moh's Recent Activity
Chowhound Post
Best birthday BYOB?
"This. And share a glass of wine with Alain in the kitchen."
umm, not if it's dep wine! He's pretty picky about his wine! It's gotta be pretty good plonk.
Chowhound Post
What's The Best Montreal Area Dim Sum Joint, Right Now?
They are smelts. I've never seen sardines in a dim sum joint in Montreal, but whole fried smelts are relatively common. I've eaten them at Tong Por, Kam Fung and New Jing Hua. Fish heads, fish heads, rolly polly fish heads, fish heads, fish heads, eat them up , yum! The smelts are whole, and sometimes have roe in them. Delish...
Chowhound Post
Korean BBQ in Montreal [split from Restaurant Openings 2009]
I like 5000 Ans, but i would disagree with you that is is much better than Maison Bulgogi. There are strengths to each place. I like the atmosphere of the St. Denis 5000 Ans, and I like their soondubu very much, although on a recent visit, it was not as transcendent as it has been in the past. We had the Kalbi (Beef ribs cooked at the table), and it was very good, but a little one-dimensional in flavour, I've had much more complexly flavoured kalbi before. But the meat quality was excellent, the meat was nice and succulent. The Seafood pancake (Pa jon) was excellent, different in style from the one at Maison Bulgogi. but still very delicious! I am always disappointed by the kimchi at 5000 Ans, I wish they would let it ripen much more. They serve it much too fresh for my tastes, if they left it a few more weeks, it would be much better. You can see that the kimchi has potential, it is infanticide to eat it at this stage. And it does bug me that they charge you for kimchi, that just seems wrong.
The meal we had at 5000 Ans was very good, and I like to go there. But I will still go to Maison Bulgogi more often, the kimchi is better, their cooked kimchi dishes are fabulous, especially the pork/kimchi saute over the soft tofu - wow, that is a killer dish! I also love their pa jon, and their pork-neck bone soup, and I like the general flavouring of the dishes there. The place has absolutely no atmosphere, but the food is well-flavoured. They know how to cook, that's for sure...
Chowhound Post
Solymar - peruvian
Thanks for the report! How was the cabrito? I do love goat !
Chowhound Post
Horrible Host: Invited to a Dinner Party, and then asked to bring DINNER!!!
Fair call jfood! I'll admit it is a little ridunculous :)
Chowhound Post
Horrible Host: Invited to a Dinner Party, and then asked to bring DINNER!!!
Well, lasagne can be under $20 for a fair amount, but I use a lot of expensive cheese, and lots of vegetables, and good canned tomatoes, and I can go over $20! lasagne is a labour of love for me, love the stuff, love feeding people the stuff!
And very fair point about asking about another suggestion. Although i suspect the host would have said, "nope! Gotta be the lasagne!"
Chowhound Post
When a guest brings his/her own SALT to a restaurant.
Goodness fern, thank you for sharing that post. I hope it will help me to deal in a kinder way with others when I am in a similar situation. You are so right, not everyone knows how to deal with death in a good way, and sometimes bad behavior is denial, anger and frustration about a difficult situation. A little understanding can go a long way to making things better, not worse. Not just for the boorish person, but for the others in the family. It is just not worth getting heated up about bad behavior, it is better to ignore and focus on the important good things.
gryphonskeeper, my thoughts are with you and your family. Keep your head up, enjoy the good times, forget the bad ones. Your father sounds like he is quite lucky to have such a wonderful child. And if he has a wonderful child, it is because he probably deserves it too. May you find the strength to get through this difficult time, and know that there are many out here who care and send you best wishes.
Chowhound Post
Horrible Host: Invited to a Dinner Party, and then asked to bring DINNER!!!
I think the key thing is that in this situation, jfood knew what he was getting into. I too have had great times when asked to bring food to the party, but usually I know the hosts very well, and we are almost like family. Bringing food to contribute is part of the fun. I have also had great times at potlucks, but usually I am not forced to bring a specific item that is expensive or time-consuming, if I bring it, it is my own choice. Fun times ensue.
I think the OP's frustration is from their feeling that they are being taken advantage of by the host. It isn't their party to host, and yet they are told (not asked) to bring an expensive main, for a certain number of people. Fun times are unlikely to ensue.
Boy, am I lucky I have a lot of really great friends who never seem to take advantage of me! i am very grateful to have a lot of fun times.
