Plaisirs Coupables: in the mood for dietary damage?

 
I knew I was in trouble when my duck confit burger came with two plump slabs of foie gras. I was emotionally unprepared for such decadence. Plaisirs Coupables, a new restaurant located at Peel and Sainte-Catherine, is exactly what it sounds like: a roomful of guilty pleasures. With a menu that prominently features foie gras, Plaisirs Coupables promotes the kind of eating that pleases the soul while upsetting the nutritionist.

The menu focuses on burgers that feature decadent add-ons like goat cheese, foie gras and chipotle mayo. The rest is fairly standard (if upscale) pub food, with some deluxe mac ‘n’ cheese options. The desserts are where they take it to the next level: Plaisirs Coupables has its bases covered, from chocolate to fritters and back to cheesecake. Served with a fleur de sel caramel sauce, the Caramilk brownie mimicked exactly the flavour of the chocolate that inspired it. The other dessert that piqued my interest but was temporarily unavailable was a platter of sweet potato beignets with cinnamon sugar and homemade marshmallows.

The ambiance is pleasant, if distinctly downtown businessperson-oriented. The space itself is very well used, with a mixture of booths, tables and stools set up around the open room, divided into several levels. It’s understandably popular, too: despite the many crowded tables, service is attentive, with food arriving quickly and an abundance of friendly waiters. While (as is only natural) the food weighs heavy on the waistline, the service is quick, and the desserts kick ass.

Plaisirs Coupables | 1410, Peel | Métro Peel