kit's Profile
African Food?
Has anyone tried Gracia Afrika - a congolese place in St. Henri on Notre Dame? Passed it a few times but no opportunity yet to drop in.
Sad to hear about Keur Fatou too...
Of all the stores that sell bbq duck in Chinatown, which one is the tastiest?
I second the suggestions for Lam Kee (i think that's the name) on the east side of St. Laurent. These folks used to operate the bbq counter at that grocery store that burnt down! Big fan of the BBQ duck & BBQ pork cha sui. Their roasted pig is inconsistent.
About the change handling, every time I'm there, only the woman handles the money. All she does is tie an elastic band around the box holding the BBQ duck and puts the brown paper wrapped BBQ pork in a plastic bag. Both can be dripping with sauce so maybe that's how it ends up on her hand. But it's the two males that handle the food exclusively. Anyway, that's been my experience.
Another place for delicious Roasted Suckling Pig is the Kim Phat near Jarry - at least I think it was there. A family member picked it up early in the morning like 9-ish and it was heaven!!!
New Chinese Strip mall on Taschereau
Just recently sampled the Korean resto in the strip mall - had the japchae and the ox bone soup both were about $5.50 each - I thought it was quite decent and I was plenty full on those portions.. I didn't do the pick up but it seems the food was cooked directly in front of you. Those around me that had the grilled meats were satisfied. But I'm no Korean food expert - only fell in love with japchae after having a home cooked version.
Note on Kim Phat: watch the expiry/best before dates on what you buy. They may seem price competitive but often their goods are beyond those dates.
Anyway, I've been disappointed with their choice in location and the small parking lot. I mean that lot was empty for years - it's no wonder there were no takers until now. Also, the decor/lighting/something doesn't make me want to shop there like I did at the previous location. So many of us are now hitting the smaller grocer in the mall where Sin Jing Hua is located.
Moti Mehal report
I was there Friday night as well towards closing and overstayed but we weren't rushed. There were two servers - one younger and the other was probably co-owner/wife. The former was exactly as you had described above while the co-owner/wife was super friendly and smiley.
Food: I didn't find the balti spectacular, as was the beef madras, tandoori quail and lamb korma (tasted just like the madras) - meh. Unfortunately, the first server confused my order of palak paneer with potato paneer which was meh too.
I've had much better pakoras at the Jean Talon Market. The nan, dahl chana, beef samosa, and okra was yummy. And the vegie biryani as superb! Very fragrant - never experienced that at other restos.
But resto is spacious probably because it wasn't busy and simply decorated and looked clean.
When I return, I'll stay away from the dishes I usually order at the other Indian restos and try the ones I've never seen.
Oyster Shack
Just want to add my thumbs up for Oyster Shack since the thread is titled so.
Been there on two occasions since the start of this year. Staff is very friendly. Resto is decorated to look like a seaside seafood shack - very relaxed yet still white-cloth napkin service!
One Thursday happy hour night (customer appreciation night? not sure.) there were non stop rounds of free fresh raw oysters, fried shrimps, shrimp cocktail and bruschetta. And they were all yummy! The bruschetta was done nicely - the right crunch noting its freshness and non sogginess and a hint of basil - TASTY! Their fish & chips was heavenly - if I remember it is catfish. Batter was light, cripsy, and no taste of re-used oil. I also had the clam chowder poutine and it was also good and very filling!
Rolling the dice at Bangkok
Agree that the cantonese place (not Le Wok) has some good and very well priced food! Favourites are the minced beef & egg (can have it raw on request) on rice, the beef stir fried with flat rice noodles and the salt & pepper squid! Yum yum and friendly folks at the counter.
Rolling the dice at Bangkok
Yes the woodiness and also added texture from the splinters. haha.
Rolling the dice at Bangkok
Chopstick + rice on a plate --> limited shoveling of rice in mouth, no? I guess for noodles & some forms of cooking I understand..... BUT STILL! I mean I grew up with chopsticks and I'm a believer in its superior efficiency but not in all cases and then to insist on a business owner to stock them only because it's Asian food?!?! Come now....really?
Rolling the dice at Bangkok
I (and many of my once-avid fan of bangkok friends) agree with those who've assessed Bangkok's inconsistencies of late.
I have never experienced welcome/friendly service off the bat either. And I too always cross my fingers hoping the mom will cook my order.
