First there was Ludger. Now there's Loïc. Here's what you need to know about the second wine bar in Montreal's St-Henri neighbourhood: Decor. It's in an old bank, so the ceilings are high, the feel is hipster but with a grungy looking seating area in front of the bar and a … [Read more...] about Loïc Wine Bar and Two Wine Events in Montreal
Gluten-Free & Gluten-Free Friendly
MTL a Table and the Best Restaurants for Dinner, Lunch and Brunch
It's Montreal restaurant week time again – that magical part of the year when a week is defined as 11 days (Oct. 29 to Nov. 8, 2015).* All the better for us, since that means four more days of prix fixe menus at some of Montreal's top restaurants. Most restaurants give two … [Read more...] about MTL a Table and the Best Restaurants for Dinner, Lunch and Brunch
Lavanderia: Antonio Park’s South American Meat Emporium in Westmount
Every review of Antonio Park's Lavanderia seems to mention the parillada completa – the mixed grill of homemade chorizo, crisp-skinned fish, marinated cornish hen, beef short ribs, lamb shank, beef and charred broccoli, cauliflower and celery root that comes to the table on a … [Read more...] about Lavanderia: Antonio Park’s South American Meat Emporium in Westmount
Le Bon Vivant: Little Burgundy’s Newest Neighbourhood Darling
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
From Pig Trotter to Scrapple: Fine dining meets sustainability at Lawrence restaurant’s popular brunch
"The place has been packed the whole time we've been here," notes my aunt's astounded cousin as we're finishing our brunch at Lawrence. From our corner table, we've seen the steady stream of diners coming, waiting and grazing at the Mile End's longest standing gastronomic … [Read more...] about From Pig Trotter to Scrapple: Fine dining meets sustainability at Lawrence restaurant’s popular brunch
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
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
Toque! Take Two
The big news from earlier this year at Toque! is that the chef de cuisine, Charles-Antoine Crete, left to open his own place. Since then, I've been wondering what's happening in the Toque! kitchen, and how the food coming out of its hallowed walls compares to what came … [Read more...] about Toque! Take Two