551109 Fri Aug 22 11:11:22 -0700 2008 1 22 Quebec (including Montreal) 0 3978366 (Note: This thread was split from the LA board at: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/550404#3976785 -- The Chowhound Team). Estufarian, that is disappointing news that you used to love Toque, but now you don't. I haven't been there in at least a year and a half and now I'm afraid to go back for fear of shattering the very fond memories I have of the place.... Why did you do such a 180 in your opinion of the place? Fri Aug 22 09:53:15 -0700 2008 67147 mandelabra 1 3978592 I used to be excited - was my favourite Montreal place. Last time was 'more show than blow'. Every dish looked nice - but at the expense of flavour. Simply, the taste wasn't there - I was expecting reasonably local, fresh, produce. What I got was safe and repetitive - and more expensive than I previously recall. Give me a couple of days to try and find my notes (apparently I didn't write this meal up as it's not on my computer files). I know I started taking them, but not sure where they might be. But I do know it was disappointing. All in all it wasn't a great trip - even Au Pied De Cochon wasn't firing on many cylinders - possibly because the chef was paying too much attention to a couple of attractive ladies at the bar (I certainly couldn't compete). Astonishingly Frite Alors provided the only pleasant surprise. Great fries and superb 'dips'. Fri Aug 22 11:06:41 -0700 2008 3978366 11134 estufarian