We recently had the opportunity to check out the recent investment by Gordon Ramsay called Laurier Gordon Ramsay. This was previously known as Laurier BBQ but the name changed once it was purchased as Ramsay’s first Canadian restaurant. Located just off of Du Parc street, the restaurant adds hype and a unique offering compared to most standard restaurant in Montreal. There is obviously the concern of just a name for the restaurant but we had to try it out for ourselves at least once. We waited this long as we heard the place had some serious line-ups but we had reservations and avoid all that hassle.

The first thing we noticed when we walked into the place was the atmosphere. This is technically a BBQ chicken place and it was quiet, nice and really warm feeling. The restaurant is very welcoming and makes you want to sit down and just relax and have a nice meal. We took a seat at our tables and ordered our drinks. It was very dim lighted making it comfortable and it felt like a restaurant you’ve been to before but really it’s the first time. The décor was really simple yet elegant and the restaurant was separated from the dinner area, bar side and upstairs where the bigger groups are held. The only real draw back here is the fact if you’re with a group, you will have to go downstairs to grab a drink away from the group. Not that fun. The place was really welcoming though and we give it some serious props for not just being one big show boat.

The food was interesting here but as we were with a bigger group we had a limited menu. We had the choice of a Beat Salad, French Onion Soup or a Poutine as appetizers. For the main course we had the choice of BBQ Chicken, 8oz Burger, Salmon on a Cedar plank or Steak and Fries. We decided to choose on a Poutine as well as Salmon. We know we are at a BBQ chicken place but we wanted to try something with more of a different taste then just chicken. We were surprised by the poutine as it was made with a spicy gravy, this was actually really good as an appy. The main course came not too long after and we might have made a mistake with our menu choice. Don’t get us wrong the salmon was good but was nothing unique to other salmon we have had. Everything else look so good to us that it over shadowed our meal. We enjoyed our food but it seemed like it was missing something the make it stand out. Everyone one else was bragging about their meals but it was really hard to find something that really made it stand out. The limited menu came with a choice of desert and we choose the Lemon Meringue pie. Wow…that’s all we had to say about the pie. This rescued the meal for us and really made it enjoyable in the end. The desert must have that something missing and helped complete the meal. Everything but the main meal was just satisfying, almost as satisfying as the high priced drinks.

The service here was decent where they took our order, brought it to us and brought our pills. There was not much more to it as we were a bigger group and we even had to ask for our drinks a few extra times to remind them. This could have been forgotten as we were a big group but once thing that really stood out against the service was the fact that they spoke out against Ramsay while we were there. Our waiter was saying it’s just his name, he sends money to take care of things around the shop since it has his name on it and that’s about it. Majority of the clients checking out this restaurant are there for the name and this is not the way to bring it up over dinner. This just ruined the vibe of the meal for us as it was all about being at Ramsay’s restaurant. We know he isn’t in the back making the food but no need to rub it in.

It was great being able to check out the restaurant with Gordon Ramsay’s name on it and this made the meal for us. While the main dish did not stand out to us as something perfect and extraordinary, the appetizer and desert helped covered those angles with their flavor and satisfied us. The price of the food was not that bad for a restaurant like this with our meal costing 53$ with tax and tip. We would like to go back and try different items on the menu as a limited menu did just that and limited our experience with the food. We were looking forward to trying their hot chicken sandwich but never had that option. The staff comments about the owner as well did not help the whole experience.  The restaurant still has some growing to do and we are sure once the experience kicks in, this place can go to that next level they are aiming for. We would suggest checking out this restaurant as it will probably grow on you. The pricing is not that bad and is located in a nice area of the city.