RENOIR | Lunch à la Française at Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile
For the second installment in my review series of some of the best Montreal restaurants that have thankfully survived the Year of Covid, the Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile hotel’s luxurious restaurant — Le Renoir — was, as they say in French, “un incontournable”.
Named after Auguste Renoir, one of the most famous French painters; the restaurant, which opened in 2002, is conveniently located in the heart of the city – near the renowned Montreal Museum of Fine Arts – making it an ideal place to eat and drink for business travelers and art lovers, after they step into a setting of amazing lighting and colors as brilliant as a painting by the Impressionist master artist himself.
As one of the gourmet destinations of the Golden Square Mile – an affluent district that is becoming a Mecca of gastronomy in Montreal – Le Renoir masterfully blends French flair and service with creative cuisine, infused with international flavours.
Executive chef of the restaurant since 2011, Olivier Perret is a 2018 “Maître Cuisinier de France” winner whose dishes are built around traditional Quebec fare and are consistently embellished with his distinctive French touch.
After having lived and worked in Europe and the United States, Perret believes that Montreal is a happy mixture between French rigor and American freedom for any aspiring chef.
Under his reign, Le Renoir has not only received two “Toques” in Montreal’s first edition of the prestigious French gastronomy guide Gault & Millau;
but also the best grade out of all hotel restaurants in Montreal.
With that reputation in mind, we were lucky enough to be invited to discover the lunch menu at Le Renoir, where tables are placed far enough apart to offer a bubble of privacy in which my guest and I could hear ourselves speak as we discussed business.
We began our meal with a delicate gravlax of salmon, subtly cured and elevated by a whisper of maple sugar, elegantly paired with tender green asparagus — a harmonious prelude that spoke of both Quebec terroir and French finesse.
For the main course, we succumbed to the chef’s suggestion of the day: a succulent duck breast from Marieville, perfectly rosé, accompanied by a warmly spiced jus, a silky mousseline of squash, and meltingly soft glazed onions — a composition as comforting as it was sophisticated.
To conclude, the artistry of pastry chef Clément Tilly triumphed with a decadent creation marrying intense dark chocolate, crispy puffed rice, creamy caramel, and a judicious touch of Fleur de Sel — a dessert as textured as it was memorable, sealing our lunch with grace and indulgence.
Before our departure, we noticed that Le Renoir has a welcoming bar — perfect for someone who wants to walk in only for a drink — which sometimes host wine-tasting events that we will definitely want to attend in the near-future.
We must really thank Marelle Communications for inviting us to enjoy a delightful business lunch that has not only confirmed to us why Le Renoir is one of the most critically acclaimed French restaurants of the city, but undeniably peaked our interest in discovering the other great amenities Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile has to offer.
Here is what you need to know about Le Renoir
Location: 1155 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, QC H3A 2N3
Hours:
Monday – Saturday: Breakfast 7AM to 10AM | Lunch 12PM to 2PM | Dinner 6PM to 9:30PM
Sunday: Breakfast 7AM to 10AM | Brunch 11AM to 2PM | Dinner 6PM to 9:30PM
Menus: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner | Sunday Brunch | Bar and Wine
Facebook: @SofitelMontreal
Instagram: @Renoirmontreal
OpenTable: renoir-montreal
Website: restaurant-renoir.com
Captionless photos credit: Le Renoir
NEXT: 1700 La Poste | Great Temple of the Arts in Griffintown
