As a New Yorker, and a native one at that, it is said that New York has more French Bistros than France itself. And many great ones to add - i.e. Les Halles, Le Gamin, Jacques, Bar ta Bac, Provence.... \n\nOur hotel concierge advised us against this one and suggested one closer to the hotel called \"Holder\" - we should have listened. The highlight of actually going to L'express was walking through the multicolored convention center to catch the metro. Located in what the Montrealers call the \"Latin Quarter\" - really I didn't see any Latins, but many other fine little eateries. The place was not as lively as I would have expected it to be on Saturday night at 10pm. It was all maroon inside and had the feel of a pretentious diner. The service was OK, not impressive, but at least not snooty. \n\nI asked the waiter for a half bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and he brought me out and opened up a bottle of Merlot. We ordered the hanger steak and frites and the Lobster Risotto. We were for-warned by a local that the French bistros do not provide the quantity for the price they will charge and I just didn't get the hype after I got and tasted my food. I have to add though, that the Risotto had a generous quantity of lobster meat in it. I was afraid it would be aborrio rice with essence of Lobster - like a bisque. But it pleasantly surprised me with the meat. Although, at this time, Lobster is unfortunately very cheap to buy this season due to overfishing - hence the generous portion of lobster meat. \n\nBecause we didn't get enough food, we had enough room for desert and the Creme de Caramel l'orange was a true mouthful of chewy orange skin bits. The coffee that we ordered to accompany it was over roasted because it had a burnt taste. Maybe that's what they liked? Eh, I'll just go to Tim Hortons. But the cup it came in was so heavy I had to hold it up with two hands each time to drink it. A picture is posted for your viewing pleasure. \n\nOur total bill for one appetizer, two entrees, one desert and a half bottle of wine came out to $108 USD. Sorry, I just can't rave about this place.
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