After a long day of beer drinking, brewery hopping and driving I along with Dima and two friends found ourselves in Old Montreal. Hungry, slightly clueless, we stumbled around on the cobblestones searching for a place to sit, eat and potentially drink more beer. With the help of foursquare we were drawn to the restaurant with the albino bison head hanging above the bar. It didn't have many customers and I was scared of breaking my golden rule of unplanned eating - never go to a restaurant that isn't busy at a time it should be busy. But we broke it and I'm glad we did otherwise I would never have experienced the great food at Résident.
We were seated at the star table - in the corner, slightly raised, right in front of the big windows. I have to admit, I felt kind of cool sitting at the best table in the restaurant. We received the menu and that's where it got complicated. Not because the menu is confusing, it's because you do actually have to take a few moments to figure out what you want and then the waitress goes and informs you of two dinner specials on top of that. With some serious consideration I chose the Chef's soup - a wonderful spicy, pickled potato soup. It was a flavour combination I had never tried before, slightly sour but with heat – it tickled my tongue, it was wonderful. For my main I chose the seared scallops with red beet risotto. The scallops were cooked beautifully with a hint of lemon; the beet risotto was delicious with chunks of beet and hints of parmesan – not sluggish or goopy. I admired everyone else’s plates - Dima who chose one of the specials – house made perogies, Mike who ordered the signature Bison burger with a pile of fries and Maggie who tried the seared Doré in a cream sauce. We did not attempt dessert which I slightly regret on learning that they are all made in house – maybe next time?
I don’t know why this restaurant was empty while The Keg was filled to the brim. I love the food, I love the atmosphere, I love the comfort being offered at Résident and I love that most entrées are priced at $15-16 range. If you’re in Old Montreal, go find the albino Bison and make sure you get the star table at Résident.
Résident
400 Rue Notre Dame Est
Montreal
