New Montreal Restaurant Thread

[Doc Holliday]

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.

Like in almost every other thread on this board, you seem to be shitting on everyone else's opinions but your own. But i was wondering....AREN'T YOU A TOURIST YOURSELF?

I'll answer the question myself: "Of course not, Doc. I'm now a WANNABE MONTREALER who now hates the downtown area & prefer hanging out with other 'Montrealers' in the plateau Mont-Royal, away from all those tourists."

 

[EagerBeaver]

i was wondering....AREN'T YOU A TOURIST YOURSELF?

Last time I saw him he sure looked like one. And I don't think he speaks any French either, making him more of a tourist than you.

I have also reviewed numerous restaurants in this thread which are outside the downtown core and would not even remotely be considered tourist's traps, some good and some bad. Most recently Cafe XXXtase but many others as well, including French cafes like Les Heritiers and upscale Thai restos like Chao Praya (see my 1st post of this thread). I have also reviewed at least 4 or 5 restaurants in Chinatown, most recently Ruby Rouge and Basilic.

 

[Merlot]

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.

Yes,

I have been to a few Chez Coras for breakfast and I liked it fine way back when, pre-2003 ...before discovering Reuben's. They've got a decent selection and the prices are fine. It's nice for short breakfast. My only issues would be the tiny tables and a cramped feeling at some locations.

I also went to Eggspectations a few times. I never tried the buttermilk pancakes. If I was in the mood for pancakes I would prefer them mixed with fruit like blueberries or sliced strawberries, which I don't think they have. I did not find the breakfast selection as good as Reuben's, but I liked the place just fine.

BTW...I'm not trying to compete with anyone else's tastes or argue which is better. I'm definitely not promoting a place. Just saying what I liked. Each to his own preference.

Like in almost every other thread on this board, you seem to be shitting on everyone else's opinions but your own. But i was wondering....AREN'T YOU A TOURIST YOURSELF?

I'll answer the question myself: "Of course not, Doc. I'm now a WANNABE MONTREALER who now hates the downtown area & prefer hanging out with other 'Montrealers' in the plateau Mont-Royal, away from all those tourists."

I have no idea why one has to make this and more a contest. Is there a prize? Or is it just him?

Cheers,

Merlot

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

Like in almost every other thread on this board, you seem to be shitting on everyone else's opinions but your own. But i was wondering....AREN'T YOU A TOURIST YOURSELF?

I'll answer the question myself: "Of course not, Doc. I'm now a WANNABE MONTREALER who now hates the downtown area & prefer hanging out with other 'Montrealers' in the plateau Mont-Royal, away from all those tourists."

Doc, doesn't matter where I am; Montreal, London, San Francisco, or Paris. I try to get the real flavor of the city I'm visiting.

You're not going to get a sense of what San Francisco's like on Fisherman's Wharf. You're not going to get a sense of what London's like hanging out in Piccadilly. You're not going to get a sense of what Paris is like hanging out on the Champs Elysees. And you're not going to get a sense of what Montreal is like hanging out downtown. If I want to eat in generic restaurants like Reuben's, I certainly don't need to come to Montreal.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Boustan (2020A Cresent street, corner of De Maisonneuve)

I was hungry earlier & decided to head off to my favorite Lebanese eating place in Mtl, Boustan, owned by none other than the friendly Lebanese Soup Nazi himself, Mr. Boustan. I was hungry for a Chicken Shawarma, with their home fries & special garlic sauce (aptly named 'garlic potatoes). However, soon after tip-toeing into the place & carefully approaching the counter, Mr. Boustan stared into my eyes & asked me what i wanted. I excused myself & walked out of the place.

Why, you may ask? Well, i remembered Rumples' infamous words about 'tourist traps', and since 'Boustan' happens to be located right in the center of downtown Montreal, i figured that since i was a tourist myself, i better not fall into the same trap as thousands of other tourists. So, i swore to myself that i wouldn't get caught by one of those downtown 'tourist traps' once again, and went back to my hotel. "Mr. Boustan, you will never fool me again!", i told myself as i went up the elevator. "I will not allow myself to be trapped again!"

