Jaunted

Earlier in my trip, at a popular seafood place in Quebec City that will remain unnamed, I had escargots that I’m pretty sure were freeze-dried and reconstituted in mass-produced garlic and margarine sauce. After the experience, I was a bit loathe to try it again. But I was on a mission to enjoy affordable escargots, and decided to give Vertige a try.

My husband and I found Vertige after dining at Confusion Tapas du Monde, home of our best meal of the trip. The two restaurants are “in association” with each other and cross-promote. I called ahead to make a reservation, though I wondered upon entering the nearly empty restaurant that night why I'd bothered.

The main dish was almost secondary. There was no doubt I’d start with Escargots en Coquille: Beurre persillé à l'ail at $5.50 for 6. At the exchange rate for the day, that was four dollars and 38 cents for a dish of escargot in the shell with garlic parsley butter. Fortunately my husband agreed to trade tastes, so I also got to sample the crab beignets.

Still, the escargots were the star of the show, served in classic French style in their special little dish swimming in sizzling garlic-scented butter. Plenty of good bread accompanied the dish, the perfect vehicle for soaking up the sauce. The escargots, once plucked out of the pretty little shells, were plump and juicy.

They were the real thing. As good as any escargots I’ve had across France, better than what I’ve had in the States and at a very friendly price. Definitely worth getting on a plane for.

Related Stories:
· Vertige [Official site]
· Eating Quebec Map [Jaunted]

[Photo: Dana McMahan]