abaesel's Profile
Casa de Mateo, Old Montreal
We had not been to Casa de Mateo for several years but remember it having good (if not spectacular food), excellent guacamole, good (if not excellent ) service, and decent portion size for the money. Sadly, none of that is true any longer. Chips were stale. Guacamole is billed as "being made fresh at your table". It wasn't made at our table, probably because we're pretty sure its the guacamole from Costco (good, but not worth $13.50 for 2). Portions sizes were minute for the price. My husband had the Camarones...he had 6 small shrimp (for $22). The avocado on his plate was simply 1/4 of a plain avocado with no dressing or flair We had to ask 3 times for glasses of water. And to ask for a refill of pepsi. And had to wait for the bill, long after they took the empty plates away. Our meal was 76 dollars with tax and tip (no dessert, only one margarita). It should have been a 40 dollar meal for porton size and quality. We will not be back. Oh, by the way...the margarita was very good and not outrageously priced. so if you want a good margarita with stale chips...you know where to go!
Souffle anyone?
We're looking for restaurants in the Montreal area that serve souffle as main courses or started courses...so savory souffles not sweet....cheese, no cheese...vegetable or not. Any ideas?
Casual French Bistro - Orange County?
Looking for a casual french bistro in Orange County...preferably south orange county.
Vietnamese Food in So Orange County
Looking for a recommendation for vietnamese restuarant with good pho and possible vietnamese pancakes. Preferably South Orange County. Thanks
Les Bouchees Gourmandes - will be open January 1st
I perfectly understand. It is cold out there. We had a wonderful brunch and she had all but one table filled when we were there. Fortunately she had foie gras today...one of my favorites. We'll be back in Montreal in February..perhaps catch you then!
Dutch Store in Montreal or area!
It is called Gourmet Laurier...I've also had Dutch licorice from there as well. Its a great store! Right across the street from Lemeac's. 1042 Laurier Ouest.
Les Bouchees Gourmandes - will be open January 1st
Thanks for the info, that clears things up. Bonne Annee...Happy New Year
Les Bouchees Gourmandes - will be open January 1st
further confused. Do you need a license to be a BYOB? if they don't sell alchohol and don't serve alcohol do they still need a license for us to bring our own alchohol?
if they either sell it or serve it, I'll buy it either way. But if they don't, can i drink my own?
Les Bouchees Gourmandes - will be open January 1st
I'll do that! Although I have a pretty nice bottle I'm thinking of taking anyway. Hope we see you!
Les Bouchees Gourmandes - will be open January 1st
She said she'd have something special.. but she didn't mention champagne. I don't know liquor license laws in Montreal. I've never seen wine on the menu. But I'm glad you mentioned it...I'm going to make a trip to the SAQ and get a bottle in case they don't have any...good idea! If you decide to come...let me know...I'll get enough for you too! Hope to see you there!
Les Bouchees Gourmandes - will be open January 1st
I just called and they've decided to open for brunch on New Years Day. I have reservations for 10am. Their phone number is 514 845 3663. I'm really excited...what a great way to start off the New Year!
Barroco?
Has anyone tried Barroco in Old Montreal which opened where Cobalt used to be?
best old montreal restaurants
We like Le Cartet very much for breakfast during the week and the brunch on the weekend. Like the atmosphere...great eggs, breads...fabulous cafe au lait.
Bouchees Gourmandes: reopening soon!!!
I will call today...we'd really like to go there on New Years Day.
Chinese for Christmas Eve?
Our big "at home" day is Christmas Day this year. We are looking for something fun to do with our two college age boys. They love Chinese/Asian food. I'm thinking there is some chance some Chinese restaurants will be open (hoping). So the question is...what would you suggest? We are on the Main Line but would be fine with going into the City and further out to West Chester or up to Doylestown area and all points in between. Any ideas?
Bouchees Gourmandes Open January 1
That was us...the Americans. I'm happy to hear that they agreed for sure. That will make our Jan 1st very special. If we should be eating there at the same time...introduce yourself, I'd love a face to place with "souschef".
We had a fabulous brunch. The foic gras with the carrot confit was spectacular. The omelette was really almost a souffle. The crepes...fantastique! The fruit plate was fresh and delicious. And there was more! We had such a good time. And the piece of tarte tatin and the two apple turnovers we took home...wonderful!
For anyone needing it...their phone number is 514 845 3663.
Bonne Annee
New Year's Eve on Île d'Orléans
We stayed an evening at La Goeliche...it has wonderful views of the St. Lawrence and Quebec. We had a very nice dinner...it was October of 2004. We had a good meal: deer ravioli, escargot, veal and lamb. Views at morning breakfast was delightful. I think it would make a nice New Year's Eve.
