The upside of gentrification is good restaurants. Case in point: Le Bon Vivant, which I believe started as a lunch spot with a small wine list and some local beers and has now grown into one of the nicest street-side dining destinations in the area. It's a notch down in price … [Read more...] about Le Bon Vivant: Little Burgundy’s Newest Neighbourhood Darling
Casual Dining
Ceviches Restaurant on Rue Napolean
I'm a ceviche snob. I think Peruvian is the ultimate version of the lime juice- and salt-cured fish creation. I like the sugar of the sweet potato balanced with the acidity of the citrus. I'm also a purist. No strawberry purée or mixed seafood. It's all about corvina or sea bass … [Read more...] about Ceviches Restaurant on Rue Napolean
Junior: Filipino Pork belly waffles, DJs, fried rice and Calamansi lime mimosas draw brunchers to Griffintown
Griffintown's latest morning-after merrymaker is Junior, a Filipino restaurant with a strong nod to its country's streetfood. Taking centre stage at the small restaurant are a pair of turntables and behind the deckss every weekend morning are co-owners/brothers/DJs Toddy and Jojo … [Read more...] about Junior: Filipino Pork belly waffles, DJs, fried rice and Calamansi lime mimosas draw brunchers to Griffintown
Valentines Day Restaurant Recommendations
For some of these restaurant recommendations, it's too late to get a reservation, but for others, who knows? So if you're the going out on V-Day type, here are some places worth the splurge and others that don't take advantage of your romantic side by jacking up prices. BUT! To … [Read more...] about Valentines Day Restaurant Recommendations
Montreal Campus Eats Throwdown: McGill vs. Concordia
Note: Since first writing this a couple years ago I'd definitely add La Pnthere Verte and Cafe Verdure to the competition, and then Lola Rosa would really have its work cut out for it. But for now, it's a throwdown between Lola Rosa and Burritoville only. Montreal's two … [Read more...] about Montreal Campus Eats Throwdown: McGill vs. Concordia
Three Montreal Mini-Reviews: Sumac, Shinji and Renard Artisan Bistro
Here are two new Montreal restaurants and one oldie but a goodie. Sumac Sumac is the new hip kid on the St-Henri block (at least until the new Satay Brothers opens, at which time they'll probably share the "affordable gourmet" block party ribbon). It does Middle Eastern with … [Read more...] about Three Montreal Mini-Reviews: Sumac, Shinji and Renard Artisan Bistro
Nouveau Malay: Breakfast for Dinner at Nouveau Palais’ Weekly Malaysian Night
He used to have his own restaurant with a cult following. Go there for pad thai and coconut curries, my friend told me. He would come out, ask what you felt like eating, and make you something appropriate. There'd be toasted and ground coriander and cumin, fried shrimp paste and … [Read more...] about Nouveau Malay: Breakfast for Dinner at Nouveau Palais’ Weekly Malaysian Night
Montreal’s Best Terrasses 2014!
Walls of vines, fountains, fish ponds and wonderfully oppressive sunshine combined with blissful shade—Montreal is terrasse paradise. And since it seems that Montreal finally decided to warm up enough to not need a toque, all Montrealers want to do is spend brunches, long … [Read more...] about Montreal’s Best Terrasses 2014!
Montreal Baklava Throwdown: Afroditi Bakery vs. Patisserie Efes
Afroditi Bakery (756 Rue Saint-Roch) | Patisserie Efes (689 St-Roch) ******** | ******* 8 out of 10 | 7 out of 10 Montreal is full of dry baklava. For a province that puts maple syrup in everything, I figured that I wouldn't be the only person who wanted their dessert swimming in … [Read more...] about Montreal Baklava Throwdown: Afroditi Bakery vs. Patisserie Efes
Montreal Pho-down: Pho Bac #1 vs. Pho Lien
Cloves, star anise, cinnamon and other secrets of the best Vietnamese noodle soups in Montreal. The Criteria: Broth and meat - two deceptively simple categories The Winner? Pho Lien...for now. Vietnamese noodle soup (pho - pronounced somewhere between "phuh" and "phah") is … [Read more...] about Montreal Pho-down: Pho Bac #1 vs. Pho Lien