Chez Victoire

I eat

Chez Victoire

... therefore, I think!

Friday night a week or so ago was a nice evening, one of the first nights when you can actually eat outside at night, but we could feel rain coming ... 

We were hungry and had not made any reservations ... a little mistake when going to the Plateau on weekends. Luckily, our choice quickly went to Chez Victoire. A name very appropriate considering I was out with my sister to celebrate her new job!

We were greeted by: ''You know Ladies, it is a very good idea to have a reservation on Friday night !'' I know, I know, but have you ever heard of plans are made to be changed ? Anyway, we were offered a face-to-face place at the bar. Excellent! that's a place we favor when we go out my sist and I.

You see, sometimes it is when nothing is planned that great moments happened! On this blog, I have talked of Le Renoir, the Montreal Sofitel's restaurant ... what was not my surprise (!!!) to see Dominique at Chez Victoire! Dominique used to work at The Renoir who he was also in charge of the wine selection. The good thing with him is that he can adapt nicely to the customer's wants and means ($$).  He suggested a nice wine for us, as well as the 2 gals sitting next to us (different ones, paired with our respective foods). He also brought a "certain class" to the place. I have to admit, that when he folded my sister's cotton napkin while she was at the restrooms added a little plus, a "je-ne-sais-quoi" ... Ok enough about Dominique ...

The entire staff is great, present but not too much. Just enough.

The only recommendation? Wine pouring ... some have not been thought that you do not need to fill up the wine glass when you do not buy wine by the glass ... I will drink the entire bottle, careful to not pour too much ... not a big deal, but ...

The food? We have enjoyed everything!

What we had? Well, we shared ...

Cocktail: 

•  THE OLD CUBAN
  MINT - LIME - ANGOSTURA - BROWN RUM - BUBBLES 

Appetizers: 

• HEIRLOOM CHEERY TOMATOES SALAD
  MOZZARELLA DI BUFFALA - EDAMAME - PINE NUTS - BASILIC - WHITE BALSAMIC VINEGAR

• Popcorn rock shrimps
  mAYO/GREEN CURRY

Entrée: 

 FROM ALEX'S RESERVE

• PIECE OF BEEF 1855 (1LB) VACUUM MARINATED & GRILLED
  CARAMELIZED ONIONS MOUSSE - ISRAELI COUSCOUS - IN-SEASONS' MUSHROOMS - MEAT JUICE WITH CIPOLINNI ONIONS & MEAUX MUSTARD

 Wine: 

• LE MACCHIOLE
  BOLGHERI 2008 - MERLOT, CABERNET, SANGIOVESE & MERLOTROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE: 92 POINTSWINE SPECTATOR: 88 POINT

... and then we were not hungry anymore ... nothing could go in ... no desserts, even though by looking at other people's plate, we knew we were missing something!

Ambiance: discretely noisy. There is a live DJ with good enough music for a Resto Branché ... loud enough that it can cover the neighbour’s conversation but that I could still hear what my sister was saying ... even though sometimes we had to lean forward. The owner was there making sure everything was under control. He is also friendly and recognizes the regulars.

Will I go back? for sure!

Do I recommend? yes, of course.

I was about to forget: menus are printing on brown recycled paper ... another plus.