Foods from Chez Lucien
Comments
2013 Dec 15
New to Ottawa, I decided to give Chez Lucien a try because of the recommendations from friends. I ordered the Chez Lucien burger which I found to be of a good size because of the cream cheese, bacon and mushroom fillings but the burger itself not as juicy as I'd like. It was a bit over done. I enjoyed the salad and the tasty fries on the platter.
I cannot say they have the best burger in town but that it's just normal pub fare.
I cannot say they have the best burger in town but that it's just normal pub fare.
2013 Nov 1
Oh my, shoestring fry! There was a burger involved, too.
Originally posted here: chopstickbeateneggs.wordpress.com
I'd heard tales of Chez Lucien since moving here and was happy to finally visit this week with a lunch companion who worked close by.
My litmus test for a place with supposedly good burgers is their signature burger – here, I ordered the “Chez Lucien” which featured bacon, mushrooms, and a generous glob of cream cheese (it’s a great twist on the standard cheeseburger). Patties are of the thinner variety (not my favourite style), and the fat-to-lean ratio is lower than I prefer — both of these factors result in a less juicy burger. Given the factors against juiciness, I would’ve preferred a pinker burger (though it wasn't overdone). The beef wasn’t noticeable spiced, if at all (I never understood why so many folks make burgers this way). I’ll also take a messily-dripping-over-the-edges burger over a patty-with-slightly-oversized bun, though the patty-to-bun size ratio did make a tidier eating experience. Buns were pleasingly sesame-y.
The platter came with fries and salad (hooray, I don’t have to choose!): I’m a sucker for shoestring fries and these were delightful. Their creamy house dressing is nice and punchy (says the girl who usually prefers vinaigrettes) and double dutied as delicious fry-dip as I alternated between mayo, ketchup, and the dressing. I was also reminded of how much I love sprouts in my salads.
It was a solid meal, but Chez Lucien doesn’t meet the they-have-the-best-burger-ever-OHMIGOD standard that has been portrayed by friends and strangers. My guess is that they do a pretty good pub fare – Ottawa is, after all, a pub town. I won’t go so far as to say that the restaurant is overrated; I’ll just recategorize it in my head as a pub and look forward to returning with recalibrated expectations.
Originally posted here: chopstickbeateneggs.wordpress.com
I'd heard tales of Chez Lucien since moving here and was happy to finally visit this week with a lunch companion who worked close by.
My litmus test for a place with supposedly good burgers is their signature burger – here, I ordered the “Chez Lucien” which featured bacon, mushrooms, and a generous glob of cream cheese (it’s a great twist on the standard cheeseburger). Patties are of the thinner variety (not my favourite style), and the fat-to-lean ratio is lower than I prefer — both of these factors result in a less juicy burger. Given the factors against juiciness, I would’ve preferred a pinker burger (though it wasn't overdone). The beef wasn’t noticeable spiced, if at all (I never understood why so many folks make burgers this way). I’ll also take a messily-dripping-over-the-edges burger over a patty-with-slightly-oversized bun, though the patty-to-bun size ratio did make a tidier eating experience. Buns were pleasingly sesame-y.
The platter came with fries and salad (hooray, I don’t have to choose!): I’m a sucker for shoestring fries and these were delightful. Their creamy house dressing is nice and punchy (says the girl who usually prefers vinaigrettes) and double dutied as delicious fry-dip as I alternated between mayo, ketchup, and the dressing. I was also reminded of how much I love sprouts in my salads.
It was a solid meal, but Chez Lucien doesn’t meet the they-have-the-best-burger-ever-OHMIGOD standard that has been portrayed by friends and strangers. My guess is that they do a pretty good pub fare – Ottawa is, after all, a pub town. I won’t go so far as to say that the restaurant is overrated; I’ll just recategorize it in my head as a pub and look forward to returning with recalibrated expectations.
2013 Jun 16
This place will always hold a special place in my heart. Reminds me of home (Montreal) and where I had my first date in January with my current Beau.
Only been for drinks as it got loud due to a hockey game so we went elsewhere for food but I would not turn my nose up to it some other time
Only been for drinks as it got loud due to a hockey game so we went elsewhere for food but I would not turn my nose up to it some other time
2013 Mar 21
I've always liked this place. The vibe is awesome and it doesn't try to be something it's not. The worst thing a restaurant can do is try too hard to please everyone all the while forgetting what it wants to be. For that I give this place two big thumbs up.
One thing I would suggest is that they take a little more pride and not let garbage pile up behind the bar. It often looks like there was a party the previous night and no one cared to clean up the next day. Also, I think a few newer tvs could jazz up the place.
I know they are Habs fans but I bet they don't watch stick around Chez to watch them play!