Chowhound Post
A Guide to Bibimbap (Korean mixed rice)
The great thing about bi bim bap is that once you collect your various toppings, if you make them in any reasonable quantity, it is very easy to have left-overs for up to a week or so, and have very easy meals for up to a week. I just make fresh rice each time, just enough for that meal, and I make a fresh egg each time. But the rest of the ingredients just get lightly heated if needed. Really fast dinners, and yummy!
Chowhound Post
Breakfast: Beautys
I would tend to agree with your assessment, except for the coffee, which I find so-so, but at least it is fresh because of the high turnover. I don't hate Beauty's, it is reasonable. I won't stand in line for very long for it though, usually not a problem as I tend to go early for brunch. I have a relative who visits often, and they love Beauty's, I won't refuse to go. I wouldn't call it a destination brunch place, unless you are really into Montreal history and institutions and like the vibes of some of these old-school places. But what they do is classic and reasonably well-done.
I suspect some of the vitriol is disappointment in a long-standing institution. With such a reputation, it can be hard for a place to live up to the rep. Some of the rep is based on nostalgia, there are a lot of people who remember going there with their families, how can you blame them for having a love of a childhood favorite? But for a newbie, is it the best brunch you'll ever have? maybe not. But it is certainly reasonable.
Chowhound Post
Organic pastry flour and cultured French butter?
NickMontreal, to warn you about paying through the nose for French cultured butter....
I have been buying Beurre D'isigny and Beurre D'Echire at Yannick, and I love them. The butter taste fabulous, and I use it almost like cheese on really good bread, it is a treat. But they cost about $12-14 per 250 grams, so even though I usually don't balk paying for good food, I have been less willing to use them in my everyday baking, where you need butter in quantity. I have started using it to finish special sauces, and in spaghetti with butter and cheese (where you really notice the quality of the butter, as it is one of the main ingredients). I agree completely with the Lactania suggestion by Carswell for larger quantity butter requirements.
Chowhound Post
under-used treasure or garbage? what ingredient do you think people are wasting?
Oh, but they are so good for the eyes - beet greens, kale, spinach, chard... Really good for slowing progression of macular degeneration. Is it possible to eat the greens separate from calcium sources to try to get benefits of both? Cause Caucasian ladies past menopause are higher risk for macular degen...
Chowhound Post
Korean BBQ in Montreal [split from Restaurant Openings 2009]
Korean restos are not a specialty of Montreal. We don't really have the population base to support these kind of places, and the Quebecois population is only starting to become acquainted with Korean cuisine. For what it is worth, there has been a relative boom in the number of Korean places opening up in Montreal, and the scene has improved significantly.
For the specialized BBQ places that you refer to, your best closest bet would be in TO.
Here in Montreal, many places will offer the "Cook it yourself" version of Korean BBQ, you just might have to order a minimum amount of meat for them to crack out the BBQ pans for the table. But there are no exclusive BBQ restaurants, all the restaurants will offer other dishes as well as the BBQ dish. You just have to step into the resto and peruse the menu, and perhaps make a few enquiries to see if they offer roughly what you want. I don't think you will find something quite like the BBQ places they offer in cities like LA and NYC. YOu will find something similar, but it won't be full on BBQ service.
Chowhound Post
Niter kibbeh & berbere - Ethiopian ingredients in Montreal
Yeah, I know it is not helpful to say "just make it yourself". But for what it is worth, it is pretty easy to make very nice Niter Kibbeh, especially once you find some nice spices!
But did you check out Akhavan? I have found fresh injera there, so I wouldn't be surprised if they had other Ethiopian ingredients...
Chowhound Post
"Raw Deal" report on Sushi
I also put in a vote for Jun-i. Very fresh, very lovely sushi.
Kaizen isn't bad. I will eat there, but I'm always a little disappointed.
Tri express is good, but I like simple sushi, so I am not as impressed by all the fancy-dancy rolls.
I used to like Mikado a lot, but I feel it has gone downhill lately.
I agree with Bigfellow, Montreal really isn't a fish town. I miss Vancouver. Wow, the sushi and sashimi! It makes it hard for me to eat the stuff here. It has saved me a lot of money though. But Jun-i is pretty good, and I will go there if I really need my fix.
For less expensive sushi, I still like Mr Kim's place in Westmount Square. But this isn't a destination sushi place. It is just an easy place to get some reasonably priced rolls and nigiri.
