It’s nice to walk into a restaurant and instantly feel a warm, fuzzy vibe … one where you want to stay. Le Clocher Penche sets a tone for comfort with a buzz of conversation from the dining room, slow mode ceiling fans, an art installation at the back that invites curiosity and a pale blue gin called Magellan. Add some tonic to that fuel (with an alcohol content of 44%) and you’ve got a powerful aperitif (“apero” in Quebecois speak), one that any knowledgeable Brit (or Spaniard these days) swears by. Gin and tonic anyone? After a full day of sightseeing and activities here in Quebec City you’ll be thirsty … and hungry, too.
That’s where Le Clocher comes in. A gastro pub menu that’s infinitely creative will easily take care of those hunger pains and servers that know the food will guide the way. Keep the easy going pace that suits this casual French Canadian bistro and you have a winning experience in my book. But let’s not forget the groovy French soundtrack that reminds you that you’re in a city with the DNA of France but the sensibility of modern Canada – perfect for the tourist who wants to explore his international side yet not be challenged by a quantum leap to a language differential. Almost everyone speaks English here in this romantic Unesco World Heritage city and the food is on the level of Paris.
It’s difficult to make a choice from the fabulous menu as the restaurant has wisely imbued its selections with Quebecois overtones that show up in regional specialities and artisanal cheeses. Hearty food is no stranger to these townspeople with a full seven months of chill so bear that in mind when you order. The talented chef/owners Eric Villain and Steve McCandless have put a very sophisticated spin on good old-fashioned comfort food and the result is a daring take on the contemporary bistro formula.
Appetizers classified as “The First Bite” will keep you warm. We started with a mini lettuce salad with a garlic infused creamy vinaigrette and a piglet croquette stuffed with fresh port and served with a potato salad, celery and tarragon. Mains asking “Shall We Continue” were a fabulous Arctic char served with a beet infused risotto and the piglet (again) cooked sous vide (i.e. in a vacuum) with fennel, multicoloured cauliflower and a blueberry sauce. Talk about reworking the color wheel!
Desserts were a strawberry mascarpone cheesecake with a strawberry nougat glace and apple compote and fresh strawberries layered in an olive oil wedding cake dressed with a vanilla panna cotta and lemon cream. The pastry chef knows a thing or two about subtlety with sugar. Both sent us begging for after dinner libations from the region and we settled on a smooth after dinner wine called Temiscouata from the town of Auclair in the Domaine Acer, a couple hundred miles east of Quebec City. Its’ subtle maple flavour reminded us that we were in the place where maple syrup and all things maple are king.
Le Clocher Penche has been open a solid eleven years clearly proving that it’s doing something that both visitors and locals alike will write home about.
Le Clocher Penche
203 Rue St. Joseph Est
Quebec, QC, G1K 6A8
418-640-0597
www.clocherpenche.ca