Every week or so, dining companion in tow, I arrive at a new
dining establishment, with the expectation of spending, at least
$250. It's always interesting to see just how far it will go.
Sometimes, due to inflated wine prices, dishes enhanced with
luxury ingredients, or an irresistible, pricey cheese course,
I tilt the bank. Last weekend, after a dinner at La Gaudriole,
the opposite occurred, especially considering that the meal
did strike several memorable moments.
La Gaudriole draws neither the crowd-loving trendies nor
the decor-needy fashion plates. This neighborhood bistro is
THE place for budget-conscious gourmets. Nestled, inconspicuously,
between the chic boutiques and acclaimed restaurants of
Laurier Avenue West, and the specialty food stores and branché
restaurants of Laurier Ave. E., could not be more appropriate.
La Gaudriole offers the best of both worlds, the stylishness
of the West and the lack of pretension of the East.
The food is the story. At La Gaudriole, the excitement is
on the plate. The ingredients are exotic, the plate presentations
are decorative, and some of the combinations of flavour are
downright adventurous. For starters, a generous portion of hot
foie-gras with roasted apple and cherry wine. The three thick
slices of pan-seared duck foie gras are placed atop a round of
toasted apple topped with macerated cherries and surrounded by
a pool of reduced cherry-wine sauce.
Flavours come alive again with the main courses. Grilled Lotte
is a tender fish, succulent, with a hint of butter. My companion
had a Merou, which was so rich and fabulous. To finish off our
wine we had an offering of both Quebec and French cheeses. An
aged cheddar, a Victor & Berthold, and a cinder-coated goat's
cheese. The plate is served with sliced apple and pear. At
La Gaudriole, presentations are glamorous and flavour combinations
intriguing.
As one would expect, prices for wine are reasonable. Unlike
many restaurants that double or triple the wine's retail price,
here the markup is only one and a half times. I know of no
other Montreal establishment where patrons can get a Chablis,
Sancerre or a top-notch wine such as a Cahors Château Lagrezette
for less than $40. A meal here is most pleasurable, service
is so friendly, discreet and professional that you get the
feeling you're eating dinner at a friend's house. Amazing!!!
* Bistro La Gaudriole
825 Laurier Avenue East @ St.Hubert
Plateau Mont-Royal
(514) 276-1580
www.lagaudriole.com
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