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.
Details
Our Specialties
Our Bistro features the latest culinary trends in an informal setting with an open kitchen and a creative mixology concept.
Le SAM Bistro Évolutif is widely recognized for its stunning location within the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, offering guests breathtaking views of the St. Lawrence River and an elegant, sophisticated atmosphere. Many diners praise the gourmet quality of the food, highlighting dishes such as the lobster roll, filet mignon, and the iconic French onion soup as standout menu items. The service is frequently described as attentive, professional, and welcoming, with many guests noting that the staff goes out of their way to ensure a memorable experience for special occasions. While some visitors find the pricing reflective of its premium setting and occasionally experience inconsistencies in service speed or food preparation, the overall consensus points to a memorable dining destination that is highly recommended for its unique ambiance and consistent attention to detail.
We had a nice dining experience at Bistro Le Sam. Recommend booking ahead & requesting the alcove seating...the high top seats did not look comfortable. I had the smoked meat which is actually a sliced brisket sandwich. I had that & the French onion soup, both were tasty but very salty. My wife had the flank steak & said it was pretty tough, & salty as well. It's a bit pricey being in the Chateau Frontenac but overall worthy of the 4 stars
Located within the iconic Château Frontenac, Bistro Le Sam offers a dining experience that blends local cuisine with unbeatable views of the St. Lawrence River. Our meal started with the Appetizers Tasting Board, which showcased some notable contrasts. The Quebec Beef tartare was exceptional, with fresh ingredients & perfect seasoning. However, the Seafood Patty & 1608 Cheese fell short, with a dry texture that made it difficult to enjoy. The Baby Back Ribs, while well-cooked, were overly sweet & cloying. On a brighter note, the Cod Fish & Chips was the standout dish of the evening. The batter was light & elegant, perfectly complementing the fresh & flavorful cod. The French fries were crisp, well-seasoned, & truly excellent, elevating the dish to a higher level. I paired the meal with a Blanche Boréale beer, which unfortunately didn't live up to expectations. Its flavor was too reminiscent of cider, which was disappointing for a wheat beer. The service was attentive & professional throughout, ensuring an overall pleasant dining experience. In terms of price, it falls into the mid-to-high range, fitting for the setting & reputation of the establishment, though some dishes could improve in execution to fully justify the cost.
SAM at the Fairmont is an absolute gem. The food is simply amazing, & the service is outstanding from start to finish. The French onion soup is a must-try-rich, savory, & perfectly balanced. The goat cheese & spinach puff pie salad is equally incredible, with flaky pastry & fresh, vibrant flavors. The atmosphere is warm & inviting, making it the perfect spot for a memorable dining experience. Highly recommend!
Sep 18, 2024
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Quebec before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoQuebec.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Fantastic food with an amazing venue. If reserving, try for the interior alcove for a river view. You can also park at the hotel where the client entry is - it was valet & free! Our waiter Gautier was fantastic - he spoke English & French & was very personable. Took a while for our drinks to come, though. Food was nicely portioned & good quality for the price. We were two adults & a teen, none of us very hungry. We split a burger that came with fries & a side salad, calamari & the starter ribs & could barely finish it. It cost roughly CAD 100.
This is the best French Onion soup in QC & the French fries(?!) have the best taste along with the ketchup(?!). Amazing views Best service. Tres chic ambience. Do not miss this amazing experience
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.
Gentleman who served us was very professional & friendly. Food was great. French onion soup had a bit too much cheese 😅 but it was great. We had the table on hallway & lighting (one of those rechargeable tabletop lamp) felt strong & cheap. Overall had good experience :)
I can't rave enough about Le Sam. The food was excellent. The service was slow but extremely well taken care of. Ambiance...AMAZING. I would recommend the French onion soup & the cheese board! If you're in Quebec City...this is a must
Great view of the river, attentive service, & tasty well-presented food. The servings are very generous, & all items we had were satisfactory. Overall, a good dining experience. My husband & I ordered 6 oysters, a bowl of French Onion soup, a 3-cheese plate for appetizers, & we were full before the entrées. One entrée would've been enough. The soup could've been hotter, but it was tasty. The 3-cheese plate & the cheese puff with grilled veggies were my favorites. The seafood casserle was propbably overpriced. Oysters were fresh. The wines - a Barolo & a Pino noir - were also solid.
Absolutely amazing resteraunt! Located inside our hotel, it's reasonably priced for what you get. Expect amazing dishes. The duck wings were amazing with a great bourban glaze, & the shirt rib was so tender no knife was needed.. Truely melt on your mouth. The French soup is also stupendous & authentic. For a dinner with two expect to pay about $250 CAD for a meal, but in such a fine dining resteraunt reasably priced.
