With my hair blowing in the wind and my spirit light, I hit the road in a convertible (graciously lent by my mother-in-law) with my partner, determined to enjoy the last rays of summer sun. From Quebec, one of the perfect destinations for a road trip is undoubtedly Baie-Saint-Paul, a charming village in Charlevoix, nestled just an hour by car.


After savoring the beauty of the surrounding landscapes and wandering around a bit in search of parking, we finally walked along the picturesque rue Saint-Jean-Baptiste. A visit to the gift shops and art galleries that line this lively street then whetted our appetite. Fortunately, there is no shortage of restaurants on this street. All that remained was to make a choice! A dilemma awaited us: Joe Smoked Meat or Le Saint-Pub? Both were facing each other and seemed equally popular.


Attracted by the desire to taste a good local beer, we finally opted for Le Saint-Pub, the restaurant of the Microbrasserie Charlevoix. The terrace being full, we were asked for our telephone number and promised to notify us as soon as a table became available. Barely 15 minutes later, we already received a message: our table was ready. What struck me immediately: the calm and soothing atmosphere that reigned there, despite the crowds. Pleasant! We were immediately seated at a charming table, with a bench and soft cushions. A real favorite!

When bringing us the menus, we are informed that the beers, as well as a few special dishes, are listed on the slate. Not very practical for my companion, who has to contort himself to read them. Fortunately, he quickly spotted a beer that suited his tastes: BLNX Premium Lager, a light and thirst-quenching beer. He took the opportunity to recommend to me, knowing my preferences well, the Sour French Kiss, a sour berry beer. And he wasn’t wrong: I really fell in love with this bright red, perfectly tangy beer.


So far everything was going well, but our experience took a slight turn for disappointment when the main courses arrived. First, my companion's plate, a Saint-Pub Burger, seemed sparsely garnished and lacked careful presentation. At over $27 for a burger, we had higher expectations. Unfortunately, the taste was not there either. The brisket and bacon, promised in the description, were actually mixed into the beef sirloin patty, making them almost imperceptible in the mouth. Damage !

For my part, I opted for the seafood roll, a slate dish. I was a little more lucky with the presentation which was much more attentive. A generous roll served in a brioche bun, accompanied by fries and coleslaw, all nicely arranged in a small basket. After a few bites, however, I noticed that the dish was good, but without any particular brilliance. In the seafood garnish, composed of Nordic shrimp, lobster and pollock, the lobster was discreet, and I would have happily skipped my turn on the pollock. Good points for the fries, worthy of the best snacks. The coleslaw was also nice, but not enough to make up for the whole experience. The beers remain the real specialty of the place.


Will I come back? Honestly, I'm not convinced. Next time I'll probably try my luck across the street...

Note : 
6.5/10
What struck me most about my visit: 
Goodwill
The specialty of the house: 
Burgers

The most expensive main meal on the menu: 
Smoked Meat Saint-Pub, $31.75
The cheapest main meal on the menu: 
Classic poutine, $14.75
Do I recommend this restaurant: 
No
At what time of day did I visit: 
Dinner
The pluses: 
The choice of beers
Local products
Service

Cons:
Quality of dishes
Presentation of dishes
High prices