Le Clocher Penché represents a refined intersection of traditional French culinary techniques and modern regional influences. The kitchen prioritizes seasonal produce sourced from local growers, ensuring the menu reflects the shifting bounty of the surrounding landscape. Signature offerings frequently showcase elevated takes on bistro classics, emphasizing precise preparation and balanced flavor profiles. Diners encounter a space defined by high ceilings and exposed brickwork, fostering a focused environment conducive to concentrated appreciation of the meal. The kitchen maintains rigorous standards, crafting everything from artisanal terrines to complex sauces from scratch. Every dish serves as a testament to the versatility of core French principles adapted to the ingredients found within the province. This commitment to provenance and technique dictates the cadence of the experience, prioritizing clarity of flavor over excessive ornamentation.
Le Clocher Penché offers a memorable dining experience characterized by creative, high-quality cuisine that highlights fresh and locally sourced ingredients. Guests frequently praise the inventive flavor profiles and beautiful presentation of dishes such as the hanger steak, homemade pasta, and various seasonal offerings. The atmosphere is consistently described as warm, stylish, and convivial, with an open kitchen that adds to the engaging experience. While the majority of diners celebrate the attentive and professional service provided by the knowledgeable staff, the restaurant remains a top recommendation for those seeking a polished yet welcoming culinary destination in Quebec City.
As this was our first night in Quebec City, we did not know what to expect from the food scene. We were delighted with our meal. The service was excellent & the ambiance, casual, but clearly serious about food & wine, right up our alley. The hanger steak was excellent, perfectly prepared. The house made pasta in a tomato cream sauce was special. Definitely get the bread, the compound butter will blow you away. They were happy to let us split a delicious mozzarella & tomato'salad'…we wanted to save room for dessert. The crème brûlée was the best I have ever had. Thankfully a large portion because I practically had to fight my husband for my half! Such a delightful start to our Quebec vacation!!
The entire dining experience was amazing & the food & service made the entire meal feel very special. I highly recommend this restaurant, well worth a visit.
We had a wonderful time here last week, the environment, the atmosphere, the service & of course the food, we're giving all 5 stars! I especially like the server but sorry I forgot to ask for her name, she made us so relaxed to enjoy the dinner, will definitely come back again when travel to Québec.
Le Clocher Penche is known to be one of the best restaurants in Quebec City. So on our first trip to QC we booked a table here. If I had it to do over, I would go somewhere else. I was kind of underwhelmed. I know it has a specific audience & will always do well. For me, the menu was so limited, so confusing (even though our waitress did explain it) & the servings were tiny. It's expensive. I just feel I would have had a more satisfying meal elsewhere else. It's artfully presented & high quality. We paid $127 for no alcohol, one appetizer & 2 small entrees.
Une révélation pour mon fils & moi ce soir. Mon fils étudie en cuisine & nous aimons tous les deux essayer des restaurants. Le clocher penché est l'un de nos 3 coups de coeur des restaurants que nous avons fait jusqu'à maintenant. Le plat de canard était sublime. Le boudin savoureux. Le service impeccable & l'ambiance chaleureuse. Vraiment nous reviendrons, nous sommes conquis.
Our dinner at Le Clocher Penché was nothing short of extraordinary. We started with fresh bread, perfectly warm with rich, flavorful butter - a simple yet flawless introduction to the evening.
The labneh dish was a standout - creamy & tangy labneh paired with beluga lentils, radicchio, olives, & almonds, creating a wonderful balance of textures & flavors. Every bite was fresh, earthy, & satisfying.
The pasta dish was equally outstanding - the conchiglie with tomato, guanciale, & basil was cooked to perfection, enveloped in a luscious sauce that was both rich & aromatic, with bright basil tying it all together.
To finish, the crème brûlée was impeccable - the caramelized top offered that perfect crack, revealing a silky, decadent custard beneath. It was the kind of dessert that makes you pause & savor every spoonful.
Le Clocher Penché's Michelin-reviewed reputation is well-deserved. From the attentive service to the refined, flavor-driven dishes, this is a restaurant that delivers on every level. Absolutely outstanding & a must-visit in Quebec City.
Pour mon anniversaire nous sommes allée au Clocher Penché, un restaurant qui est sur ma mire depuis un moment, surtout depuis sa mention au guide Michelin. Toutefois, mon expérience a malheureusement été ordinaire & décevante.
D'abord, j'ai trouvé que le personnel manquait de chaleur envers la clientèle. Nous ne nous sommes pas du tout sentis accueillis en plus d'avoir attendu un bon 15 minutes à l'entrée avant d'être pris en charge, & ce, après avoir nous même approché l'hôte. Nous avions une réservation pour le deuxième service. De plus, ayant une intolérance au gluten, les restaurants tentent souvent de proposer des alternatives pour pas qu'on se sente limité, ce qui n'a pas été le cas ici. Enfin, nous nous sommes sentis oubliés par notre serveur tout au long de la soirée.
Pour ce qui est de la nourriture, elle était ordinaire, sans plus. Nous avons gouté au tataki de canard, au fromage frais & au aguachile en entrée, puis au boeuf en repas principal. Dans l'ensemble rien de ressortait de chaque repas autant en gout, qu'en texture & créativité. Ce n'était pas mauvais, mais ce n'était pas bon.
Enfin, la cerise sur le sundae. La cuisine étant ouverte, nous voyions l'équipe de cuisine travailler, ce que j'adorais, jusqu'à temps que je remarque que les cuisiniers manquaient énormément de salubrité. En effet, lorsqu'ils préparaient mon dessert, je les ai vu prendre des fraises avec leurs mains, les porter jusqu'à leur bouche, avec leurs mains, puis prendre des feuilles de menthe & garnir mon assiette, avec leurs mains. Tout ça sans se laver les mains entre.
Ce n'est qu'un résumé de pourquoi mon passage au Clocher Penché a été une déception.
Reservations are a MUST! The setting is beautiful, & we could see into the kitchen from our seats.
We ordered four appetizers, hanger steak (standardized at medium rare) & fish of the day (cod). The bread was crisp on the outside, warm & soft on the inside. The compound butter was amazingly flavourful & reminded us of foie gras. The fresh cheese appetizer was wonderful & the pickles & capicollo complemented the cheese very well. The mains were impeccable: the cod was sweet & perfectly cooked, & paired with a lobster bisque, while the steaks came with carrot purée & beautiful side vegetables.
