Featured in the list of the best restaurants in Quebec for more than 20 years, the Quarante 7, previously called the 47th parallel, is a pledge of a successful evening.
Although I am the first to want to try a new restaurant every time, there are some places that are sure to be good value and Quarante 7 is definitely on my personal list. It is because the quality of the food, the exceptional service and the boundless creativity ensure the sustainability of the place.
In the pre-Covid era, when I went to see a show at the Grand Théâtre de Québec, set up just across the street, I would reserve a table there every time. To combine business with pleasure, my car could stay warm in the restaurant's indoor parking lot while I went to watch the show across the street.
In 2019, the restaurant revamped its decor and image. The new lounge and cozy atmosphere is absolutely enveloping. However, it was in the comfort of my own home that I ate a special gourmet box last time. Set up in collaboration with the Quebec Fishing Industry Association (AQIP), this box was intended to showcase fresh marine products from Quebec. We had struck a chord with me: seafood.
Spectacular plateau
The starter alone was the most spectacular: a tasting platter of the treasures of the sea. The star of this platter? Half a lobster cooked in sea water. Simple, but oh so tasty! The Espelette pepper aioli was the perfect touch to enhance this delicate delight without spoiling it. Among the delicacies on this colorful board, second place went to the gravlax of scallops marinated in Kombu seaweed from Gaspésie. A delight for the eyes and the taste buds! I had the pleasant surprise to discover the seaweed from here, enhanced with a sesame flavor that made the whole thing more harmonious. In third place, the slice of Pastrami style salmon and curry emulsion, with its good smoky taste just enough present was a pure pleasure.
Well-garnished bisque
After this gargantuan entrance, did I have room to continue? When it comes to seafood, the question does not arise. We continued with a shellfish bisque in black truffle oil. I admit, I'm not a soup and stew type, but the fact that the rock crab garnish was generous gave it a nice and interesting texture. The little garlic croutons also added an interesting crunch to the redundant smooth texture of a usual soup.
Sensible main course
For the main course, I liked that we went light and that we were offered a reasonable portion. I wouldn't have liked to waste it. A delicate white fish from Quebec was topped with a garnish of mussels, creamy beluga lentil sauce, white wine and shallots. I loved the marriage of mussel and whitefish that I had never really experienced. Everything was excellent. The only weak point of my plate: the rice pilaf with vegetables that I did not find up to the usual creativity of Quarante 7.
Final in freshness
To top it off, a lemon and burnt meringue pie brought freshness and an ideal citrus side to complement such an excellent seafood meal. The perfect finishing touch, as if everything had been orchestrated.
Gourmet boxes
The restaurant offers a Québec maritime box every year in May, so you can pick up next year if you missed it. However, gourmet boxes to share are offered every week, always including a starter, a soup, a main course and a dessert. The restaurant also offers trilogy boxes of tartares.
Note:
10/10
What struck me the most about my visit:
Presentation of the plates and quality of the products
The house specialty:
Creative cuisine
The most expensive main meal on the menu:
Guinea fowl supreme, $ 40
The cheapest main meal on the menu:
Vegetarian dish, $ 27
Do I recommend this restaurant:
Yes
What time of day did I visit:
Supper
Most :
- Neat presentation
- Variety of dishes
- Originality
- Cozy decor
- Quebec products
The lessers :
For higher budgets