Now, it appears like i'll have to head off to the Plateau in order to find a good Lebanese resto that makes a Shawarma as good as Mr. Boustan does, 'tourist trap' or not.

Entering my room, i looked at the mirror on the wall & shouted "No Shawarma for you!"

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

who now hates the downtown area & prefer hanging out with other 'Montrealers' in the plateau Mont-Royal, away from all those tourists."

Actually, Doc, I've never liked downtown Montreal. Downtown Montreal is no different than downtown Cleveland, downtown Philadelphia, or downtown indianapolis. It's the neighborhoods that make Montreal special. And the women. And the roof of the HDLM.

 

[Doc Holliday]

Boustan (2020A Crescent street, corner of De Maisonneuve)

Well, the doc couldn't resist it any longer. While watching the Flyers once again blank the Habs, he had to take care of his craving for some great food from Boustan. It may be a tourist trap since it's located in downtown Mtl, but what could he do to avoid falling into this trap? Hah-hah!!! Delivery!!! Even better, there is no charge for delivery if the order is over $8. So he grabbed the phone, spoke with Mrs. Boustan, and twenty minutes later, i kind middle-aged black man who could barely be understood showed up at his door with the order.

2 Chicken Shawarma (in pita)
2 Garlic Potatoes

The total was just over $14. I gave the kind gentleman a gratuity for his efforts & the meal was FANTASTIC!!!!!!!! The doc was a hungry man after watching his new favorite team beat the Habs, and it took a bit of effort to finish off the whole thing.

Here is my translation for Boustan in english:

BOUSTAN=UNBEATABLE

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

L'Avenue du Plateau (922 Avenue du Mont Royal Est )

Arriving in town last Thursday, I picked Special K up at his hotel and suggested that we head someplace other than downtown for lunch as the traffic there was hideous. To my surprise, he suggested a resto that had been recommended to him by one of the girls, L'Avenue du Plateau on Mont-Royal in the heart of the Plateau. Having eaten breakfast there numerous times, I took his suggestion and off we went.

L'Avenue is probably the favorite breakfast spot of the young and hip in Montreal, but I'd never been there for lunch. We arrived around 2:30 and found the place a bit less than half full. I got a sausage sandwich that was OK, but nothing exceptional. K got a hamburger club that was one of the largest plates of food I'd ever seen served one person. K's a man of considerable appetite and he was able to get through barely half of it. I don't know how good it was, but the mound of fries that came with it was hand cut.

What was exceptional about L'Avenue was the beauty on display at nearly every table. The place was absolutely lousy with gorgeous young women, not at all unique either for this particular establishment or this particular part of town. K remarked as we were leaving that he has a new favorite resto in Montreal.

While the food was nothing to write home about, I do strongly recommend their breakfast offering. The food is good, plentiful, and always accompanied by a generous fruit brochette. Their home fries are among the best I've had. I will offer one caution: get there before 9:30 on weekends as there's often a long line out the door and a fairly long wait for a table, though you'll find plenty to look at and admire whilst you wait.

 

[Tommy G]

tourists in mtl

When it comes to restaurants in Montreal. The local Montrealers like to go to the newest trendy spot. It could be downtown, on the plateau, or in the slums, It all depends on the time and place. Right now the hottest restaurants are Pied de Cochons in the middle of plateau, a year or so ago it was the downtown classics like Que de Cheval and other steak houses. It has nothing to do with downtown or plateau. It has to do with the buzz that is going arround the island. Some people think little italy has the best italian restaurants. But right now they are not even close. One day your hot and one day your not. Like every city Montreal downtown does have alot of tourist traps. But ask any local walking down the street and he will tell you were to find the best smoke meat or shawarma. IMHO you are better off finding a local like me with a car to take you to the outter rim of the island where Food and Woman are better and cheaper. Its like comparing Chez paree with The hill top. Its just not the same.

