New Montreal Restaurant Thread

[Agrippa]

Milsa

Has anyone tried "Le Milsa", the Brazilian resto on Bishop where they come to your table with skewers of meat? I tried similar restos in Dallas and San Diego, and quite enjoyed them. Not for solitary dining, though.

My brother has been there and said that it was quite an experience but was for people with large appetites only. And only meat lovers need apply!
He suggests going there on a very empty stomach and to get ready for a feast. And it's best to go as a group to really enjoy yourself, not the place to bring a date for an intimate dinner.

He really enjoyed himself.

I can echo Techman's comments and add a few words of my own. Indeed, vegetarians will be repulsed and will leave hungry since there isn't much, if anything, on the menu that caters to them.

When I went, sometime ago, it was with a bunch of guys who are either athletes, or weight lifters. These guys have unending appetites... particularly for protein based foodstuff!

If I remember correctly, there are only only two dishes available. All you can eat meat or a chicken (or some type of bird, I forget). Both plates are served with rice and mushrooms. I have a decent appetite, but I didn't think I was capable of "all you can eat meat" so I opted for the bird. Everyone else went for "all you can eat". I tried to redeem myself by claiming that at least I was eating a whole animal, but they weren't buying it.

"All you can eat" really is so; the waiters continue to throw meat on your plate even after you tell them to stop... it looked intense! There are 10 different cuts to enjoy: pork, chicken, turkey, sirloin, fillet mignon, can't think of the rest...

I recall enjoying my meal, but I can't really comment further, it was too long ago. I do remember liking the mushrooms (though I like mushrooms in general) and the desert (which everyone gets): grilled pineapple. I don't know if it's the pineapple's 'natural' sugar or it if was dipped in sugar but the whole thing seemed caramelized... it was delicious!

I don't remember what the whole thing cost, but I think it was reasonable considering the quantities of food available to the "all you can eat"ers

Yeah, don't bring women, I don't think any girl would want to eat like that, they'll feel like pigs and will go on and on about their weight. Nor will they want to undress in front of you later on in the evening. For that matter they probably don't want to see you eat like that either.

 

[Agrippa]

Co Ba

Don't bother with Co Ba on Laurier, west of Parc. Average Asian food, but expensive because of the location/decor. The plate is beautiful when it arrives though.

I wouldn't go back.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Banger,

Please post your review of the Korean resto on Bishop.

 

[Mod 8]

This thread has been cleaned. Lets try to keep it that way. No one wants to read about bacteria in the restaurant thread. If anyone wishes to continue the discussion of the various types of food borne bacteria and argue about who has had the most friends suffer from the various types of food poisoning please start a thread for it.

Eager Beaver's questions about hamburgers was a valid one and I think it has been answered. Let's get back to discussing the fine restaurants our city has to offer.

M8

 

[EagerBeaver]

Another info source

I recently came across this Montreal restaurant review website, sorted by cuisine, which I found to be on target with many of their reviews, at least of the restaurants I have eaten at:

http://www.cim.mcgill.ca/~jer/visit/rest.html

 

[smuler]

Hi EB..that site has been a guide to me over the last couple times I went

On it I " found " :

Le Pistou

L' Acadamie

Coco rico

Le Piton de La Fournaise

La Paryse



Between that sight, and this excellent thread, I have my foodie homework mapped out before I arrive...

Best Regards


Smuler

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

...and not Da Emma.

And what, he wondered, have you against Da Emma?

 

[mr.magoo]

Ok the old port has a few amazing restos you could choose from

-restaurant du vieux ( steaks and seafood ) try the filet mignon with the garlic mash patatoes and three pepper sauce
39 st paul est

-the keg steakhouse

-brandys!! my fave place for drinks in the old port!! and a few snacks (its actually the lounge area for the keg )

-creperie suzette ( amazing crepes and fondues its a must try )


all these four restos are all next to eachother

there is also Modavie but i havent been there recently

and heard great things about jardin nelson.. i m bound to go sometimes

I've tried a lot of really good restaurants in Montreal, but never in Old Montreal which I associate to 'tourist trap'. Can someone make a few recommendations about restaurants they were really happy with in Old Montreal? After going through 21 pages of this review thread, I found La boucherie, St-Amable, Pier Gabriel and L'épicier. Comments? I'm looking for something preferably not too noisy, not a hotel restaurant, and not Da Emma.

