thehotplate's Profile
best study snacks?
Thanks very much! as you can tell from the delayed response I've been pulling 20 hr days to balance work and well school work lol.
One of my new guilty pleasures while studying are pickles. They completely satisfy that salty craving with out all the greasy chip bags lying around. Will have to make a run to the for some pasta though, it was the first to go.
best study snacks?
that is quite an interesting thought with the coffee grains! haha i wonder if some bailey's in there would spur my creativity!
best study snacks?
so it is crunch time at mcgill. exams and work are eating up all my time and im into the study snacks as opposed to big meals to keep my fires fueled. any suggestions for some of your favorite crunch time snacks?
What is Montreal's Best Greek Restaurant?
if you compare it to all the other byob greek restaurants in montreal it is an absolute gem! i would argue that it is the best option if you're not wiling to foot the milos' petite poeme
What does a foodie want for Christmas?
if you want want something fun grab the alligator and onion goggles! i got them one year and so i did it the next in all different colors, huge success!
microplanes are also a very welcome gift!
What would you eat on your last in Montreal?
Pick some classics
1. L'express for their steak frites, salmon and incredible homemade chocolate tart.
2. Schwartz smoke meat
3. McKernians Luncheonette (not classic, but incredible)
4. Burgundy Lion (fisherman's pie or fish and chips)
5. Great wine bar like Pullman's!
Montreal has everything you could hope for, I really hope that you are able to find what suits your swan song. If you know more specifically what you're looking for let me know!
Tasty lunch spots near Eaton Centre...willing to walk.
There is a Terroni's right around the corner and it is in the old court house. Basically you get an incredible meal, the service is quick since they want maximum turn over and you aren't left with the hefty bill of some other sit down restos
Best Coffee in Montreal?
if you're looking for excellent coffee try cafe neve (corner of rachel and du bullion). don't forget to grab their famous giant cookie on your way out!
La Salle a Manger sucks!
I completely concur! I just went with some of my friends for a fantastic meal. the service was above exceptional and one of the waiters even took the time to provide us with a free wine tasting when I couldn't decide what would go best with the canard jambonneau. we were at the restaurant until past 12am because we just couldn't imagine leaving! Next time I really want to try one of the dishes to share, none of my friends were up for the task that night!
For anyone who's interested: My thoughts on a dinner at Laloux.
So thrilled you enjoyed it, as I just had a wonderful meal as well. I you liked dinner, I'd thoroughly encourage you to try lunch. Their prix-fixe menu is economical, and not just because you're too full for dinner. The service was impeccable considering that only 1 girl was looking after the floor. The way they organize it is that you get a starter and main course for a very reasonable price. If you're feeling less frugal for a few extra dollars you can have foie gras as an app. Once you've managed to enjoy every last bite, then they have a beautiful selection of desserts for $5. If you ever happen to see a chocolate pudding with cookie pieces and caramel whipped cream - HAVE IT! no matter how full you may be HAVE IT! I am very rarely so pleasantly surprised by a dessert. It was impossibly light, creamy and the perfect saltiness to cut through the sweet richness!
Old Bay seasoning - where to buy in Mtl?
check out Waldman's Plus on Roy and St. Dominique! wonderful fish mart that truly has everything in the spice department.
What is Montreal's Best Greek Restaurant?
Milos is definitely the best, but if you aren't willing to pay top dollar than there are two better options:
1. tasso - a new greek mezze place on st. denis
2. jardin de panos - delicious greek byob restaurant where 5 can easily eat for just over 100 even if you go the whole 9 yards with multiple appetizers to share, main courses and dessert! a personal fav is their chicken kebabs that have a lovely lemony marinade on them.
Hope you enjoy!
Downtown student restaurants
Congrats on starting at McGill, I'm just finishing up my last year. Actually, you should check out my cooking show, The Hot Plate, on tvmcgill.com!
Cheap/delicious food is definitely feasible in Montreal so here are a few of my favorites...
