alexthecook's Profile
Dusty's up in smoke
Severely damaged by a suspicious fire yesterday night. Passed by this morning and it's boarded up, not looking good.
Oh well, new management had somehow taken out the soul of the place anyways.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/story/2012/01/16/qc-suspicious-fire-destroys-dustys.html
Where to find Golden Syrup in Mtl?
Bought some Lyle's at Épicerie Latina yesterday. Corner Esplanade and Saint-Viateur. This place has really upped its game (and accordingly, prices) over the last few years.
Restaurant Openings in 2011
Omma, a korean restaurant, opened recently at the defunct Senzala location on Bernard, corner Esplanade.
Very nice, refreshed space, friendly service, great bibimbap (complete with crunchy rice at the bottom of the stone bowl it's served in). Looks pretty empty on most nights - that should change, probably only because it's very new and word is not out yet.
Southern Style Biscuits and Gravy
Nouveau Palais has biscuits (no gravy though). They also have mean grits.
Club Chasse et Pêche team opening a new resto
I have it on good authority that this is the location of the new CC&P:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=fr&geocode=&q=219,+mont-royal+ouest,+montreal,+qc&sll=49.891235,-97.15369&sspn=44.813761,79.013672&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=219+Avenue+du+Mont+Royal+Ouest,+Montr%C3%A9al,+Communaut%C3%A9-Urbaine-de-Montr%C3%A9al,+Qu%C3%A9bec+H2T+2Y6&ll=45.51801,-73.588279&spn=0.001477,0.002411&z=19&layer=c&cbll=45.517912,-73.588366&panoid=1zhsZ2JKtgNmxdSzcRpYkQ&cbp=12,302.6,,1,3.5
Club Chasse et Pêche team opening a new resto
The place described by WhoNew would be either the old YHCA (presently being converted into condos) or the non-descript buildings east of it. (which include Souvenirs d'Indochine)
That *is* possible. If you look at the map linked by Maximilien, that area (upper right hand corner) is considered the "perimeter" of the historic arrondissement.
However, I would find disappointingly misleading to state in a newsletter that the new resto will be in the "arrondissement historique et naturel du Mont-Royal" if it's simply on Mont-Royal Avenue facing Jeanne-Mance Park.
Not saying it's not the case, mind you... WhoNew, what's your source?
Club Chasse et Pêche team opening a new resto
According to their newsletter sent out yesterday, the team behind Club Chasse et Pêche will be opening a new space in...drumroll... the Mont-Royal natural reserve.
That's not the Plateau Mont-Royal, that's ON the Mont-Royal.
Could it be? Amazing food in a really amazing setting, Tavern on the Green style? Crossing my fingers here...
Opening Tomorrow "Lawrence", 5201 Blvd St Laurent
Here is a blurrycam image of Lawrence's opening night menu.
Wine list (not reproduced) was crafted by Etheliya Hananova (from CC&P). It features many private imports.
Sparrow closes kitchen?
It’s my understanding from posts in other threads and their Facebook page that the bar and restaurant were actually two separate businesses operating under the same roof (the co-owner of Magpie is in fact a co-owner of just the bar at Sparrow), so with the departure of the owners of the restaurant end of the operation and their team, the new Sparrow restaurant would be more akin to a restaurant re-opening under new management than simply a restaurant replacing its chef. It will be interesting what the new Sparrow will be like, if it will try to emulate the "winning formula" the old team established or try to do something of its own!
The new Nouveau Palais
Is your disappointment due to a bad experience at the new version, or simply due to the fact that it replaces the previous version?
Do remember that Royal is not far down the street for poutines...
The new Nouveau Palais
Correct, sorry I didn't specify this. The Nouveau Palais is indeed under new management, but they are not changing the decor except for somme dimming of the lights. My comment on the menu change alluded to my post in the Restaurant Openings thread where I relayed the opening day menu.
Also of note, they are now only open evenings. Hopefully opening hours will be broadened, which would be nice nod to the original's almost 24-hour/day schedule. A diner should indeed always be open.
Also, I was told that the City is using the fact that the Palais is under new management to ask the owners to take dowm the original sign. If anybody knows of a way to support the Palais in their efforts to keep the sign, let it be known.
The new Nouveau Palais
As promised in the Restaurant openings thread, I finally tried out the new Nouveau Palais last night. I'm kind of excited and feel the restaurant deserved its own thread.
Before getting into the details, I must say I’m very happy about this addition (replacement?) to the neighbourhood. Although it is certainly not a fine dining establishment (nor does it pretend to be), it is almost exactly how I feel a diner should be. Everything is obviously made from scratch and is, for the most part, deeply satisfying.
We ordered a bunch of stuff (takeout....turns out they just hadn't received their boxes the first time I called) which was shared among our group, so I got a taste of many items.