 

[Special K]

Arriving in town last Thursday, I picked Special K up at his hotel and suggested that we head someplace other than downtown for lunch as the traffic there was hideous. To my surprise, he suggested a resto that had been recommended to him by one of the girls, L'Avenue du Plateau on Mont-Royal in the heart of the Plateau. Having eaten breakfast there numerous times, I took his suggestion and off we went.

L'Avenue is probably the favorite breakfast spot of the young and hip in Montreal, but I'd never been there for lunch. We arrived around 2:30 and found the place a bit less than half full. I got a sausage sandwich that was OK, but nothing exceptional. K got a hamburger club that was one of the largest plates of food I'd ever seen served one person. K's a man of considerable appetite and he was able to get through barely half of it. I don't know how good it was, but the mound of fries that came with it was hand cut.

What was exceptional about L'Avenue was the beauty on display at nearly every table. The place was absolutely lousy with gorgeous young women, not at all unique either for this particular establishment or this particular part of town. K remarked as we were leaving that he has a new favorite resto in Montreal.

While the food was nothing to write home about, I do strongly recommend their breakfast offering. The food is good, plentiful, and always accompanied by a generous fruit brochette. Their home fries are among the best I've had. I will offer one caution: get there before 9:30 on weekends as there's often a long line out the door and a fairly long wait for a table, though you'll find plenty to look at and admire whilst you wait.

I returned the following day at about 12:30 in the afternoon. The line wasn't very long but it did take about 30 minutes to finally get seated on a Saturday. Again, the scenery inside was fabulous, hot young babes everywhere I looked. I ordered a breakfast this time though. It was an omelette which consisted of 4 eggs, goat cheese but I subbed cheddar in, asparagus, peppers, onions, and a few other ingredients I forgot, it was absolutely delightful tasting though. They also served it with choice of breads and I chose the baguette which was toasted and buttered, also delicious!! There was a mini crock pot of home fries and a skewer of fresh fruit consisting of melon, strawberry, pineapple, banana and watermelon, again, yes, delicious! The place isn't cheap but they definitely don't skimp on the portions, total bill for the breakfast with coffee was I think $16.00, gave the waiter a $50 and once he gave me back $30 I said that was fine, leaving him a $4 tip, for some reason, from seeing his reaction, I don't think he was happy with that. In all seriousness is that a sufficient tip on $16?

PS...the cheeseburger club the previous day was also very good but exceptionally large!!

 

[rumpleforeskiin]

It was an omelette which consisted of 4 eggs, goat cheese but I subbed cheddar in, asparagus, peppers, onions, and a few other ingredients I forgot, it was absolutely delightful tasting though. They also served it with choice of breads and I chose the baguette which was toasted and buttered, also delicious!! There was a mini crock pot of home fries and a skewer of fresh fruit consisting of melon, strawberry, pineapple, banana and watermelon, again, yes, delicious! The place isn't cheap but they definitely don't skimp on the portions, total bill for the breakfast with coffee was I think $16.00

You missed the cheap option, K. Two eggs any style, choice of meat with all the fixings (choice of bread, home fries, skewer of fruit, scads and scads of eye candy) runs $5.95. Add the coffee and tip and you're out of the place, stuffed, for about $10.

 

[Special K]

You missed the cheap option, K. Two eggs any style, choice of meat with all the fixings (choice of bread, home fries, skewer of fruit, scads and scads of eye candy) runs $5.95. Add the coffee and tip and you're out of the place, stuffed, for about $10.

I couldn't pass up on the omelette, it looked too good the day before.

 

[demoiselle]

I haven't followed the thread from the beginning, hopefully I can insert myself in it appropriately...

First of all Chowhound.com is THE ultimate resource if you really want to know what's going on in the local food scene.

Nilufar is my personal favourite for falafels and things of the sort...hole in the wall type of place on st-catherine between Atwater and Guy.

As for new ''restaurants'' for anyone who is a fan of japanese food Kazu is the new place to be (also on St-Cat just east of Atwater), authentic food, tavern type of feel, puny open grill type of kitchen, yellow 8x11 sheets taped to the wall featuring daily specials, you get the drill... I've had just about everything on the menu and can't stop myself from going back, the first week I went there 8 times in 5 days, mind you I'm a huge fan of japanese. And the chef uses zero MSG so you are guaranteed to come out of there feeling great.

