MASTARD RESTAURANT - MONTREAL

Jul 20

Mastard is certainly not a restaurant for everyone. Unlike traditional establishments, there is no set menu here. On their website, they simply list the ingredients of the day, which will be used to create an assortment of refined dishes served in a carte blanche menu that you'll discover as you go along. This can prove problematic for those with strict dietary preferences, as there are no alternative options. However, if you're adventurous by nature and culinary exploration is part of your idea of a good night out, you've come to the right place.

When a talented culinary team concentrates on creating just five dishes for a menu, each dish seems to have been particularly thought through and reworked, both gustatively and visually. This approach works wonderfully well at Mastard.

The space itself is simple yet welcoming. It's a far cry from the sophisticated, ad-box-designed restaurants of downtown Montreal. However, this simplicity sometimes proves to be a charm in itself. The generous spacing between tables may give the impression of a slightly chilly atmosphere, but the exceptional quality of the service and the wine recommendations to accompany each dish quickly warm up the mood.

As soon as you settle down at your table, you are presented with a sign listing all the restaurant's staff, both in the kitchen and in the dining room. It's a nice touch and sets the table for the rest of the evening. You're asked about any allergies you might have and your choice of wine to accompany the meal, and that's it. From then on, you're on autopilot, ready for a culinary experience full of surprises.

The first course was a lettuce tart with grilled scallops. An original and incredibly tasty choice. The tart's puff pastry was silky and crisp to perfection. We then enjoyed a plate of warm rabiole in a meat jus. We're not usually big fans of rabiole because of its subtle, slightly acidic taste, but here the flavors complemented each other perfectly. It was a wonderful discovery. We continued with a walleye from Lake Erie, Ontario, accompanied by smoked pasta - a delight. The pairing with the accompanying wine was perfect.

The main course, if you can call it that, a "terre et mer", consisted of a beef onglet served with marinated asparagus and a crispy galette topped with Gaspésie lobster. Perhaps a little less exotic than the previous three dishes, but just as well executed. Dessert was equally charming.

Service was simply impeccable. Our waiter, present throughout the evening, didn't hesitate to divert the conversation beyond the simple meal. Dishes were presented in turn by the kitchen staff with pride. At $85 for the carte blanche menu and a $50 or $60 wine option, given the quality of the experience, this is an opportunity worth seizing. Note that part of the menu changes each month.

All in all, Mastard is a great adventure.

Congratulations to Mastard voted one of the best restaurants in 2023 according to Canada’s 100 Best.