3 /5 Sassy Spoons: I went to Portus 360 and overall had a mixed experience. Don’t get me wrong, the food was very good, tasted fresh, and felt authentic. My bacalou was as close to authentic as possible, which I really appreciated. The short rib, however, had a lot of fat. I understand that short rib naturally has a large fat cap, but the balance between fat and meat felt off, especially for the price we paid, so that is something to keep in mind. The calamari was not out of this world. It was nice that they stayed on theme with the piri-piri sauce, but honestly it tasted like frozen Costco calamari. It was good, just not quite up to the level I expected for the restaurant.
The creme brûlée was delicious. The custard was incredible, and the brulee coating was perfectly caramelized. It was easily one of the best I have ever had. The drinks were strong and offered good value for the amount of alcohol, which I really enjoyed.
The view from the restaurant was impeccable. Being in a turning restaurant allowed us to see all the waypoints in Montreal, which was an amazing experience. The only downside was the lighting. The lights could have been turned lower because at night there was a glare on the windows, making it nearly impossible to take a perfect picture of the beautiful Montreal skyline.
The wait staff was very kind and attentive. Our waitress always made sure we were taken care of and was quick to answer any questions we had. She paid attention to our table the entire time, which made the experience more enjoyable. The rest of the wait staff was also very friendly, always smiling, quickly taking away finished plates, and making sure our water glasses were full. On the other hand, the hostess, or coat check lady, was not very attentive. She brushed us off when we first arrived, which was not the best first impression. We waited our turn, but a lady from a group behind us was served first. When it was finally our turn, two men came in and asked to be served first, and she allowed it. I understand other customers were being pushy, but it would have been better if she had put her foot down and served people in order.
Overall, it was a fun experience. The food had highs and lows, the drinks and view were excellent, and most of the staff were attentive and kind. With a few adjustments to service, lighting, and certain dishes, this could be a much stronger experience, but it was still enjoyable.