Bouchees Gourmandes: reopening soon!!!
I am so happy. We drove up to Outremont today to find the "new" Les Bouchees Gourmandes and had a wonderful bowl of potage parisien (leek and potato soup), the BEST apple turnover ever and of course wonderful thick creamy hot chocolate. I was in heaven. And they seem happy with their new place (that doesn't leak and freeze in the winter). We had a long chat and she was thrilled by the buzz in chowhound (I told her that was how I found out they hadn't closed permanently and where they had moved to). She was genuinely amazed and touched that people were making an effort to find out what happened to them and where they had moved. I told her I wasn't amazed not with turnovers and hot chocolate like they make! We're going back to try the brunch on Sunday. Way to go Chowhounders!
GOOD Mexican food in Tampa Bay???
One of my favorite places on BOTH coasts. Today I had a carnitas tacos and a carnitas gordito, my friends had tacos pastor and quesadilla pollo...excellent, excellent. I could eat there every day.
Thanksgiving dinner in Manhattan
We are a party of 7. We will be in NYC for the entire long weekend. We love food! Many restaurants (some of our favorites) are closed for Thansgiving. Does anyone have a recommendation for the day...we'd like something where a party of 7 can hear each other and since its t-giving...we'd like something cozier rather than zensleek.
Los Mariachis in Phoenixville
We went this evening. great service, very good fresh ceviche, very good carnitas and carnitas in green chili sauce. pork tamales very authentic. Look forward to trying other things there. we'll be back.
Puffy Tacos in Clearwater/Tampa Area?
I just went and googled puffy tacos...so at least I know what they are now...I found a website talking about a place in Whittier California where I'm going in a week...Arturo's...will have to try them out there until we find a place in Florida.
L'Original
In our last visit to montreal, we noticed a new (to us) restaurant called L'Original in Old Montreal off of Rue Notre Dame near St. Sulpice...i've heard it's owned by the same people who run Garde Manger. Has anyone been to the restaurant? Any feedback?
Thanks.
Taqueria La Michoacana in Norristown
boy that is a new one on me!!! I've never heard of someone doing that. Are they implying their workers are incapable of figuring out how to give change??? Bizarro. I would have done the same thing as you.
my experience is also the same...food is still good but no longer excellent. I'll have to try out the other places mentioned in this thread before I go back.
Montreal for 5 days
I absolutely agree with Campofiorin's recommendatons. Au Pied du Cochon was the first thing that came to mind when you mentioned poutine. But you should make a reservation if you are going on a weekend...or get there first thing when they open. It is VERY popular. L'Express is also open for lunch (and between lunch and dinner). Don't be intimidated by the line outside of Schwartz...there is almost always a line...unless you go for early lunch on a Saturday or Sunday...but it IS worth it.
Do you like Chinese Dim Sum? We LOVE Maison Kam Fung in Chinatown (on Gaucheterie. We go everytime we visit Montreal (which is often).
In Old Montreal some of our favorites are:
Gandhi (for superb Indian food) on rue St. Paul
Boris Bistro or Holders (for casual bistro atmosphere) both on mcGill
Le Cartet (on mcgill) for breakfasts...superb
Olive et Gourmand for bread and sandwiches
For Farmer's Market, a truly not to be missed Montreal Experience: marche Jean Talon in the Little Italy area is the largest and in some wasy the best. You can "graze" your way amonst the stores/cafes associated with the market. Great sausages, crepes, seafood, turkish sweets, etc. etc. Marche Atwater near Old Montreal is also really good...
have fun
L'Express Verdict:.....The emperor is naked!
Thank heavens those tables are set so close together or we'd NEVER get in for a meal (if they could double deck the tables some of us wouldn't mind if it meant getting a reservation!). I agree with all previous posts. L'Express is the epitomy of a French Bistro...little tables close together with excellent foods NOT served in gargantuan proportion. The key is quality not quantity. I've had their scrambled eggs and you'd think "what a pedestrian choice and at those prices". But they were perfect...absolutely perfect...the best I've ever had. I've never had the Lobster Bisque, but I can tell you that I dream of their Fish Soup. And no wine? they have an excellent choice of wines by the glass...and what is a bistro without a little wine. I think perhaps what we have here is a restaurant that simply didn't fit with what you were looking for or expecting...but that doesn't make it an inferior restaurant, just not the right one for you.
Hidden gem: Bouchees Gourmandes
I look forward to hearing if they reopen somewhere...we visited in June and were so sad to see that they had closed!! It's one of my favorites!
