MaeveH's Profile
ISO maple crème brûlée
Hi all,
My mother's 80th birthday's coming up, and I'd like to bring her maple crème brûlée, which she's always liked the idea of (she loves all things maple). I thought I could buy it at Premiere Moisson, but no go. I'm not currently up to making it, as I think I would need a bit more equipment than I have. Any leads?
Thanks!
Maeve
Casual Montreal with toddlers
With kids that age, possibly the best thing is to pick up a chicken and fries at Romados (and Portuguese custard tarts, "natas") and head to the playground south of Rachel between Hotel de Ville and de Bullion. I've spent a looootttt of dinners that way!
Happily, much of Montreal is kid friendly. We've toted our twins to many spots, including Pied de Cochon, just bring the usual arsenal of crayons etc.
QUINOA
Segals on St Laurent is pretty cheap, but I can't remember how cheap. They have a couple of different brands, too.
Restaurant Closings in 2011
Chez Brasil Cafe, on Rachel just East of St Laurent closed. Sad. I really liked it but didn't go as often as I meant to, except to pick up packs of frozen cheese balls.
Restaurant Openings in 2011
I've had luck with the chicken, but yeah, the fries have been a miss every time. A shame.
Bouchees Gourmandes caramels, jams etc sold at Sunday market
Hi all,
The force behind BG is now selling her preserves and other sweet things in jars at the Marche Fermier, that organic Sunday market on Marie Anne between Henri-Julien and Laval. I know she had a CH following, so figured I'd post in case anyone needed to know. Her caramel has made me quite happy this past week.
Scharffen Berger at Dollarama?!
Attention all shoppers!
I finally found some, and bought a selection (Plateau area). Alas, I found the higher cacao-count ones to taste a smidge moldy, but the 41% and 62% were fine. So buyer beware. Maybe that's why they're doing a dollarama dump, quality control issues?
Whattya think about Haldane's review on Cuisine Szechuan?
Hi All,
Glad to see so much debate, and I feel there's been equal part defense and critique, which is helpful. I do want to clear a couple of things, though.
I did wonder about putting the delivery fiasco in, but I couldn't ignore it. Particularly since I actually enjoyed the delivery meal more than the in-house one. And I was aware of the possible (and forgiveable) weaknesses of CS (language skills, newness, distance from my neighbourhood), so I did my best to set up a positive experience (by phoning ahead, being *really* clear during my order call). And there was still a mess up (there were other, smaller annoying details I *didn't* bother reporting. I actually sometimes gloss over/don't mention negative things in reviews, just because they may not help represent the experience as a whole). And y'know what? I still thoroughly enjoyed my meal... I like to think that ultimately came through. I'd never base a review on only a delivery meal. And ironically, CS came out ahead (food-wise) for my considering that delivery meal, so I really couldn't ignore it...
I file my pieces quite a bit in advance of when they appear, so I don't have the opportunity to do a follow-up reply in the next week's paper.
I also file the capsule reviews when I hand in my full review (usually). I very deliberately chose not to mention the delivery snafu in the short one, which may run a few times in the future.
cheers,
Maeve
restaurants with high chairs
You could bring your own super-portable high chair, as seen here www.mylittleseat.com. You can also buy them at Bummis on Mt Royal. They're absolutely terrific, and fit on most chairs. I've found that restaurant high chairs are not as common as I'd like, or broken, or there aren't enough of them, so this kind does beautifully.
Best almond croissants?
I'm partial to the ones at Kouign Amman at Mont Royal and Drolet. I'll admit I rarely buy them elsewhere as it's close by, but they are better than the bigger chains' ones. Not custardy... pretty almondy... mmmm... I debate myself often if they're better fresh and warm or cool and slightly crisp.
Where do you go on a weekday when you're too tired to cook (eat in/takeout)?
I love Reservoir, but it can v. easily be closer to $20 pp. Nice beer, though. Romados on Rachel St (portuguese grilled chicken, pork/clams, etc) would be great for a cheap lunch or take out dinner (phone ahead around supper rush hour).
