The Le Manoir du spaghetti banner had a presence in Québec and Trois-Rivières for many years from 1978, while partners ran three branches (Charlesbourg, Ste-Foy), all housed in Canadian-style homes with a historic character.
Since 2016, only the restaurant in the Maison Hart in Trois-Rivières now bears the Manoir du spaghetti name. Pierre Plante, the sole owner, runs the business there with pride. He had been a chef there, as well as at the other two branches, for several years. That venture led him to become a shareholder, along with family members, before finally buying the Trois-Rivières restaurant in 2001.
So you could say Pierre Plante carries the DNA of the Manoir du spaghetti in his veins.
On Hart Street in Trois-Rivières, in the heart of the historic neighbourhood of the second-oldest French-speaking city in America, you'll notice the heritage house that has housed the restaurant Le Manoir du Spaghetti for 35 years. It was acquired from Jean-Louis Caron, the architect known for his work on the construction of the Trois-Rivières cathedral.
This authentic Canadian house has seen the joys and sorrows of several notable families from the city founded by Laviolette nearly 400 years ago, on July 4, 1634, including that of Ézéchiel Hart. He was the first Jewish deputy elected in Canada.
“It is therefore in a clearly historic and heritage setting that customers can enjoy the Italian cuisine of Le Manoir. The cuisine has evolved over the years, but it has brought back several of its original classics that made its reputation at the time, such as pasta trios, pasta and pizza combos, and more,” explains Pierre Plante.
With its warm, festive atmosphere, attentive service and distinctive menu, it’s a must-visit in Trois-Rivières. It’s just a stone’s throw from the historic district, the old port and the bustling shops and bars of rue des Forges. The wide choice of pasta and pizza is hard to resist, and the wine and beer selection is just as surprising. For dessert, what sets the place apart is the ice cream bar, a concept adapted from a Florida restaurant, which always delights young and old.
You can also buy various sauces, dressings, soups and other products online to keep the experience going at home.
Like a good family man
Pierre Plante is happy and proud to lead a team of about twenty employees who form a small family. All the more so since, with one exception, no one left their job during the stretches of the pandemic when the dining room was closed. "I look after my people. If someone works here, it's because I like them from the start. During the pandemic, I kept being attentive and looking after everyone. We shared food when some were having a hard time," he explains.
The owner, Pierre Plante. (Photo: Pierre Perreault)
Le Manoir kept up takeout orders almost all the time Public Health allowed it. That let some kitchen staff, among others, keep working.
No wonder, then, that staff turnover is so low. Tenure ranges from 1 month to 38 years.
It's pretty much the same with customers. People come back. The vast majority come from Trois-Rivières and the surrounding area, even from the rive-sud. Others are travellers passing through between Montréal and Québec, tourists getting off cruise ships in summer, or conference attendees and business people gathered in the city's hotels. “Sometimes we serve the children and grandchildren of customers who had been coming here since the beginning.”
Pierre Plante, a cook through and through, insists on the quality of the ingredients that go into the dishes served to customers. “Never lower the bar. Always keep the best products in each category. That’s what sets us apart and what pleases our customers,” he says.
In addition to the spacious dining room spread across various ground-floor areas, Le Manoir has a superb, well laid-out and intimate terrace at the back, during the warm months.
Le Manoir du spaghetti
manoirduspaghettiv3r.com
1147, rue Hart
Trois-Rivières (QC)
819 373-0204