northerncheapo's Profile
O Noir in Montreal...any comments? [moved from Ontario board]
Thank you everyone for the reponses...I can't wait to try it!
O Noir in Montreal...any comments? [moved from Ontario board]
Hello all...My journey for expanding my dining experience continues and this time it is taking me to Montreal. Hubby and I are going for a quick one night stay next week and have reservations at O Noir. Hubby is really excited and I'm game although I wonder if my claustophobia might be a problem being that I will be totally in the dark. Any comments from fellow chowhounders who have been there regarding food, service, and that 'closed in' feeling would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!!
Old School style fine dining?
I'm not even going to touch this one! LOL, thanks for reply...I'll send you a Sidecar for your troubles!
Old School style fine dining?
Really? Wow. Husband has been a member for almost 40 years (since he was 5) and I have to say that the service has consistently been horrid. Mind you, hubby can and is very picky about small minute details such as cutlery placement, napkin folding, ability to serve properly...and bigger details like just getting the dang food request correct. Even downstairs where it is casual, I can't tell you how iritating it is to have to retrieve a chit EVERY time b/c staff is engaged in personal conversation. But, again, comes with being very very picky about service. Must say, Mayo was wonderful and always got the drink right! Had our wedding there and it, too, was flawless....it's just the everyday service that grates on our nerves. I really miss their prime rib!!
ps...hubby was there for lunch today, maybe you saw him? Wouldn't that be funny!
Old School style fine dining?
I'm not a member of Ontario Club...I wonder if the Toronto Skating, Curling and Cricket Club or RCMI have recipical privledges with them? I'll check...thanks for the reply!
Old School style fine dining?
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO REPLIED TO MY POST! WE HAVE AN IMPRESSIVE LIST TO WORK WITH AND WE THANK YOU!
Old School style fine dining?
Ah, the dreaded Italian night...I hear you on that one! Cricket Club isn't bad, but I HATE the service there. It absolutely amazes me: the $ spent to be a member there PLUS the mandatory dining $ expectations, only to recieve horrid, horrid service. Only plus is when you can dine while Elvis or Tolard are skating. While I am on the tangent of private clubs, hubby just joined the RCMI and they have terrific white glove (literally) service! Cricket club could learn a thing or two from them...or McDonalds for that matter.
Old School style fine dining?
Yes, my late mother in law always spoke very highly of the Three Small Rooms. We were very disappointed to find exactly what you described, but we tried anyway. Did you scroll up and see my 'review' of Rosewater? Thanks for the reply!
Old School style fine dining?
Yup, did the Windsor Arms hotel in June and it was alright. Ambiance was great with the private 'cabana' type rooms. Service was average-ish. Food was not bad...hard time accomodating husband's veganism so he had to just be a vegetarian that night (it's only a cholestoral thing so he can be flexible with vegan/non vegan). We originally went there looking for the Three Small Rooms, i think it was called, but it is gone. Recommended by his late mom who used to be quite the fine diner back in the day. Thanks for the reply!
Old School style fine dining?
Embee...just got back from dinner at Rosewater and it was very nice! I had the pan seared halibut which was presented with citrus and foam something or other. Fish was excellent, foam I could do without (my usual complaint...not that it was 'bad' just not my taste). I just ate around all the 'do dah' stuff to find a beautiful tasting fish. Hubby had, gasp, mushroom risotto. Very good! He started witht he cesear salad with tofu sesame dressing (very good and happy to see good ole romain lettuce, thank you Rabbit) and I started with the bocochani cheese and tomato salad with balsamic sauce. Was very good! We both found the old Gas company building to be very very beautiful and rich in history. Service was average (waiter crossed the line from 'friendly' to 'familliar' which I hate) but was alright overall. They had two flutes of pink champagne waiting for us at the table when we arrived as it was an anniversary celebration AND they treated us to a lovely plate of dessert on the house which we took on the outside patio. Ended the night at Reservoir Lounge jazz club. Very nice evening overall and I thank everyone for this recommendation.
