What happens when the former chef de cuisine of Toqué! strews his beautiful mixes of ingredients, colours and flavours over tabletops in Little Italy? This: A lot of black truffles, crispy puffed rice and duck fat. And the best part? About a third of small plates, daily … [Read more...] about Montréal Plaza: Small Plates and Duck Breast
Fine Dining
Damas: Gorgeous Syrian in Outremont
Upscale Middle Eastern is still riding high in Montreal – especially with Damas Restaurant at the reins. Inspired by Yotam Ottolenghi and a slew of popular cookbooks from across the pond, Su is dragging well-dressed Westmounters to Verdun, LOV is doing it vegetarian in the Old … [Read more...] about Damas: Gorgeous Syrian in Outremont
Falling in LOV
When omnivores, carnivores and vegetarians alike are talking about a new restaurant in Montreal, it's a big deal. Because depending on your love of marinated tempeh, nutritional yeast-seasoned rice bowls and turmeric-tinged scrambled tofu, your opinion of vegan cuisine may … [Read more...] about Falling in LOV
Tasty Tacos at Taqueria Arturo
Montreal is in a Mexican food heydey. St-Henri is swimming in carnitas. Downtown loves after-work agave. And while hot sauce is still catering to wimps/Quebeckers (in my opinion), at least Tacos Victor has whole conches of the stuff on its counter to add as desired. Then … [Read more...] about Tasty Tacos at Taqueria Arturo
Top 10 End-of-2016 Restaurants in Montreal
This is a 100% subjective list of the restaurants in Montreal that earned top marks for me this year, or held strong from previous years. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But for something new...well, go to: 1. Le Fantôme This fine dining place in Griffintown is tasting menu … [Read more...] about Top 10 End-of-2016 Restaurants in Montreal
La Sala Rosa’s New Menu: Quality Spanish Classics at an Unbeatable Price
The first time I came to Sala Rosa was on New Year's Eve about five years ago. I didn't even know it was a restaurant then. I thought it was just a live music venue, which is still a lot of peoples' reactions when I tell them it's the city's best kept Spanish secret. My friend … [Read more...] about La Sala Rosa’s New Menu: Quality Spanish Classics at an Unbeatable Price
Living for Charcuterie, Chicken and Chenin at La Buvette Chez Simone
How do you define Montreal as a food city? We have a little of everything, but we specialize in a very open interpretation of French-inspired cuisine. We're grazers – a little of this and a little of that, all accompanied by a glass of wine or a beer. And we enjoy a place for … [Read more...] about Living for Charcuterie, Chicken and Chenin at La Buvette Chez Simone
Houston Avenue Bar & Grill Takes Over the Former Cavalli Space on Peel Street
Joe Mercuri might be known for the grill in his eponymous fine dining restaurant in the Old Port. But he's also been the man behind the menu at the Houston's chain of restaurants for years. Apparently they begged him. And he finally caved, as long as he could introduce a local, … [Read more...] about Houston Avenue Bar & Grill Takes Over the Former Cavalli Space on Peel Street
Ikanos Greek Restaurant Launches Summer Terrasse and Late Night Menu in Old Montreal
Ikanos is launching its summer menu to coincide with the opening of its terrasse. Here's what you need to know: 1. The terrasse is petite in the cozy kind of way. 2. The terrasse is in shade in the afternoon/evening, so you won't burn. 3. McGill turns into a wind tunnel some … [Read more...] about Ikanos Greek Restaurant Launches Summer Terrasse and Late Night Menu in Old Montreal
Le Rouge Gorge: Montreal’s Most Affordable Wine Bar?
Montreal doesn't lack for wine bars, but when you're looking for a (couple) glass(es) of biodynamic, private import, natural, low-yield or organic wine from small-scale wineries, you could be looking at $10-$15 a glass. Pre-tax and pre-tip. At Loïc in St-Henri – a rare exception … [Read more...] about Le Rouge Gorge: Montreal’s Most Affordable Wine Bar?