HÉLICOPTÈRE RESTAURANT - MONTREAL

Jul 21

A culinary experience that takes off!

To spend a moment at Restaurant Hélicoptère is to open your mind to the discovery of intoxicating flavors. This restaurant offers very few conventional dishes, but the value for money of the creative tasting menu is well worth it. In fact, we're convinced it's the best value tasting menu in Montreal. Every suggestion is beautifully presented and delicious. The service is friendly and attentive, whether recommending wines or presenting the dishes throughout the evening. We were fascinated to see the dynamic waiters transform into sommeliers and the passionate sous-chef present the dishes.

After a six-month absence, we decided to return to confirm that this restaurant deserves its place on the podium. As we had tickets for a soccer match at nearby Saputo stadium, the choice was easy - our last visit as a couple to this HOMA neighborhood restaurant had been memorable. As soon as we entered the sober but warm dining room, we were quickly ushered to our reserved table. To our surprise, the waitress recognized us.

Although seated at the bar during dinner, our experience was incredibly pleasant. Despite the ambient noise often present in this kind of place, the soft retro music playing in the background was a real treat for the ears. The staff were attentive to our needs and did everything they could to ensure we arrived in time for the game without rushing. Le Hélicoptère's contemporary menu was both exciting and diverse, offering local (and international) specialties to share. We opted for the 10-plate tasting menu, which was inventive, surprising and sophisticated. It was all reasonably priced, and we also opted for the wine pairing. The wine and cocktail list was superb and offered a wide variety of choices, including natural wines.

If you wish to dine at this restaurant, it is advisable to book a table one to two weeks in advance. This will ensure that you can enjoy their exceptional cuisine without delay. The ambience of the place is perfectly suited to a small group of friends or a romantic dinner for two. As our friend so aptly put it, "we can't wait to go back".

TESTED ON THE MENU: 1. oyster mushrooms with smoked feta, onions and breadcrumbs (iconic dish (texture!)) 2. sturgeon with pears, escarole, kamut (like foie gras) 3. beef tartare with onions, banana peppers and avonlea cheddar 4. sourdough bread with homemade butter 5. artichokes with charcuterie, carrots and cipollini 6. cabbage with wild garlic, cream and dill 7. squash with pistachios, almonds, basil, ground cherries 8. guinea fowl 9. chicken liver mousse with financier, almonds and plum 10. pear sticky toffee, caramel, dulce and sage 11. oysters 12. cucumber, almond, celery, lime, jalapeno 13. snow crab, rhubarb, coconut milk, lemongrass, daikon 14. beef tartare, kimchi, apple, gochugaru, egg 15. cappelletti, fiddlehead, smoked ricotta, salted herbs, egg

Don't be fooled by its modest appearance, because this little neighborhood restaurant is our number one, and we've developed a real passion for the gastronomic heroes who work there! We are absolutely delighted with our second visit and are already looking forward to our next culinary experience at this establishment.