Toqué!

Frommer's Review

Toqué! is the gem that single-handedly raised the entire city's gastronomic expectations. A meal here is obligatory for anyone who admires superb, dazzlingly presented food. "Post-nouvelle" might be an apt description for chef Normand Laprise's creations; his presentations are eye-opening, his portions quite sufficient, and his singular combinations of fixings are intensely flavorful. A short menu and top-of-the-bin ingredients, some of them rarely seen together -- for example, cauliflower soup with foie gras shavings and milk foam, or smoked suckling pig cheek with maple-water sponge toffee, or olive oil sorbet with blood orange -- ensure a unique tasting experience. If you choose one of the two seven-course tasting menus -- and on weekends, as much as 80% of the crowd does -- opt for wine pairings. The decor is 1960s loungey, with bulbous lamps hanging from the ceiling and low-back chairs. Most diners are prosperous-looking, so while the stated dress code is casual, you'll want to wear sharp attire. Service, headed by co-owner Christine Lamarche, is efficient, helpful, and not a bit self-important. Fifteen years on the scene, and Toqué! is still at the top of its game.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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