La Pinsonniere, La Malbaie

Exceptional wine list with less than ordinary food. Will never spend another day there. Average hotel for a Relais and Chateaux price.

My husband and I stayed at La Pinsonniere for a long weekend after having a difficult time getting there. We flew from Pittsburgh to Toronto, Toronto to Montreal, Montreal to Quebec and then drove from the airport in Quebec through a blinding snow storm. It was completely and totally worth it! We stayed in the luxurious suite overlooking the St. Lawrence River and had a fireplace and steam room in our suite. There are spa services nowhere else that compare and the dining is fabulous! I would highly recommend going to La Pinsonniere for a vacation. We will definitely be going back someday!

My girlfriend and myself did not stay there we only dined in October 06. Everything was horrible, from our walking in the door to our leaving. We practically had to seat ourselves and after we had both ordered the $125 dollar tasting menus waited 20 minutes for our amuse bouche which was like something a preschool child would concoct. We then waited half an hour for the next course, a foie gras terrine which was the only edible course served but which stangely featured a pineapple compote-pardon me if I am wrong but I didn't see many pineapples growing in Quebec! The main course was a wild boar that was so overcooked it was impossible to cut with a fork and knife and was like a rubber bullet police fire on protesters to disperse a crowd. My glass of wine was badly oxidized and the final straw was an automatic gratuity put on the bill for 15% for the 2 of us. Do yourself a favor and don't waste $500 "dining" here, you would be better served spending that money at the casino up the road! Worst experience ever and that is saying something!

What is good: Panoramic view of the St-Laurence river, Food is excellent What is bad: Rooms are narrow and poorly decorated Really too expensive for what you get