Back in July we had the opportunity to visit sEb L’Artisan Culinaire in the small village of Mont Tremblant (not the ski resort) in Quebec. The namesake of talented Chef Sébastien Houle was opened in 2006 has been gained momentum and accolades ever since. The restaurant now boasts a CAA Four-Diamond rating and is considered to be one of the top establishments in the Tremblant area.
Being a bit hungry from the road trip, we jumped right in and ordered the local fried smelts with aioli and lemon to kick off the festivities. This turned out to be a lovely dish that was light and crispy, with just the right amount of acidity from the lemon. After such a great start, we decided to go with the four-course tasting menu that featured a unique variety of local and Canadian products.
The first of the tasting courses was a delicious tomato and watermelon gazpacho that was both a perfect palate cleanser, and beautiful accompaniment to the warm, breezy summer evening. From there it was on to the second tasting course – an Atlantic Canada tuna tartare. This was served with an absolutely delicious soya and sesame drizzle, along with puffed rice, enoki mushrooms, fresh corn, and sprouts. The dish was perfect and was a highlight for everyone at the table.
We then decided to split things up a bit with the ladies selecting the fish and the men the beef (for sharing of course). The fish that evening was a grilled swordfish served with seasonal vegetables; and the beef was a sous-vide deer venison with fried orecchiette, roasted carrots, morels, and a luxurious red wine demi glace. Both dishes were fantastic in their own right and left us all wanting more.
The evening ended with a decadent brownie dessert served chocolate dust and homemade strawberry ice cream. Paired with a traditional Quebec sortilège, this was a wonderful way to end a memorable evening.
Having very little advanced knowledge of what to expect from sEb L’Artisan Culinaire, I can honestly say we were pleasantly surprised. The venue was airy and quaint – with just the right touch of whimsical. The service was outstanding (thanks again Sebastien), and both the food and wine selections top notch. All-in-all it was an excellent value that offered up a great dining experience. We’ll be back for sure!
P.S. Our server was also kind enough to let us know about Cafe Glendette – a super cool roadside food trailer run by Chef Hayley Smirnow located in nearby Amherst, Quebec. This place serves up delicious homemade sandwiches, baked goods, and drinks. We stopped on the way home and it was fantastic! Be sure to check this one out if you’re ever in the area. 🙂
