New Montreal Restaurant Thread

[Doc Holliday]

Reuben's Deli & Restaurant (St-Catherine street, near Peel)

Stopped by my favorite restaurant a few hours ago. Decided to bring a guest, as long as she agreed that i pay for the entire meal. I must admit that she was impressed with the place & the food, considering it was her first time eating there. We both had exactly the same thing, but she had a coffee instead of a beer. Here's what i got:

1 Smoked House Turkey Sandwich (incl. fries & cole slaw)
1 Coors Light beer

Total cost was just over $18 (tip not included). It was delicious, huge, and......what a good deal!

The sandwich comes with delicious cole slaw & french fries. Lucky for me, my dinner guest gave me her cole slaw since she was stuffed. Great city, great company, great sex, great food. What a great day this was!

I strongly recommend this fine eating establishment.

 

[lgna69xxx]

i do, but cant remember her name......

I don't like chinese food.

 

[bond_james_bond]

Reuben's Deli & Restaurant (St-Catherine street, near Peel)

Stopped by my favorite restaurant a few hours ago. Decided to bring a guest, as long as she agreed that i pay for the entire meal. I must admit that she was impressed with the place & the food, considering it was her first time eating there. We both had exactly the same thing, but she had a coffee instead of a beer. Here's what i got:

1 Smoked House Turkey Sandwich (incl. fries & cole slaw)
1 Coors Light beer

Total cost was just over $18 (tip not included). It was delicious, huge, and......what a good deal!

The sandwich comes with delicious cole slaw & french fries. Lucky for me, my dinner guest gave me her cole slaw since she was stuffed. Great city, great company, great sex, great food. What a great day this was!

I strongly recommend this fine eating establishment.

There's 2 Reuben's. I think they're completely different. One is a basement level diner-type place.

This one is the more trendy restaurant.

Pros: Great food. Generous portions. Fast service. Fair pricing. Hot hostesses sometimes.

Cons: Horrible, imo, stair climb to get to the bathroom. Can be crowded at times and hard to get a table.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Was it Dear Abby that was your dinner guest?

Yes, it was Abby. I was there with Doc and Abby. He'd just finished a date with her and she left for one with me. I enjoyed her considerably more than I did the overstuffed mediocre smoked meat sandwich. I'll post my review of her shortly after Doc posts his.

Unfortunately, Doc had to leave halfway through the meal to meet with his physician. They're trying to discern whether the hallucinations are psychological in origin or if there's a medical condition.

 

[EagerBeaver]

There's 2 Reuben's. I think they're completely different. One is a basement level diner-type place.

This one is the more trendy restaurant.

Pros: Great food. Generous portions. Fast service. Fair pricing. Hot hostesses sometimes.

Cons: Horrible, imo, stair climb to get to the bathroom. Can be crowded at times and hard to get a table.

Would totally agree with your mini-review of the trendy Reubens at 1116 St. Catherine, although most locals would probably find the prices to be high as the restaurant mostly services tourists. I posted a more detailed review in this thread about a month ago and I actually did eat there on my last trip. Here is that review:

"The locals will snicker at this place and with a dismissive wave of the hand call it a "tourist trap." They would be right as far as the prices go. They would be wrong about the food, especially the deli sandwiches and the salads in particular. I have no proof but I would wager very strongly, even with Joe T, that Reubens sells more smoked meat sandwiches per week than any restaurant in all of Montreal. What is my proof? (1) The place is never empty and it is always tough to get a table; (2) the smoked meat display is enormous and on full display for the public to see at the front of the restaurant; and (3) when I was there last week I observed one employee whose sole job is to slice smoked meat. I watched him doing it for a half hour straight while I awaited a table, and I can only assume he does nothing else during the lunch hours. And man was he slicing at a furious pace! I was wondering how he did not cut one of his fingers off.

Although all the food I have ordered in dozens of trips to this place was at least decent and was often excellent, what I like best here are the salads, particularly the Cobb Salad and the Mediterranean Salad. They are not cheap ($14.99 for the Cobb, $15.49 for the Mediterranean), but you get what you pay for - a large portion, plenty of meat and plenty of trimmings with an excellent dressing and wonderfully presented, as far as salads go. The Cobb Salad arranges the meats and cheeses in the shape of a dome surrounding the greens. It comes with a tangy honey dijon dressing. The Mediterranean Salad, which is awesome, comes with a freshly grilled chicken breast (right off the grill, and hot), sliced fresh mangoes and oranges, provolone cheese and pecans over field greens and served with a delicious balsamic vinaigrette dressing.

It's not cheap and the locals will wag their fingers with disapproval, but this resto is serving the best dinner salads in Montreal BAR NONE. By the ways, I know at least one local who badmouthed this place as a tourist trap before trying it, and now he is a regular customer there.

Doc Holliday has been seen eating the smoked meat sandwiches at this place, and so have at least a few others.

I also like Reubens' breakfast. It's one of the few places in Montreal where you can get really good buttermilk pancakes. The resto does cater to out of towners, but at least they do it right with good food and good portions, if not cheap prices."

