a restaurant and a coffee shop. Visually, both sides are stunning and give off the same chic, contemporary energy.

I’ll start with the restaurant side: I’ve never had a bad experience there. The food is rich, beautifully presented, and genuinely satisfying. Portions are massive, like, seriously, it’s a challenge to finish a plate. The dishes lean on the heavier side, so come hungry. Quality-wise, it’s hard to complain. Everything I’ve tried has been fresh, well-executed, and worth the trip. The drinks, however, are a different story... expensive to the point where it becomes hard to justify. I get that you’re paying for the space and vibe too, but at a certain point, it does start to feel like you’re paying a premium just because they can get away with it.

Now, the coffee shop side is where the experience gets tricky. I go there fairly often, mostly because my office is right around the corner, and for the most part, it’s a good lunch spot, the food is tasty, the menu is simple but solid, and the ambiance is pleasant. But the inconsistency in service is real. When it’s good, it’s efficient and enjoyable. When it’s bad, it’s frustratingly bad.

Case in point: one particularly disappointing lunch visit with four of my colleagues. We arrived early, the place was nearly empty, just one table ahead of us. Yet, we ended up waiting over an hour for basic café-style meals. The two staff behind the counter were still preparing food for the first table, and while I get that fresh prep takes time, this was excessive. Our table grew increasingly frustrated. One colleague cancelled his food entirely. Two had to leave for meetings and took their meals to go. Another one left me behind to collect his meal because it still wasn’t ready. Meanwhile, the manager was visibly present, he saw the situation unfold, saw the stress building, and… did nothing. No apology, no gesture, not even a coffee offered for the inconvenience. Just business as usual.

And that’s the real shame, because the food itself? Genuinely great. Well-made, flavourful, and clearly crafted with care. But when the service collapses like that and more importantly, when no one takes responsibility for it, it undercuts everything else the place is trying to be. Especially when you’re paying $15–16 for a sandwich in the café alone (don’t even get me started on the restaurant prices), you expect the full experience, not just nice plating.

The core issue seems to be staffing. The team is stretched too thin to handle both volume and quality service, particularly during peak hours. It’s not a question of effort, the staff do their best, but management really needs to address capacity if they want to maintain the standard they’ve set visually and culinarily.

So in short: Le Passé Composé is full of potential. The food is great. The space is beautiful. But the inconsistency in service, especially on the café side, holds it back. If they can sort that out, they’d have something truly special...

On Sunday June 17th we 'popped' by seeking a table for two only to be told they were fully booked for brunch. It made sense being f1 weekend so we walked literally across the square to Melisse and had a wonderful brunch with fantastic service. I could see the patio from where we sat and saw empty tables so out of curiosity I had a look at their reservations and there was a reservation time slot available 15 after we were there ... hmmm 🧐. Ok, so I made a reservation for the next day as it looked upscale, and the food we saw at tables looked delightful, not to mention the menu was appealing. We show up on Monday, and the rest is a disaster. 15 - 20 min for the server to take our order, he struggled to take her drink order asking to see the "price" on the menu. My partner got her food 45 min after ordering (and the poor thing kept waiting for me despite me telling her to continue to enjoy her food). 55min pass, and I try to get the waiters attention, and he asks me if I wanted my bill!! I said I hadn't even had my food yet. He mumbles angrily in French and walks away before I even finish asking my question. 10 min later, my food arrives more than an hour after orderinf and 20 min after my partners food arrived. I kindly mention that I'm fully aware restaurants can be busy and things happen, but he didn't have any courtesy to come to our table and check on us nor fill glasses of water. He literally walked away halfway through me, explaining myself and just said "sorry." It was so bad that a few min later, he came back with the bill, no water refill or asking if we wanted anything else! I literally had to get up, walk to the bar, and asked the Barista if I could help myself to a jug of water, which I did. The waiter intercepted me halfway back to the table and began a tug of war in public view, attempting to" be of service." It was highly embarrassing. The food looked lovely and probably tasted just as amazing, but the vibe and treatment were abysmal, which took away completely from the experience. I would never go back! I said to the waiter as we left that we've been treated with nothing but kindness everywhere, and today was our worst experience in what looks to be a wonderful establishment. He begrudgingly said sorry and kept on with his other tables. It truly made me appreciate the service a day before at Melisse. For the price and offerings, the food may very well be GREAT. The service was ABYSMAL. The waiter was a bald, middle aged Caucasian male who may wish to reconsider whether the service industry is a good fit for his...

A Culinary Delight: A Restaurant Worth Savoring

I recently had the pleasure of dining at a hidden gem of a restaurant, and I can confidently say that it exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I stepped inside, I was enveloped in an ambiance that was both inviting and sophisticated, setting the stage for an unforgettable dining experience. With amazing food, exceptional service, and copious plates, this restaurant has truly left a lasting impression on me.

Let's start with the food, which was nothing short of exceptional. Each dish showcased a harmonious blend of flavors, artfully presented on the plate. From the first bite to the last, my taste buds were taken on an extraordinary journey. The menu boasted a diverse range of options, catering to various palates and dietary preferences. Whether you're a meat lover, a seafood enthusiast, or a dedicated vegetarian, this restaurant has something to please everyone. The attention to detail in the preparation and presentation of each dish was evident, and it is clear that the culinary team takes immense pride in their craft.

What truly elevated my dining experience was the outstanding service provided by the restaurant staff. The waitress we had, was incredibly attentive, ensuring that every need was met and every question answered. Her knowledge of the menu was impressive, and she was more than happy to provide recommendations based on personal preferences. Her passion for her work was palpable, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the overall experience.

One aspect that stood out to me was the generosity of portion sizes. The plates were copious, making sure that no one left the table feeling hungry. It was a pleasant surprise to see that the restaurant values providing an ample amount of delicious food to their patrons. It's worth mentioning that despite the generous portions, the quality and attention to detail in the presentation were not compromised. Each plate was a work of art that satisfied both the eyes and the palate.

In conclusion, my dining experience at this restaurant was truly remarkable. The amazing food, impeccable service, and copious plates left me in awe. If you're searching for a culinary adventure that goes beyond the ordinary, I highly recommend visiting this hidden gem. Prepare to be dazzled by the flavors, pampered by the attentive staff, and satiated by the generous portions. Trust me, this is a restaurant you won't...