New Montreal Restaurant Thread
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L'Avenue is aggressively expensive but IMHO the food is very good and the portions are large, plus they do a really nice job with omeletes as I already mentioned. It's definitely a man's breakfast, and you are going to pay for it, but also leave satisfied. I am just a little bit less than enthusiastic about waiting for 45 minutes or longer in freezing morning cold just to get a table at a restaurant where I will be ordering eggs. I don't have a problem paying for what L'Avenue is serving.
I agree completely Beav that's why when I do go to L'avenue, it's usually on a weekday instead of weekend when the wait isn't all that long.
I don't consider L'Avenue that expensive for breakfast, not for what you get. The breakfasts at Au Pain Perdu are a bit more elaborate and the fruit offering puts that at L'Avenue to shame.
Two Best Meals
Here are reviews of the two best meals we had on our recent trip:
Restaurant Pho Tay Ho, 6414 St. Denis- Chercherfemmes and I were in search of the best Pho in Montreal, and this is where our search led us, based on stellar internet reviews on YELP.ca and elsewhere. Pho Tay Ho did not disappoint. They are serving authentic Vietnamese cuisine, with their signature dish being Pho, the beef noodle soup that is an appropriate and hearty meal on a cold winter's night. CCF and I dined there Sunday night, and when we arrived, we had about a 10 minute wait for a table. Service was prompt and efficient. CCF got the Pho with rare beef, which is cooked by simmering in the Pho broth. I got my Pho with a mixture of rare beef and well done flank. We both ordered Kefir Lime Leaves, which helps accentuate and bring out all the flavors of the Pho broth. We also ordered fresh spring rolls and fried imperial rolls. It was all delicious. Pho Tay Ho is using a thinner and more elastic noodle than many other top Pho houses. CCF, who is more of a Pho aficionado than I am, said that Pho Tay Ho's Pho was as good or better than any Pho he has had in New York City.
More here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/restaurant-pho-tay-ho-montreal
One tip: the Pho is served in bowls described as medium ($9.00), large ($10.00) or extra large ($11.00). The medium was more than enough of a meal, with the apps.
By the way, it is located 2 short blocks from the Beaubien Metro Station.
D'Emma, 77 rue de la Commune, Old Montreal- I had not dined at this stellar, high end Italian restaurant in several years, but I am happy to report it's as good as it ever was. CCF and I both dined on the veal meatballs, 3 large soft meatballs served in tomato sauce with your choice of pasta. This dish reminded me of the large soft meatballs I ate as a youth, which I was fed by the first generation Italian-American mothers of my neighborhood friends.
Our appetizers, prosciutto de parma with melon, bruschetta on fresh Italian bread, and buffalo mozzerella cheese with tomato, were equally delicious. This restaurant remains a gem of the Old Montreal dining scene, and is possibly the best Italian restaurant in Montreal.
More here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/restaurant-da-emma-montreal-2
Here are reviews of the two best meals we had on our recent trip:
Restaurant Pho Tay Ho, 6414 St. Denis- Chercherfemmes and I were in search of the best Pho in Montreal, and this is where our search led us, based on stellar internet reviews on YELP.ca and elsewhere. Pho Tay Ho did not disappoint. They are serving authentic Vietnamese cuisine, with their signature dish being Pho, the beef noodle soup that is an appropriate and hearty meal on a cold winter's night. CCF and I dined there Sunday night, and when we arrived, we had about a 10 minute wait for a table. Service was prompt and efficient. CCF got the Pho with rare beef, which is cooked by simmering in the Pho broth. I got my Pho with a mixture of rare beef and well done flank. We both ordered Kefir Lime Leaves, which helps accentuate and bring out all the flavors of the Pho broth. We also ordered fresh spring rolls and fried imperial rolls. It was all delicious. Pho Tay Ho is using a thinner and more elastic noodle than many other top Pho houses. CCF, who is more of a Pho aficionado than I am, said that Pho Tay Ho's Pho was as good or better than any Pho he has had in New York City.
