Chez Truchon: La Malbaie's BEST Kept Secret (Must-See Bistro!)
Chez Truchon: La Malbaie's BEST Kept Secret? Or Just a Really Good Secret? (A Messy, Honest Review)
Okay, buckle up buttercups, because I’m about to spill the beans (and hopefully some delicious poutine gravy) on Chez Truchon. This place… well, it’s supposed to be La Malbaie’s best-kept secret, and after my visit, I'm starting to see why. It’s a vibe, people. A wonderfully, slightly chaotic, undeniably charming vibe.
First things first: Accessibility. I didn’t personally need a completely wheelchair-accessible experience, but I did poke around a bit. I’m happy to report it SEEMS to handle some considerations, though I'd recommend calling ahead and getting the lowdown. I caught sight of the elevator, which is a HUGE plus. See, I know it's important, and I'm trying to give a comprehensive review here.
Now, the real juicy bits. Let's talk about the dining, drinking, and snacking, because, frankly, this is where Chez Truchon REALLY shines. They boast a ridiculous number of options. And, okay, I may have gotten a little carried away and tasted… well, everything.
The restaurants themselves are the heart and soul. I was captivated by the Asian breakfast one morning, it was surprisingly authentic and blew my mind. I'm not gonna lie, I had to google "what is a congee" afterward. The Asian cuisine in the restaurant is a MUST-TRY. The International cuisine also had me wanting more and more and more. And the Western cuisine? Solid. Comfort food done right. The steak was cooked perfectly medium-rare, just the way I liked it.
The bar is a lively place, the mix of happy hour drinks, the poolside bar, and classic cocktails made you want to stay all day. I spent an entire afternoon parked at the snack bar, fueled by local craft beers and stories with the bartender. They even had a killer salad in the restaurant – I'm usually a "meat and potatoes" kind of gal, but even I was converted! Oh, and the coffee/tea in the restaurant? Seriously good stuff. The desserts in the restaurant are pure, unadulterated sin. I could barely walk after indulging, but hey, no regrets! The room service [24-hour] is a lifesaver. And I loved relaxing with my bottle of water.
There's a buffet in the restaurant that's impressive if you're a buffet person, and had a breakfast [buffet].
Cleanliness and Safety is, obviously, a huge deal these days. Chez Truchon is taking it seriously. I spotted anti-viral cleaning products, daily disinfection in common areas, and staff trained in safety protocol. My room even had the option to skip room sanitization (which I appreciated). They've got hand sanitizer stations everywhere, and the tables are set up with physical distancing of at least 1 meter. I felt safe, which is paramount. The safe dining setup meant I could relax and enjoy my meal without a constant undercurrent of anxiety.
Services and conveniences were abundant. The facilities for disabled guests looked thoughtfully considered during the quick look. The staff were warm and accommodating and offered my daily housekeeping. The concierge was brilliant, helping me plan day trips and giving me the inside scoop on local hidden gems. The luggage storage was handy, and the laundry service was a total lifesaver after a particularly muddy hike. I loved the terrace on a sunny day. I will say, I didn't use many of the other services.
The Available in all rooms part is a definite highlight. The Air conditioning, alarm clock, bathrobes, and free bottled water are much appreciated. The desk, coffee/tea maker, and ironing facilities were also used. The internet access – wireless was reliable, and I definitely took advantage of the Wi-Fi free. My room gave me access to satellite/cable channels for relaxing and I had a hair dryer. The whole place was soundproof.
I used my desk in the room so I could write. Complimetary tea when I worked late was great.
One day, I was feeling utterly wrecked, so I did something I NEVER do: I booked a spa treatment. Chez Truchon has a Spa and Pool with view and let me tell you… it’s heaven on earth. I’m not a “spa person,” but I emerged from the massage feeling like a completely different human. Seriously, the best massage of my life. They have a Steamroom, which I love. There is also a Fitness center and a Sauna, but I only did the massage.
Things to do, oh boy! Getting around, Car park [free of charge] is awesome.
For the kids, I don't have any, but I saw. They had a Kids facilities area, and a Babysitting service so there.
Getting around was easy too. They have Car park [free of charge]. The Taxi service was great.
My (Slightly Rambling) Verdict:
Chez Truchon isn’t perfect. I mean, no place is. But it’s real. It’s got character. It’s got some serious culinary chops. It’s got a spa that will melt your worries away. And it genuinely felt like a special little hideaway.
The big reveal? The staff. I haven't gone into specifics, but they were so incredibly friendly. That's what sets Chez Truchon apart. That's the secret ingredient.
So, is it La Malbaie's best-kept secret? Maybe. Maybe it’s just a really, really, really good spot that’s waiting for YOU to discover it.
Here's the deal, folks:
Tired of generic hotel stays? Craving a getaway bursting with flavor, relaxation, and genuine charm?
Chez Truchon is calling your name!
Book your stay NOW and receive:
- A complimentary bottle of local wine upon arrival. (Because, wine!)
- A 20% discount on all spa treatments. (You need that massage!)
- Free access to the fitness center. (So you can pretend you'll work off all that delicious food!)
Don't just dream about a vacation; make it a Chez Truchon experience! Book your stay today and discover the best-kept secret in La Malbaie! (And make sure to order the poutine. Seriously.)
Brit Hotel Evreux: France's Hidden Gem Awaits!
Alright, here we go. Packing my bags for La Malbaie. Chez Truchon. Sounds fancy, smells of adventure. Okay, maybe it smells of "where the heck is my passport?" at the moment. Deep breaths. Let's wing this.
