Café De Paris — Restaurant in Quebec

The worst meal I have had in more than a decade. BUT, the bizarre experience almost made it worthwhile.

The first half of the show featured a set dressed, diners cast, and script written by Wes Anderson. The scenery was amazing; dozens of plastic plants adorning the ceiling, bad reproductions of anonymous artwork, pastel plaid checked tablecloths (napkins on demand), and a young guitar player singing Richie Valens’ “Oh Donna”; we should have known something was disfunctionally amiss. The couple sitting to my right left abruptly after their appetizers, and the next couple to be seated left before even a drink with the husband declaring “I’ve had enough. We’re out of here.” (How you can have enough before you’ve had any?)

We asked about beer on tap and were recited a list of hair colors rather than brands: ‘blonde, red, brown, and black.’ Tackling the 100 item menu (another clue to what was to come) came next, followed by choosing a wine from a second menu, the frayed, threaded edges of which had, for all intents and purposes, stitched together the pages and I had to peer in through the upper right hand corner. The disinterested server, without making eye contact, stood next to our table for several moments before taking notice of our presence and taking our order, perhaps captivated by the music.

But still, we stayed. Next to come was a bread basket which was whisked away faster than it arrived and given to another table. Apparently, the service was just too fast and ours to keep came awhile later, needing time to get stale in the kitchen and reset our expectations. My scallop appetizer came eventually, with four microscopic mollusks in a thin white broth, promoted as a creamy leek sauce. My scampi arrived, too; six small prawns on half shells atop a large pile of rice – I expended more calories getting them out of their exoskeletons than I consumed in the two days we were there. But the capper was my wife’s boeuf bourguignon, a dish that had never heard of Julia Child. When the maitre d’ asked why she didn’t eat it, we told him the meat was tough and inedible and were proudly told that the dish was made intentionally that way: ‘boeuf bourguignon is made with the toughest cuts of meat.’ What idiots we were for not knowing!

As if this were the end, Mr. Anderson relinquished the director’s chair to Federico Fellini for the finale. The wandering minstrel returned from parts of the restaurant unknown with renditions of John Denver’s Take Me Home, Country Roads and John Lennon’s Imagine. To our amazement, the four Korean couples sitting to my left – who had been chatting away in their native language throughout – exploded into song and phonetically accompanied our young balladeer, word for word. Only Federico could have envisioned this as the ending for our meal.

But alas, Mr. Felini was not done with us yet. We emerged from the restaurant into a gusher of a rainstorm and engaged in a 20 minute search for an open gelato store only to end up back in the hotel, sitting on the bed, with a disappointing pint of chocolate Häagen-Dazs and two...

While walking around Quebec, we kept looking at menus posted outside some of the restaurants before coming to this Cafe. The menu looked like a good selection of items, both regular fare and fancier food. I joked earlier about eating some "Frenchie-food", or some local Quebecian dishes. So, we went in. I liked the feel of it immediately, and the host was quick to greet us and seat us. There was a guy singing and playing guitar, both French language and American rock standards. He was very good, and entertaining. Service is by committee here, so someone is always coming by making sure you have water or if you need another drink. I had a red ale. For appetizers, I wanted to try the Soupe aux Pois Canadienne (Canadian Pea Soup), which gave me my local food. We also ordered Courgettes Gratinees (Baked Zucchini with cheese and tomato sauce). For my main entree, I chose Beef Bourguignon. My travel girl chose from the Prix Fixe menu, Puff Pastry with tomato and basil app and Quebec Pork Chop in maple sauce for a main. Comes with dessert. Which was pie and chocolate sauce. THE FOOD: The pea soup was delicious. Not creamy like American pea soup. This was pea heaven, wonderful in its simplicity. The Baked zucchini was also fantastic. Tons of flavor in a great rich tomato sauce and cheese bake to perfection. This was the first time I've had Beef Bourguignon and I gotta say, it was superb. The sauce was rich and savory, thick with flavor and just made the meat even better. It came with baby carrots, French beans and red potatoes. All were delicious. Travel girl's puff pastry was light and airy with great tomato and basil flavor. The Quebec Pork chop was done perfectly, moist and tasty. Pie good. We were not in a rush and the restaurant was 3/4 full, so food was slow coming out, but we didn't mind. It was a great atmosphere and a beautiful day. Service was sooo excellent. We were made to feel like regular customers,...

So disappointed ... It was the birthday of the friends and we decided to stop at this restaurant even if the prices are a bit steep but why not. So I have ordered a marinated bavette steak rare . Finally got it after maybe 45 minutes + I check out the veggies , just to say that to cut the carrot I had to use my steak knife... The steak must of weighed about 3 onces less than half the size of my palm but was cooked to the right degree and it seemed tender, but that was an illusion, of course the marinade made the meat juicier but once I've taken a bite it was real chewy average of about 20 chews per bite I'm not exaggerating here , even if I was very disappointed I asked around , we where 6 at the table and every one .. no not every one because one took mussels how can you go wrong cooking mussels but anyways the 4 others could not believe what they where served, the rabbit was only bones, the type of serving that you would make a soup with.... anyways overrated, arrogant server, etc... And I was nice to them imagine.... we had dessert so I asked, are the dessert made here, he said yes everything is made here well let me tell you that I ordered apple pie and I was served a commercial pie and that I'm sure of was made commercially with all the thickeners and acids to keep it fresh the coffee I must add was burned and diluted wit water... All this seemed like a joke but it was no joke especially when I got the bill. Go there if you have money to waste but you won't impress any of your friends bringing them there that is for sure. I think only once I was just as disappointed in my life on a meal...