The first time that I ate at L’Express was nearly 20 years ago, and while the face of Montreal has certainly changed since then — L’Express, thankfully, has not. Indeed as I walked down St Denis, passing one ‘A Louer’ store front sign after the other, interspersed with lonely, customer-less restaurants and remnants of cafés past, I had my doubts whether this Montreal staple still had it. But as soon as I walked through the door, I was met with the same classic, warm bustling bistro I remember loving all of those years ago.
With not one empty table or spot at the bar, and on a Wednesday night no less, L’Express was bursting at the seams. The soothing clatter of lively conversations over the clinking of plates and wine glasses filled the air as the Maitre D swiftly whisked me to a back nook of the restaurant where a friend was already waiting. With waiters neatly in their penguin suits, a black and white check floor tile, a hand-written menu, classic French cuisine, and a wine list longer than one has the time to read, you can’t help but relax and pretend for a couple hours to be transported to somewhere Paris.
Since opening its doors in 1980, L’Express continues to serve delicious plats in a lovely atmosphere and has certainly proven that it is here to stay.
L’Express
3927 Rue Saint-Denis
Montréal, QC
(514) 845-5333
restaurantlexpress.com
