Chef Fisun Ercan delivers a vegetable-forward meal honoring her Turkish roots from a greenhouse sat in the midst of her farm.

Bika Farm is just south of Montreal and has been on my radar for a while. Chef Fisun Ercan grew up in Turkey and runs the restaurant out of a greenhouse sat smack dab in the middle of her own farm. Reviews are way up and way down, so I wasn't sure if the actual food delivery would live up to the grand setting. (Let's be honest - the setting alone is worth the price of admission!)

This is a really special experience. The food is delivered at a very high level - almost 2 stars in terms of the beautiful flavors found in the various components and how they are expertly put together. Many of the early dishes were truly perfect and imaginative. That plate of leaves with the hummus was incredible. Best hummus I've ever had or could ever imagine having. The tomato soup was also to die for - perfect texture, deep flavor. Really outstanding. The flavors on the sturgeon plate were probably the most impressive though. Each of the various components down to the oils were perfect on their own and came together to form some really terrific bites of food.

There was a part of the experience that felt restrained. The hottest any dish got was lukewarm. Not that it was inappropriate for any of the components on their own, but it lent an "evenness" to the meal as a whole, which was missing a singular high point. The lamb should have been that point - a phenomenal chop or loin with a pink center begging you to cut into it would have sent this experience soaring. Instead, while delicious, the lamb ragu was a bit of a disappointment as it was set down. A missed denouement.

There were also some missed executions. The unfried-shrimp to be eaten with shells resulted in not the greatest experience. The nearly raw sturgeon was tough to cut and chew amidst it's incredible plating. And the eggplant puree (with the lamb) mirrored the artichoke puree in the previous dish.

But overall, the food and cooking was at a far higher level than I expected. And the experience as a whole was so worth it. Most impressive to me is that the restaurant is only open seasonally, yet her staff (both front and back of house) seemed so focused and on point. That is difficult to do with a year-round place. How much more getting something like this off the ground anew each year? I couldn't have asked for anything more from the servers. They were attentive and friendly and eager to get you whatever you asked for.

I would have also loved a richer engagement with the Chef and her vision. Where was the farm tour? I don't mean a 20 minute walk around the property. A quick 10 minute "Over there we are growing beans, which we use in these ways..." - a sharing of her vision and why she does what she does - something to bring you IN to the vision, rather than sit at the edge of its experience. (She did speak to the group in French, so I may have missed some of that. But my friend gave a rough translation which seemed to focus more on walking through each dish on the menu that evening.) A greeting to welcome you in and a thank you on the way out would have elevated the feel for sure.

Her vision is outstanding though. The setting stands out, of course. It is so well done. I should also mention the serving vessels - all pottery made by local artisans. Each one was more beautiful than the next and they successfully contributed to Bika's hyper-local story and focus. The finishes throughout were fantastic including the wagon wheel light in the kitchen. (Picture below.)

This is a reservation I am so delighted to have found. I didn't know if I would feel it was worth the expense (and travel) to be here, but it sure was. It feels like you are attending a very unique and special event.

I'd return in a heartbeat.

Add Your Comment

Your email address will not be public or shared.

Replying to

Atalier Ottawa, Canada
Boullion Bilk Montreal, Canada
Joe Beef Montreal, Canada
Laurie Raphaël Quebec City, Canada
Tanière³ Quebec City, Canada

Get an email when a new review is posted. Click here.

Email Notifications

Receive an email when I post a new review! Your information will always be kept private and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Thank you!
You have been added to the list.