Recent Reviews
Here are restaurant reviews from my recent trip:
Latini (Rene Levesque, across from the Hyatt) - this HDH Italian restaurant specializing in pasta and seafood was recommended by several friends, so I figured I would give it a try. I couldn’t read the menu and basically had to have the waiter translate everything on it. I finally settled on an entree consisting of a thin spaghetti with a tomato sauce and porcini mushrooms. It was very flavorful, although there was an upsetting moment when the head waiter second guessed my decision to put grated cheese on the pasta. If I am paying over $30 for a plate of pasta, I’ll eat it any way I like, and the guy should have just shut his mouth, gone to the kitchen and gotten the cheese! If I wanted ketchup on it, he should have gotten that too. The highlight of the meal was dessert, a flambeed creme brulee with fresh fruit that was mouth wateringly delicious. EB’s Value Grade: B+
Hong Kong (St. Laurent, Chinatown) - I had dinner here with Stripper Lover. I had eaten here once before years ago, and did not remember it being anything special. However, this proved to be the most pleasant surprise of the trip. Stripper Lover, who is a notoriously fussy/nitpicky guy to eat with, got his usual fried noodles and vegetables and I had the wonton soup and Beef with Peking Sauce. The soup came in a very large bowl, with a broth that was very tasty and about 12 stuffed wonton wrappers. Service was a bit slow for SL’s tastes. EB’s Value Grade: B+
Le Orchidee De Chine (Peel, near the Metro Station) - I have eaten here at least a dozen times and my most recent meal was the most disappointing I have had here. I sampled the crispy duck in pancake, lamb dumplings, spring rolls and crab and asparagus soup. Only the crispy duck in pancake met expectations. EB’s Value Grade: C
Keung Kee (70 de la Gauchitiere, Chinatown) - This restaurant serving authentic Cantonese cuisine was recommended to me by a merchant I did business with in Chinatown. I also vaguely remember Board Stiff having good things to say about it on the Boards. When I arrived for dinner, the place was packed and I was the only caucasian in the house. In a place like this one should avoid the temptation to order westernized Chinese food. However, after an appetizer consisting of pork soup, I gave in to the temptation and ordered Orange Beef, which was nevertheless very good. I will repeat. EB’s Value Grade: B+.
Basha (Complex Desjardins Food Court) - Ate here twice during my recent trip, and many times in the past. Most recently sampled the shish taouk sandwich and the vegetarian sandwich. The only issue was that the eggplants they use in the vegetarian sandwich are swimming in oil, and someone needs to inform Mr. Basha that when you cook eggplants in oil, they soak it up like a sponge. EB’s Value Grade: B-
Mexican Joint (Complex Desjardins Foor Court) - I can’t recall the name of this place but I recently sampled their Steak Fajitas Sandwich special, which is served with fried rice, salad and a fountain drink all for $8.85!!!!!!!!!!!! The only issue is that I asked them to put hot sauce on the sandwich and it has to be the most weak-ass, wussy hot sauce I have ever eaten. If the operator of this restaurant is reading this: do yourself a favor and go buy some Emeril’s “Kick It Up” Red Hot Sauce because that weak shit you are serving really needs to be kicked up about 5 notches. Bring it strong, or don’t bring it! EB’s Value Grade: B-
Hotel Bonaparte (Old Montreal) - Had breakfast here with Stripper Lover. Make sure you get here before 10:00 a.m., which is when the kitchen closes. Very limited menu but a nice breakfast. The fussy Stripper Lover was unimpressed. EB’s Value Grade: B
Thursday’s (Crescent Street) - Had lunch here with Stripper Lover. Last time I was here was over the summer when I had lunch with Breadman and DonnyB, and I fondly recalled the Cote d’Azur salad which was very good. I ordered it again, and it was not as good as I had remembered. The dressing was basically tasteless. EB’s Value Grade: C
Give it a try then tell me .... There are I think 2 restaurants that offer the great Mauritian mixture of Indian, Chinese, Arabic, Creole and European all mix in one flavour ..... the Islander ! I've been to one of them in verdun and there is another one on St-Laurent, just south of Prince Arthur. Damn, can't remember the names. Will call my buddy & report back with names. Different atmosphere from the usual smoked beef, pizza, steak, etc ... .
