BISTRO LE SAM — Restaurant in Quebec

My wife and I dined at Le Sam Bistro last night. Our experience was very much a case of "Good News, Bad News". The bad news was that they lost our reservation. At first the hostess said there was no record of our reservation. But after we insisted that we had made the reservation a week before, over the phone, talking to a live person (i.e. not using an online reservation service), she then claimed our reservation had been cancelled -- and we must have cancelled it. But of course we hadn't. It became obvious that the hostess had no clue about the reservation system. To stop us from making a fuss, she offered us a table in a dark corner in the interior of the cafe with no view of anything, not in the balcony area with the spectacular view of the boardwalk terraces and St. Lawrence Seaway that we came for. When we requested a table in the balcony instead, she refused, saying all those tables were already reserved. By this time I was ready to leave, but my wife persuaded me to stay. However, as soon as we sat down and opened the menus we realized the table location was so dark that we literally could not read the menus.

At this point our server showed up. We asked her to see if the lights could be turned up in that part of the restaurant. She went over and talked to the hostess and a couple of other people and then returned and moved us to a table with good lighting and, while still in the interior of the cafe, it offered a little peek at the famous view through the doorway to the balcony.

Things improved after that. The server, Luana, was genuinely warm and friendly, very knowledgeable about the menu, wines, and cocktails, and supremely competent. She managed to salvage a pleasant experience from a disastrous beginning.

About the food... The cocktails were OK but outrageously expensive. The olive assortment appetizer was excellent. My wife had the vegetarian pasta for a main course and liked it, but did not find it exceptional. I had a braised lamb shank that was quite good. The glass of a red bordeaux that Luana recommended was a good pairing with the lamb, but dreadfully expensive. We skipped dessert. The meal was good, but not good enough to justify the prices, especially not without the view that we came for.

The hostess was unpleasant and incompetent. I noticed that two other parties that she seated at the table she initially gave us also got moved. There was no apparent reason why the hostess was putting people at that table -- there were plenty of other better tables available in the interior of the restaurant. Furthermore, throughout the time we were in the restaurant, we could see that 6-8 tables in the coveted balcony remained empty and available at all times.

Our server Luana was outstanding. If you decide to dine at Sam Bistro, ask for her by name. But if you can't get a table in the balcony, you will be better off going somewhere else where the quality of the cuisine is commensurate...

Bistro Le Sam is a hidden gem in Old Quebec that serves up some of the best French cuisine in the area. From the moment you step inside, you'll be transported to a charming Parisian bistro with its warm and cozy ambiance. The service is exceptional, with attentive staff that make you feel right at home.

The great view of the frozen Saint Lawrence River is just one of the many things that makes Bistro Le Sam a special dining destination. The snow-covered river stretching out as far as the eye can see is a stunning sight that adds an extra layer of charm to an already exceptional dining experience. As you enjoy your meal, take a moment to gaze out at the frozen river and take in the beauty of Old Quebec in the winter.

But what really sets Bistro Le Sam apart is the food. Every dish is executed to perfection, with a focus on traditional French cooking techniques and fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The menu features classic dishes like escargot, foie gras, and coq au vin, as well as innovative creations like the lobster risotto and duck confit poutine. Each dish is beautifully presented, and the flavors are simply exquisite.

One standout dish is the Chateau French onion soup, which is a comforting bowl of warm, rich broth and perfectly caramelized onions. The soup is topped with a generous layer of melted gruyere cheese, which adds a delicious nutty flavor to the dish. For the main course, I had the roasted cod with mini vegetables and yuzu beurre blanc. The cod was cooked to perfection, with a crispy exterior and tender, flaky flesh. The mini vegetables added a pop of color and freshness to the dish, and the yuzu beurre blanc provided a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that complemented the fish perfectly. It was a beautifully plated dish, and every element worked together harmoniously.

The service at Bistro Le Sam was impeccable, with friendly and attentive staff who were knowledgeable about the menu and offered excellent wine pairings. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with soft lighting and a cozy atmosphere that made me feel right at home.

Overall, I would highly recommend Bistro Le Sam to anyone looking for an outstanding French dining experience in Old Quebec. The Chateau French onion soup and roasted cod with mini vegetables and yuzu beurre blanc were both exceptional dishes that showcased the kitchen's talent for French cuisine. The great view of the frozen Saint Lawrence River, outstanding service, and warm ambiance make it an unforgettable...

Amazing French Bistro in Château Frontenac.

Chose to dine here during our recent hotel stay. Without any specific plans, we managed to snag a last-minute reservation for a table in the lounge area on a Saturday night. While the lounge didn't offer a view of the river, it compensated with a cozy ambiance, complete with plush couches that added to the comfortable setting.

We started off our meal with three outstanding appetizers: the Gaspesian Cake, Foie Gras Parfait, and Quebec Beef Tartare. The Quebec Beef Tartare was expertly seasoned, with a mild sweetness and a hint of mustard. The Gaspésian Cake, which I tried for the first time, was also very satisfying. It was somewhat denser than other cod cakes I've tried, yet retained a soft and pillowy texture. But the true highlight was undoubtedly the Foie Gras Parfait. Perched atop a soft, mildly sweet pastry, the creamy parfait blended exquisitely with it.

For the entrée, we opted for the Scallops and the Rack of Lamb. The scallops were beautifully complemented by the slight bitterness of braised endives, the rich sweetness of burnt pears, and the creaminess of Roquefort sauce. The inclusion of blood pudding was unconventional, but it proved to be a more interesting choice than the typical mashed potatoes. With a perfect amount of fat and a well-subdued lamb aroma, the Roasted Lamb was also amazing. The Herb Crust, although not a game-changer, contributed a pleasant crunch to each bite.

We also couldn’t resist getting the poutine. Elevated with pulled beef cheek toppings, the poutine was better than most poutines I’ve had in the past. Although the fries themselves were average, the combination of beef, pickles, cheese, and fries were addicting. As for the cocktails, they were a tad pricier compared to other Quebec restaurants, but they were great.

Overall, Le SAM Bistro went above and beyond our expectations in every aspect, from the attentive service to the exquisite food. It might lack the ambiance of a more 'local' restaurant, but if you’re looking for impeccable French food, I highly recommend...