Galette des rois

La Maison Des Desserts has a fab GDR and their Mille Feuilles is the best I've had anywhere including Paris, SFC and NYC. It's in Ahuntsic, so it's a trek. Mamie Clafoutis is always excellent and PM is OK too.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

Looking for recos to re-acquaint me with my old stompin grounds

Hello all

I haven't been back to Toronto in many years and IU'll be in town for business Mon-Thursday next week. When I lived there I loved Splendido, Yamase before it was bought by Chinese???), Grappa for fun Italian.

I want to enjoy two great dinners and have fun at lunch a couple of times too. One dinner must be Japanese, as I live in Montreal and there isn't a truly good Japanese restaurant here..so please tell me where to go for great Japanese.

I hear Yorkville has had a massive makeover so will be exploring it a bit (lunch maybe???).

Staying at Bloor & Yonge

Thanks Chow-hounders

Lawrence

-----
Splendido
88 Harbord Street, Toronto, ON M5S 1G5, CA

SpellMan in Ontario (including Toronto)

Alternatives to Piment Rouge???

Hi Chowhounders

I had planned to meet someone for lunch at L'Actuel but is is closed down. My lunch date suggested Le Piment Rouge next door, but I find it overpriced and average.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a great alternative to my Plan A - L'Actuel?

Thanks for the help.

Lawrence

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

Does your Costco carry Bounty chocolate boxes ? or Big Turk ?

Big Turk is a guilty pleasure of mine. I only find them in depanneurs and when I do I often buy the box on the shelf.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

A good Hungarian restaurant in Montreal?

You are correct sir. It has indeed been a long time. So long that I forgot that it is Polish. Apologies.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

A good Hungarian restaurant in Montreal?

You could try Stash cafe in Old Montreal. It's been a long time since I've been back, but it was a lunch standby for me when I worked in that part of town.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

I Need a Christmas Dinner Miracle

What a great idea. This is exactly what I should have done. But we plan to have a family turkey dinner in feb. happy feasting in 2011.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

I Need a Christmas Dinner Miracle

Thank you lagatta for your thoughts. We'll be doing Turkey in February. Happy feasting in 2011

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

I Need a Christmas Dinner Miracle

Thanks for your kind thoughts. We are going to do a turkey dinner in february.
Happy feasting in 2011!

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

I Need a Christmas Dinner Miracle

A belated thank you for your idea. We will be doing our traditional dinner in February. Happy feasting in 2011!

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

I Need a Christmas Dinner Miracle

Our traditional family Christmas dinner just went kaput...for a very good cause. A sick relative has requested that we spend Christmas dinner with her in her retirement home dining room.

So no home-cooked turkey, cranberries or wonderful homestyle fare this year. So I was hoping that I might find a Montreal restaurant that might just offer a traditional turkey dinner just after Christmas. Does anyone know of something like this?

Thanks for the thoughts..and merry Christmas to all.

Spell-Man

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

Suggestions For fun, Lively Christmas lunch for 4?

Hello hounds...

I want to take some great people to a fun, lively Christmas lunch this week. Any cool thoughts?

thx, spell-man.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

Best Cupcakes I've ever had

Cupcake fiends take note. I recently had some cupcakes from a new place called; Tasty Cupcakes Montreal. Amazing and you can customize if you order...I think. And I hear that they are opening in East Montreal. Can't wait to try again. The web address is; http://www.cupcakesmontreal.ca/. A great cupcake is hard to find...and disappears so fast once you do find one.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

Montrea Locals - What do you consider the best small hole in the wall resto?

Cosmos is flat out great. I keep forgetting about it. Just not in my regular path. I need a pilgrimmage brekky soon I think.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

Montrea Locals - What do you consider the best small hole in the wall resto?

A neighbourhood fave is Figaro on Fairmount, just a bit West of Parc Ave. Le Petit Italien on Bernard is perfect for Spag & Meatballs and a great glass of vino. Chez Justine on Van Horne is excellent and the owners (French) always have an interesting variety of wine by the glass. Just tried JUN-E on Laurier, and it was good but not great. If you like Greek, Panama on Jean Talon is good and surrounded by cheap and tasty Indian places (most of which are filthy..but que sera sera). And a New Zealand place is offering some yummy meat pies at Parc and Mount Royal. Oh and lastly, the great neighbourhood Greek called (???? the one with the vine-covered terrace) on Parc just north of Mount Royal is always good.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

Montrea Locals - What do you consider the best small hole in the wall resto?

Agree completely with this. Although you are likely to run into Celine and Angelil there. I've seen them at least three times so I think it is/was one of their haunts.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

Where's the best burger in Montreal

There is a restaurant in the train station Gare Centrale with tables facing the train entrances. I forget the name...but it's a big place with self-serve salad bars and a grill at the rear. They grill your burger to order and dress it to order and it is without doubt the best urger in the city.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

Seeking a fun downtown spot for a good lunch with a ladyfriend

Hello Chowhounds

I am looking for a downtown alternative to Ferreira for a fun/good lunch with a lady-friend. Any suggestions?