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

I have no proof but I would wager very strongly, even with Joe T, that Reubens sells more smoked meat sandwiches per week than any restaurant in all of Montreal. What is my proof? (1) The place is never empty and it is always tough to get a table; (2) the smoked meat display is enormous and on full display for the public to see at the front of the restaurant; and (3) when I was there last week I observed one employee whose sole job is to slice smoked meat

I'll take that bet. At Schwartz's a) there's always a long line outside the door, even in winter b) you're served within 90 seconds of walking in the door c) 75% of what they serve is smoked meat.

Reuben's has an enormous menu and takes 10 times as long to get food to the table. Their smoked meat isn't in the top 5 best in town. They trail, at least, Schwartz's, the Main, Lester's, and that place on the West Island whose name I can't remember. For a tourist trap, it is quite good.

 

[bond_james_bond]

Ya, when I first went to Reuben's I thought:

"Hey! It's like Friday's in Montreal!"

With that in mind, the prices didn't seem too bad; I've seen similar prices in US$, when the dollar was up.

Heck, even the bill at La Queue de Cheval didn't seem too bad, compared to Ruth's Chris.

As for Schwartz's, I'm sorry, but I felt it was overpriced and over-hyped for that level of service. I could go to a food court in a mall, and pay less, imo.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Was it Dear Abby that was your dinner guest?

Not this time. I haven't seen Abby for the past couple of months since the time i took her to the Leafs/Habs game in Toronto. Knowing her, she'd probably be embarrassed to be caught in a place like Reuben's. In other words, her shit don't stink.

Let's just say that my dinner guest was one of the 6 ladies i spent time with over the past 2 days.

(Reviews may follow)

 

[Doc Holliday]

As for Schwartz's, I'm sorry, but I felt it was overpriced and over-hyped for that level of service. I could go to a food court in a mall, and pay less, imo.

I've been to Schwartz' twice & i had the same impressions as you. Way overhyped & overpriced, and i can't stand the line-ups. I'll never go out of my way again just to go to Schwartz'. I'm not that huge of a smoked meat fan anyways....used to be back then, but no more. I prefer the variety offered at Reuben's. And the occasional hot (but sometimes bitchy) brunettes.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Reuben's Deli & Restaurant (Ste Catherine street, near Peel)

Once again, i was on my way to the movies & was tempted to stop at Reuben's for a bite to eat. I had planned to eat at one of the foodcourts near the movie theatre, but changed my mind. I was on my own this time around, so i decided to order something i hadn't had since last summer: the super smoked meat sandwich, which used to be my favorite until i became health conscious. As compared to last night, the place wasn't as packed.

Super Smoked Meat Sandwich

1 Super Smoked Meat Sandwich (incl. fries & coleslaw)
1 Diet Coke

Total price was around $15. The sandwich was huge & the waiter gave me the choice of meat i wanted: lean, medium or juicy....i chose medium, as always. It took approximately 10 minutes for my meal to arrive. The waiter, Daniel, was billingual & extremely friendly & efficient. The quickness it takes for the meal to arrive at your table & the fact all staff are fluently billingual is one of the pluses of this restaurant. It is true that going up the stairs to go to the washroom is a bit annoying, but at least the bathrooms are clean.

I love this place & plan to go back again for another favorite of mine: the Ultimate BLT Sandwich.

p.s. It seems that the Tom Cruise lookalike no longer works here.

 

[Doc Holliday]

I'll take that bet. At Schwartz's a) there's always a long line outside the door, even in winter b) you're served within 90 seconds of walking in the door c) 75% of what they serve is smoked meat.

Reuben's has an enormous menu and takes 10 times as long to get food to the table. Their smoked meat isn't in the top 5 best in town. They trail, at least, Schwartz's, the Main, Lester's, and that place on the West Island whose name I can't remember. For a tourist trap, it is quite good.

Instead of reporting back what you read in some local food guides, you should at least try the places you post about yourself & then post about them. Posting someone else's opinon & claiming it as your own (when you haven't even stepped into many of the restaurants you've posted about) is a no-no. My apologies if i'm mistaken.

 

[Merlot]

Agreed,

I also like Reubens' breakfast. It's one of the few places in Montreal where you can get really good buttermilk pancakes. The resto does cater to out of towners, but at least they do it right with good food and good portions, if not cheap prices."

I can't say anything about Reuben's for lunch or dinner. I prefer the bistros on Prince Arthur where no cars are allowed (east-west) and the atmosphere is that of a very relaxed and spacious fair with musicians playing and many of Montreal's most beautiful women passing back and forth. But Reuben's on Ste Catherine, just half a block east of Peel, is my place for breakfast. I go here religiously when I'm visiting the city and I am especially addicted to their Poelon Reuben on a skillet, which is more like a sizeable dinner and costs less than $8.00 with coffee refills included. I also add extra eggs, sausages, or other sides for any of my orders since I am always famished by the time I get there. I did try once to go for a late meal around 10 pm. But the place was totally packed with a line going out the door. They do have an endless display of smoked meat and a huge wine selection. Cost for breakfast for two with tip....around $20.00

The help is always very attentive, though understandably slightly less so on the extremely busy weekends, and yes, there are always some very beautiful college age ladies on staff. Some of the hostesses over the years have been absolutely stunning.

