Thanks for the link, EB
I'm always on the look out for new restaurants to eat at and there are a few mentioned in the article that piqued my interest!
Can't wait to give them a try!
Thanks for the link, EB
Mai Xiang Yuan Chinese Dumplings 1929 St. Catherine West. This appears to be a second location to the one on 1084 St. Laurent. The place is run by 3 Asian women who are in their 30s, 2 working the kitchen (which is transparent and you can watch all food prepared whether waiting for takeout, sitting in the dining room, or even peering in the window from St. Catherine). I ordered pork and leek dumplings and pork, shrimp and mushroom dumplings with extra chili sauce. Very good. Not expensive for portion size and quality.
Cacao 70 -2087 St. Catherine West- Every time I walk by this place it is packed. Initially I thought it was a coffee and chocolate/dessert spot but they are actually serving a full breakfast. So after walking by late one Saturday night and seeing a line out the door (mostly a very young crowd), I decided to try their breakfast. They have a full breakfast menu, mostly crepes but also standard egg combination dishes and waffles. I ordered the Italian sausage frittata. I am not really a frittata kind of guy, but it sounded good, and I am open minded with food like I am with sex. It was served with fresh spinach, parmesan, eggs and sausage (but not tomatoes as indicated on menu), baked in a skillet. It was a huge portion and I only ate half. Breakfast was served with fresh fruit (banana, strawberry, pineapple) and a melted chocolate dipping sauce. Coffee was very good. A nice spot, but a little overpriced. Try it for coffee and desserts.
Saigon VIP, 1850 St. Catherine West- reviewed and been to this place before- Had the Pho and fresh spring rolls. There are better Pho places in Chinatown 1, but this place is clean, serviceable and has prompt service. There were a couple of Asian guys there who were driving the waiter crazy as they couldn't decide what to order and were asking a million questions. I marveled at the waiter's patience, especially since he made polite suggestions which they either blew off or asked more questions about the recommended dishes. I guess when you are a waiter this is what you sign up for sometimes, but it was really funny to listen to. At one point I decided to interject my own suggestions to these two who were at the next table, to see what they said. This prompted even more questions. LOL. Me, I am very decisive as to what I want after I look at any menu. Much moreso in restaurants trying to decide on food than I am when I read MERB and try to decide on an escort for the evening.
The Chinatown 2 area is full of great dining choices within a 2 block radius. The 5 mentioned above are all within 2 blocks of each other and Kazu and a host of other great spots. Happy dining if you find yourself in this area!!!!
CA69,
I had actually contemplated dessert one night at Cacao 70, but was discouraged by a line of people extending out the front door. I don't wait in lines for desserts, and especially not in the Montreal cold, even if it was the not-so-cold Montreal cold.
I agree with what you say about Saigon VIP. In my last 3 trips to Montreal I have eaten at about 5 different Vietnamese places ,and Saigon VIP was surpassed by the others, although their menu is extensive and their food is passable.
Regarding Mai Xiang Yuan, I requested that both of my dumpling orders be boiled/steamed, although like you, I usually get one order steamed/boiled and the other fried just for the contrast. That night was a late night run and I didn't want any fried foods right before bedtime.
@CA69
* Sammie: will try on my next trip
* Pho: Cote de Nieges, Everyone say Pho Lien" has the best Pho in Montreal, but I've NEVER been there
CA69,
I do like lamb and I considered getting the lamb combo dumplings but I went with the hostesses' two recommendations which were pork/leek and pork/shrimp/mushroom.
I have been to Qung Hua- is Sammi Dumpling similar? I thought Mai Xiang Yuan as good as Quin Hua.
CA 69,
Thanks for all the info you have posted. It's not only appreciated by me, but by some "closet" Asian food lovers who have been sending me PMs. LOL.