Bouillon Bilk

Bouillon Bilk Restaurant Review:

Bouillon Bilk is an oasis of upscale dining on an otherwise lackluster strip of St-Laurent. Wander off the beaten path from the touristy Quartier des Spectacles and you’ll be rewarded with the likes of beef and sea urchin tartare with chanterelle mushrooms and local sea asparagus; rabbit and snail tagliatelle with porcini mushrooms and lemon confit; and seared scallops bathed in brown butter with grilled zucchini, bitter watercress, and thinly-sliced sweet pear. Though a locavore restaurant at heart, Bouillon Bilk combines Quebec ingredients with exotic flavors, serving local Cornish hen with beets accompanied by fresh figs and vadouvan smashed potatoes. But in case you're worried that the restaurant might have an unhealthy case of menu wanderlust and, heaven forbid, “fusion,” rest assured that by having foie gras listed on both the appetizer and dessert menus it firmly fixes itself within La Belle Province. If you can only handle one course of the duck specialty, opt for the latter version, which comes with banana, chocolate, smoked apple and sour cream. The wine list is mostly private import, natural wines; cocktails have a classic bent. Nabbing a reservation at this small but boisterous place is reason enough to celebrate with a well-made Aperol Spritz.