Bagatelle Bistro Montreal

Bagatelle Bistro: 4323 Ontario East, Montreal, H1V 1K5

Bagatelle Bistro was recommended to us by our friend Steven, who lives in Montreal, Canada. We happened to be in town to celebrate a birthday and Gay Pride. I called a few weeks before our visit to make reservations, as we thought everything would be booked, as it is a very popular time of the year.

It’s located outside of the main city in the outskirts, about 20 minutes or so from downtown, depending on traffic. Parking can be an issue as it is all on-street parking, so we would recommend either taking a taxi, Uber, or Lyft. One thing to note is that rideshare can be iffy there as they just recently came back into the market.

The Restaurant:

The restaurant itself is very non-descript on the outside. There is a small seating area that encircles a large tree on the sidewalk and stretches into the street a bit. The inside is a mix of a few tables, mostly for 2 people, the same as the outdoor seating. The problem is they have crammed so much seating into the outside and indoor spaces that it is uncomfortable. You hit the person at the next table anytime you try to move your chair.

Be aware that they also do not have a liquor license. The waitress sent us a few storefronts down to a local wine store. The wine Mike picked was not like any I had tasted before. I’m trying to be kind about it, as it did wet the palate.

The Food at Bagatelle Bistro:

Mike ordered a special that they had as our appetizer: octopus and chorizo. He basically devoured this dish, giving me a few bites to try it out. It was a very good dish, although the octopus was cold, and I would have preferred it to be something warm.

I started with a salad with a very light dressing. It had no real taste, and I felt like I was just eating a bad-tasting spring mix.

For our main dishes, we both chose a special they were having that day: Filet Mignon and Grilled Jumbo Shrimp topped with FOIS GRAS and accompanied by fresh vegetables. The steaks were both grilled perfectly and tasted delicious, as we enjoyed conversing while eating. I finished my shrimp first and even had one of Mike’s.

I ordered some of their fresh-cut french fries to go with my meal. They were cooked perfectly and crispy when bitten into. I loved that they were served with a side of mayo, which is one of the next condiments to dip your fries into. I enjoyed my main meal while being dissatisfied with my starters. Mike loved his entire meal and highly recommended it.

We recommend checking it out for something different in Montreal but know the Bagatelle Bistro may not be everyone’s cup of tea.

Pricing $$$-$$$$:  You might get a little sticker shock at first when you hear the prices of the specials and some menu items. But overall, it is not a bad deal for what you get.