Le Chien Fumant (laurier&de lanaudière - that's upper plateau, limit mile-end), is just good food...fresh ingredients, mixture of different types of cuisine (executive chef used to work at Joe Beef), open 'til 2AM every day, amazing drinks (bartenders used to work at la distillerie), really young and convivial type of atmosphere, a lot of the restaurant industry comes to eat here post-shift...


And as for L'avenue guys....as much as they've got some decent items and huge portions....it's a very ''I just moved from the suburbs to the plateau because it's cool to live in a pseudo-contemporary condo'' kind of crowd....no offence, but in most circles I know it's not exactly and insiders sort of spot, it is a spot...but it is what it is, can be fun sometimes, just nothing impressive, and borderline annoying, though I must give kudos to their bathrooms - hahaha.

Otherwise hmm....off the top of my head:
Café Névé (plateau) & Myriade (downtown) = best coffee (though I prefer myriade's).
Romados (plateau) for portuguese chicken
Coco Locale (mile end) for cakes
Benelux (near place des arts) - microbrewery


Otherwise this bar called ''Garçonnière'' just opened...suppose to be a champagne & oysters concept, anyone tried it?

Alright I'll stop...this post is long enough!

 

[lgna69xxx]

lol, if the shoe fits as they say


Demoiselle, whats your favorite at Kazu? whats a typical meal run you there? thanks!

And as for L'avenue guys....as much as they've got some decent items and huge portions....it's a very ''I just moved from the suburbs to the plateau because it's cool to live in a pseudo-contemporary condo'' kind of crowd....no offence, but in most circles I know it's not exactly and insiders sort of spot, it is a spot...but it is what it is, can be fun sometimes, just nothing impressive, and borderline annoying

!

 

[demoiselle]

Hahahaha...oh gee, perhaps I should have put my foot in my mouth!

Entrées are anywhere from 5-15, and main courses 10-25, the bottles of sake and japanese beer are reasonably priced as well. You could have one simple thing such as a bowl of Ramen for lunch (which I have yet to try!!!), a bunch of entrées, there are different ways to come out satisfied from this place with different budgets, personally I think it's best to go with a friend and just share a few entrées and main dishes.

I had the BBQ pork neck a few days ago which was succulent, I've been salivating ever since. Otherwise they have a plate of fresh salmon+tuna served on a bed of rice and salad that is delicious. I love also love their hotpot and their selection of assorted pickled veggies. A lot of people are fans of the 48 hour pork rice bowl, and the dumplings are melt in your mouth (but not my kind of thing), you have have have to have the ice cream at the end with the ''flavour powder'' (hahaha), which actually consists of either espresso or green tea powder.

Here is one of the threads on chowhound that mention it (which is how I originally discovered it).

 

[lgna69xxx]

lol, it was notihng you did, its just what i put in bold print reminds me of someone to a T is all,

TY for your insight about KAZU, it sounds great!

Hahahaha...oh gee, perhaps I should have put my foot in my mouth!

Entrées are anywhere from 5-15, and main courses 10-25, the bottles of sake and japanese beer are reasonably priced as well. You could have one simple thing such as a bowl of Ramen for lunch (which I have yet to try!!!), a bunch of entrées, there are different ways to come out satisfied from this place with different budgets, personally I think it's best to go with a friend and just share a few entrées and main dishes.

I had the BBQ pork neck a few days ago which was succulent, I've been salivating ever since. Otherwise they have a plate of fresh salmon+tuna served on a bed of rice and salad that is delicious. I love also love their hotpot and their selection of assorted pickled veggies. A lot of people are fans of the 48 hour pork rice bowl, and the dumplings are melt in your mouth (but not my kind of thing), you have have have to have the ice cream at the end with the ''flavour powder'' (hahaha), which actually consists of either espresso or green tea powder.

Here is one of the threads on chowhound that mention it (which is how I originally discovered it).

