O-Thym — Restaurant in Montreal

We spent 10 days traveling (and eating) through out Quebec and this restaurant was our favorite. All aspects (service, food, atmosphere) of this restaurant should receive 5 stars (save wine service since this is a BYOB). The servers were so friendly and informative. They were also very passionate about the food being served; knowing it and describing it perfectly. A friendly welcome often sets the tone for the whole experience and these folks win here. The atmosphere is energetic bistro with enough sound dampening to allow for a pleasant personal conversation. The food was to die for: exploding with the primary flavor of the dish yet complimented by herbs and spices. I had the sweetbreads as an appetizer. These were served with a light, slightly sweet sauce of fruit and maple and topped with coarsely prepared herbs that was so light yet exploded with flavored and textures. We also had a brilliant Halibut with black garlic and mango that was perfect for a warm summer night and delicately prepared. We trusted the chef so much we had creme brûlée and a trio of sorbets for dessert - things we would NEVER order in lesser hands -and they did not disappoint. The creme brûlée was rich and delicious and the brittle crust perfectly executed. My sorbets were anything but the usual; they expressed their flavored to a T: pear, fennel and blueberry. In addition there was an amuse bouche of gazpacho and an interlude of lime sherbet in vodka all part of a perfectly paced (2+ hour) meal. Add the fact that you can bring and have a wine you couldn't afford from most restaurant wine lists and you have an exceptional night out. This...

We were visiting Montreal from the USA. Husband had spent time in Quebec City, but not Montreal. We wanted to find a restaurant that served Quebec-sourced food and stumbled upon O'Thym.

This was THE best meals we had in Montreal! Amazing food! Great staff, too.

We started with local sodas. All were super tasty. Then we had the Asparagus dish. Husband really liked this one. Wife and child (11 yo) favored the Radish in brown butter dish - child sopped it all up with her bread.

For our main dishes we got the Duck, which was cooked two ways: grilled and sous vide. Both were fantastic! The meat was succulent and not too fatty, the sauces were perfectly balanced to accent the duck. The cauliflower puree was a surprising treat, as well. Next, we had the lamb (wife's favorite) with sweat peas, herbs butter, and kohlrabi. Amazing. Perfectly cooked. Last, we adventurously got the seal fritter with cucumber, cilantro, and dill. The seal was ground up and mixed with wild rice and fried. This is the first time any of us had seal and we didn't quite like it. The dish was delicious, but I think the "seal" part turned us off a bit.

I would not hesitate to recommend this place to anyone! We got a reservation on Sunday for a Monday evening sitting - no problem. Our child tried everything, but she was feeling adventurous. I can see some kids not wanting to try the food - but if they do, they'll love it. Menu was in French, but there was a QR code for an English version. We conversed with the staff in a mix of French and English, but the staff spoke English. Prices were great (but the USD-CAD exchange rate...

This was my first time to this venue, and I have to say it was a very enjoyable experience. Our server was very friendly and helpful, describing the dishes, in detail, as he delivered them. There was not a dud among any of our selections.

We started with the Bufflone Mozzarella, not something I would normally choose, but my host selected it, and it was fantastic. Fresh and bursting with flavor, I would order this anytime. We had it with the Scallops from Ile-De-La-Madeleine, which were also so fresh and well prepared. Next we had Dominc's lamb. I love lamb, and this version did not disappoint. Great to see that they prepared it rare, which to my taste, was spot on. It was so tender and moist, we should have ordered another serving.

My host finished the meal with the crème brûlée. I sampled it, and declared it another winner. Deliciously creamy with a crunchy crust, it had an interesting texture due to the addition of buckwheat. The venue, being a BYOB, made for an even better experience, as we could curate our own pairing by perusing the menu beforehand.

I will definitely add O'Thym to my Montréal dining roster. A most satisfying experience. My one criticism, was that service was a bit slow. However, the food was terrific, and that's what...