There are the well-kept secrets, the obligatory stops and those that are worth the detour. There are above all essentials of all kinds that it is good to make known. For the pleasure of your palates, The duty therefore imagined an appointment in the form of a gourmet notebook, one theme at a time. For the arrival of this day of collective declaration of love, we have selected the most romantic restaurants. From gourmet to friendly refreshment bar, here are ten places that will leave you whispering the sweetest words. By Sophie Grenier-Heroux.
MONTREAL
Blossom
In Japanese culture, the cherry blossom signifies fleeting beauty, evolution and life, while its pink color evokes love and romance. There is nothing better than sharing delicate Japanese cuisine with your loved one under a cherry blossom tree! At least that’s what grabs us as soon as we set foot in the Blossom. This restaurant and sake bar offers both traditional and contemporary dishes, including Blossom tartare (salmon, tuna, green onions, jalapeño), grilled eggplant sushi and a delicious scallop ceviche. A real break in time to share often.
1101, boul. From Maisonneuve East
Knocked!
Among the gastronomic institutions of the metropolis – we could have listed a dozen of them –, the Toqué! has this intoxicating little je-ne-sais-quoi. Is it its atmosphere that is both cozy and modern? Its sophisticated, refined and gourmet cuisine at the same time? Its rich wine list and wide choice of local products? The restrained and personalized service? It is all that, of course, and more. An experience to live. And two is much better.
900, place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
Moccione
For almost a year, one of the best Italian restaurants in Montreal has been welcoming its guests in a superbly renovated place with touches of wood, marble, cream and soft green. In this luminous setting, our senses are on edge; the dazzling cuisine and affable service of the couple Luca Cianciulli and Maxime Landry are always impressive. Their pasta dishes, in particular, are to be melted. There is love in the air as well as on the plate!
7495 St. Denis Street
butterfly wine
We feel a excitement as soon as we push the door, and for good reason! Each visit to Vin Papillon is imbued with this irresistible desire to discover and savor the present moment. The menu is exhilarating, just as much as being in real head-to-head, a thousand leagues from the daily grind. Some will prefer a table, but two seats at the bar are even more romantic.
2519 Notre Dame Street
Cardinal Tea Room
How about we meet for tea time? Nothing could be simpler and more chic! Especially if you opt for the Cardinal Tea Room. Behind the almost anonymous door, you will discover a warm atmosphere inspired by 1920s London – of which the huge chandelier is its emblem. We have a snack with a panoply of small snacks, each more appetizing than the other. A more elaborate menu is served in the evening. The magnificent decor and the different places to sit make it the perfect place to chat and whisper sweet nothings in the hollow of your ear.
5326 St. Laurent Blvd.
QUEBEC
Saint-Amour
Celebrating love at Saint-Amour? Beyond the pun, there is above all the magnificent interior courtyard inspired by art nouveau, where sitting down is enchanting. Then there are the dishes; true works of art where the precision of French cuisine blends with the know-how of Quebec products. Foie gras lovers should not shy away from their pleasure, since it is the specialty of chef Jean-Luc Boulay. What also charms the Saint-Amour is the invested and discreet service which gives the meal something intimate and lively at the same time.
48 Sainte-Ursule Street
Melba
Magnificent novelty in the Saint-Sauveur district, the Melba is the creation of chefs Guillaume St-Pierre (Battuto), Alexandra Roy and Charles Provencher-Proulx, who maneuver with six hands to offer us a French-inspired cuisine as classic as unsuspected. Melba is neither more nor less an ode to love; that of cooking and entertaining. And a dose of love that we offer to ourselves. We love each other in this bubble terracotta to savor, among other things, barbajuans piping hot and a delicate char gravlax. All accompanied by exceptional and local wines selected by expert sommelier Marc Lamarre.
398 Saint-Vallier Street West
Scott bar
For all occasions, from the most festive to the most romantic, the lair of chef Jean-Philippe Lessard is always a guarantee of good times. The cozy and just enough jazzy atmosphere, the always well-chosen music, the inspiring drinking menu and the seasonal dishes that provoke a lot of pleasure. We still remember a salad of Jerusalem artichokes and a plate of delicious mackerel and Brussels sprouts that left us completely speechless.
821 Scott Street
Leaning bell tower
It is being raised to the rank of an institution, even if its recent renovations give it a new look; le Clocher leaning has this aura of inescapable which enchants us each time. Here too, time stands still. Probably because you always feel pampered to be there and the seats are very comfortable — you just want to chat there all evening! We enjoy French cuisine inspired by the arrivals and served by one of the best service teams in Quebec. Our advice: if sweetbreads are on the menu, don’t hesitate.
203 St. Joseph Street East
MAURICIA
Auberge Saint-Mathieu
An increasingly well-known gastronomic treasure outside the region, the Auberge Saint-Mathieu is one of the most romantic destinations. The country decor brings comfort and the relaxed atmosphere of a chalet; Lake Bellemare and the Mauritian forest acting as a living canvas throughout the meal. The remarkable and meticulously thought-out cuisine of chef Samy Benabed is a reflection of the landscape that unfolds outside and evokes both the history of Quebec, its influences and its modernity. An unforgettable moment that can continue thanks to the rooms — with a view! — from the inn.
2081 Main Road,
Saint-Mathieu-du-Parc