 

[EagerBeaver]

Manna, 1421 rue Bishop

I first ate at Manna, a Korean restaurant on Bishop just north of St. Catherine Street, 2-3 years ago with poster Banger. I recently returned and the restaurant was as I remembered it, with very good to excellent food being served in a setting that is a bit lacking in decor and ambience. You come here for the food.

I actually ate here twice, for lunch and dinner, and ordered the same entree on both occasions: the spicy pork with steamed rice. It's delicious. It is a dish consisting of sliced pork, very tender, with noodles and sliced zuchini and onions and mushrooms, in a sauce that tasted like a sweet and spicy chili sauce, but I am sure there is something else in it as well. I also had the fried beef dumplings, which are served with a ginger dipping sauce. All meals here are served with kimchee which are assorted pickled vegetables, in this case cabbage pickled in a spicy sauce, potatoes in a sweet sauce and one other veggie I could not identify in a sweet vinegar sauce. I have been to Korean restaurants in Little Korea in New York City (32nd and Broadway) which serve a more extensive selection of kimchee, but the entrees I had at Manna were better than the restaurants in Little Korea.

 

[Special K]

I first ate at Manna, a Korean restaurant on Bishop just north of St. Catherine Street, 2-3 years ago with poster Banger. I recently returned and the restaurant was as I remembered it, with very good to excellent food being served in a setting that is a bit lacking in decor and ambience. You come here for the food.

I actually ate here twice, for lunch and dinner, and ordered the same entree on both occasions: the spicy pork with steamed rice. It's delicious. It is a dish consisting of sliced pork, very tender, with noodles and sliced zuchini and onions and mushrooms, in a sauce that tasted like a sweet and spicy chili sauce, but I am sure there is something else in it as well. I also had the fried beef dumplings, which are served with a ginger dipping sauce. All meals here are served with kimchee which are assorted pickled vegetables, in this case cabbage pickled in a spicy sauce, potatoes in a sweet sauce and one other veggie I could not identify in a sweet vinegar sauce. I have been to Korean restaurants in Little Korea in New York City (32nd and Broadway) which serve a more extensive selection of kimchee, but the entrees I had at Manna were better than the restaurants in Little Korea.

Was it open on Canada Day? LOL.

 

[EagerBeaver]

Was it open on Canada Day? LOL.

It was, but the Walmart wasn't.

 

[EagerBeaver]

L'Avenue, Le Plateau 5520 Mont Royal

On my drive over to L'Avenue, my friend and I were discussing how much we liked American style pancakes or "Crepes Americaine", but how both of us loathed restaurants that served pancakes with a thimble of maple syrup. We both like to drown our pancakes in maple syrup, much to the delight of Canadian maple syrup farmers everywhere.

I would think that any Montreal breakfast destination would be on the same page as far as keeping the business churning for those Canadian maple syrup farmers, but sadly this is not the case at L'Avenue. I was pleasantly surprised to see that not only were "Crepes Americaine" on the menu, but they were offered with combinations of fresh fruit including bananas, strawberries and blueberries. So of course we ordered the American pancakes. I specifically told the waiter when I placed my order that we wanted lots of maple syrup, and I assumed he would bring out a bottle.

I was wrong. Both my friend and I got a very large stack of pancakes with a mound of fresh fruit on top, but the small thimbles of maple syrup which came with our orders was barely enough to coat two of the pancakes. I asked the waiter to bring more maple syrup. My requests were ignored. The pancakes did not taste like buttermilk pancakes; they tasted like they were made from the crepe batter. Hence they were not authentic American pancakes. They were the French Canadian version of American pancakes.

The portions were generous and the side of bacon was tasty, but the service and the sparing dollop of maple syrup I got for my big stack of pancakes made me feel like the main character in "Oliver!", who asks for more soup only to be met with cries of derision.

My friend told me that on the following day he had a much better breakfast at Beauties, which is another popular spot in the Plateau, and he did get a whole bottle of syrup served with his meal there. He told me the Challah French Toast he had at Beauties was the best meal he had in Montreal on our trip. Regrettably, it was one of only two meals I did not join him on during our 5 day trip.