First off, “alphabits soup” (3.95$) (matzoh ball soup is gone… a shame, I would’ve like to try that). Standard alphabet noodles with fresh beans, kale, dill, carrots. I applaud the use of the very fresh tasting veggies, but a good soup starts with a good broth and this one was relatively weak. At 3.95$, I expect a deep, rich “chickeny’” broth that’s properly seasoned.
“Greek salad” (5$). This salad was great. Good, creamy feta (finally!) made the salad sing, along with fresh tasting tomatoes, olives and cucumbers. No particular twist, just good ingredients.
“Roast beef sandwich au jus” (8$?) My favourite dish. Squishy baguette bread with sliced braised beef (and I’m not a fan of braised meats usually) and “giardiniere” style hot pickled vegetables, drenched in beef jus… sooo satisfying. I still crave this. Came with fries. Some would call the fries a bit greasy, I would just eat them.
“Fried chicken” with crudités, blue cheese sauce and veggies (this time, carrots). This was one of the favourite dishes of someone in the group. I must disclose I am not a fan of blue cheese so the sauce did nothing for me, but the chicken was good. It was not battered, perhaps only dredged in (well) seasoned flour and then deep fried. I appreciated that we were provided with a drumstick and two thighs, and no breast (which is often dry and lacking in flavour), but this may have simply been the luck of the draw.
“Spaetzle with tomatoes”. Ok dish. I found the spaetzle to be a bit overcooked (but perhaps this was due to the delay before eating, having ordered takeout), kind of oily and lacking in salt. Fresh and flavourful cherry tomatoes were appreciated. This dish could be improved into a winner, but it's not there yet.
“NY style coleslaw”. Oh yeah, cabbage was still almost crunchy and swimming in a creamy dressing. Can’t eat too much, and could actually do with less dressing, but flavours were still well balanced.
“Fries with cheese sauce”(6.95$). I may now favour this over poutine. Fries in a tangy, satisfying cheddar (probably) sauce. Very good, but I would have personally liked more sauce.
I’d like to point out that the menu has evolved since I first checked out the place. It seems the prices have gone up one or two bucks and some items have been replaced. They’re obviously still working their way into something more definitive, but I feel like they already have some solid winners and you just can’t go wrong using quality ingredients as they do.
I wish them all the best and will definitely be back.
Restaurant Openings - 2010
True to their word, they opened yesterday evening.
They are currently only open for dinner and do not offer takeout (which means I did not get to try out the food). It seems both of these policies may change if the demand is there.
Menu is presently pretty short and prices ok (most expensive dish was around 11 or 13$ if i recall). I saw chicken soup with matzoh ball(4-5$), fried clams with tartar sauce (8$), spaetzle with tomato sauce, fried chicken and crudites, homemade chips, pork chop with apple, mac & cheese, fries with cheddar sauce, "peppettes" (guessing some kind of cold cut/dried sausage?), Montreal or NY style coleslaw, chocolate pudding and cookies with a glass of milk.
All I know is I could go for a lot of these dishes on a cold, rainy night...
If anybody tries this place out, please give us your impressions...
Restaurant Openings - 2010
Sign on the door says it's reopening tomorrow (October 5) after being closed for maybe a week or two. Through the window, not seeing any changes to the decor.
Restaurant Openings - 2010
I’m very excited about this! I’ve heard great things about Le Pick-Up and the Nouveau Palais location seems perfect (if only because it’s close to my place).
I’ll be sure to report as soon as I see any movement there.
Pizzeria Magpie
You're probably referring to the by-law which prohibits the installation of fireplaces and furnaces which are not "low emission" certified. I know that that by-law specifically permits the installation of wood burning equipment, provided it's used for commercial food production:
http://ville.montreal.qc.ca/sel/sypre-consultation/afficherpdf?idDoc=20838&typeDoc=1
Phew!
Who else went to Les Fetes Gourmande?
I concur. Utter disappointment. They should have called it the meat on stick festival - nothing good, nothing original. I'm sorry, but it takes more than serving an exotic protein to be "original" or "interesting".
Never again.
La Tasse Gamine - Oasis for Harried Parents
The only other items I remember were: brie and apple sandwich, beet-feta-? salad, possibility of having the asparagus-zucchini-cheese as a salad instead of sandwich, cookies, coffees (caps, lattes, etc.)..
Did not see any child specific food (but I wasn't looking for it).
You can find them on Facebook too.
La Tasse Gamine - Oasis for Harried Parents
Ever since my son was born, this hound has had a pretty tough time enjoying a meal at a restaurant.
When it's more important to be able to enjoy myself than to sit down for fresh morels in a ramp cream sauce, it's safe to say la Tasse Gamine is more than a good bet.
Opened since mid-June, it boasts two playing areas for children. The tables are inches away from the playing areas, so even my 9 month old chowpup can roam free while I enjoy my meal.
