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L'Express Montréal Reviews
Perfect meal
Absolutely delicious. First meal of my visit. I had tomato and burrata. Then had the duck confit and that was absolutely perfection. My le flottante au caramel was also delicious, would have been perfect to share.
Feels like Paris—except they are too nice
Reserve early for this in-demand restaurant especially for parties of two or you will be seated at the bar—which may be just fine. The food—no matter what you choose—is superb. Over the years we have tried most of the menu. The staff is utterly professional, highly competent, attentive, and exceptionally nice. We would have felt like we were in Paris if they had not been so nice! The very handsome maitre d’ (on July 6, 2024) was competent but needs to borrow the “nice” page from his colleagues the servers. Note this is a small restaurant with fairly tight spaces between tables. While we did not feel a lack of privacy, if you need a lot of room, this is not the place for you.
Pleasant dinner with no real highs and a big miss
Went for a late afternoon/early dinner and was pleased to be seated immediately as evening reservations were completely unavailable. Our service was attentive and friendly. We enjoyed the complementary pickles but were disappointed in the cold bread and bland butter. While the gazpacho was perfect, my arctic char was on the chewy side, and we all agreed the ravioli was a complete miss both in filling and gravy. We finished with creme brulee and lemon sorbet to end on a positive note. Pleasant atmosphere surrounded by restaurant team photos through the years gave a classic vibe.
The bistro that time forgot where the quality of the cuisine is matched to the service
Started off with a perfectly made vodka martini which turned out to be the most excellent paring with the home made gherkins, couldn’t stop eating them all night long. Almost ate an entire jar between the two of us. Best table service of any non- Michelin starred restaurant. It’s a real bistro so the table was covered in a sheet of paper.Everything from the cutlery to the temperature of the wine to the execution of the cocktails was perfect. The food: get the Rillette. Most authentic, tastiest, satisfying meal I’ve had out in years. The wine list is incredible and very reasonably priced. I was there with a friend and we had multiple courses which required changing from red (for the marrow bones) to white so we went with wine by the glass. Medium sized glasses but the pours were wonderfully generous. The staff were never in your face but super attentive anticipating your every need, noise level was never overwhelming despite the restaurant being nearly packed at prime time, 10:30 on a Saturday night. Love that they are open until 2am. So, please go to this bistro but for goodness sake, don’t tell anyone about it! We don’t want to spoil this gem of a place.
L’Express - Iconic For A Reason
At first, I thought L’Express was a tourist trap, but was I wrong. Packed at 2:00 on a blistering hot Tuesday in the middle of June, L’Express would feel comfortable in any arrondissement in Paris. We settled in at the expansive bar, ordered wine and a cocktail, and didn’t miss Paris at all. Romanik took great care of us, and his graciousness was welcome after the often self entitled servers in the United States. Maybe Canada’s universal health care has something to do with that. The menu covers every classic French dish, and we ordered calves liver with frites and Duck Confit for nostalgia’s sake. Ooh La La. They were both fantastic. Our late lunch was long and so relaxing. Regrettably, we left the AC of L’Express to take a stroll in 93 degree heat. Mistake. We should have stayed at L’Express and ordered dessert.
Good food and nice staff
The restaurant was an overall pleasant experience. It has a positive ambiance. The hanger steak and shrimp cocktail were delicious. Yves was an attendant waiter. The maiter d was very professional and helped us get a cab after dinner. The facility is a bit older and somewhat noisy.
Just wow!
We had a family dinner at this restaurant as we stayed in Montreal. The atmosphere is casual but with fine dining flavor. The service is very friendly and quick. The menu has great french cuisine options. Each of us tried different dishes. They all were presented delicately and tasted great. Highly recommend
Genre-Defining Staple
If anyone were to ask me to define a bistro, it’d be easier to just bring them here. Well-worn but clean, cramped space. Professional, efficient service. Fairly expected menu executed just about perfectly Of note. This is the cheapest place to drink great wine in Montreal. Established collectible names at very fair prices You get a huge jar of pickles and mustard when you order w a simple baguette (no heirloom grains, no sourdough, just a good baguette). Definitely get a rillettes or tartare to start. Octopus w piperade was wonderful Hanger steak w fries. Fries are excellent Poached salmon w chervil. Excellent salmon cook and a decent chervil mashed potato. Duck confit. Decent execution of a classic bistro dish. I wish I worked in this neighborhood so I could come for lunch twice a month Worth noting the neighboring cafe is garbage and you’d do better to stay at l’express for an espresso and profiteroles than going elsewhere.
Typical French bistro experience
Everything reminds you of a typical French bistro. Needless to say our waiter was outstanding. Because they had a delay in the dessert, they had it on the house…this is the kind of treatment that says a lot about the place. My tartare was excellent and everyone enjoyed their meal. Every dish was predictable which the only negative as I would have liked a little bit of a twist.