Breakfast - Place Milton, Dusty's (the special is amazing and only $10 tax/tip included)
Lunch:
-pizza: Danny's (de la montagne and st. cats)
-sandwich: Eden Organic Groceries (make your own), Schwartz (obvs), shwarmas in Gert's Bar on McTavish (promise not bad)
-sushi: ocean sushi (des pins and st. urbain)
-burgers: patati patat (rachel and st. laurent)
Best Cafe with Sandwiches: Cafe Neve and El Mundo (delicious and affordable coffee and sandwiches) cafe neve has a killer giant cookie
Cheap Asian food (in Chinatown around de la gauchetiere and st. urbain):
- Hanashima (shabu shabu)
- Beijing (chinese - best in the city and zagat rated, try the shrimp in lobster sauce)
- Pho soup - Pho Bang New York or Pho Bac
Italian Eatery: Euro Deli (St. Laurent and Prince Arthur)
That is kind of a start I suppose, sorry if that is a bit overwhelming, let me know if you have specific cuisines in mind and I'll shoot you some more suggestions!
BYOW Restaurants
that link is terrific, but if you're at all interested in sushi than let me suggest Yukkai and Uchi (amazing sushi and byob)!
Update on the BYOW scene?
if you haven't given Monsieur B yet then you're in for a treat! Same concept as Les Infidele, O Thym or Les Heritiers but it is the newest! Delicious, a little more high end than Les Inf and OThym. Just had a birthday dinner there and it was perfect. The ambience is dark, cozy yet trendy and you most certainly need a reservation because it is intimate just like the others. The table d'hote runs about $45, but you can easily order off the menu if you don't want to spring for that much. Personally, any meal from those restaurants are completely worth it; especially, if it's celebratory!
best $10.....
1. 11, 12, or 14 piece lunch at Ocean Sushi
2. large bowl of pho at Pho Bac or Pho Bang New York
3. bahn mi sandwich in chinatown
4. chef guru
5. la matraca - 3 taco lunch for $7-9
6. calzone at euro deli
if you splurge for $11.95 Justine Bistro a Vin has a 3-course table d'hote!
Where did you eat this week ?
La Maison du Cheddar is a little gem tucked up in Outremont that specializes in Quebec cheeses. Some recommended varieties are Pied de Vent, Riopelle and Fou du Roi, and for those who aren't friend with lactose then check out their selection of goat's milk and brebis cheeses!
After an adventurous Friday night, we confronted with a glorious fall morning. I'd been dying to sink my teeth into their very limited, but delicious sounding grill cheeses. The chalkboard menu claims that their sandwiches come with pickles and love. The "love" part turned out to be a sampling of their flavored cheese curds. That's right they've actually jazzed up squeaky cheese. They have plain, which most McGill students faintly remember from 2 AM poutines. The two new flavors are a slightly salty pesto and a sundried tomato. Yummy! When we'd gone into the little cheese haven, I'd noticed that you could buy the curds in a cone or super sized box. I'd been guiltily considering splurging on one. After all we'd walked all the way there, thank goodness La Maison du Cheddar absolved me of my guilt with the most loving of gestures (free samples)!
Cheap yet good cuts of meat
ooh sorry it's flank, but generally cut a bit thicker (haha just too used to quebec)
Need Recipe Ideas for Spaghetti Squash
shape into small pancakes and fry them. serve with some arriabata sauce, or cinnamon kicked up sour cream. completely scrumptious!
Cheap yet good cuts of meat
Bavette is my ultimate fav. You can get a huge piece for $9 and it feeds about 3-4 people. i marinate it in olive oil, balsamic, garlic and rosemary than cut into cubes and feed onto rosemary branches before grilling. if you can get dried figs, put them on the skewer as well! great way to make meat stretch and feed a crowd without breaking the bank.
Duck breasts are another great option because for $5 you can get a breast large enough to feed 2 people. not to mention that serving seared duck is oooh-so good. i did it last night for a friend and they were completely surprised!
Best birthday BYOB?