Old School style fine dining?
yes, we both loved Scaramouche...it was probably the best food i have ever had in a restaurant. Husband's late mother loved it 'back in the day' and we tried it for the first (only) time this past May for our 20th anniversary. They were very good accomodating hubby's vegetarianism. Thank you for the reply.
Old School style fine dining?
Nope, not an oxymoron...just selfish on my part. Hubby pretty well accepts the fact that he will never be accomodated so he likes to go where there is old school ambiance and he has his usual grilled veggies and salad. Sometimes he gets really lucky and gets rissotto! That's why I didn't bother mentioning he was a vegetarian b/c it really doesn't matter...no offence taken!
Old School style fine dining?
Husband is unfortunately very used to getting the short end of the stick when we dine. As he calls it, "Oily pasta and veggies at highly inflated prices"...Next mission is to find fine dining to please BOTH of us. He is always stuck ordering side plates. Doesn't help that he's not only a vegetarian, but a vegan. Thanks for the recommendation.
Old School style fine dining?
LOL...touche! Yes, although I do have an extensive knowledge of food, I am severely limited when chefs start 'fusing' things together and I can't recognize what the heck it is. I do appreciate the Rosewater recommendation: Hubby and I have a reservation tonight at 7:15...I'll let you know what happens!
Old School style fine dining?
Now, this is more my speed! Great suggestion both of you. I am not looking for a challenge here (I really am an easy going person) but I laughed at "would they really recognize the items on the menu". I guess I kinda came across as a bumpkin (no offence to the bumpkins out there) and didn't think it necessary to post my cooking/eating credentials to qualify that we do, in fact, have a very good understanding of cooking and food. Can't be the daughter of an Italian father and a Belgium mother without knowing a thing or two about food,lol.
Rosewater food menu and wine menu look very nice and I thank you for the suggestion. Now I will show my Bumpkin-ness...what is a supper club anyway?
Old School style fine dining?
Been to Barberians and was nice, yes. I failed to mention my husband is a vegetarian, LOL! Thanks for suggestion.
Old School style fine dining?
LOL...Cesear salads are alive and well in my household. I agree, we are probably the 'club' kinda diners hence why we are trying to expand our horizons. But I guess i am old school at heart (and I'm only 43!). Thanks for reply.
Old School style fine dining?
Mmmmm....this place looks promising! Thanks for the tip, I am putting it on our 'list'! BTW, I love that their ceilings are dry walled,lol!
Old School style fine dining?
Yah, "new age" was the only word i could come up with to describe the way non-traditional restaurants are today: exposed vented ducts, jailhouse chik bathrooms with tea candels, fusion this and foam that. I suppose I did use the wrong word,lol. Thanks for Harbour suggestions, i will look at it!
Cook your own dinner restaurants?
Good point about experiencing someone elses cooking,lol. But thought it would be fun to learn as well as eat and drink. Just looking for something different, that's all!
Old School style fine dining?
So, my husband and I have finally decided to 'get out there' and try some fine dining in the Toronto/GTA area...spread our wings from our usual haunts like the Toronto Cricket Club dining room. So far we have tried Scaramouche (sp?) and loved the food but thought that the place wasn't that romantic/traditional at all. Next was Rain...hated it. Then Canoe...food was very good, excellent views, but what is with these "new" restaurants that have exposed ceilings, cramped tables, and soo sooo "new age"?
Where oh where are those traditional Old School kind of fine dining...the mahagony walls, the fine linens, the finished ceilings and items on the menu that I actually recognize? And exactly when did the cesear salad disappear from menus???
Any suggestions...getting tired of the Cricket club and RCMI...traditional and nice, but looking for a change. THANKS
Cook your own dinner restaurants?
Hello! Does anyone know of a restaurant/place where you cook and prepare your own dinner along with the chef? I am looking for a unique dining experience anywhere in Ontario...I will drive for a fun, unusual dining experience! THANKS!