More here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/restaurant-pho-tay-ho-montreal
One tip: the Pho is served in bowls described as medium ($9.00), large ($10.00) or extra large ($11.00). The medium was more than enough of a meal, with the apps.
By the way, it is located 2 short blocks from the Beaubien Metro Station.
D'Emma, 77 rue de la Commune, Old Montreal- I had not dined at this stellar, high end Italian restaurant in several years, but I am happy to report it's as good as it ever was. CCF and I both dined on the veal meatballs, 3 large soft meatballs served in tomato sauce with your choice of pasta. This dish reminded me of the large soft meatballs I ate as a youth, which I was fed by the first generation Italian-American mothers of my neighborhood friends.
Our appetizers, prosciutto de parma with melon, bruschetta on fresh Italian bread, and buffalo mozzerella cheese with tomato, were equally delicious. This restaurant remains a gem of the Old Montreal dining scene, and is possibly the best Italian restaurant in Montreal.
More here: http://www.yelp.com/biz/restaurant-da-emma-montreal-2
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When i am in MTL, i like to stop by Pizza Pizza... i like Pizza !! lol
sorry... just saying nothing LOL
sorry... just saying nothing LOL
Some other reviews:
Station de Sports, 862 rue St. Catherine East- Chercherfemmes and I stopped for a late lunch at this sports bar which is located on St. Catherine directly across the street from the Hotel Goveurnuers Place Dupuis. We both ordered the Greek Salad with grilled chicken, which is served with a light tzaziki cucumber sauce dressing. I would say it is an average entree salad for this type of restaurant. Certainly edible, but nothing special. The grilled chicken was hot and tasty.
Mikasa, rue Peel- I am happy to report that my favorite sushi restaurant downtown has reopened and is back to being its old solid self. As I previously mentioned, this restaurant is overpriced, but their food is good. I ordered futomaki, grilled eel sushi, crab sushi and smoked salmon sashimi.
Eggspectation - During my stay I ate breakfast at two different Eggspectation locations, the one at Complex Desjardins and the one in Old Montreal on Notre Dame, each time ordering the exact same breakfast: the Western Sunrise (a western omellette but prepared as scrambled eggs) with side orders of bacon and fresh fruit. I think the dish was slightly better prepared at the CD location, but the Old Montreal location has hotter waitresses.
The Keg, Place Ville Marie location- I went here late one night to join Chercherfemmes for dinner after he arrived back in Montreal after a day trip. CCF ordered the top sirloin which came served with a large Caesar Salad and assorted sauteed vegetables (I think he declined the potato). He said it was very good. I had eaten earlier in the evening so I went off wagon and ordered the mini dessert sampler, which are 3 desserts for $8 - a butter tart with a scoop of ice cream, a passionfruit-infused creme brulee and a fudge brownie with a scoop of ice cream and whipped cream and a cherry. It was pretty good, although if I ordered it again I would probably ask for 2 butter tarts and 1 passionfruit-infused creme brulee. The fudge brownie was just a bit too rich and too much.
Station de Sports, 862 rue St. Catherine East- Chercherfemmes and I stopped for a late lunch at this sports bar which is located on St. Catherine directly across the street from the Hotel Goveurnuers Place Dupuis. We both ordered the Greek Salad with grilled chicken, which is served with a light tzaziki cucumber sauce dressing. I would say it is an average entree salad for this type of restaurant. Certainly edible, but nothing special. The grilled chicken was hot and tasty.
Mikasa, rue Peel- I am happy to report that my favorite sushi restaurant downtown has reopened and is back to being its old solid self. As I previously mentioned, this restaurant is overpriced, but their food is good. I ordered futomaki, grilled eel sushi, crab sushi and smoked salmon sashimi.
Eggspectation - During my stay I ate breakfast at two different Eggspectation locations, the one at Complex Desjardins and the one in Old Montreal on Notre Dame, each time ordering the exact same breakfast: the Western Sunrise (a western omellette but prepared as scrambled eggs) with side orders of bacon and fresh fruit. I think the dish was slightly better prepared at the CD location, but the Old Montreal location has hotter waitresses.