As a student my friends were big into L'Academie, I personally think that the food is revolting (not to be a negative nancy). Here are some of my favorite alternatives
Greek - Jardin de Panos (duluth)
Algerian - Aux Coins Berbere (duluth)
French - La Colombe (duluth)
Sushi - Uchi (the village)
Meat Lovers - A L'os
Gourmet - Monsieur B (and any other restos this brilliant man owns) and Au Cinquieme Peche
Steak or Confit - Steak et Frites
these are a great starter list and offer an array of prices and styles of cuisine. If you want a bit more of an upscale birthday then i highly recommend monsieur b or au cinquieme peche! they have phenomenal table d'hote menus to help keep costs reasonable for a special birthday
Pie makers: do you or don't you ?
I find a great trick to making sure that the crust is cooked on the bottom but not overcooked from double baking is to place the pie plate on a preheated baking sheet or pizza stone. it ensures that there is sufficient heat so that the bottom browns and doesn't get immediately soggy.
Who makes the best sandwiches in town?
McKernian's makes their own version of Wilensky's nostalgic classic. Good, but still the tikka chicken sandwich is the show stopper. Plus they have a special, not always of the menu, which almost left me sans boyfriend we were fighting over every morsel. usually we get two sandwiches and go halvies. This was our first time trying their pulled pork fajitas! Not fair that it doesn't come with a warning, get your own!
Dim Sum
Amazing Dim Sum at the Pearl in Toronto. They have the carts so you get to see everything wheeling around. As my aunt so elegantly states, her favorite dish are the dumplings filled with nuts or "sacks of nuts". My little cousins always get a good laugh. Great variety of pork buns, noodle dishes, shredded duck lettuce rolls, etc. Worth a try!
questions about institution of culinary education
You'd be surprised how much more affordable it is in comparison to the CIA or Culinary Institute. So happy to hear that the courses and staff were enjoyable. I think they off free flights to go and visit the school so hopefully I can sit in on some of the classes! Thanks for the feedback
Colibri - Best Authentic Mexican Food!!
So glad that most people had a similar experience to mine! Don't know how a managed to forget their margaritas, i dreamt about those for weeks afterwards. the tart and not-too-sweet variety are always my favorite because it highlights the excellent quality of their tequila.
Who makes the best sandwiches in town?
depends what you're looking for in a sandwich...
Best Big Bites sandwich = Santropol
Best Nostalgic Bites = Schwartz
Best Chicken Confit Sandwich = Provisions
Best Tikka Chicken Sandwich = McKeirnan's (a must must must try!!)
Best Pub Sandwich = Burgundy Lion
Best Make Your Own = Eden Organic Grocery Store
Delicious Roasted Veggie Sandwich = Cafe Vasco de Gama
Those are some of my favorites and always serve as the perfect mid day pick me up to get me through the afternoon! hope you enjoy
questions about institution of culinary education
hey, just wondering if anyone has attended or visited the institution of culinary education? i want to go to culinary school after i finish up at mcgill and would love to hear some personal reviews and experiences with the school. thanks for sharing!
- Amanda
Colibri - Best Authentic Mexican Food!!
Hi all, this is my first post on the board and couldn't decide what to write. Decided that it would be worth while to give a restaurant suggestion so hopefully you'll like it!
Colibri is just off the downtown square (I'm from Montreal and can't remember what it's called). By chance I was staying at a boutique hotel across the street and had no where to eat so I poked my head in, and boy oh boy I'm thrilled I did. The decor is simple, yet elegant and perfect for a fun date night or girl's night out. The guacamole is creamy, fresh and best of all, they make it table side. Unlike some want-to-be Mexican restaurants, Colibri serves their guac with warm corn tortillas all bundled up in a heated towel (amazing!). We also had a stewed black bean and cotija cheese dish, which was equally delicious when eaten with the corn tortillas. For my main, a slow cooked pork shoulder with grilled scallions and leeks. This pork was succulent, melt in your mouth with a spicy kick! Obviouslyy, suffering from a restricted belt but nothing worth of refusing warm cinnamon churros with homemade drinking chocolate. Absolutely the best and most authentic mexican meal I've ever had! None of the usual middle of the night dry mouth from salt overdose, just clean delicious flavors that will keep me going there on future visits to San Fran!
Let me know your thoughts
- Amanda
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Colibri Mexican Bistro
438 Geary St., San Francisco, CA 94102
