People have a lot to say about gentrification in Montreal, especially in Parc Ex and Mile Ex, a lot of which ties in loosely to the opening of the Signé Toqué restaurant group's latest restaurant, Beau Mont. There's the Mil campus from UdeM that's expected to increase … [Read more...] about Beau Mont
French
Monarque: The Old Port Bistro, Restaurant and Bar with a Touch of Léméac
When you're a French restaurant, you don't call your tom yum soup a "tom yum soup." You say "black cod in tom yum broth." That's much better marketing when you're charging $21 for perfectly tender fish, sustainable shrimp, earthy mushrooms, al dente carrots and blanched spinach … [Read more...] about Monarque: The Old Port Bistro, Restaurant and Bar with a Touch of Léméac
My Best Meals of 2018 (and Restaurants to Try in 2019)
My year in Montreal restaurants started with a short list: Mon Lapin and Pastel. But as the year went on, it turned into a lengthy one, and I'm afraid I haven't quite caught up yet. Which is fine, because that's what 2019 is for. Why try to overstuff restaurants into 12 … [Read more...] about My Best Meals of 2018 (and Restaurants to Try in 2019)
Ten Dishes and Four Hours of Fine Dining at Pastel
Dinner at Pastel, the fairly new fine dining restaurant in Old Montreal, starts with a heads-up that the meal's going to take awhile. This is a destination kind of restaurant where you come for the evening, explains our server/sommelier. Post-dinner drinks with friends at a … [Read more...] about Ten Dishes and Four Hours of Fine Dining at Pastel
Best Montreal Restaurants and Food Hall Options for Thanksgiving Without the Dishes: Eat Out or Order In
When I do television segments, I usually forget to mention something pretty important. Today on Global TV Montreal it was the fact that the Marché Artisans is a quasi-food hall. I said it's in the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, but not that there are different counters where you can sit … [Read more...] about Best Montreal Restaurants and Food Hall Options for Thanksgiving Without the Dishes: Eat Out or Order In
Le Blumenthal: Go for the Wine List, Stay for the Food
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
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
Review: L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at the Montreal Casino
At @joelrobuchonmtl Even the display in front of the bar is a work of art. Hand glued Chile flakes on thyme branches + marzipan maple leaves. Here’s a peak inside. #foodart #sugarsculpting #robuchon #finedining #michelin #michelinstar #cheflife #playwithyourfood A post shared by … [Read more...] about Review: L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at the Montreal Casino
Hoogan et Beaufort: The Odyssey
Ever feel like you're on an endless journey in search of the perfect meal? Okay, so the whole Odyssey comparison is a bit exaggerated; I haven't battled a cyclops or been tempted by Sirens or fought a sea monster lately. But I could tell you a good yarn about hopping a plane … [Read more...] about Hoogan et Beaufort: The Odyssey
Herbalicious and Spicy Fish Heads from the Toqué! Restaurant Cookbook
I should subtitle this article "How to successfully use a kitchen torch and fail at decorating fish heads." In the Toqué! restaurant cookbook, the fish heads look all pretty. It's one of the restaurant's most popular (and simplest) dishes, but it turns out that when you take a … [Read more...] about Herbalicious and Spicy Fish Heads from the Toqué! Restaurant Cookbook