Le Pois Penche — Restaurant in Montreal

No doubt the food here is excellent: the oysters were perfectly complemented by the mignonette, scallops with sea urchin emulsion was buttery and luscious, and the confit canard was crispy while still being fall off the bone. We went on New Year's Day evening and these were standout dishes that we would definitely come back for.

However, the cocktails and more importantly, the service was really where they dropped the ball. The cocktails were too dilute, like they were overmixed or otherwise let to stand too long so the ice has melted significantly and made them too watery. Our server was friendly enough, and he started us off well with a warm welcome, the menus, and specials. After that, he appeared to ignore our table for pretty much the whole meal.

Different servers brought us water, wine, and our food while he was preoccupied with other tables. We thought it was because we were a party of two and he was just busy with the bigger tables he had, but then we noticed he was more attentive of other tables with parties of two (for example, two other couples were seated after us, and they received their bread and butter without asking within minutes of being seated, whereas we waited around 30 minutes for bread service and had to ask the server that brought our wine for it--it came just as our appetizer was dropped).

Throughout our mains, we did not get so much as a check-in, a re-pour of wine, or a top-up of water. We were not asked if we wanted to order more wine while the couples beside us and the family behind us got multiple check-ins. When our dessert came, we also didn't get a check-in. When we asked for the bill, it took close to ten minutes to get it while he was attending to other tables, topping up their wines and waters.

Overall, it was a pretty disappointing service experience especially since we were visiting the city and were really excited to try out the restaurant. We were at a loss as to why it went downhill so quickly while others appeared to have decent service. Was it because we are a queer couple that did not speak French? The place was busy but it didn't feel slammed to warrant how we were neglected. Either way, the food was quite impressive but we would be wary of returning because of the service especially with the amount we spent (and we could have...

I had an extremely unpleasant experience at this restaurant early this year in January. I went in with my mother and sister, have in mind that my mother was visiting and that we are BLACK. We were waiting for the food which came without the breads and different jelly like just a week or so before (when I was there with a group of WHITE friend). So I asked then the waiter to bring the breads and jelly and said that we have been waiting for them for a moment. He went away and then come back saying that the MANAGER will personally come to the table. At the time I felt flattered by the gesture, thinking perhaps he was coming in person since we waited a long time for them. He came giving us one of the WORST EXPERIENCE I been through at a restaurant in Montreal. He came with the breads with a very condescending attitude and with a displeased tone put them on the table without manner and said “it’s not free, you have to pay for it” without living me the time to comeback to the shock of this interaction he added while looking at us “but I will give it to you for free”. Still this day I have trouble swallowing this scene with my mother at the table. After that the waiter came asking if everything was alright, I told him no and to take the breads and jelly away as we couldn’t even looked at it. I clearly told him “I didn’t like the way it was giving to us”, he went back with it and I nothing, still we left nobody came to the table except for the bill. To the Manager of this restaurant: WE DO NOT NEED CHARITY NOT WE WERE EXPECTING IT. WE DIDN’T came in there looking for a free bread and you RUINED my MOTHER EXPERIENCE. Nonetheless to say I STRONGLY THINK WE WERE TREATED LIKE THAT BECAUSE OF HOW WE LOOKED. So if you are a group of BLACK PEOPLE steer away from this restaurant and as far as I am concerned you have seen the last of me or any member...

Out of all the restaurants I've visited over the years in Canada, Le Pois Penche is by far the One to Rule them all in my experience. Situated directly under Hôtel Chez Swan, the clear and soothing music that flows gently through folding glass patio doors that open up to the posh upscale interior of the restaurant. Having made a reservation a few days earlier, we were quickly assisted in Anglais, as conversational french is not a strength I have in my bag of tricks. Once we had chosen our preferred seating, we were quickly greeted by who we believe was the manager of the establishment(he wore a tan suit) who welcome us, chatted with us a small bit, and then took our order when ready. A reisling wine, decently priced, atlantic salmon with butternut squash spaghetti, and a medium rare steak with salad was what we ordered. Within 10 to 15 minutes we were brought the wine AND the food immediately. The bustle of the crowds walking past the tables, the kumquat trees lining each patio space, and the wonderful vocalist serenading us with Frank Sinatra as we ate was by far one of the most memorable and enjoyable experiences at a restaurant that I've had. It is well worth the price of the entire meal. The quality of food was very high and there was nothing on either plate left untouched. Even the remaining sauce was mopped up by the delicious basket of bread placed on our table. I would recommend that if you are coming to Montreal, make absolutely sure you reserve time to eat and enjoy at Le Pois Penche. You will not regret it.

P.s. the logo was very, umm, unique. My partner and I were very...