Will anyone here dare give them this feedback?
What's so great about Schwartz's?
Took the words outta my mouth -That was the only comment missing from all the opinions above.
Schwartz also has my vote. I do prefer their Medium Fats over Reuben's, Dunns, Snowdon & Ben's (whose last years served their fate), whose meats don't feel like real meat.
And lagatta, after the 10th mention of their smoked poultry, I'm finally giving in and will try it on my next visit!! lol.
Prime Rib Roast Take Out?
Does anyone know where in Montreal I can purchase a good cooked prime rib roast for a 30-person party at home? Does a service like this exist?
Thanks,
Cooking Handicap But Feasting Capable.
Where is the best happy hour spot in the city?
$5 open bar is only Thursday - the Gotsoul night - although they do happyhour every day of the week. There is a open bar list but it's a decent list. I'm a gin & tonic drinker so I don't know what else is on it. They make it with just enough alcohol that it is tasty but doesn't make me nauseous. And they have a few martinis too and wine & beer as well.
The only annoying aspect of it although understandable from a business standpoint is that the women have to get their drinks themselves from the bar. The waiters/waitresses cannot fetch you drinks.
Sorry I should have put more info in the initial post.
Cocoa Locale cakes?
Lol...seriously if the icing is good, is there such a thing as too much of a good thing?
Again, I don't like cakes that are made of flour so much. I love mousse, cheesecakes etc. But Cocoa Locale has got me eating cake AND CUPCAKES.
I haven't tried as many as moh but i love their ginger/lemon cake & the chocolate chai.
Saying that, I haven't noticed that many of a variety of cakes as moh has written about...
Where is the best happy hour spot in the city?
I have been frequenting Segafredo's lately on Ste Catherine in front of the Paramount Theatre/Simon's. Vibe is great. Drinks are good. Open bar for ladies when you buy a $5 bracelet. Lotsa ladies. Their menu is mostly sandwiches, salads & soups but they are good. I hope that they will put more finger food on in the near future. BIG PLUS: excellent music by dj's from the Gotsoul collective.
best roti and jerk chicken?
It's amazing how many styles of roti there are out there!
I thought Tropical closed!! Didn't it used to be next to the Ultramar? That place had good rotis too - very different from what I was used to.
Carib Curry House is ok.
When I was around Lasalle often many years ago, there was a place called Turntables at the end of de la Verendrye..and it turns into Airlie? in a strip mall. Great rotis although they never seem to want to serve you.
Then Ma's for oxtail.
Jerk Chicken? Toronto.
Gotta give the other recs a try though!
Favourite Chinese?
Sigh...I don't want to start lamenting on the lack of good chinese food in Montreal. I make my pilgrimage to Toronto once in a while to get my fill. The only reason to go to Toronto... :)
But still my Montreal faves are...
- Beijing for the hong kong diner style dishes (like chilipepper lists). But my faves are see choi ngau yook chow ho (season greens stir fried with flat rice noodles in a yummy oyster-based? sauce), shute choi yook see tong mie (shredded pork with tasty preserved vegetables and vermicelli in a clear broth), and ham yu gai lup chow fan (salted fish, diced chicken, egg, & shredded lettuce fried rice). The other dishes chilipepper lists are ok - can find better elsewhere.
- Keung Kee - for traditional hong kong family style dinners minus the variety.
- Pret a manger (Guy & Ste-Catherine) - for the "chef's special" menu which has dishes I have never seen in other Chinese restos and are actually very good! Currently closed due to a block fire.
- the restaurant across the street from Mon Nan - opened very late at night - has the best salt & pepper pork. Not only that but the huge serving of salt & pepper pork is served with an egg on top, side green veggies and fried rice for ... $8?!! Their periwinkles in black bean sauce is also excellent when in season - you can taste the power of the wok - sounds cheesy but really.
- Kam Fung over Furama for dim sum. Not saying Kam Fung is excellent. But at least it feels clean.
- Foo Wor in Brossard is comparable to Kam Fung for dim sum & dinner too maybe less salt & msg tasting.
- I recently was brought to a Chinese resto in Brossard next to the Quality Inn that is between the Panama Autoparc & Champlain Mall. I have been there a few times. They do very well only a select few dishes (seemingly off menu and must be ordered ahead of time) and the rest was not good. One is drunken chicken and the other is salt & chili pepper king crab. EXCELLENT. I will have to inquire with my aunt-in-the-know for the other dishes.
