My last trip to Montreal coincidentally aligned with their restaurant festival, Mtl a Table, where participating nicer restaurants offer a prix fixe menu to invite people to try them out that may not usually otherwise. This brought me to Pincette - Bar à Homard, which turned out to be just a few blocks away from my hotel on Old Montreal.
It did take me a bit to find because of confusing Google Maps directions, but eventually I made it inside and was seated at the bar. I was offered the regular menu but when advised I was here for the prix fixe, they brought that one. There was a choice of four appies, four mains and three deserts for $68.
I had already pre-scouted the menu, as is my habit, so I got my order in quickly and service was fairly quick at the bar.
I started with the Magdelan Island scallops, seared, vegetables, coconut milk, curry and clam juice. This was an $8 up charge to the prix fixe, but I couldn't resist the chance for some local scallops.
This was probably my favourite of the three dishes I had. The scallops were large, fresh and juicy, and the curry sauce and veggies wasn't a pairing I would have thought of on my own but it worked well and it was creamy and flavourful.
I stayed with local ingredients for my main, the Manicougan halibut, confit in olive oil, root vegetables, bisque and black mullet caviar.
I'm a big fan of halibut -- it's probably my go-to restaurant fish -- but I didn't like this execution. With the confit it was too dry and overcooked. Halibut is better grilled, or breaded and fried. The sauce and veg were fine and the plating was attractive, but it couldn't rescue the lackluster fish.
Finally, for desert I kept it simple with the mango sorbet. It was delicious.
Overall, while this was an OK meal it was not my favourite of my visit and will not be on my list for a return visit when I'm next in Montreal. For the price I paid, I expect a properly cooked piece of fish.
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