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As is tradition at Eater, we close the year with a survey of food critics, writers, bloggers, and people about town. This year we posed eight questions, from meal of the year, to top restaurant newcomers. All will be revealed by the time we turn off the lights at the end of 2017. Responses are unedited, except for grammar.
Q: What was your most disappointing meal of 2017?
Lesley Chesterman, Montreal Gazette dining critic:
No contest: Bar George.
Jean-Philippe Tastet, Le Devoir dining critic:
Valentine’s Day supper at Chambre à Part with Hakim Chajar as the chef, not so inspired that evening.
Marie-Claude Lortie, La Presse dining critic:
I don’t really want to talk about it. No need to rub it in. But what I do want to talk about is how disappointed I am that we don’t talk more about women chefs, restaurateurs, front of the house, sommeliers, how important they are in this business, how talented they are and how their excellence does not always fit into old-school “best of” categories.
Ian Harrison, Ricardo magazine; Eater Montreal founding editor:
I ate a really lacklustre sandwich at Lloydie's in October.
Mallory Frayn, Eater Montreal contributor:
Lili Co., hands down. I brought a food writer colleague from out-of-province for dinner and it was absolutely horrendous from start to finish. I can give the food a pass (barely) but the real letdown was the service. By the end of the evening our waiter had forgotten about us and was conversing with friends through the back door of the restaurant (which just so happened to be right in front of our table). Totally unprofessional and when we brought it up, they refused to admit that it was even an issue.
Iris Paradis-Gagnon, La Presse restaurant reporter and critic:
La Salle à Manger. I don’t know what going on there (I’ve heard rumours that the place will close soon) but La Salle à Manger isn’t what it’s used to be: a fun place with a lot of atmosphere, generous plates and great food. I went there twice this year and each time it was a big disappointment. The dishes were too salty, or with no flavour, poor execution, there were some OK plates but overall, it was really underwhelming…and overpriced.
Élise Tastet, Tastet blog:
A meal is never disappointing when it is taken in great company.
Mélanie Boudreau, La Pique-Assiette blog:
Chasse-Galerie. Lots of people were raving about that place last year, however, I can’t say the same.
Risa Dickens, Senior Community and Marketing Director at Yelp Montreal:
Every airport meal I ate this year. Tripling the price of things because customers are trapped fills me with hot righteous rage.