Code Ambiance - E Montreal

Quiet mid week evening dinner. Quiet because the restaurant was mainly empty, and my dining companion ended up missing dinner due to a meeting running long. I stayed because I was already seated, and I was hungry! The bread plate had toasted sticks of black bread, and not so fresh olive bread, with a little dish of creamy chive spread. Started with the appetizer of foie gras au torchon with apple chutney and brioche. Delicious! Unfortunately, I did not enjoy my main of the Warm goat cheese salad with raspberry Vinaigrette and roasted pine nuts. It was more of a composed plate instead of a salad. The small mound of greens was fresh and tasty, but the cheese was plated as a cake melting atop a toasted slice of black bread (like an open faced sandwich) and had a weird, plastic taste I could not stomach. The plate included some julienned apple garnish on the side but that could not save the cheese. Since I was still hungry, I asked for the side of a small casserole of cooked vegetables which was very simple but tasty. I decided against dessert (I have to really be in the mood to enjoy dessert) and left somewhat hungry. Service was efficent, and I did appreciate that the waiter asked me about how I (did not) enjoy the goat cheese salad when he saw all I finished was the greens and the apple. He surprised me by not charging for the vegatble casserole, whoch was an appreciated touch.

Our first night in Montreal we were lucky enough to find this neighborhood gem through Open Table. There is no mistaking this menu for anything you would likely find in the States without some major searching. I am not very well versed in the intricacies of French cuisine, but I found the offerings at Code Ambience to be quite intriguing and certainly tantalizing. We shared the pork terrine and the duck foie gras appetizer. The pork terrine was a fine, but paled in comparison the duck foie gras, which was prepared a la Torchon , which I understand to be a painstaking process in which the liver is boiled in cheese cloth in stages over the course of several days, in this case with a blend of secret spices and served with apple chutney and slivers of croissant. Presentation was very pleasing and the flavors were fabulous. The rest of the meal remained at this level throughout. A fine wine list to accompany a menu of wonderfully creative French dishes. A definite yes.

The owner manages to personally attend to every table. His wine list, which he is happy to talk about, is chosen with unusual care. The menu is a mix of traditional dishes and innovative ones, all of them successful.

Really nice place to go with your girl friend family and friends.

Booked dinner for two picky eaters and myself. Both were pleased with the options and enjoyed their meals very much. Booking online was easy, our waiter was very accommodating with descriptions and making sure we were comfortable.