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

What's new and tasty in Montreal?

Hello out there. I live in Mtl and I have a couple of lunch meetings on the board this week. So i was just wondering what might be new and amazing in the downtown area. I love Italian, Indian, French, Thai. My Montreal favs are JolieFou and Le Petite Iltalien. Anything you folks are raving about these days?

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

OTTAWA: 3 days 3 nights and in need of restaurant and pub recos

Hey Recyclor. I was on my lonesome nt before last so a pub was definitely the way to go. tried manx and it was perfect. Great atmosphere. Surprisingly good food and oh yeah...one very lovely lass. Smokin lovely!!!!

SpellMan in Ontario (including Toronto)

OTTAWA: 3 days 3 nights and in need of restaurant and pub recos

Hi chowhounders

I will be in Ottawa Monday through Thursday this week and would love to hear your ideas about where I must eat, drink and be merry while in your city. I am on an expense account, so, while I don't want to sound boorish, money won't be an issue. that said, most expensive is often least interesting,and I really love those little spots talented chefs open when they break free from the 5-star palace.

I enjoy Japanese, Italian, Indian, French, and North American. A good English pub is impt to know about, as is the evening music scene during the week. Can someone fill me in please?

The Montreal Beachbum

SpellMan in Ontario (including Toronto)

Any Standouts in Sanibel Island?

Traders for good food, atmosphere, nice people and good live music some nights (our favourite resto on Sanibel). Mad Hatter on captiva is good. the Grouper sandwich at lazy Flamingo on Sanibel is very good. Light House cafe is a good breakfast spot. I think there is a good breakfast spot at Blind Pass. I am forgetting the name. The best comfort/junk fare on the island is Schnappers Hots. Burgers fries & shakes to die for. And if you eat too much I really mean to die for, quite literally.

SpellMan in Florida

DISCOVERIES WORTH A RAVE

Well we just had lunch at La Faim du Monde on St Denis. 7 yr old, 5-yr old 3 yr old and parents sick and tired of Italian and Greek. We fell into this little restaurant on St Denis and it ranks as among the very best I have ever tried in Montreal. It is an interesting blend of Indian, Mexican and Asian. Really. And 100% vegetarian, I am not vegan but the meal was amazing. They even served subtly flavoured table water (anise tasting). We had Somosas, Tarka Dal, Chile sin Carne, Burritos and a noodle salad. All absolutely superb. Child friendly. Sophisticated music and very casual. WOW!

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

Isakaya in Montreal - Is this considered standard quality sushi?

Sadly Montreal lacks decent Japanese options. Mako Sushi and Oishi Sushi, both on bernard are average...and as good as Montreal offers. I've eaten at some of the best in Toronto, Vancouver New York and Chicago in the company of one of my best friends (Japanese from Tokyo)...so I'm no snob, but I know mediocre Japanese when it's under my nose...and after 10 years in Montreal I ams till waiting for a great Japanese restaurant. When one arrives I will be a very frequent diner.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

Where can I find real home-made-style pie in Montreal?

I love Montreal, but hailing from Halifax and then spending 10 years in Ontario, I think I've become so accustomed to some kinds of desserts (especially pie) that Montreal's glazed, sugared and super fancy fair leaves me somewhat wistfully yearning for a great slab of home made cherry pie. Or blueberry..or even apple. I just can't find it anywhere in Montreal. Help me someone.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

LOOKING FOR GREAT KIELBASA in MTL

There is a Polish deli on Centre street just across the lachine canal. Cross over one of the little bridges near Peel and ask anyone on Centre where the polish deli is. Great keilbasa and Polish goodies. Probably the best sandwiches in Montreal, if you like real home-cooked comfort food.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

Best Dessert Place in Montreal?

I wound up SOL two weeks ago after a Just For laughs show. Le Ptite Ardoise where i ws headed for dessert was closed for the evening. Love their lemon pie. So a group of us went blank and ended up at that place on the corner of St. Laurent and Fairmount...which was so bad, I've atually forgotten its name. Soooo...ideas anyone? I live in Outremont and like to hang out between the Plateau and Outremont.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

Best good restaurant in Montreal for Families?

I like Roberto's, Dai Baffoni, Panama, Tres Marie, Chez Cora, L'eggspectation and Pacini (cuz the kids like the "grill your own bread" novelty. I am looking for something new and wonderful. Any ideas?

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)

French Fries

Good fries is a tough one in Montreal. I think the best I've ever had, at Bistro 990 in Toronto, ruined the gooey, greasy fry experience for me...and that's it in Montreal. Frites Alors, Patati Patata are very so-so. But, the home fries at Panama, a wonderful Greek restaurant on Jean Talon not far from Park Ave are very tasty...as is evrything else at this great neighbouthood spot. And honestly...Mr Steer? Strawberry shortcake in a serving size that could satisfy a hockey team is the only reason to hazard a visit there.

SpellMan in Quebec (including Montreal)