You'll never hear me say, "Boy, we really need more bistros in Montreal." There are already great ones (L'Express), very good ones (Café Cherrier) and scores of mediocre ones. But when I heard Le Balmoral in the Place des Festivals, smack in the middle of the high-tourist area … [Read more...] about Le Blumenthal: Go for the Wine List, Stay for the Food
Vegetarian & Vegetarian-Friendly
Gluten Free and Dairy Free at Lili.Co in Montreal
Every seat is a good seat at Lili.Co, a small restaurant on St-Laurent on the border between the Plateau and Mile-End. Bar seats wrap around the open kitchen where you either talk to your date and/or watch Chef David Pellizari and maybe one or two others on his kitchen team sear … [Read more...] about Gluten Free and Dairy Free at Lili.Co in Montreal
“Casual Upscale,” “Fine Dining” and other Silly Types of Restaurants
It all started when I couldn't figure out what to call LOV. When the original location of the vegan restaurant opened in Montreal's Old Port, it was so sleek and delicious that I ignored the downscale vegan burger and poutine on the menu and focused on the exquisite roasted … [Read more...] about “Casual Upscale,” “Fine Dining” and other Silly Types of Restaurants
Jatoba: The Downtown Pan-Asian Restaurant A Few Years Later
Did you notice that Montreal only has one restaurant on the Top 10 of enRoute Magazine's Canada's Best New Restaurants list this year? It was a slow year for la belle province in general. Though Quebec City did take home the #1 spot, there weren't many other strong … [Read more...] about Jatoba: The Downtown Pan-Asian Restaurant A Few Years Later
Les Street Monkeys: Cambodian Fusion in Verdun
When a new affordable restaurant with a creative cocktail menu, hip-cool decor and South Asian street food menu opens in an up-and-coming area of the city, there's going to be buzz. Les Street Monkeys opened in June, 2017 in Verdun and has made a name for itself with a wasabi … [Read more...] about Les Street Monkeys: Cambodian Fusion in Verdun
Brit & Chips: Gluten Free and Sustainable Fish Options in Montreal
I grew up in a place where fish 'n' chips was basically the provincial dish. In Newfoundland, Ches's was a rite of passage for tourists and other 'come from aways' alike. A feed of 'fee and chee' on a Friday? Standard. But not in my family. I wasn't gluten intolerant or … [Read more...] about Brit & Chips: Gluten Free and Sustainable Fish Options in Montreal
Plant-Based Délicieux Veg Fusion Café in the Mile End Combines Good Karma and Satisfying Food
Back when I lived in Outremont about six years ago, there weren't a lot of affordable and delicious dinner places in the Parc and Bernard area – and nothing even close to the new Délicieux Veg Fusion Café. There were tons of breakfast and lunch places, but dinner out … [Read more...] about Plant-Based Délicieux Veg Fusion Café in the Mile End Combines Good Karma and Satisfying Food
Tiradito: The Best Fish Ceviche in Montreal From a Peruvian, Gaston Acurio-Trained Chef
I've spent a ridiculous amount of time in my life hunting for amazing ceviche, and I'm so happy to say Montreal now has a place doing a decent version with fish. Anyone (even me, even you) can do a tasty version with cooked Nordic shrimp or snow crab. But to do a raw version … [Read more...] about Tiradito: The Best Fish Ceviche in Montreal From a Peruvian, Gaston Acurio-Trained Chef
Montréal Plaza: Small Plates and Duck Breast
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
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