Sabayon — Restaurant in Montreal

After months of trying to secure a reservation, we finally had the pleasure of dining at Sabayon — and it was more than worth the wait.

My wife and I visited with another couple, and from the moment we arrived, we knew we were in for something special. Chef Patrice addressed my friend’s allergies with impressive attention to detail. The care he took in crafting each dish was evident, and his ability to adapt the tasting menu without compromising flavour or creativity was masterful.

We had the tasting menu and opted for wine pairings, and the experience was nothing short of exceptional. Patrice presented each course, proudly highlighting the use of local, seasonal ingredients, which added a meaningful layer to the story behind each plate. Every dish was beautifully balanced, inventive, and absolutely delicious.

Equally commendable was Marie-Josée, who guided us through the wine pairings with passion and precision. Her selections not only complemented each course perfectly but also reflected the same local-first philosophy that made the entire meal feel deeply connected to its place.

The harmony between kitchen and cellar, between chef and sommelier, made this evening unforgettable. Sabayon is not just a restaurant — it’s an experience, and one we can't...

I wanted to like Sabayon more than I actually did. Especially since you have to book one of their 14 spots a month ahead of time. Even more because I LOVED the bakery they had years ago. So when we arrived to this intimate restaurant, after looking forward to this reservation for a month, I was really excited.

The food was good - some courses (the mushroom broth and foie starter) were better than others (the beef cheeks that seemed reminiscent of dishes I’ve had many times before), and the back to back ice cream desserts, and a chocolate covered ice cream to finish, was just one too many cold desserts for me.

The thing I both appreciated at the beginning but saw its detriment toward the end of the meal was this: Sabayon is run only by two people, that’s it. So while it’s an incredible feat - not easy by any means - it did mean that the service dragged on just a little longer than we liked. We had to wait on 12 other people we were not dining with to finish so that we could all move on to the next course.

What that meant was that we were too tired, and full by the last savoury course to really want, much less enjoy the...

Enjoyed a truly exquisite meal starting with some delightful amuse-bouche, followed by asparagus with smoked eel, calamondin. Then came the incredible lobster with morel mushrooms, white asparagus, and fresh herbs, which was absolutely delicious. Next was Arctic char with caramelized onion and mushrooms, followed by grilled mushrooms with arlette, sabayon, and celeriac. For dessert, I had rhubarb granite with whipped cream, roasted almonds, and edible flowers, then chocolate mousse with pecans and wild caraway, finishing with mignardises. Each dish was a work of art, especially that lobster... it was incredible!

That Michelin star is well deserved. We'll be back for the...