TAPEO - Tapa Bar
There are few things as pleasant as discovery, especially when it is pleasantly surprising. This is why I cherish this recent trend of sharing multiple small dishes rather than adhering to the traditional Western menu of a three-course meal, including a larger one. Many cultures have favored sharing for centuries and I find that this constitutes a notable enrichment for our contemporary culinary traditions. The Spanish introduced us to tapas and the Portuguese to mezzes, which, without constituting a meal in itself, familiarized us with the concept of sharing small dishes. It is therefore not surprising that TAPEO was one of the Montreal pioneers of this new trend.
I tasted TAPEO for the first time in 2008 and I fell in love instantly. However, after a break of a few years, a meal in 2018 left me wanting more. Classics like patatas bravas and tomatoes on the vine were still delicious, but the lack of innovation and evolution made the experience somewhat dull. As if routine breeds boredom and as the relentless reality of catering dictates: a disappointment and we quickly forget.
Recently, on the recommendation of a friend, we decided to return. Marie-France Saint-Pierre's classics were still on the menu, but they are now complemented by dishes with more modern touches. This marriage of tradition and originality is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also tasty. The dish of the day, pieces of lobster in a sweet sauce, as well as the scallop crudo, were exceptionally fresh and delicate. The classic beef tartare, with its intertwined micro-fries, is perfectly spicy and offers a wonderful texture. The tomatoes on the vine, the osso bucco and the sardines live up to all expectations. The wine we were served and recommended matched perfectly with our choice of dishes. Competition is fierce in this neighborhood of Montreal, but TAPEO's star does not lose its shine. What a pleasure to come back.
Price: $$$
Food quality: 4.5
Quality of service: 4
Design, cleanliness and atmosphere: 4.5
Value for money: 4.5
511 Rue Villeray, Montréal, QC H2R 1H5
(514) 495-1999