One thing I would suggest is that they take a little more pride and not let garbage pile up behind the bar. It often looks like there was a party the previous night and no one cared to clean up the next day. Also, I think a few newer tvs could jazz up the place.
I know they are Habs fans but I bet they don't watch stick around Chez to watch them play!
2012 Sep 10
Went on Saturday afternoon with the little ones. Had the Chez Lucien burger. As with ilikerealfood, I found the burger dry (perhaps ridiculously so) and tasteless. Definitely not anywhere near top of my list. The other dishes were palatable (Monte Cristo, Veal).
IMO this place gets a little too much credit for the food. Sure the atmosphere and location are good. The beer selection is okay, for the Market, but still not terribly interesting (wow.. Mill Street).
Too bad. I wanted to like it.
IMO this place gets a little too much credit for the food. Sure the atmosphere and location are good. The beer selection is okay, for the Market, but still not terribly interesting (wow.. Mill Street).
Too bad. I wanted to like it.
2012 Jun 3
Great beer menu, but once again, an Ottawa burger joint that doesn't season the mince. Sigh...
Had the diego burger and my dining partner had the chez lucien burger.
Both burgs were a bit over done. Would have liked a little more pink.
But I can see why people like this place. Better then average burger, good beer, nice atmosphere. I get it.
The fries are really good; crispy and well seasoned. (put some of that seasoning in the meat, PLEASE) and the bread was better then the'wonderbread' stuff you find at five guys or works.
It was cool that they added a nice little salad with it.
Still looking for that amazing burger...
Works, nope. Chez Lucien, nope, Five Guys, nope, Hintenburger, nope. All decent burgers, but where is the flavor!?!?! (notwithstanding the toppings, and for that Works wins so far).
Gotta try that Art-is-in burger, I'm convinced its the last saving grace in Ottawa for burgers. But until I try it, I can't say anything other then Ottawa burgers underwhelm me.
Had the diego burger and my dining partner had the chez lucien burger.
Both burgs were a bit over done. Would have liked a little more pink.
But I can see why people like this place. Better then average burger, good beer, nice atmosphere. I get it.
The fries are really good; crispy and well seasoned. (put some of that seasoning in the meat, PLEASE) and the bread was better then the'wonderbread' stuff you find at five guys or works.
It was cool that they added a nice little salad with it.
Still looking for that amazing burger...
Works, nope. Chez Lucien, nope, Five Guys, nope, Hintenburger, nope. All decent burgers, but where is the flavor!?!?! (notwithstanding the toppings, and for that Works wins so far).
Gotta try that Art-is-in burger, I'm convinced its the last saving grace in Ottawa for burgers. But until I try it, I can't say anything other then Ottawa burgers underwhelm me.
Older
2008 Jul 4
"The Man" was very impressed by the selection of Beers "on tap". By our count there were four craft beers... Heritage (Carleton Place), Blanche de Chambly (Chambly, Que) and St. Ambroise & Griffin (Montreal). As well as Boddingtons, Kilkenny, and Stella (there may have been a couple more, but we couldn't read the taps from where we were seated).
Unfortunately, they don't have Beau's, I would think that this would be a good location for them to get into though, because management obviously supports craft beers, and afterall Beau's home is half-way between Ottawa and Montreal, so it would be a good fit with the atmosphere at Chez Lucien.
Unfortunately, they don't have Beau's, I would think that this would be a good location for them to get into though, because management obviously supports craft beers, and afterall Beau's home is half-way between Ottawa and Montreal, so it would be a good fit with the atmosphere at Chez Lucien.
2006 Oct 10
These are pretty standard Ottawa nachos -- a layer of chips, a layer of salsa, another layer of chips, and a topping of cheese. Not what I consider top notch nacho structure but it's normal for this part of the world. At least they load it up with jalapeños.
The thing to rave about here is the price. Six bucks is an awesome price for a plate of nachos. Sure makes you want to drink more beer!
The thing to rave about here is the price. Six bucks is an awesome price for a plate of nachos. Sure makes you want to drink more beer!
2017 Sep 8
The Frida and Diego Burger ($16) comes with a pile of top notch fries and a delightful salad. The burger itself was beautifully and deliciously dressed with lettuce, tomato, jalapeños, and cheese. I found the beef patty to be a little too thick (personal preference, I know) and on the dry side. Still, this is overall one of the best burger platters in town.
2017 Mar 18
The burger platter is still super popular here, and for good reason. I had their St Patrick's Day special ($17), with Guinness Cheddar and bacon. Every bite was awesome, and the selling point here is still the fact that platters come with fries *and* salad by default.