The menu is vegetarian and seems to consist of whatever currently inspires the chef. I had a great asparagus, zucchini and cheese sandwich, with a very hearty lentil and coconut soup.
5658A, avenue du Parc.
Sardegna
Hi,
I'm looking for pensions or agriturismos in Sardegna with great food. Any suggestions?
Thanks!
Alex
Taverne Square Dominion Anyone?
As I was buying fish at Poissonnerie Antoine yesterday, I noticed business cards for Taverne Dominion Square lying around next to the register. I had never heard of the place, but something clicked inside me and less than 24 hours later, I was sitting down for my first meal. I must say that following a quick perusal of the internet, the OP’s apparent disappointment almost steered me away from this place – and that would have been a mistake. (Then again I did not look at the place through the lens of nostalgia, as I never frequented the place under its previous incarnation.)
First of all, the place is absolutely lovely. High ceilings, brass, wood and mirrors everywhere, a long bar - this is much more Parisian brasserie than tavern. The staff is attentive to detail and looks genuinely interested in what it does.
I sampled the gravlax with blinis, sour cream and blueberry preserves (each component is separate) – everything tasted fresh and wonderful.
I then had the pork sandwich with coleslaw. The pork was braised, fatty and delicious with a sweet mustard that provided just enough zip to keep things interesting. The purple coleslaw was the non creamy kind, dressed with probably either malt or cider vinegar.
I sampled a friend’s mashed potatoes with cheddar and bacon – not far from heavenly.
On the other hand, the sticky toffee pudding with coffee ice cream was kind of a letdown – this dessert is supposed to be decadent but instead, it was a bit dense and not particularly sinful. I like mine sweet to the brink of cloying. But in this case with each bite you can’t help but think it’s not worth the calories.
Regardless, this was overall a particularly pleasant lunch experience, especially for downtown. I’m definitely adding it to my rotation.
Cheers,
Alex
Restaurant Openings - 2010
Actually, looking at the pictures, i think you're spot on...the font for B&M is the same as what I saw walking by...
Is this a well known institution? Looking at the menu, it seems kind of all over the place...
Restaurant Openings - 2010
The italian restaurant (Tutto Bene?) that was next to Cafe Olimpico is papered up and a sign says that a restaurant named " B & M " will be opening soon.
Any idea what this is? Methinks it's probably another italian place, B& M probably standing for "Bere & Mangiare" (Drink and eat)?
New neighbourhood primer
For vietnamese, including average banh mi, there's Milani on Bernard (between Jeanne-Mance and Esplanade). Maybe they have good items off menu?
Pink Salt aka Saltpeter needed
I've had luck getting some at Charcuterie Hongroise on Saint-Laurent Blvd.
By the way, any Italian will tell you you don't need it to make pancetta. Salt it with sea salt, put on an inclined board for a couple of days in a cool basement to let the moisture drain away, rub it with pepper or red pepper flakes, hang it in a cool basement for three weeks, wiping away any mold as it appears with some wine. Best pancetta ever.
ISO: EXTRA large grill grate?
Heya hounds,
I'm wondering where in Montreal (or surroundings) can I buy an EXTRA large grill grate (to put over cinder blocks forming a fire pit)...I'm thinking heavy duty, over 800 square inches... the usual suspects (Home Depot, Rona, etc.) only provide regular sized, replacement grates... any ideas?
Thanks!
Best foie gras to take home in Montreal
You should try the foie gras au torchon from Mas on sale at Chez Vito. Wonderful.
New: The Sparrow
Tried The Sparrow yesterday
This is definitely a place I’m happy to see opening up in my neighbourhood.
The vibe is very mile-endy, service was beyond excellent and most of the food very good.
The chocolate and banana beignets were overflowing with mashed banana and chocolate and arrived piping hot. Delicious.
I then ordered the eggs Benedict. The eggs were perfectly cooked and the pork slices under the eggs were succulently tender. I am told their pork is cured and smoked in-house. Apparently, almost all of their meat is cured or otherwise prepared in-house. My lone quibble is that the hollandaise could definitely have used more acid. Oh, and it also would have been fun if the dish came with some kind of side or garnish. Two lone eggs Benedict on a plate make it seem kind of bare.
I couldn’t resist ordering some bubble and squeak (smashed pan-fried potatoes with cabbage) on the side. This is a very cravable dish and even though it seems simplistic, I believe it shows that the cook knows what he’s doing, with just the correct ratio of browned bits, cabbage, mashed and semi-intact potato pieces.
One last important point: coffee refills came fast and the coffee was great.
The owners of this place clearly have a focus and passion for food and it shows. It’s in the air. Even though some dishes may need some tweaking (to my taste at least), it’s obvious that the talent and skills are there.
Here’s to hoping they get their liquor license soon so we can go to the Sparrow for dinner!