Chez Truchon: Unfiltered & Un-Pristine Itinerary (aka, My Attempt at Not Completely Flailing)
Day 1: Arrival & That First, Glorious, "Oh Canada!" Moment
Morning (ish): Montreal to La Malbaie! Four hours, they say. Four hours of potential for existential dread on the highway. Okay, deep breaths. Coffee-fueled departure. Note to self: Pack REAL coffee. Not that instant garbage.
- The Detour Debacle (and the Reason for the "ish"): So, naturally, I got lost. Google Maps' fault, I'm convinced. Ended up on some back road, smelling of… well, cow. Blessedly, a local with a charming québécois accent pointed me in the right direction. He also told me a story about his prize-winning pumpkin and how it mysteriously vanished a week before the county fair. Suspicious.
Mid-afternoon: ARRIVAL! Chez Truchon. Finally. The building itself is gorgeous. Like a gingerbread house that's actually sturdy. And… wow. The view. The St. Lawrence River. It's… big. Really big. Okay, Canada, you win.
Check-in Catastrophes (and the Lovely Lady Who Saved My Sanity): I arrived a hot mess. Passport found? Check. Parking? An absolute nightmare. The tiny lot felt like a game of Tetris with a herd of Volvos. But the woman at reception – Isabelle, bless her heart – was an absolute angel. She handled my fluster with a smile, a sympathetic eye roll (I swear I saw it!), and somehow found me a spot that wasn't in the middle of a snowdrift. Saved.
Late Afternoon: Unpack? Nah. Explore! Wandered around the grounds. Found a little garden with flowers that looked like they belonged in a fairy tale. Took approximately 20 pictures of said flowers. Regretting not bringing better shoes.
Evening: Dinner at Chez Truchon's Bistro. This is the moment I've been waiting for. The menu? Delicious, decadent, and in French, which, thankfully, Isabelle had given me the basic gist of. Ordered the duck confit. Now, I've had duck confit before, but this… this was a religious experience. Crispy skin, tender meat. I may have actually moaned a little. Don’t judge. Dessert? A chocolate lava cake that made me forget all my troubles. Except for the fact I was going to get a food coma.
Day 2: Malbaie & The Art of Doing Absolutely Nothing (and Loving It)
- Morning: Sleep. Glorious, uninterrupted, delicious sleep. Woke up feeling like a new human.
- Late Morning: Breakfast at the Auberge. Basic Canadian breakfast of toast, eggs, and bacon that was more delicious than it has any right to be. The staff is lovely.
- Afternoon: Exploring La Malbaie. The town is quaint. So quaint it's actually a little overwhelming. I took a long, aimless walk. A walk that was punctuated by a coffee stop, a small chat with a woman who owned a shop of antique furniture, and a lot of head noding.
- The Unexpected Museum (and the Mystery of the Missing Hat): On a whim, I popped into the Musée de Charlevoix. Actually, the museum was very interesting. But here's the problem: I have a terrible memory. I could swear I went to the gallery with the antique furniture. But now I could only remember it in my mind. I swear i left my hat here! Maybe it was the food coma.
- Late Afternoon: Back to Chez Truchon. Read a book on the patio, overlooking the river. Listened to the birds. Did absolutely nothing. And it was heaven. Pure, unadulterated, guilt-free heaven.
- Evening: Another dinner at the Bistro. I'm thinking I'll just stay here permanently. Maybe I'll become a dishwasher. Maybe I'll just eat duck confit for the rest of my days. (Okay, that's a little dramatic). The wine list is dangerous. And delicious. This is what life is meant to be like
Day 3: Charlevoix Adventures (and the Quest for the Perfect Poutine)
- Morning: A proper breakfast! This time I tried the maple-syrup-drenched French toast. Almost died from happiness.
- Morning: So, I decided on a little road trip. This is when disaster can strike. The plan was to see the Charlevoix region.
- The Poutine Pilgrimage (and the Search for the Holy Grail of Fries): Okay, I might be obsessed. I've been on a mission to find the ultimate poutine. Today’s quest led me to a roadside diner. The poutine was… good. Not the holy grail, but definitely worthy. But the diner was filthy.
- Afternoon: Returned back to Chez Truchon. I felt too ill to move, and I did not want to risk another road trip.
- Evening: Fine dining. The meal was magnificent.
Day 4: Departure (and the Sadness of Leaving Paradise)
- Morning: Another breakfast! This time it was a plain yogurt. I needed to be healthy.
- Late Morning:Packing. The hardest part.
- Farewell: A final walk on the grounds. One last glance at the river. One last deep breath of the Canadian air.
- Departure: Back on the road. Back to reality. But carrying the memory of the duck confit. And the flowers. And the kindness of Isabelle. And the vague notion that one day, I might just come back and disappear into this quiet, magical place.
Final Thoughts:
- The Imperfections: Forget perfect. Just enjoy. Embrace the mess. Get lost. Eat the duck confit.
- The Memory: I'll be back one day, I know it. I'll try to find the hat.
- The Recommendation: Go. Seriously. Go to Chez Truchon. Just… pack your appetite. And maybe a spare passport.
So, What *is* This Thing? (And Why Am I Here?)
Okay, Fine. *How* Does This "Core Experience" Actually *Work*? (Don't Judge My Ignorance!)
What's the *Best* Part? (Tell Me, I Need Some Positivity!)
And the *Worst* Part? (Because, Let's Be Real, There's Always a Catch.)
Did You Make Any Mistakes? (Don't Act Like Superwoman!)
Any Advice for Someone Else Going Through This? (Besides "Run Away"?)
So, What's Next? (Please, Tell Me It's Over!)
