LOV Restaurant

The LOV Restaurant, vegetarian and vegan cuisine with a fabulous decor. But is it as good as it looks ?

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Updated:

September 28, 2018

Pierre Bourbonnais

The dress does not make the monk!

It is said that we must not always trust appearances, judge by the cover. There is truth in this saying and we have proof of it at all times. It’s a bit like what we’ve seen here.

Last night, in order to meet a former co-worker we had not seen for years, we booked a table at the Lov Restaurant on McGill Street in Montreal, for a reunion dinner.

Karine and I had often passed on McGill Street, in front of this restaurant decorated with amazing, soothing, zen decor. That’s what inspired us to visit the LOV. As soon as you enter this beautiful place, you feel carried away in a universe with perfect lines. Neither too chic and stuffy, nor too casual and run down. A bohemian equilibrium ! The eye is instantly attracted by the many objects, chairs, lamps, white bricks adorning the Lov Restaurant McGill. Jacinthe Piotte and Jean-Pierre Viau have developed this very successful decor.

On the kitchen side, the concept is vegetarian and vegan, a healthy cuisine that is fortunately more and more trendy everywhere on the planet. The eco-commitment mission of the LOV Restaurant favors a supply of local products, a so-called artisan cooking, the eco-responsibility and a list of organic wines at reasonable prices.

Due to a busy schedule, we arrived very (too) early (17:30). Only a few tables were occupied. Once installed at our table, the server was eager to offer us entries, without giving us the time to consult the menu. This will unfortunately be the beginning of a series of disappointing service failures.

After making our choice of starters, we move on to wine selection. Clearly, our server did not know about the products offered and her advices were not useful at all. So we opted for a Young Vines of Xinomavro, Thymiopoulos (misspelled on the menu!). At $ 39, this little Greek wine really surprised us and hold the course with the variety of selected dishes. Unfortunately, the temperature of the bottle was well above what it should have been and we had to resolve to put it on ice before enjoying it. And to top it all, once at a suitable temperature, the wine was served in our glasses until filling them at ¾, as if we wanted to finish the bottle as soon as possible.

Barely a few minutes after the order, the 3 entries arrived on the table. It is a mystery to us how, in such a short period of time, these three dishes could be concocted!

The “Oh My Avocado” was frankly excellent, with its big cubes of almond feta, cucumber juice with wasabi and pickled radish. Very successful. Kale Mac’n’cheese was more ordinary and the “Onions Français”, apart from their enormities, were nothing to write home about.

We then continued with the “Risotto with Mushrooms”, with cashew cream and parmesan almonds. Original and tasty. The “Truffle & Caviar” was somewhat drowned by the taste of truffle oil so the flavors of the rest of the ingredients were inaccessible. The “Pok’ai” was a nice amalgam of compressed watermelon, cauliflower rice, avocados and macadamia nuts. The combination was interesting, but not “Wow”.

Despite the fact that it’s a Tuesday night and that the weather is not very favorable in Montreal that night, the LOV Restaurant is full. But we feel that the staff is running in all directions. Bumping in each others, dropping plates, looking overwhelmed. Perhaps a lack of rigor, or professionalism? When you compare with the absolutely fabulous service of restaurants like Vin Papillon, Le Diplomate or the late Comptoir, to name only these, we see immediately that there is a world of differences. Pity! Luckily, the service is still courteous and pleasant.

The formula is interesting. The decor awesome. The prices are reasonable. Is it the fact that Restaurant LOV is now becoming a chain with three establishments in Montreal and Laval and that the quality of the products and the service leave something to be desired?

Despite the many positive comments and praises for this restaurant, we were more disappointed than amazed. Will we go back? Maybe not!

We use different websites and phone apps for our hotel, hostels, homestay, apartment or house reservations. Very convenient and often cheaper than in person at the location. By clicking on the icons below, you’ll get a discount on your next booking and at the same time, we will also receive a discount of our own.

WHAT A DEAL, NO?