It is in the enchanting setting of Saint-Raymond-de-Portneuf, renowned for its profusion of outdoor adventures, that Le Roquemont stands. An essential refuge for snowmobilers, hikers and cyclists, this log cabin-style establishment houses a hotel, a microbrewery and a restaurant all under one roof.
After a long hike in nature with a friend, I am dining at this inviting restaurant. The warm decor exudes conviviality. In the dining room, small families, friends and couples are dispersed. One section even includes armchairs that evoke relaxation.
It soon gets thirsty and the place offers a dozen homemade craft beers. The offer covers a wide range of tastes, from lactose-enriched stout to Irish red to golden blonde. After careful consideration, I set my sights on RosaVie, a sour raspberry beer that turns out to be delicious and refreshing.
When it comes to food, we are not left out with the impressive menu. It includes both starters to share as well as snacks (poutines, burgers, tacos, etc.) and more elaborate dishes such as beef cheek braised in red wine, house roasted black pudding and beef flank steak with cognac cream . Beautiful, creative salads, seafood, some pasta dishes as well as vegetarian options complete the well-stocked offer.
As I browse the menu, I notice the attention placed on the selection of ingredients: homemade, local and original. A winning trio! Nothing better to feel the real personality of a place than to integrate items made on site. The place has its own smokehouse and smokes the salmon and chicken that can be found on the menu. We also offer several quality Quebec cheeses. The menu is also sprinkled here and there with dishes flavored with house beers such as beer pulled pork buger, walleye fish nchips coated with beer batter or beer fried onions.
The time has come to make a choice. I let myself be tempted by the Coureur des bois poutine topped with wild boar sausages with blueberries, strips of bacon, aged Perron cheese, topped with a balsamic and blueberry sauce. I go for the moderate portion.
The presentation is enticing with the freshly chopped chives. The fries are soft and the sauce is divine. The sausages are delicious and the marriage of wild boar and blueberries is perfect. The only problem for me? Cheese. I am delighted by the fact that we have dared to include an aged Quebec cheese in the recipe rather than the traditional cheese curds, but the cubes that are a little too big distort the poutine a little. Added probably at the end, they lack warmth and fondant. And I can't see the bacon strips. Have they been forgotten? The little salty side would have been appreciated to balance the sweetness of the sauce.
My hiking companion leans for the Poutine du Brasseur truffled with black beer caramelized onions, aged steps and strips of bacon on which is poured a green pepper and beer sauce. Same thing on her side: she loves the combination of flavors, but would also have appreciated a more runny cheese.
Never mind, the place is a pure comfort after a pleasant day spent outside!
Note:
8/10
What struck me most about my visit:
The decor and warm atmosphere
The house specialty:
Blood sausage and homemade sausages
The most expensive main meal on the menu:
20 oz T-bone, $ 49.95
The cheapest main meal on the menu:
Regular poutine, $ 9.95
Do I recommend this restaurant:
Yes
What time of day did I visit:
Having dinner
Most :
- The service
- Songwriter in the evening
- Craft beers
- Homemade products
The lessers :
- The finish of the decor
