A century is worth celebrating.
And at Québec City’s Fairmont Le Château Frontenac, Le Champlain is marking its 100th anniversary with a new culinary experience that looks as much to the St. Lawrence River as it does to the restaurant’s past.
Under chef Tristan Ratcliffe-Lambert, the Michelin-recommended restaurant is celebrating with Tides of Terroir, a new culinary concept that includes a five-course tasting menu inspired by Samuel de Champlain’s travels, following the river from the Gulf to the heart of Québec. The result is a celebration of the province’s ingredients, producers and culinary traditions, with some unexpected turns along the way.
The five-course Discovery menu offers two paths, including a vegetarian option. The omnivore’s route begins with veal tartare with dehydrated tomato, Rimouski sea urchin bottarga and kombu oil, alongside grilled cipollini onions and sea herbs. Gaspé halibut comes with shrimp-and-bacon XO sauce, chanterelles and a foamy shrimp bisque. Beef, meanwhile, sees AAA striploin marinated in seaweed, miso and black garlic, accompanied by fermented mushroom duxelles, celery and foie gras sauce.
Dessert, aptly named River Stone, brings together toasted buckwheat mousse, verjus gel, buckwheat praline and delicate wakame crisps.
For those who prefer to choose their own adventure, the à la carte menu offers everything from mackerel with leek, sunflower and dulse to striped bass with caviar and beurre blanc. There’s also an indulgent Lobster Wellington for two: poached lobster tails with lobster-and-scallop mousseline, served with tarragon-laced lobster butter hollandaise and carved tableside.
Even the tableware tells part of the story, with shoreline-inspired cutlery and utensil rests made from copper reclaimed from the Château’s former roof.
One hundred years on, Le Champlain is giving diners another reason to visit the landmark château — and plenty to discover beyond its famous views.
Le Champlain | 1 Rue des Carrières, Québec
Share: Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter)
