Bronte vs. Le CC&P for Birthday
My mother and I will be in Montreal over my and she wants to take me out somewhere special. We definitely both love good food (of any type), but I hate empty/stuffy/formal restaurants where I feel like I can't talk too loudly and the average age is over 50. Price isn't an issue.
From what I've read on these boards Bronte and Le Club Chasse et Peche seem pretty equal on quality of food. I understand that anything in this fine dining range is going to have a slightly older crowd and a more formal atmosphere- but which one of these two feels livelier and warmer? I'm worried that Bronte will have the stale lacking-personality feel of many hotel restaurants and I'm worried about the "old members club" descriptions of le CC&P. Obviously if there are food quality differences please let know that too!
Also I may bring a friend who is a picky eater. Do you think both of these restaurants could cater to her? (like a fairly simple salad and pasta?)
Thank you in advance!
Hungryfina
Apr 03, 2008 11:58PM
"the stale lacking-personality feel" no, Bronte is not that at all, decor and atmosphere wise............ CC&P is not either, but it is less contemporary , as far as decor goes.
I think you would enjoy Cavalli, on Peel Street; it's a hot spot dining place, I've been there many times and the food is very good for such a trendy restaurant and the menu would be more extensive for your picky friend.
People over 50 are all over the city in the best restaurants, we all grin and bear it !!!
( coming from a 56 year old, just kidding)
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I wouldn't call the atmosphere at CC&P formal at all - the crowd can be quite mixed in age, the music is loud, and it's definitely my favourite place for a special meal in Montreal. I can't speak for Bronte, as I've never dined there, but I have only heard good things about it, and I know atmosphere-wise it's not what you would expect, in spite of it being in a hotel.
Both restaurants have their menus online, so you would be able to get an idea of what they might have for a picky eater.
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I've eaten at both, and CCP ranks top in my books.
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The food is a bit fancier at Bronte, and the portions are quite small. The room is also smaller at Bronte, and therefore less noisy.
I would say CC&P sounds like a better fit. Bronte can be fun with the right crowd, but atmosphere-wise it doesn't offer as much of a buzz as CC&P.
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"The food is a bit fancier at Bronte, and the portions are quite small." Can anyone else speak to the portion sizes? I'm considering going, but I have been warned by the people I'm going with that they "intend to be fed".
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It's been awhile (well not that long.....prix fixe lunch at Decca77 was really wonderful) since a meal has lingered in my head everyday, but a couple of friday's ago hub & I dined at CC&P. Wow. We ate at the bar which we like to do, chatting with the staff we found out the the bartenders Mom (or Grandma?) makes the placemats which are made out of rug underlay and bound in leather. Cute. Beautiful space there, but the food was the show, just sensational. Eyes rolling and crossed up into my head....hub knows I'm happy when I do that.
I found the place to have a nice vibe.....not stuffy.....I'm a very young 42 ;-) slurping martini's at the bar, also there was a table with parents and 2 young teens maybe 12-15 y near us....didn't notice if they ordered off the menu Anyway, it was great, but the board has already confirmed that.
Bronte is on the list.......
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Hi hungryfina,
I had the opportunity to eat at Bronte (I actually worked with one of the chefs briefly (i'm a cook)) and I was really pleased with the food and service. I ordered the organic salmon and it was great, the cooking method is very unique it was poached in oil that was at a very low heat for a healthy amount of time resulting in a very tender fish the texture was simular to gravlax but it was warm, I wouldn't usually order salmon but it was recomended to me by my chef friend and he did not dissapoint. As for the ambiance it is nice, clean and on the posh side, the sevice is excellent and if you let them know it's ur friends bday the executive chef usually puts in some extra attention ;)...I've never ate at club...but i hear really great things about the kitchen ant the man in charge. I hope I was of some help...good luck and happy eating!!!
xx
mino.
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I see from Bronte's own banner on another board that Bronte is now open for weekday lunches. Has anyone gone there for lunch? What is the menu like?
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Thank you for all of the advice! I think we're going to go with CC&P and I'll definitely report back!
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I'm sorry it has taken me a bit to report back - but we ended up going to CC&P and it was absolutely fantastic!!
Two complaints - I found out later my father had called and asked them to put a candle in my dessert or something which they forgot, and the service was very spotty (took a while to get our menus/order) and then get dessert menus and the check later.
The service issues aside, the food was terrific and the atmosphere was very special occasion but not too old/stuffy at all. I'd definitely recommend getting the vegetable side to share with main courses and ordering anything the waitress describes as a chef specialty. I had the venison for my main which was unbelievable and a beet salad to start which was a great fresh dish. I would say that the desserts were clearly not up to par. I actually didn't have any good desserts over that three day trip despite a ton of good food.
Overall I am really impressed with Montreal's food scene. Definitely first rate!
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Thanks for the report Hungryfina!
I would agree the desserts are underwhelming at CC&P. The cheese plate is the way to go... And they do a great job on the vegetables there.
I am surprised you didn't have any good desserts, and it makes me sad!!! Where else were the desserts substandard?
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I had the "club sandwich" dessert at Chez l'Epicier and was very underwhelmed. My dining companion did love her four different creme brules there though.
The only other restaurant we went to was globe - and obviously I got what I expected there (decent food, but more of a scene then a great restaurant)
I did have some great ice cream at that farmers market thing in little Italy though!
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Great ice cream is good :)
Give us a shout if you come back, and maybe we can lead you to some really great desserts! It seems a shame to have so-so desserts in this land of yummy french pastry plus other delights (such as baklava)...
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