Bistro Hortus — Restaurant in Quebec

The pinot noir was screw-cap, $14 for a small pour. Some gin cocktail had whole peppercorns in it, and became too spicy as they dissolved. The special appetizer single salmon sans-rice arancini was still frozen, and was kept on the tab after being returned. The smoked salmon was cooked perfectly, but the sauce was sour and the dish appeared to have no salt (there was no table salt). The burger was pre-formed, clean-tasting beef, ordered rare, served medium well, perhaps quarter-pound, and was unexpectedly plated with luke-warm dry unseasoned fries. They offered a dessert in place of the appetizer, which we declined on principal. We tipped ~20CAD, roughly 20%. We would not recommend. Table was for 2. Presentation was good. The line cooks and bartenders are beholden to the chef and other management, who are in turn likely beholden to hotel managers, none of whose jobs are easy. Waitress and host were pleasant, though the staffmember who gave us our food wasn't in the best of ways, whom I hope things do turn around for. The manager rebuffed the waitress when the waitress inquired about the frozen sans-rice salmon arancini seasonal 'inspiration', which is how I know the waitstaff simply takes it on the chin for higher-ups. Pretty furnishings, nice atmosphere. It's a shame that this industry is so challenging, while government leeches a block away mulct these dedicated taxpayers to shuffle papers, doll out fines, get paid holidays, take vacations, work hybrid, get sick leave, soak up disability and pensions, and all the while get paid at present more than hard-working service industry staff. I hope, in the future, I will have another night in Quebec City to experience the cuisine so many others have spoken highly of. It would have been better to eat dinner at the creperie up the block, instead of grabbing a late reservation, simply because the first restaurant we walked into (Chez Temporel) was booked out. Pub St. Alexandre had a nice live guitarist and filling looking burgers, which we left for Bistro, but definitely should have gotten one of those burgers, instead. Bistro Horrus feels like buying something at Nordstrom, just to find something way better at TJ Maxx in...

A very unique and special dinner in Quebec City. The Bistro Hortus prides itself on locally sourced ingredients and a menu that is exclusively crafted around both Gluten Free and Nut Free .

We had made reservations weeks in advance as I had heard it gets very busy and reservations are highly recommended.

Upon arrival we were greeted and immediately shown to our table . Our waitress explained the philosophy of the restaurant and took our ordered . Cocktails included locally sourced ingredients and local artisanal gin. Both delicious .

Appetizer we got a fresh goat cheese platter with GF crackers and grilled zucchini. Honey drizzled over goat cheese is their own harvest. Great combination of flavors .

Main dishes we got a vegetarian dish with Beluga lentils , smoked tofu and roasted squash. Truly special dish packed with flavor and good healthy fiber . Also as a main the organically raised chicken was juicy and well seasoned . Accompanied by an array of vegetables including beets , carrots and sweet potatoes with a homemade BBQ sauce that had hints of honey . Definitely a memorable plate .

The entire desert menu is also Gluten Free which is often a rarity at restaurants. We tried the pudding Chomeur which is a moist cake soaked in a hot caramel sauce that soaks up into the cake . On top of that was an organic maple syrup ice cream that tied everything together . Warm cake and ice cream : a dream of flavors .

The staff was great . Fast and accommodating by explaining the menu and making recommendations.

You can tell the owners take pride in this farm to table plus locally sourced ingredients restaurant .

Great job to the team of...

A Tale of Two Dinners We had dinner here twice. The person greeting you at the door is consistently warm and engaging but that was where the similarities ended. The first night we were delighted to discover that most everything on the menu is gluten free and celiac safe. It’s always a relief to find a dedicated gluten free restaurant. Our server was attentive and helpful navigating the menu. Cocktails were interesting and the appetizers were wonderful. The onion soup in particular was rich and delicious. The burger was fantastic and the gluten free bun had a fantastic brioche like texture. The vegetable soup was innovative and delighted a 10 year old. The meal was memorable enough that we decided to return. Unfortunately our follow up dinner was a mirror image of the first. Our server was inattentive and largely absent. When she brought us a ketchup that had been mostly used by someone else there was no apology, she just shrugged it off. The same onion soup was incredibly salty and barely warm enough to soften the cheese. Never having had poutine I decided to try their spin on the dish with duck a l’orange poutine. It was far too sweet to enjoy and again not warm enough for the cheese to melt. The care and attention paid to our previous meal was out the window and we left feeling that we had paid a lot for second rate food and...