- Little Sheep Mongolian Hot Pot - excellent all you can eat hot pot. In Chinatown. www.canada.com/cityguides/montreal/story.html?id=2c6decf5-8cb9-4d0b-9408-1fc56cef5575&k=20741
www.montrealmirror.com/2007/040507/resto.html
Korean
There's also a tiny tiny all-you can eat Korean BBQ house on Queen Mary right in front of Snowdon metro (Chinese owned). It was a year ago so I cannot remember the specifics but remember it being very decent for the price - under $20. The owner or chef was even trying out new ingredients to serve. Also house drinks such as soy was included in the price. Don't know if it is still there.
Another new cupcake shop to open up
I want to chime in and second/third/fourth everyone's opinion on Cocoa Locale. I don't like cupcakes. But then came Cocoa Locale - it now gets me up early on the weekends to snag the lemon & choco chai ones before they all go. I wish the people who rave about Magnolia's in New York, which I hated, can try CL.
CL's cakes are magnificent too (I'm also not a fan of flour based cakes). And so is Reema.
Gay village eats
Saloon has great ambiance that's for sure! But overly priced mediocre uninteresting food.
How about St. Hubert? Very local thing....lol. I'M JOKING!
Further down the street - I think the sister to Miyako opened a shabu shabu - japanese hot pot. Though may be a little hot for summer but it was fun and good!
Portuguese chicken on Rachel?
Well of all mentioned portugese grills, Romados is the closest to st-denis (it is actually between st-laurent & st-denis if we're talking major intersections). It's a great takeout place.
But in my opinion, no one has Portugalia beat for chicken.
Roi does not have great chicken. But quail & lamb & price is fantastic.
A Good Chinese Addition: Pret A Manger
Sorry can't compare. Wok Cafe caters to the Americanized Chinese Food market. PAM does good "authentic" Cantonese but they do have american chinese food but I can't attest to it.
I don't touch egg rolls or fried rice or general tao after being raised & working in such restaurants throughout my childhood. ;)
Recs for a Turkish or Armenian restaurant
Oh you must try KAROUN in Laval!!! Recommended by Armenian friends
Excellent, tasty & not expensive at all. We can eat well for about $15 each including tip, tax & non-alcoholic drinks.
Haven't been there in a while so I can't remember the specific dishes.
Have some "adventurous" plates as well: cow brain, tongue etc.
411 CURE-LABELLE BLVD, LAVAL Phone: 450-682-6820
Indian in Montreal.
I have to put my vote in for Punjab Palace. Dirt cheap & hearty! AND BYOW! But always crowded. We usually go without a reservation after 9pm and still wait a good 15 minutes.
Apparently many of the indian restos in that Jean-Talon/Acadie area are good.
Dev on Victoria Ave was also excellent but when I went last time after they moved next door...it was so so. But it could be an off day.
A Good Chinese Addition: Pret A Manger
A relatively new addition to the noodle shops in the Guy-Concordia area is Pret-A-Manger. The name of the restaurant is deceiving because it serves Cantonese style cooking.
For fans of Beijing in Chinatown, I must say that is it slightly superior than Beijing and in a great location. I think the owners were former employees of Beijing as he is very familiar looking. Prices are very decent for the location.
I can't vouch for the quality of everything that is on the menu but what I tried yesterday and my companion that has been there on more than one occasion has said most (ie. 9/10) of what he's tried is good.
There are two menus both in french/english/chinese. I can't remember in English what I had...it was on the larger one page double sided 8x11 sized menu. One was chicken in a heated pot, the other was breaded fish something and the other was a tofu, vegie & sea cucumber dish. All was good and service was attentive & polite considering it is a chinese restaurant.
Just spreading the word out to keep something that is decent alive...many chinese restaurants in the area have closed recently.
Location is corner of St-Mathieu & Ste-Catherine: 1809 Ste-Catherine 514-931-8889
Best Coffee in Montreal?
Cafe Milano in St. Leonard is a fave for me.
Sandwiches & biscottis are great. Rowdy & informal atmosphere (especially during World Cup!) - neighbourhood cafe type. But deserts are very mediocre.