I mean seriously, every place should serve fries and salad on a platter. What ever made it okay to consider them as mutually exclusive items where one can be swapped out for the other? It's a bit like offering a burger and then asking if you want a patty or a bun. :P
Top marks to Chez Lucien for doing what's right!
I mean seriously, every place should serve fries and salad on a platter. What ever made it okay to consider them as mutually exclusive items where one can be swapped out for the other? It's a bit like offering a burger and then asking if you want a patty or a bun. :P
Top marks to Chez Lucien for doing what's right!
2011 Mar 9
Was there today after a meeting and just missed lunch time at both murrey St and Benny's Bistro.
Went to CL after an absence of about 2 years and had the Bourgoise burger with pear, grilled onion and brie. Very tasty and the fries are great dipped in the dressing and the salad was fairly decent.
Very decent deal for $12.
The soup of the day was lamb stew but they ran out..
Went to CL after an absence of about 2 years and had the Bourgoise burger with pear, grilled onion and brie. Very tasty and the fries are great dipped in the dressing and the salad was fairly decent.
Very decent deal for $12.
The soup of the day was lamb stew but they ran out..
2008 Jul 4
Both the Burger Platters we ordered were fantastic! "The Man" had the Frida & Diego (jalapeos, grilled onions & monterey jack cheese), while I had the Hambourgeoisie, a more "upscale" burger (premium beef, pear slices, grilled onions and melted brie). The shoestring fries were homemade (still had the skins on) and perfectly cooked, while the house salad of mixed greens and fresh veggies came with a very tasty dressing. Having both fries and salad was a real treat as so many places offer one or the other.
Can't wait to go back and try another of their many Burger Platters.
Can't wait to go back and try another of their many Burger Platters.
2006 Nov 27
I am absolutely addicted to this meal. Its a soft but crisp croissant with ham, melted cheddar cheese, warm tomatoes and a unidentified sweet white sauce. It all comes together to make a fantastic combination. It (like several meals at Chez Lucien) comes with excellent french fries and a good portion of fresh salad. All for about $8.00.
2010 Mar 25
I agree with the other review of the CL salmon burger whole-heartedly!
This salmon burger has a huge piece of salmon that is so tasty that the garnishes are hardly noticeable.
There are of course, the delicious CL fries (lightly salted) and a complimentary side salad with fantastic dressing drizzled over it...but the fish itself is the mouth-watering treat guaranteed.
(Just the perfect flavour of tenderly cooked fish that tastes exactly the same every time...)
They have this one down to an 'art-form'.
All of that, for around $12. It is amazing!
This salmon burger has a huge piece of salmon that is so tasty that the garnishes are hardly noticeable.
There are of course, the delicious CL fries (lightly salted) and a complimentary side salad with fantastic dressing drizzled over it...but the fish itself is the mouth-watering treat guaranteed.
(Just the perfect flavour of tenderly cooked fish that tastes exactly the same every time...)
They have this one down to an 'art-form'.
All of that, for around $12. It is amazing!
2007 Dec 22
I wish I had taken a picture but....I'll explain it as best as I can. All the burgers come with fries and salad with IMO, a very nice and garlicky creamy dressing. The salmon burger said it was served with dill cream cheese on it, which yes it did...the perfect amount too. Sometimes if things are served with cream cheese, they tend to over do it and I'm scraping some off (ahem...Tim Horton's) but not here. For some reason I was expecting the salmon to be hot, like grilled y'know, but it was just about room temp., not cold, but not very warm. Then I thought of course they wouldn't serve it warm/hot because of the cream cheese! It was great all around anyways!
2011 Jan 18
So I tried escargots (uh, AKA snails) for the very first at Chez Lucien time while out with some friends. As a newbie, I was understandably a bit squeamish at the idea of eating slimy, earth-crawling mollusks. But they were surprisingly yummy.
They come on a platter (a very generous portion, I thought, given my limited experience) and drenched in a yummy herb and garlic sauce, along with a few toasted pieces of French baguette for dipping. Mm-mm-mm. So, even if you don't like the snails, you can make your very own garlic bread! I couldn't reeeeally get over the texture, even after trying them a second time, but hey, that's just me. Didn't stop me from eating four or five.
Anyway, I suggest you all get adventurous and try yourselves some snails from Chez Lucien! Mm-mm!
They come on a platter (a very generous portion, I thought, given my limited experience) and drenched in a yummy herb and garlic sauce, along with a few toasted pieces of French baguette for dipping. Mm-mm-mm. So, even if you don't like the snails, you can make your very own garlic bread! I couldn't reeeeally get over the texture, even after trying them a second time, but hey, that's just me. Didn't stop me from eating four or five.
Anyway, I suggest you all get adventurous and try yourselves some snails from Chez Lucien! Mm-mm!
Tree Pug