Newly Revamped Laurier BBQ Le Laurier Gordon Ramsay Opens Its Doors
As you may have read in Penny’s “The End Of An Era: Laurier BBQ” post a while back, the legendary Laurier BBQ known for it’s delicious rotisserie chicken, closed its doors sometime in April 2011. Rumours then started surfacing that the infamous Gordon Ramsay had purchased the Montreal institution. We all wondered what would become of this beloved restaurant and now the cat’s out of the bag.
Inside Le Laurier Gordon Ramsay
A new chapter in the life of this institution is being written without forgetting its history and its roots, many of the original items have not left the menu but are simply being improved upon. Like many good things, the staple menu items are not being switched up for newer items but being improved upon. What once was old is new again. But to note the food is not the only thing buzzing about in this restaurant. The second floor which was closed off over 15 years ago has now been completely revamped and boasts a corner bar with private dining area for special events. The aim is to have people stay and enjoy the atmosphere after they’ve licked their fingers clean.
Montreal's Le Laurier Gordon Ramsay
With the help of newly appointed chef Guillermo Russo aka G-Force who has worked in countless restaurants in Toronto, Ottawa and is fresh from a Cotes-Des-Neiges restaurant called Olivieri. A great addition I would say, it will take a Montreal native keep the kitchen honest and of course very Montreal. Chosen from a slew of candidates, attracted by the celebrity chef of the television show Kitchen Nightmares. Chef G-Force will be overseeing 24 cooks to keep the kitchen humming like a well oiled machine. Kudos to you Guillermo and good luck, this is the opportunity of a lifetime!
Although some of the menu has been revamped you can trust to find the rotisserie chicken is once again the star of the show. This restaurant will be showcasing lots of comfort foods that are native to Quebec and Montreal such as Poutine, Pate au Poulet, Hot Chicken Sandwich, and of course let’s not forget the Moka cake…that’s not going anywhere. 
At about $14 for a half chicken and some sides, this restaurant is competing not just on quality and notoriety, but also on price and everyone knows that this is something Montrealers love more than anything LOL! Cheap bastards!
Food Pricing Update: Turns out the food ain’t so reasonably priced, at $14 for a poutine, this restaurant is totally missing the point, it’s a chicken place need to be humbled. Montreal isn’t about overpriced dining…
I’m definitely looking forward to dining in this establishment and seeing what is really going on in the kitchen…and on the pricing side.
UPDATE: Opening Night the restaurant was forced to close for the night after the sprinkler system malfunctioned and a pipe burst. The extent of the damage was minimal and limited to the kitchen and.. table toward the rear of the restaurant.
The celebrity chef Ramsay was not on hand for the official opening Wednesday…kind of strange for someone who’s name’s on the door…don’t you think? Is he really a part of this project or is it just his name? Will get more info on this, but my sources tell me it’s not partnership in the sense of the word we’re used to…
I likes to food.