Au Pied de Cochon Review

Reviewed by aromes from Los Angeles on 9/7/09
I've rarely went to a restaurant with that much anticipation (probably one of the most mentionned restaurant in all my years in Mtl). So, it became a must-see for me (never mind the expectations..I'm not the type who builds huge expectations to end up being disappointed by it's..expectations..lol..It's my palates that will judge!)

So I started with the piglet roast -> nicely roasted, a bit over-seasoned but savourish enough. Nothing "jaw-drooling" here, but good. Main course consisted of the lamb (the lamb shank confit item on their menu) ->
the lamb shanks were nicely coated and seasoned (with well balanced flavors of the usual garlic and other usual seasonings you find in lamb shank confits). Good.

The list of desserts is a bit borying/simplistic, although I did appreciate the "pudding chômeur",
an authentic quebec's savourish and extremely sweet dessert (a basic pudding made out of flour).

Overall, that was a good first experience (it's the kind of authentic cuisine, very rich in savors/flavors/seasonings
that I like once in a while), and I am looking forward to discover more from their menu.

Member Rating: 3.4
Ratings details: Food: 3.0 Atmosphere: 4.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 3.0

Reviewed by rbrosseau from Chatham, Ontario, Canada on 1/30/09
Four of us shared three apps and three entres and there was left-overs for miles. The service was good, however our fourth entre was completly forgotten and never arived. This was no big deal because we were all sharing and severly stuffed by the time we realized it, but none the less it happened.
The boudin and foie gras tarte is the most spectatular combination of flavours and textures I have ever experienced. The foie gras poutine is as phenomenal as expected. The menu is very fatty, but that is what comfort food is all about. Besides, pork and duck fat have never hurt anyone.
The atmosphere is laid back and very rural French, with absolutely no pretension. Eat, drink, and be merry.
The value is unheard of, the portion sizes are immense for this type of high end cuisine and the prices low. Most restaurants of this calibre would be much more expensive.

Member Rating: 4.8
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 5.0

Reviewed by andrewh from San Francisco, CA on 5/8/08
Food: Given everything I've read, I went in with pretty high expectations. I was both pleasantly surprised and slightly disappointed. I was most impressed by the tarragon bison tongue -- extremely tender and flavorful. The foie gras cromesquis was very good too -- it's like eating a chocolate truffle (technically bread "truffle", since it's deep fried and the outside is breading) with delicious foie gras sauce filling. The duck in the can was slightly disappointing -- great flavor but too chewy, also the foie gras itself is definitely not as good as what you'll find in other good restaurants.
Service: Unfortunately I have to agree that service was a bit sloppy (maybe it's because I don't speak French). I ordered a poutine and it never came (especially upsetting since I was dead set on trying it on this trip). Along with some other slight mishaps, I really would like to see more attention to details from their staff (the service wasn't slow or unfriendly though).
Tips: The restaurant is open until midnight, so if you go there late (past 9pm, especially weekdays), it'll probably be realatively easy to get a table. Also they have about 12 dozen bar seats that accommodate walk-ins.

Member Rating: 2.8
Ratings details: Food: 3.0 Atmosphere: 3.0 Service: 2.0 Value: 3.0

Reviewed by johnnydread1 from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA on 9/3/07
This restaurant seems to be running on reputation to a certain extent. The place is always packed to the max. Service was very slow. Food service slow. For those people who do not eat red meat, watch out. No chicken dishes, one fish dish (made with bacon no less). Salad was excellent but enough to feed three people easily. Do not overorder!!!! Bill for two people will easily top $100 canadian. Knowing what I now know, I would definitely go somewhere else, considering all the choices in Montreal.

Member Rating: 3.4
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 3.0 Service: 2.0 Value: 2.0

Reviewed by shathaway from Boston on 8/15/07
I thought that Poutine with seared Foie Gras was going to be the utlimate temptation. That is only because I hadn't yet tried a little miracle that Cochon likes to call Foie Gras Cromesquis and describe as an exlplosion. The staff goes into great detail about how to eat this square, lightly fried morsel of epicurean genious and I can see why. It is hand's down the only way I'm interested in eating my Foie Gras ever again. I could go on and on but that wouldn't leave room to discuss how perfect the Duck in a Can, Foot of the Pig stuffed with foie gras and Lamb shank were. Did I mention everything is covered in slabs of foie gras? Best of Montreal no question. Get a reservation and ignore the comments about service, while it was not fast by US standards the waiters were informative and friendly. If you're looking for quick service, go to Applebee's or better yet, stay out of Montreal altogether.

Member Rating: 4.8
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 5.0

Reviewed by Frequent_Traveller from Atlanta on 6/3/07
The best dinner in Montreal. Each course was better than the course before. We had Foie Gras croquettes, Beet and Goat Cheese Salad, Duck in a Can and a fresh lobster. The atmosphere was casual, lively and fun. The tables are so close together that you easily end up chatting with your neighbors. If you like to cook, we recommend the Chef's award-winning Cookbook. (Another great, yet totally different Montreal restaurant in Montreal, is La Montee de Lait.) Bon Appetit!

Member Rating: 4.6
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 4.0 Value: 4.0

Reviewed by cocoched from Reddin, ct on 11/28/06
Great place. Extremely busy. Reservation highly recommended. Do not go there if you are on a diet. The menu is a cholesterol heaven but who cares it is delicious!

Member Rating: 5.0
Ratings details: Food: 5.0 Atmosphere: 5.0 Service: 5.0 Value: 5.0