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Instead of reporting back what you read in some local food guides, you should at least try the places you post about yourself & then post about them. Posting someone else's opinon & claiming it as your own (when you haven't even stepped into many of the restaurants you've posted about) is a no-no. My apologies if i'm mistaken.

You're totally mistaken. I've eaten at Schwartz's dozens of times. Reuben's at least twice with you; maybe a couple of other times as well.

As for the places I posted links to reviews about, I've eaten at Roi du Wonton about 5 times, Maison du Nord once, and Niu Kee maybe 4 times. They're all significantly better than the tourist traps the predominate on this thread.

Speaking of tourist traps, and Beav's love of them (Eggspectation and Reuben's both qualify), when I went to San Francisco a few years ago with a young working girl and blogged about it in a thread here, the Beav came back with 3-4 restaurant recommendations, each and every one an overpriced tourist trap on Fisherman's Wharf that no native San Franciscan would be seen with 100 yards of.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Merlot,

The only decent restos that serve buttermilk pancakes in the downtown core are Reubens and Eggspectations, and Reubens' pancakes are much better. At most of the French style cafes and other restos like Chez Cora, crepes are on the menu and pancakes are off.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Heck, even the bill at La Queue de Cheval didn't seem too bad, compared to Ruth's Chris.
As for Schwartz's, I'm sorry, but I felt it was overpriced and over-hyped for that level of service. I could go to a food court in a mall, and pay less, imo.

Huh? How can a sandwich, with meat piled halfway to the ceiling, that costs $4.25 be overpriced? How can service that gets you the food in under a minute be anything but fabulous. You wanna talk about overpriced and over-hyped? How about Queue de Cheval? Where else can you get a $20 steak for $65?

 

[Doc Holliday]

I have eaten at reubens approx 10 times but i have never tried breakfast there, i will give it a try this summer on one of my trips to montreal.

I believe they serve breakfast until 11am. It's actually quite good & reasonably priced.

 

[Doc Holliday]

They're all significantly better than the tourist traps the predominate on this thread.

Let's be honest here. A case could be made that every single store/restaurant in the downtown area, where tourism prevails, of ANY city are potential tourist traps. For obvious reasons. The same could be said of Old Montreal, where the food prices are considerably higher (in my opinion) than they are at various popular restos in downtown Mtl.

The fact costs are higher where tourists & shoppers are numerous is nothing new. And it's normal.

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

The Beave is correct. Although i'm also a fan of Cora's, the fact it doesn't have pancakes on its menu is a disappointment. I prefer pancakes over crepes.

L'Avenue du Plateau serves US style pancakes. They may have the best breakfast in town. One disadvantage: there's always a line. One positive: the eye candy there is something else.

By the way, i'm not a fan of Eggspectations. I absolutely hate the place!

Imagine how you'd feel about it if they served Chinese food. BTW, I hate the place too, but, then again, I hate all generic chain restaurants.

Let's be honest here. A case could be made that every single store/restaurant in the downtown area, where tourism prevails, of ANY city are potential tourist traps.

I agree with you totally, Doc. That's why I never eat downtown, except Chinatown. You should stay away from there though. Nothing but Chinese food there.

 

[bond_james_bond]

Huh? How can a sandwich, with meat piled halfway to the ceiling, that costs $4.25 be overpriced? How can service that gets you the food in under a minute be anything but fabulous. You wanna talk about overpriced and over-hyped? How about Queue de Cheval? Where else can you get a $20 steak for $65?

My meal at Schwartz's was $12+tip.

This includes the sandwich, fries, and a coke ... in a 12 oz can with no straw. The fries were sparse; the sandwich was good, but nothing to write home about, imo. In a facility that looks like it's leftover from the 50s.

Really, for that price, I could've eaten in a downtown restaurant that's clean and hospitable.

Or I could've eaten at a mall food court for < $10, with no tip.

 

[EagerBeaver]

My meal at Schwartz's was $12+tip.

This includes the sandwich, fries, and a coke ... in a 12 oz can with no straw. The fries were sparse; the sandwich was good, but nothing to write home about, imo. In a facility that looks like it's leftover from the 50s.

Really, for that price, I could've eaten in a downtown restaurant that's clean and hospitable.

Or I could've eaten at a mall food court for < $10, with no tip.

I am not much of a smoked meat fan. I ate a smoked meat sandwich at Schwartz's once, and it tasted like corned beef to me. The manager overheard me saying this to my dining companion in a hushed tone, and he then came over to us and reprimanded me for my statement, in a polite but defiant manner. However, what I stated was the truth, as far as my taste buds are concerned.

I got one other smoked meat sandwich at Snowdon's Deli, and to me it tasted the same as the one at Schwartz's. On this occasion I was reprimanded by my Jewish dining companion for ordering the smoked meat sandwich with cheese, but if I am going to eat a corned beef or pastrami sandwich, I am going to eat it with swiss cheese. I don't see why smoked meat would or should get any special cheese exemption if pastrami and corned beef don't get the same exemption.