The Keg, Place Ville Marie location- I went here late one night to join Chercherfemmes for dinner after he arrived back in Montreal after a day trip. CCF ordered the top sirloin which came served with a large Caesar Salad and assorted sauteed vegetables (I think he declined the potato). He said it was very good. I had eaten earlier in the evening so I went off wagon and ordered the mini dessert sampler, which are 3 desserts for $8 - a butter tart with a scoop of ice cream, a passionfruit-infused creme brulee and a fudge brownie with a scoop of ice cream and whipped cream and a cherry. It was pretty good, although if I ordered it again I would probably ask for 2 butter tarts and 1 passionfruit-infused creme brulee. The fudge brownie was just a bit too rich and too much.
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Another well-written and very helpful review by one of the board's all-time relevant members. Very informative and thanks for sharing this with this great community, Eagerbeaver. I and others always appreciate the effort you put in when writing reviews, which is why i consider you the top reviewer of this board. I also agree with your taste in women. Your feedback is usually always spot-on. Well done! :thumb:
Two good finds, Beav. Pho Tay Ho is my regular stop for pho. It also happens to be right across the street from The Ovarium, a great place for floatation baths.
I was first shown Da Emma by a favorite indy of mine about eight years ago. I've been back several times.
I just felt i'd give a bit of support to a long-time member whom in my opinion is not only one of the most prominent, but a key to the continued success of this board. 
I also wanted to remind him that everytime someone criticizes, insults him or goads him into a flame war, to just let it go & consider it a compliment. Success always attracts jealousy & Merb is no different.
I also wanted to remind him that everytime someone criticizes, insults him or goads him into a flame war, to just let it go & consider it a compliment. Success always attracts jealousy & Merb is no different.
I wana meet eager beaver , Halloween mike , Special K , rumpleforskin and doc holiday. You guys and like the grand masters of merb
There is a Korean place called Manna on Bishop Street that is decent. I used to go there for a spicy sauteed pork dish they made. I have not been there in a few years. I was hooked up to the place by a Korean guy who used to post on MERB. He would eat something called Bee Bim Bop which is a bunch of ingredients in a big bowl and then all mashed up and spicy sauce squirted over it.
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Restaurant Cavalli slapped with 100-day suspension
MONTREAL - A Peel St. hotspot has been slapped with a 100-day suspension of two liquor licences and a restaurant permit after a long list of infractions that included frequent fights, excessive noise, overcrowding and valets deliberately parking clients’ cars in a bus stop and using orange cones to take over meter-parking spaces on the street.
The Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux issued its ruling against Restaurant Cavalli after a hearing last month.
Cavalli had been the object of numerous complaints from police, who alleged it was frequented by criminals and was the scene of a large number of violent incidents.
They included a fight in 2006 in which police had to physically push aside the manager to enter the building, another in 2011 when they found a man on the premises “gravely injured” by a gunshot that shattered the front window, a 2011 brawl in which two people were beaten and stabbed, and the 2012 arrest of a man found with a loaded gun on the bench beneath him.
Police said the restaurant had 449 people inside on one occasion in 2011, while licensed for 143, and was regularly visited by members of street and biker gangs.
Alleged mob boss Vito Rizzuto, who died in December, was seen there in May 2013, the Régie ruling said.
The restaurant has been owned by a numbered company, 4072430 Canada Inc., since 2003.
It accepted the 100-day suspension and, as part of a joint agreement, pledged to refuse admission to a list of “undesirables,” respect municipal noise bylaws and respect traffic laws.
Aside from the 15 “undesirables” listed by name, entry to the restaurant should be denied to anyone identified as part of a street gang or criminal motorcycle gang, the Régie said.
Cavalli slapped with suspension
MONTREAL - A Peel St. hotspot has been slapped with a 100-day suspension of two liquor licences and a restaurant permit after a long list of infractions that included frequent fights, excessive noise, overcrowding and valets deliberately parking clients’ cars in a bus stop and using orange cones to take over meter-parking spaces on the street.
The Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux issued its ruling against Restaurant Cavalli after a hearing last month.
Cavalli had been the object of numerous complaints from police, who alleged it was frequented by criminals and was the scene of a large number of violent incidents.
They included a fight in 2006 in which police had to physically push aside the manager to enter the building, another in 2011 when they found a man on the premises “gravely injured” by a gunshot that shattered the front window, a 2011 brawl in which two people were beaten and stabbed, and the 2012 arrest of a man found with a loaded gun on the bench beneath him.
Police said the restaurant had 449 people inside on one occasion in 2011, while licensed for 143, and was regularly visited by members of street and biker gangs.
Alleged mob boss Vito Rizzuto, who died in December, was seen there in May 2013, the Régie ruling said.
The restaurant has been owned by a numbered company, 4072430 Canada Inc., since 2003.
It accepted the 100-day suspension and, as part of a joint agreement, pledged to refuse admission to a list of “undesirables,” respect municipal noise bylaws and respect traffic laws.
Aside from the 15 “undesirables” listed by name, entry to the restaurant should be denied to anyone identified as part of a street gang or criminal motorcycle gang, the Régie said.
Cavalli slapped with suspension
The concept of telling a restaurant who they should and should not do business with is a new one to me. The restaurant in New York City where mobster Paul Castellano was shot in 1985 by John Gotti and his accomplices including Sammy "The Bull" Gravano was then, and still is, one of the better steakhouses in midtown Manhattan. That would be Sparks Steakhouse. However they have no memorials to Castellano near the front of the restaurant where he was shot.
There are restaurants in my area that are notorious for fights but it is mainly due to allowing underage minors in to drink on the premises, which is a matter that the State Liquor Control Commission can regulate with suspensions and revocations of liquor licenses. In the case of adult hoodlums, this is a new one to me. I have not seen it in the USA and I am involved in a lot of legal cases involving restaurants. This is what makes Canada's LE unique and somewhat interesting. I do not believe Canadian LE is encumbered with the same constitutional limitations in what they can do as their USA counterparts. Which makes them an LE to be feared.
There are restaurants in my area that are notorious for fights but it is mainly due to allowing underage minors in to drink on the premises, which is a matter that the State Liquor Control Commission can regulate with suspensions and revocations of liquor licenses. In the case of adult hoodlums, this is a new one to me. I have not seen it in the USA and I am involved in a lot of legal cases involving restaurants. This is what makes Canada's LE unique and somewhat interesting. I do not believe Canadian LE is encumbered with the same constitutional limitations in what they can do as their USA counterparts. Which makes them an LE to be feared.
Very few people are aware of this, but mafia kingpin Giuseppe Scarfo was shot right across Hurley's Irish Pub on Crescent street.
I went to the Bier Markt over the weekend located at 1221, boul René-Lévesque. On the same side as the Sheraton hotel just across the street. I'm not a picky eater and I'm easily satisfied, but this place was terrible. They were out of the first 3 items I requested and I settled for the wings as an appetizer and the FLAMMEKUECHES which was something like a pizza with no sauce. The wings were supposed to be fried crisped but came out nearly raw and had to be sent back. Even when they came back the taste was at best average. The FLAMMEKUECHES looked like it might taste good. I ordered the smoked chicken FLAMMEKUECHES and it had an extremely bland taste to it and you couldn't put enough salt or pepper on it to bring it to life. The beers were good, but how tough is it to serve good beer? Service was slow, waitresses weren't very bi lingual which made it difficult to order. It took a long time to get my food and drink orders to my table. Seats were uncomfortable, they were very tall and padded and it felt like you were going to fall out of them at any moment. If your looking to grab a beer with a buddy and hang out at the bar this place might do the trick. A couple of big screen TV's were there for you viewing pleasure. But that's about it, the food was lousy, the service was weak, and the atmosphere was very loud. I won't be going there anytime soon.
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