If you asked a local, they would probably say that Montréal is known best for three things: great summer festivals, never-ending construction, and an amazing variety of food and world cuisines. Recently, an exciting new addition has made its mark on the culinary scene: Dorsia. This sexy new restaurant in Old Montréal features creations from Michelin-trained Chef Miles Pundsack-Poe, offering an elegant fine dining experience. At Dorsia, you’ll find great cocktails, the best lobster pasta of your life, and exceptional dishes from both Italian and French cuisines.

The drinks

Let’s start with the cocktails. I began with the Ruby Velvet and had no regrets. This Instagram-worthy drink was fresh and well-balanced, with a nice dose of sweetness that provided the perfect energy boost. My companion opted for the classic Dirty Martini and if you’re looking for a well-executed version of this drink, we highly recommend Dorsia’s. The standout for me was the Espresso Martini. It was one of the best I’ve had — if not the best! Dorsia’s version is only a touch sweet, which I really liked, and the espresso part is smooth and tastes like top-quality. We also enjoyed a fantastic bottle of white wine from Dorsia’s prestigious wine list, which complemented our dining experience beautifully.

Appetizers and main courses

Now that we’ve whetted your appetite, let’s explore the world of flavours, textures and dishes at Dorsia. Their kitchen fuses the best of French and Italian techniques with exotic spices and global flavours. Each dish on their menu artfully combines fresh, locally sourced Quebec ingredients with international influences, a testament to Chef Pundsack-Poe’s extensive experience in prestigious Michelin-starred restaurants around the world.

The first starter was a beautiful arrangement of Little Neck Clams — fresh, tender and a bit sweet. You can’t go wrong with the Caesar Salad, featuring a tasty sourdough crumble, or the Beef Tartare with cured duck yolk. These classic dishes are elevated by the Chef’s magic touch and are perfect for sharing. In fact, everything at Dorsia is designed to be shared, including the mains, which is something I love! Meals are meant to be shared, and the opportunity to taste a variety of dishes is a bonus.

Now, let’s talk pasta. The hand-cut tagliatelle with local lamb ragu was fantastic, but my favourite — and something that I’m certain will become a periodic craving — was the Cappelletti with lobster, sabayon sauce and saffron. This pasta will probably feature in my dreams and I am quite happy with this turn of events.

The star of the show was undoubtedly the Quebec duck roasted on the crown with sea buckthorn berries and sunchokes. The duck was cooked to perfection in its sauce and beautifully presented.

As a gentle reminder, don’t skip the seaweed butter, which I almost did. It is special and adds a unique taste and flavour to the meal.

The desserts at Dorsia deserve special recognition. Our favourite was the Mille Feuille, filled with mango and passion fruit, creating a tongue-melting extravaganza of sweet and tart. You know you’ve struck a great dessert when you manage to find more space, after you thought there was none left, and finish every last crumble.

If good food and top-notch service excites you, it’s time to book a table at Dorsia. Chef Miles Pundsack-Poe’s culinary creations are sure to bring joy and flavour to your day or evening. Beginning August 1, Dorsia will also offer a lunch menu from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Bon appétit!

Images are courtesy of Dorsia and Andra Balaci.