It was only a few years ago that I first experienced Renoir, the signature French restaurant of the renowned Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile. I got to meet Executive Chef Olivier Perret and immediately became a fan of his magic in the kitchen.
Renoir recently underwent an extensive upgrade, so I was naturally excited to see the reimagined space and sample the updated menu. The restaurant welcomes guests for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, inviting them to rediscover the art of exquisite French cuisine. It can now seat 80 people inside. The dining room and bar area are now separated and there are also 80 more seats on the beautiful and seasonal outdoor terrasse.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, a leading French impressionist painter, was one of the most famous artists of the early 20th century. The bar area is named Nini, for the woman who served as Renoir’s muse.
General Manager Marc Pichot, a native of France who arrived here on the scene 10 years ago, told me in a sit-down interview that the restaurant was closed for 10 months as part of the hotel’s major renovation project. “We opened in 2002, so it was time to modernize,” he told me. “As soon as you enter the hotel, you will be whisked away to another place, where chic French flair blends with minimalist touches and playful art, for a distinctive and sophisticated experience. We aim to create epic experiences inspired by the essence of each locale – with a touch of that joyful and carefree French joie de vivre. Our team is passionate and dedicated to offering customized and outstanding service to guests.”
An institution of the Montreal epicurean scene for the last 23 years, Renoir has long been revered for its fine French cuisine that infuses local Quebec ingredients with international flavours to tell the story of Montreal’s vibrant culture. True to its name, the restaurant prides itself on merging the visual and culinary arts, with each dish a masterful creation that delights both the eye and the palate. With a modernized interior balancing tradition and innovation between France and Quebec, Renoir is elevating its dining experience to new heights while maintaining its long-standing commitment to culinary excellence. This dialogue between contrasts enriches every aspect of the restaurant, where classic techniques meet modernity, creating a unique harmony.
Led by Perret, a Maître Cuisinier de France, ‘Ambassadeur de l’Érable,’ and Air France Canadian Chef Signature since 2023, Renoir continues to offer the refined French cuisine it has long been celebrated for.
“After more than 11 years at Renoir, I’m excited to continue offering Montrealers and travelers a refined and delicious experience, now with a modern touch,” said Perret. “Renoir has always been about the authenticity of French gastronomy, elevated with a distinct Québec influence. Through my cuisine, I will continue to put local producers and terroir ingredients in the spotlight while staying true to French culinary traditions. This project is incredibly close to our hearts, and we’re excited to share it with our guests!”
We started off our dinner with some cocktails before turning to the appetizers. And at Renoir, you can always count on something different. That was definitely the case with the Canadian lobster and sturgeon caviar, with seawater jelly, cucumbers and tangy cream for me and the Canadian pike quenelle and lobster bisque. Quenelle is a mixture of creamed fish or meat, sometimes combined with breadcrumbs, with a light egg binding, formed into an egg-like shape, and then cooked. The usual preparation is by poaching. This one included some delicious lobster bisque, another brilliant combination from Perret.
For the main course, my dining partner thoroughly enjoyed Quebec rack of lamb, two perfectly prepared pieces, with potato millefeuille, black olive and black truffle. I opted for the roasted duck breast, confit leg and seared foie gras from Ferme Goulu. It came with carrots, pistachios, spiced jus and raspberry. Duck is always a real treat for me since it is not easy to find on any restaurant menu. This one was served medium rare and cut like butter. I savored every morsel.
Our server Amy, concluded the service by bringing out the three dessert pastries of the evening. We went for the Frasier, a traditional French cake consisting of a sponge cake soaked in kirsch, filled with mousseline cream and strawberries (hence its name), as well as a decadent pistachio and cream.
Alongside exquisite dishes, guests can look forward to discovering Renoir’s refreshed interior designed by the award-winning firm 2pir Design, which reflects a style that balances modernity with luxury. The space boasts a neutral palette infused with elegance, inspired by two key influences. Rich shades of blue pay homage to the cultural connection between France and Quebec, while the interplay of light and shadow, inspired by the impressionist movement, brings a contemporary feel to the restaurant. As part of the upgrade, Renoir has also introduced an open chef’s kitchen, inviting guests to enjoy a more interactive dining experience.
As for the clientele, Pichot said that besides the steady flow of hotel guests, there are a lot of local regulars. “Renoir has always been a standalone restaurant,” he noted. “We offer something different to the community.”
Finally, a word about Pastry Chef Paul Peyrat. He recently earned second place at the North America Pastry Championship Trophy. Alongside Nicolas Parsy, Pastry Chef at Bar Georges, the talented Montreal duo stood out with creations inspired by Quebec’s local ingredients.
Among their creations: A vegan dessert featuring Quebec strawberries, rhubarb, and lemon balm, artisanal confections infused with local flavors and entremets made with Quebec maple and haskap berries
Renoir is located at the Sofitel Hotel at 1155 Sherbrooke St West. Log on to restaurant-renoir.com or call 514-788-3038. Valet parking is available.