A truly French dining experience from the 1980's, warts and all
I was very fortunate to secure a last minute spot at the counter at L'Express which has garnered fame from many a chef, food critics, and TV personalities. A Montreal institution, it has been recommended as one of THE places to go to for quintessential French bistro fare this side of the Atlantic (in Canada at least). As a prior Montreal native when I was a student many years ago, I had always wished for the opportunity to pay L'Express a visit and see what had and has given it such enduring staying power. So when I was able to get a spot during my short stay in Montreal, I eagerly anticipated what would be the cherry on top to close out a wonderfully pleasant and charming little holiday. Upon arriving, I told the maître d'hôtel that I'd made a reservation for the counter. He brought me to the half empty bar seating, where there was one Asian diner sitting right in the middle of. Of the three open seats on either side of her, the maître d'hôtel glanced at the empty seats for a split second and decided to seat me right next to her. Initially it set off a small red flag, was I being seated next to her because I looked Asian? Did he think she needed the company of someone who looked to be of the same ethnicity as her? I brushed it off, thinking that perhaps there was some other logical reason and decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. After being attended to by the polite but curt main waiter behind the counter, I decided to ask him if I could just shift over one seat as no one had come to fill it in the 15 minutes since the first service began. Without a smile or any effort to accommodate my request, he told me that no, I could not because it was reserved for another party. At the same time, another single diner came in who was seated in the middle of the three available seats to the left of the other Asian diner. She had an empty seat on both sides of her. And she was white. I started to pay more attention to how my fellow Asian diner was being served, and noted that the waiter barely spoke a word to her, except to ask her what dessert she wanted. He took her empty plate from her without asking if she was done, unceremoniously and wordlessly plopped the dessert menu in front of her and went about waiting on the rest of the guests at the counter. With the other guests he was a little bit more chatty, although he did stop short of being warm or friendly. A couple did end up being seated in the two empty seats next to me near the end of my meal. But this still didn't explain why I couldn't be moved over to the far seat, still allowing said couple to sit between the other Asian diner and myself. I also wasn't a walk-in and had made a reservation at around 12PM that day. If the maître d'hôtel was as experienced as he appeared, he could've easily figured out a way to accommodate my request to switch seats while still allowing the subsequent reservations to be seated appropriately. And if the couple who arrived later had had a reservation, the waiter could've offered me to switch seats until the time they were scheduled to arrive. Ultimately, there was no logical reason as to why my request to move seats was denied, except because of some subconscious (or conscious) bias. As a frequent traveler and someone who's lived in Paris, I've experienced the kind of French service that many foreigners complain about. While servers in France can be infamously brusque and inattentive, they're typically brusque and inattentive to everyone, with no exceptions. As no stranger to true French service, my experience at L'Express couldn't just be chalked up to "just typical French service", unless the Montreal variety means that it's delivered with a generous dollop of racial discrimination. I was also keenly aware of the "rules". I understood that there is a no cellphone rule, and never laid my phone on the counter once during my meal. I dressed more formally than half the restaurant, didn't smell, and was properly groomed. I didn't make any disgruntled comments. I didn't skimp on my order, ordering wine pairings with each of my courses. I didn't make a scene or complain. I even tipped them, but it was only so I didn't deprive the only waitress who actually provided good service of her well deserved tip. Oh and I almost forgot about the food. I had the Duck Confit, which was good and generously portioned but nothing to write home about. The wine list is also one of the better ones I've seen. But if you're looking for a classic French dining experience in Montreal, you can do much better at one of the many other French restaurants in the city. Even if they gave me free meals for life, I would never step foot there again. For a restaurant as old as L'Express, one could expect a degree of degradation in either food or service. But ironically, it may be the restaurant staff's (hopefully unconscious?) clinging to rigid cultural beliefs and conservative mentalities that completely overshadowed what could have been a wonderful parting memory to end my Montreal visit. Reputation can only get a restaurant so far and to have to grit my teeth and bear such an uncomfortable and upsetting dinner because of racial prejudice is unacceptable and inexcusable. It was unacceptable then in 1980 and even more so now in 2022.
Shame on L'Express!
