With their rigorous climate marked by a distinct seasonal cycle, northern territories are gifted with unique fauna and flora adapted to their extreme reality: game, fresh water fish, wild fruit, forest mushrooms, lichen… inspired by these unique elements, a rising number of chefs are exploring this once neglected exceptional culinary legacy.
In Quebec, Jean-Luc Boulay and Arnaud Marchand, supported by a passionate team, have been standing up to the challenge of inventing quebec inspired northern cuisine since 2012. Connecting the abundant proximity of boreal forests and the exceptional quality of local products, they salvage amidst french techniques to favour a true encounter of flavours. Local, healthy and inventive, the Northern cuisine from Quebec expresses within each bite the very best of our emerging culinary tradition.
Chez Boulay - Bistro boréal offers a memorable dining experience characterized by its creative, high-quality boreal cuisine that highlights fresh and local ingredients. Guests frequently praise the exceptional service, noting that the staff is knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive, often providing helpful recommendations that elevate the meal. While the atmosphere is vibrant, stylish, and welcoming, it can occasionally become busy and lively. Many visitors consider it a must-visit destination in Quebec City, highlighting signature dishes like the onion soup and beef cheek as true standouts. Overall, the restaurant consistently delivers a refined culinary experience that earns strong recommendations for anyone seeking an authentic yet modern taste of local northern cuisine.
What I was served, the onion soup & the beef cheek was good, the onion soup was fantastic the best I ever tasted. But since I was dining alone & got there at 4:45 for my reservation I expected that I would get the same attention that you would expect, but that wasn't the case. I was left wondering if I was going to see my waiter again & when he did show up again wanted to know if I wanted to order anything else. At that point I said no & asked for the check.
Recommend the beef cheek which is very soft & the side dish is beetroot & other veggie. It gives a good balance between protein & fibre. Salad & soup both are good too. Service is good & attentive. It's efficient to have my lunch get ready. Not much waiting overall. Will visit again when coming to Quebec
Oct 26, 2024
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Loved everything! The restaurant was able to accommodate us when we requested a seat ahead of our reservation time, the Goose Breast appetizer was AMAZING, we loved the wine recommendation, the Beef Cheek entree was incredible (it's obvious why it's been on the menu for 12 years), & the duck was delightful. We ended with the creme brûlée, which was delicious & not too sweet, & a shot of espresso. 10/10 would recommend, & hope to be back next time we're in Quebec City!
Excellent French (non bistro) food in a smart casual dress restaurant. Very rich meals, very lux sauces. Tax++ prices comparable to a decent restaurant in Melbourne Australia. Arnaud provided terrific customer service in a busy restaurant, & his plate descriptions & recommendations were all good. French onion soup was elevated from the usual fare - I would totally recommend trying as the soup consistency is thicker than the usual, & so a little different. Beef cheeks very'melty' with zero hint of stringiness. Seal meatloaf too strong for my jetlagged self (& probably also my non jetlagged self), but husband thought it was tasty & interesting. Mousse texture not quite what I was anticipating, but still a 7/10 dessert. Cappuccino was more like a double espresso + some froth on top, but I think that may just be the way cappuccinos are made here as I have received similar in other QC venues. It was busy on a Monday night, so I'd say bookings are recommended.
Questo è uno di quei posti che va provato per capire. Sono venuta qui perché raccomandato dalla Lonely Planet ed è stata un'esperienza PERFETTA dall'inizio alla fine, un ristorante a cui manca la stella Michelin a mio avviso. Il cameriere, di cui ora non ricordo il nome purtroppo (ma se mi sovviene aggiornerò la recensione), è stato MERAVIGLIOSO: gentile, attento, simpatico, ha compreso tutte le nostre necessità e ci ha aiutato nella scelta del menù. VOTO 10 e lode. Le pietanze, impossibile da spiegare. Noi abbiamo preso le seguenti pietanze: - Bison tartare with red currants, caribou shallots, cattail hearts, hemp oil & maple lichen by m. pinette - Foie gras terrine with boreal anise & birch syrup galette, roasted île d'orléans strawberries with cicely condiment - Braised beef cheek, ratatouille of élisabeth's vegetables with sweet woodruff, choron sauce & crispy vegetables - Black pudding & cabbage pudding from marcel & robert, crispy potato layers, broccoli from beauce & poultry jus with apple & spikenard - Seabuckthorn meringue pie, spikenard english cream - Maple mousse, tenebrio cookie & maple wood smoked core Forse, tra tutte, la tartare è il piatto che cambierei con qualcos'altro. Noi, in Italia, siamo abituati alla tartare senza nulla, dove la carne da sola ha molto sapore. Qui la carne era prelibatissima e squisita, ma insaporita da salse (come è d'altronde consuetudine all'estero). Non mi metto a descrivere gli altri piatti: TUTTO da 10 e lode, TUTTO. Il piatto preferito? Il "Boudin noir" (sanguinaccio) e "boudin de chou" (una salsiccia di cavolo), il 4° della lista sopra. Servito con patate croccanti a strati, broccoli della Beauce, e una salsa di carne alla mela e nardo (una pianta aromatica). ASSOLUTAMENTE FANTASTICO. Ci tornerei SUBITO per provare tutto il menù! ESPERIENZA UNICA. Ah, prezzo: se vieni qui, non è per risparmiare ma per MANGIARE BENISSIMO e fare un'esperienza culinaria UNICA, senza lamentele sul prezzo (abbiamo speso più di $310CAD in due, compresa una bottiglia di vino).
Everything was perfect, the food, the service, the atmosphere. We enjoyed the redfish tempura, braised beef cheeks, & bison steak. Highly recommend this restaurant!
The onion soup was delicious. Fair warning, it has a LOT of flavors. They are great, but it might not be for everyone. The beef cheeks were AMAZING! They were juicy & tender. The buffalo meat steak was good, but in my opinion it had too much sauce. The meat itself is delicious, & the sauce covered the flavor of the meat a bit.
Not the first time we go. Food is superbe, encouraging local products & distributors. Beef cheek was super well done. No need for a knife, as it should be. Fish was great too. dessert were maple mousse is delicate & not heavy on the sweet taste. Sorbets was also very nice.