Thanks,

JAG

 

[chef]

I've tried a lot of really good restaurants in Montreal, but never in Old Montreal which I associate to 'tourist trap'. Can someone make a few recommendations about restaurants they were really happy with in Old Montreal? After going through 21 pages of this review thread, I found La boucherie, St-Amable, Pier Gabriel and L'épicier. Comments?

La Boucherie: I ate there many years ago; had a really superb meal - leek and potato soup (it was so good that I wanted seconds, but my main course arrived), rabbit done superbly, and (I think) a nice fruit tart for dessert. I returned there a few months later, hoping to repeat the experience, but it was not to be; it was good but not exceptional as before. Worth checking out again, I think.

Le St-Amable: Used to be a really good French resto, then converted to fast food, then converted back to French. The last time I was there it was not worth it; trying to live on past glories, I think.

Pier Gabriel: Never heard of it before.

Chez L'Epicier: Really nice resto, apart from their ridiculous "club sandwich" dessert. Dried cake for dessert anyone? Another merbite stated that she had a creme brulee tasting there that was great; too bad I missed it.

Some merbites like Bonaparte. I was unimpressed with their ubiquitous brown sauce and stuffy menu (Sauce Grand Veneur, for example).

Club Chasse et Peche is a popular resto, but I did not like it.

 

[chef]

Thanks Mr. Magoo. I must say I'm not much of a meat, or crepe, or fondue eater. My favourite type of food is 'cuisine du marché' (market cuisine?). Simple yet fresh and full of taste. Suggestions?

JAG

That type of cuisine is best done at home. I think you are looking for things like stir-fried vegetables and steamed fish, right ? I guess maybe if you found a Chinese resto that did that ?

 

[montreal_monk01]

Your suggestions for a great sea food restaurant in Mtl

I need to try a great sea food restaurant in Mtl for great fresh lobster, fish.
Has anyone tried Le Nantua (275, Notre-Dame st., Ouest)?
Heard great stuff about it. Thanks for your inputs

 

[Habs]

my folks recently went to Express and said they were very dissapointed in the quality of the food, after going there for the last 5 years on a semi annual basis. They said they probably wouldn't return. I'm thinking they went on a bad day when the chef must have been sick.

Anyone been lately?

 

[EagerBeaver]

Recent Reviews

Isakaya (Avenue du Parc)- This sushi restaurant on Parc near the Battle Net was my best meal on my recent trip, although it's been well reviewed by others and notably by Jeremy & Vinita who give it their * recommendation. For me Isakaya lived up to its billing, at least as far as the quality of the sushi. The sushi menu is fairly traditional and they are not offering any unusual or really nouveau or exotic choices, but what they are doing they are doing well. I had the Futomaki and the Isakaya rolls, the latter of which was a combo roll with salmon, crab, and whitefish. Less impressive were the house salad, served with a bland ginger dressing, and the fried pork gyoza, which was average (and a bit greasy). For dessert the green tea ice cream, all 1 scoop of it, was very good (actually tasted like green tea which is rare in my experience).

Acropolis (corner Parc and Sherbrooke): This resto proved to be something of a disappointment. It's been there for a long time, but they are serving average Greek food. I ordered a spanakopita (Greek spinach and feta pie) which was stiff and dry. The dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with meat and rice) were very average. I could get better stuffed grape leaves at fast food places like Boustan on Crescent. I hope some of the Greek members on the Board can direct me to some better Greek food the next time I am in Montreal.

Cafe Cherrier (Cherrier): I have reviewed this breakfast restaurant previously. They are serving good food, but their menu is limited (no pancakes, French toast or even crepes!) and their service is poor, to the point where you have to get up and ask for things. They do egg dishes well, and I had the Montreal bagel with smoked salmon which was served with a salmon faume that I could tell was of very high quality. My breakfast companion got scrambled eggs which looked moist and he said they were delicious. However, the service was so poor I would not go back any time soon.

Chez Danys (Sherbrooke, near the Hilton Garden Inn): This is a fast food pizza place serving average pizza. I needed a quick meal near the hotel and their 2 slices & diet coke special for $4.99 fills the bill if you need fast and average pizza. One negative was that I had to tell the manager to stick my slices in the oven to warm them up.