Shame on L’Express! (French review below) L’Express is known as an ‘institution’ in Montreal. But BEWARE: it is not an inclusive, friendly place. I wanted to spend a lovely evening with friends while on a trip to Montreal in early November. I have a digestive disability, which means that I cannot eat food I do not prepare myself without risking hospitalization. We always call up to book in restaurants and explain that I must bring my own meal and am happy to pay a cover charge. In the three years since we’ve been doing this, no restaurant has ever objected. When booking at L’Express, the person told us that she’d never come across such a request but took the reservation saying that we’d hear back on email if there was a problem. No such email was ever received. The only email we received was to confirm the reservation the day before the booking. We therefore assumed that all was well. We arrived at the restaurant and were seated. When the waiter appeared, we explained that I was the person with dietary restrictions who had brought their own meal. He looked surprised, we explained what had been agreed when we reserved, and he disappeared to speak to the Maître D. After much to-ing and fro-ing between waiter, Maître D and us, they eventually said that they’d ‘make an exception’, only to return a few minutes later to declare that they cannot accommodate our request which was simply to supply a bowl and a plate. They offered no explanation. Then they had the audacity to ask if we would still like to stay. We said no; they offered little apology and no compensation, such as paying for the aperitifs that our friends who arrived before us had ordered. My partner, who speaks French, had to request that they cover our friends’ aperitifs, which they did. Overall, their behaviour around what should have been a minor issue was discourteous, condescending and humiliating. Imagine if you had a disability and you were made to feel guilty for it, to apologise for it, and to be refused minor reasonable accommodation for it? That’s what they did to me. They also cancelled our reservation on their booking system, making it impossible for us to leave a review of our experience on their website. This is not a socially inclusive place, nor does it act in the spirit of the laws protecting people with disabilities in Quebec and Canada, including invisible disabilities such as digestive disabilities. Shame on L’Express! * * * Honte à L’Express! L’Express est une ‘institution’ à Montréal. Mais attention : ce n’est pas un lieu inclusif ni aimable. J’ai voulu passé une belle soirée entre amies alors que je visitais Montréal au début de novembre. J’ai un handicap digestif, qui signifie que je ne mange que ce que je prépare moi-même sinon je risque l’hospitalisation. Nous appelons toujours les restaurants à l’avance expliquant ma situation et demandant si je peux apporter mon propre repas, et nous offrons toujours de payer un frais de service. Depuis trois ans que nous avons commencé cette pratique, aucun restaurant nous a refusé, ou même demandé de payer un frais de service. Lorsque nous avons réservé à L’Express, la personne nous a dit n’avoir jamais reçu une telle demande mais a accepté notre réservation nous disant que le restaurant communiquera avec nous par courriel s’il y a un problème. Nous n’avons jamais reçu in tel courriel; seulement un courriel la veille de la réservation pour la confirmer. Nous avons donc conclu que tout était beau. Nous sommes arrivées au restaurant et on nous a mené à notre table. Quand le serveur s’est présenté, nous avons noté que je suis la personne qui a apporté son repas. Surpris, et après notre explication de la réservation, le serveur est disparu consulté la Maître D. Après plusieurs aller-retour entre serveur, Maître D et nous, ils ont enfin dit qu’ils ‘feraient une exception’ ce soir. Mais quelques minutes plus tard, ils nous apprennent qu’il ne peuvent pas accommoder ma simple demande d’un bol et une assiette. Ils ne nous ont offert aucune explication. Et ils ont eu le culot de nous demander si on voulait rester. Nour avons refusé; ils nous ont offert peu d’excuses et aucun compensation, tel qu’offrir les apéritifs que nos amies, arrivées avant nous, avaient commandés. C’est seulement lorsque ma conjointe leur a demandé de payer pour les apéros qu’ils ont accepté. Somme toute, leur comportement autour de ce qui n’était qu’une requête mineure était impoli, condescendant, et humiliant. Imaginez que vous avez un handicap et qu’on vous fasse sentir coupable, obligé de vous excuser, et qu’on vous refuse de vous offrir un accommodement raisonnable mineur? C’est ce qu’ils ont fait à mon égard, alors que je ne voulais que passer une soirée entre amies. Ils ont également annulé notre réservation, ce qui veux dire qu’on ne peut pas laisser de commentaire sur leur système. L’Express n’est pas un lieu socialement inclusif et n’honore pas l’esprit des lois québécoise et canadienne pour la protection de personnes handicapées, incluant les handicaps invisibles comme les handicaps digestifs. Honte à L’Express!
Great vibe but disappointed in the menu
Going to L’express is a tradition for us when we are in Montreal. We got a table around 10pm and it was busy as ever. Very lively vibe and we ended up talking with a nice elderly couple at the next table, which is easy as the tables are all close together. Service was good, but the menu has changed since our last visit pre Covid. Gone were some of the classic bistro items that we liked and were looking forward to. But they still bring a jar of mini pickles (cornichons)! Didn’t enjoy the food as much.
Fantastic French bistro dining experience! So worth it!
Wonderful French bistro dining experience in this long-standing Montreal establishment. Love the black-and-white checkered tile floor and the elegant black and white framed photos on the wall. It didn't bother us but please keep in mind of its tightly-spaced seating. The wait staff was very professional, friendly, attentive and answered all our inquiries on the menu and checked on us during our lunch meal (not intrusive, just the right amount). The waiter introduced to us a lovely, light, local Vin léger aromatisé àla pomme (light apple flavored wine), which we were told is not available at local SAQ. We ordered the following: Appetizers: -Celeri remoulade (Celery remoulade), -Mousse de foies de volaille aux pistaches (Chicken liver pâte with pistachios) and --Pieuvre grillee (Grilled octopus). We found the Romesco-like sauce was too salty. Main dishes -Cuisse de canard confite (Confit duck leg) and -Onglet beurre echalote - frites (Hanger steak with shallot butter and fries) Desserts -profiteroles à l'érable (Maple profiteroles) -tartelette citron, ganache au chocolat blanc (Lemon tart with white chocolate ganache) -tarte au chocolat (Chocolate tart) Be sure to book in advance as it is always very busy. Definitely recommend!!!
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* Peter can now enjoy the dinner with his friends at L'Express Montréal!
* As with all transactions on AT, disputes and no-show fees are handled through the platform's community-driven resolution system. Users with a strong track record are incentivized to fulfill bids successfully, and community members can report issues to maintain trust in the marketplace.
