While in Quebec City, Ms. Eclectic and I had lunch at Panache, a restaurant that is highly rated by most reviewers. One person told us after our experience that Panache is a five-star restaurant. Nevertheless, we were unimpressed.
The salmon tartar we had as an appetizer was okay, I guess, but I'm not all that keen on it. More disappointing, though, were the entrees. Ms. Eclectic's chicken something tasted more like something than like chicken. It was just plain weird; I don't mind unusual sauces, but to completely distort the flavours seemed unnecessary and ridiculous. And my rolled pork was way too dry for pork. It was clearly over-cooked.
Two other points: the wine is tremendously over-priced, and the chocolate-pastry desserts, while tasty, were hard and dry. Quite frankly, I wonder whether for entrees and dessert we were served leftovers from the previous day or two.
Not only were we unimpressed with the meal, but we were so put off by the experience that we decided we would probably not enjoy staying at the Hotel St. Antoine, which we had been considering for our next visit to Quebec City.
Even though I am the self-proclaimed chair of the PLO, I certainly expected different and better than what we experienced.
Others may rate this restaurant highly but in my view, the emperor had no clothes.