Fruit topped sheet cake in Montreal
For the Victoria St one, do you mean La Fournil? They make fruit-studded "blondies" that sort of fit the description... They've got a branch downtown now, too.
Karaoke restaurant in Montreal?
Been years since I went, but Korea House had karaoke then - 4950 Queen-Mary, 733-7823.
Looking for real Spanish chorizo in Mtl
I've been enjoying the portuguese stuff at Sakaris Bros on St Laurent above Marie-Anne. Very chunky. Got beer in it, too. Don't know if that would fit the bill...
Wedding in Montreal?
A few years back some friends of mine got married at L'Orpailleur (www.orpailleur.ca). Beautiful setting, the ceremony was outside in front of vines. I'll confess I remember very little about the meal/wine options, but a good time was had. Fun little museum on Quebec viniculture, too. Goes back way further than I'd thought.
Indian in Montreal.
Goan? I know the owner is Bangladeshi (or at least the owner from a couple of years ago was. That space used to be my dep and his wife made the best samosas...ahhh). Did he bring in a Goan cook? Or has it changed hands? I'd love to have more deets.
Montreal Spa lunch
True, about a year ago I was told that they no longer use horse fat. Tant pis...
Chowish neigbourhoods for living in Montreal?
I'm pretty bullish on the Plateau/Mile End area myself, and second the Jean Talon Market area (right around Atwater market might be good, too, and that's by a major metro station). NDG is pretty, and has a few terrific spots already mentioned here (dont' forget Tehran!), but I'm not sure it has the legs to keep your interest for ages. I do find it a bit far from downtown, unless you're beside a metro station.
As for travel distances, I've found that walking from the Plateau over the mountain to downtown from the Plateau takes about the same amount of time as public transport and is so much nicer. I live near Mont Royal metro, and it's a half hour tromp to McGill. Prices in the 'hood, alas, have risen quite a bit...
Burgers cooked less than medium in Montreal
Mr Steerburger on ste Cat will do a rare one. I can't remember, but Anecdote might, as well as La Paryse. They're tough to find...
Montreal Jewish Food [Split from Toronto]
For excellent from-scratch Matzoh Ball soup, try Plus Que Parfait on Fairmount, two doors down from the bagelry.
best wheat/gluten-free restos?
wow, thanks you two! I feel a little shamefaced for not doing a bit more of a rigorous search beforehand. I was so focused on "the best" where there was little on this.
my friends will be so happy!
M
best wheat/gluten-free restos?
Hi,
Pals are going to NYC in a few weeks, and though the gluten-allergic one is adept at working around wheat, I was wondering if there were any gluten-free restos or bakeries? the last mention on this topic was in 2002.
Thanks loads! I understand the States are way ahead of Canada (from which I'm posting) on this.
Keung Kee
Darn you. I want no one to know about it. Especially not their beef hot pot.
Christmas Season Treats
I look forward to this time of year mostly for one reason: Shwartz's smoked duck. Mmmm. I think you have to buy 'em whole though. Try to reserve one, or arrive just after they've gotten in a fresh batch. Once I did get a slightly meagre end-of-the-batch one.
lunch, brunch & pastry
I think O&G is closed Sundays, which is unfortunate. Maybe Le Cartet? Near the Museum, you can go sample the bite-sized cookies at Nocochi, but not sure what I'd recommend for lunch near there...
Really good Vietnamese food?
Thanks! I had it years ago (5, 7?!) and left well stuffed and quite happy.
Really good Vietnamese food?
Has anyone had the seven-course beef meal recently? I thought they discontinued it...
Niu Kee advice
The sour potato strips are an interesting side dish, and yes, order the kung pao and eat around the peanuts.
Best smoked salmon in town? (take out)
Saum-mom cold smokes, and has nice gravlax, too. Stay away from the weird salmon jerky, though.
1318 Mont-Royal East, 526-1116
