Our “evolutionary Bistro”, whose name is inspired by the founder of Quebec, Samuel de Champlain, highlights the most recent culinary trends in an informal setting with an open concept kitchen and a creative mixology concept. Le Sam's glass roof offers an exceptional view of the St. Lawrence River.
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Our Bistro features the latest culinary trends in an informal setting with an open kitchen and a creative mixology concept.
Le SAM Bistro Évolutif offers an elegant and memorable dining experience set within the iconic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. Guests frequently highlight the breathtaking, panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River and the sophisticated, inviting atmosphere that makes the venue perfect for both special occasions and casual social gatherings. While the menu is noted for being on the pricier side, many diners find the high-quality ingredients, such as the popular French onion soup, lobster rolls, and expertly prepared steaks, to be worth the cost. Service is often described as professional, warm, and attentive, though experiences can vary. Overall, the combination of a stunning location, consistent culinary offerings, and a refined setting creates a destination that many travelers and locals alike choose to revisit.
The food was great! I had a lovely spinach cheese puff pastry! However, service was quite slow. The first night we had Evelyn, who was so lovely. The second night, we had someone else; his service was slower. The angel cake was super small. Some portions were small. The bar doesn't mix cocktails too well, & they put way too much ice in their drinks imo. Beautiful view.
Disappointing at best. Apparently it's just a joint in the Chateau; I am bewildered by the great reviews. The oysters were ok, but thin & limp (unlike the ones I had the night before at Albacore - highly recommend). The Caesar salad was so overdressed there was a bowl of soup left over. The only thing that was pretty good was the beef tartare, but that only came with 2 thin toasts. I used the croutons from the Caesar to compensate. I did have a beautifully made cocktail but in general the bartender/server was distracted by everyone else. I was seated at the bar, with no view, so I was hoping for more from the food & service. At least I had a fabulous cocktail to drown my sorrows in.
The Sam Bistro is an amazing experience once you enjoy their menu & drinks. The view is beautiful & the service is excellent. Laurie the hostess saved our night because there was an error with our reservarion, & David provided the right recommendations for food. I would highly recommend this place, as you get to enjoy a nice dinner at the Chateau Frontenac with an amazing view.
May 17, 2024
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Amazing French Bistro in Château Frontenac. Chose to dine here during our recent hotel stay. Without any specific plans, we managed to snag a last-minute reservation for a table in the lounge area on a Saturday night. While the lounge didn't offer a view of the river, it compensated with a cozy ambiance, complete with plush couches that added to the comfortable setting. We started off our meal with three outstanding appetizers: the Gaspesian Cake, Foie Gras Parfait, & Quebec Beef Tartare. The Quebec Beef Tartare was expertly seasoned, with a mild sweetness & a hint of mustard. The Gaspésian Cake, which I tried for the first time, was also very satisfying. It was somewhat denser than other cod cakes I've tried, yet retained a soft & pillowy texture. But the true highlight was undoubtedly the Foie Gras Parfait. Perched atop a soft, mildly sweet pastry, the creamy parfait blended exquisitely with it. For the entrée, we opted for the Scallops & the Rack of Lamb. The scallops were beautifully complemented by the slight bitterness of braised endives, the rich sweetness of burnt pears, & the creaminess of Roquefort sauce. The inclusion of blood pudding was unconventional, but it proved to be a more interesting choice than the typical mashed potatoes. With a perfect amount of fat & a well-subdued lamb aroma, the Roasted Lamb was also amazing. The Herb Crust, although not a game-changer, contributed a pleasant crunch to each bite. We also couldn't resist getting the poutine. Elevated with pulled beef cheek toppings, the poutine was better than most poutines I've had in the past. Although the fries themselves were average, the combination of beef, pickles, cheese, & fries were addicting. As for the cocktails, they were a tad pricier compared to other Quebec restaurants, but they were great. Overall, Le SAM Bistro went above & beyond our expectations in every aspect, from the attentive service to the exquisite food. It might lack the ambiance of a more'local' restaurant, but if you're looking for impeccable French food, I highly recommend giving them a try.
Really disappointing dinner experience at such a luxury hotel. We were guests for one night in the Chateau & decided to have a late dinner to celebrate the start my husband's birthday weekend. The restaurant seemed short staffed, & while our server was polite, they were preoccupied with other tables & paid us little attention since we didn't order any drinks. The decor is also very beautiful with nice views of the river. However, the food does not match the ambience. We were served bread that was horribly stale & tasted as though it had been frozen before. The ceasar salad ($18) was bland & underdressed. The Chateau burger ($30) was inedible - dry, limp lettuce, & beyond overcooked, as if it had been sitting under the heat lamps for an hour. Our server tried to tell us that it's because beef has to be cooked to a certain temperature in Canada (I think that they thought that we were foreigners even though we're from Toronto), which simply isn't the case. They did take it off the bill, but we left hungry & disappointed with our experience.
A more casual dining option. The art deco styling is beautiful, but the seating choices lead to an awkward dining experience for me. Food was excellent, compliments to the chef. My service experience was not great.
We started our self guide walking tour of Quebec city in Château Frontenac & had our lunch at Bistro Le Sam! We made a reservation couple of hours ahead & they greeted us warmly with our table with a view! This place is beautiful with great atmosphere. Staff were super friendly & dedicated. Everything we ordered was great! Three of us are vegetarian & we had great options! I ordered onion soup (big portion, totally shareable) & Feuilleté Chèvre & they tasted awesome!
