Anyone been to l'Aromate?

[Richelle]

This Saturday, as per usual, I hurry up to open the Weekend Life section of the Montreal Gazette, always anxious to read the restaurant reviews there. My usual favorite is Lesley Chesterman's, but this week she reviewed one of the restaurants I have already reviewed and love myself, L’Aromate on Peel, except she did not love it at all!
She gave it one star, I think that is almost as low it gets, each time I have gone there, be it with friends, or what not, we have always enjoyed the service, the cuisine, and how wonderfully busy it is. Some of the plates are eccentric, and come off as unexpected, but the food served is good, well, I have to amend that, we, of the ordinary people love it.

This got me to wondering, my reviews are for people that do not move around the higher circles of foodie world, though my friends all think I am a foodie, I am afraid, they were proven wrong this weekend from what I read in Lesley Chesterman’s review of L’Aromate.

I make no bones about not being a professional; I am doing this for the pleasure of discovering food.
Anyone else been there?

[Fritzy]

I posted a review here about my visit last February. It was part of a much longer trip report, so I will just copy and paste the relevant section here:

Tuesday I decided to try L’Aromate Bistro on 1410 Peel. It was rather busy at 1:00 when I went in. There are white table clothes on the tables but the ambience is still relaxed. I order a glass of French rosé and as an entrée the grilled oriental shrimp and an avocado mousse in basil, extra virgin olive oil and balsamic reduction. It was delicious; I could eat this plate once a week with pleasure. My companion joined me a half hour later and ordered the same thing, but curiously some of the garnishes were slightly different. For my “main” I ordered the L’entrecôte grillée aux champignons Portobello sautés et au fond de veau au Tawny; the steak was tender and well prepared but not out of the ordinary; the brown sauce however was highly flavorful which I mixed in with my whipped potatoes. The service was friendly, helpful and efficient. Given the extremely convenient location (for me) in the very center of the downtown core, I can see myself coming back in the near future. My companion who eats downtown very frequently was equally impressed. The only downside: one single, unisex bathroom for the entire place seems a bit below par.

[Richelle]

Thanks Fritzy...that was an interesting read.