Wok Cafe (St. Catherine Street, about 2 blocks west of Guy): I ate here with MERB poster Techman and another friend. This is a ridiculously inexpensive Chinese restaurant serving good but basic Chinese food. I was startled to see that they had 5 dim sum combos on the menu (in addition to all the usual combo platters), so I decided to order dim sum combo D, which was 1 sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaf, 2 shrimp dumplings, 2 shrimp-coriander-vegetable dumpings, and 2 chicken-shrimp-peanut dumplings. The dim sum was EXCELLENT, the best I have ever had at a restaurant not specializing in dim sum. It was a little pricier than the other combos on the menu (which are dirt cheap when you see the portions they are serving). I also ordered spring rolls, which were greasy, and dumplings with peanut sauce, which were good. I was very impressed that there was a large bottle of sriricha red chili sauce at every table; I love my dim sum with sriricha sauce and this was a high quality sriricha sauce. This restaurant is a great value, and is IMHO a better alternative to its nearby competitor, Soup & Noodles.

 

[Agrippa]

Café Cherrier

I had always wondered about Café Cherrier. This confirms that it's more of a 'see and be seen' place...

 

[chef]

Chez Cherrier (Cherrier): I have reviewed this breakfast restaurant previously. ............. However, the service was so poor I would not go back any time soon.

Beav, I think of you every time I go by this place as I thought it was one of your favourites.

 

[chef]

Ferreira Cafe

I had been to Ferreira Café a few years ago, and apart from the appetizers, disliked it as I made the mistake of ordering their rice special, which turned out to be soupy. A return visit, avoiding the rice, turned out to be great.

This time just had a bunch of appetizers:

Seafood bisque: Had real depth of flavour; someone in the kitchen took a lot of care with the fumet (fish stock). Too bad that the few pieces of fish used for garnish were overcooked. Easily resolved; avoided the garnish after the first couple of pieces. Definitely recommended.

Grilled sardines: Done very nicely. Did not need the tapenade garnish as it was too strong for the fish. Easily resolved; avoided the garnish.

LARGE shrimp in tempura batter: The shrimps (2) were more in kimonos than in tempura. But, they were tasty. And no, I did not unwrap the kimonos

Truffled potatoes (side dish): OMG ! They were wonderful !

Chestnut "sandwich": Ordinarily I would avoid any type of sandwich after the horrible "dessert club sandwich" served to me at Ches L'Epicier, but I have a weakness for chestnuts. Most of the stuff on the plate was forgettable, but the scoop of hazelnut ice cream that was included was to die for !

Definitely worth a return visit.

 

[chef]

Not really, although I do love Chinese food (not the buffet kind).

I was just looking for a quaint little resto that makes good, market or local produce oriented food, and isn't too expensive.

Thanks,

JAG

Have you tried the restos around the Jean-Talon Market?

 

[Agrippa]

I had been to Ferreira Café a few years ago [...]

Why must you always make me salivate with your 'New Montreal Restaurant Thread' posts?

 

[chef]

Why must you always make me salivate with your 'New Montreal Restaurant Thread' posts?

Did I not tell you that my middle name is Pavlov ?

 

[EagerBeaver]

Beav, I think of you every time I go by this place as I thought it was one of your favourites.

I went there once or twice before, and I do not recall the service being as poor. Restaurants change as you know, usually not for the better. But this time I only went because my friend wanted to go there. I would have preferred to go to Eggspectation because I wanted pancakes for breakfast and I know that Cafe Cherrier does not serve pancakes, or French Toast, or even crepes.

JUZT-A-GIRL, yes it is Cafe Cherrier, not Chez Cherrier. Not sure why I made that mistake, but I revised my post.

Driving back from Montreal to Connecticut, shortly after crossing the border and en route to see some friends, I was very hungry and stopped for breakfast at a fantastic place in St. Albans, Vermont called Nana's. I got off exit 20 on I-89 and sort of picked it randomly driving down Main Street. Nana's is serving a fantastic breakfast! I had pancakes, home fries, bacon, OJ and coffee. It was an exceptional breakfast and very inexpensive as well and the service was fantastic.