I know exactly when it happened. It was when I took my first bite of grilled pork chop with sweet pickled cherries. As I chewed, the fat melted in my mouth – like a lighter, more tender duck breast – coating the meat and spreading salt to every point on my tongue that craved it. … [Read more...] about Nora Gray: A Place to Love
Restaurant Reviews
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
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
Bar Isabel, “Thinking Whisky” and a Birthday
No, not mine. It was someone much cooler than me's birthday. And that someone likes good food and drinks and even let me make the birthday plans. So, really, it felt like my birthday when the server at Bar Isabel popped the cork on our bottle of Xarel-Lo (Colet Navazos, Extra … [Read more...] about Bar Isabel, “Thinking Whisky” and a Birthday
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