The Chef’s Counter Experience At The MARCUS is fine dining theatre at its best!
Dinner and a show? The Chef’s Counter at MARCUS serves both, right from the front row.
When a waiter asks you if you want to sit at the bar, you hesitate right? You want to peak in and see if the bar stools are comfy, ergonomic, spacious and WHO else is at the bar. You want to know what you will be facing too.
There is a big difference sat up at a bar, facing a jaded bartender VS an open concept theatre of fine dining! Enter The Chef’s Counter Experience!
At Marcus, located within the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel Montreal, fine dining takes a stylish and sensory-forward turn. While the restaurant’s reputation precedes it, thanks to Executive Chef Jason Morris there is one experience that truly elevates your evening: The Chef’s Counter Experience. It is not just dinner; it is front-row access to culinary theatre, where flavours, aromas, and artistry unfold before your eyes!
Seated at the beautiful white stone bar, guests are welcomed into an elegant yet relaxed environment. Spacious swivel stools ensure you are comfortable, able to turn toward your companions for a toast or pivot toward the open kitchen to watch the magic unfold just a few feet away.
The set up feels intentionally cinematic. From the sizzle of the 500 year old Japanese mini grill, to the steam rising from a garlic flower sauce reduction, the aromas drift directly from the chef’s station to your senses, building anticipation with every dish. If you are a prissy resto goer and prefer the scent of your own perfume, this isn’t for YOU. If you are a true foodie looking to immerse and be transported into the aromas of fine dining, welcome to a seat at The Chef’s Counter Experience.
Seamless Service, Intimate Moments, and Culinary Surprises
What sets this experience apart is not only the stunning food but also the uniquely social yet intimate atmosphere. The open-concept kitchen allows for subtle, authentic exchanges between staff and guests, creating a fluid, communal energy that quietly enhances the experience. Conversations might spark with a friendly sous-chef or a fellow diner, but only if you wish. The design perfectly balances discretion and warmth.
Plates are presented with the grace of invisible hands. One moment you are sharing a laugh with your entourage; the next, a perfectly placed amuse-bouche appears before you, as if by magic. The service is so seamless that it feels enchanted. There are no interruptions, only an elegant rhythm that keeps your focus on what matters: the company, the conversation, and the cuisine.
For example, we were in mid convo about Taipei when alien-shaped-pasta arrived as if from the heavens and landed on the bar! Anolini, a curiously round ricotta and parm filled pasta, was enjoyed not just for its quirky shape and presentation, but for its sudden-ness.
A Curated Journey Through Marcus’ Greatest Hits
The Chef’s Counter Experience tasting menu is a curated showcase of Marcus favorites. Our experience began with a crisp Latke aux pommes de terre, topped with Kaluga caviar and crème fraîche. Talk about starting on a strong note that is hard to beat! The Tuna Tartare followed, a refreshing palate cleanser that was delicately folded with clover shaped daikon and ponzu. The Anolini that we mentioned beofre was the perfect intermission inbetween tiny oceanic facvorites like The Pacifico Bass, served with tomato and potato, offering a once-again refreshing coastal note.
This was followed by what might have been the highlight of the evening: a Filet Mignon so tender and flavorful that it was the best we have had in recent memory, including during numerous trips to France. It melted in our mouths and was accompanied by the most savory reduction and just the right amount of side veggies. Fries, does not come on the menu, but if you are truly Gourmande, u may insist on some anyways. The frozen at-the-perfect-temp steak fries are double flash fried to ensure a crispy exterior and a fluffy interior.
For dessert, we enjoyed the Billionaire Bar, a decadent house favorite, and a seasonal Rhubarb and Verbena Disc, which replaced the usual citrus and herb finish with something floral, tart, and refreshing.
Wine pairings are optional but highly recommended. Each pour enhances the narrative of the meal, although guests who opt out still enjoy a beautifully paced, immersive experience.
A Fine Dining Must at the Four Seasons
About Marcus
Location: Four Seasons Hotel, 1440 Rue de la Montagne, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1Z5
Instagram: @marcus_montreal | Website: Marcus
Book Via Open Table: https://www.opentable.ca/r/marcus-montreal
The Chef’s Counter at Marcus is a truly exceptional way to experience Montreal’s fine dining scene. For those who appreciate culinary artistry, warm hospitality, and a front-row seat to the action, this is where you want to be… for another culinary favourite, try Rose Ross