Chowhound Post
ISO Ramen recommendations
I want to make it very clear that I am not recommending this place as a place for authentic Japanese ramen, but.....
In the category of really cheap eats, I have to add the ramen at 5000 Ans on St. Catherine Street, near the Montreal Children's Hospital. This is Korean-style ramen, so this is definitely not going to do it for the die-hard fans of Japanese Ramen. For example, you can get kimchi as a topping for your ramen. But for $5, I got huge bowl of vegetable ramen, with kimchi (an extra addition), cabbage, green onions, etc. It was actually pretty tasty, and perfect for a cheap lunch on a cold autumn day. $5 for a large yummy bowl of noodle soup? Not bad I say. I would not go out of your way to get this ramen, it isn't that wonderful. But if you are in the area, and you need a cheap filling warm lunch, this isn't a half bad way to go. The pork option is a bit more ($7), but it is still very cheap. Good recession choices.
Chowhound Post
Montreal Mile End Bakery Tour
Along with Premiere Moisson and Bilboquet, Patisserie Gascogne is also a chain, but the rest of the places on the tour are not chains, so I can't say I really understand your comment Scrumdidiliumptious. Perhaps one of the places you mention on Van Horne is one of the places Carswell mentions in his post above.
Oddly enough, in your post, you mention 2 other places you like for pastry in the Mile End area, or near enough. You only mention 1 place outside of Mile End (Little Italy). So I don't really get it. Why do you think Mile End is not a destination for pastry? The whole point of my query was to find out where you go for pastry outside of Mile End. Are you just trying to not share your favorite places?
I'm not trying to say Mile End is the ultimate place for pastry, but I do think it is a pretty reasonable place to go. And it is a lot of fun to wander from store to store. I am always open to new places to go for pastries, so it would be really great if you could come up with a few names, I love checking out new places with yummy food.
Chowhound Post
Montreal Mile End Bakery Tour
Scrumdidiiumtious, I have actually recently posted that I thought the breakfast at Toi Moi et Cafe has gone significantly downhill, so I do agree with you there.
Would be interested in knowing where you go for good pastry - always nice when people share their little secrets....
Chowhound Post
Pan de Meurto?
Sadly, did not make it to Los Classicos this weekend, so I did not try it.
Chowhound Post
The Laws of Diminishing (Culinary) Returns
OK Brain flash!!!
Make a table out of cookbooks! I'm certain you have enough! Hubbie claims you need to be able to put your legs under the table, but I am not so certain. The central pedestal could be a book shelf, and you could put extra book shelves under the chairs.
Ooh - Hubbie just had a brilliant idea! You could have a book shelf with fold-out leaves that convert the shelf into a dining room table. That way you can access your books easily, but still be able to eat at a table. I'll get him to work on a design.
Nothing wrong with a cook book addiction :)
Chowhound Post
I may be ready to try to not hate beets
Hi cimui! it has been crazy - need to get going on some of my reports...
heh heh heh - Bacon goes with everything.... I like the salty smokiness of bacon against the sweet earthiness of beets. But I am a beet lover. I think there really are people who can never like beets, as evidenced by some of the posts further on. C'est la vie! It's like me and green onions - never the twain shall meet.
Chowhound Post
Montreal Mile End Bakery Tour
JuliaChildminded, I would strongly recommend you add on the places Carswell suggested in his post above (Paltoquet, and Mamie Clafoutis especially), it would definitely add another dimension to the croissant part of this tour. Have fun strolling and eating!
Chowhound Post
The Laws of Diminishing (Culinary) Returns
Miss Needle, you will just have to throw out a few unimportant items like the washer and dryer. It is an awfully nice cookbook....
Chowhound Post
The Laws of Diminishing (Culinary) Returns
The pig's foot sounds over the top, but in fact it adds a wonderful richness and gelatin goodness to the braising liquid. It is an awesome recipe. Thanks for finding the web link Axalady!
Chowhound Post
Pan de Meurto?
We were talking to the person at Los Clasicos, and I believe they will have pan de Meurto this weekend. She showed us a photo of it, and said, we will be making this for El Dia de Los Muertos. So chances are high you could get it there.
Chowhound Post
Pick's vs Buns: Burgers
Darn! No! Forgot to ask about the kimchi! I am curious to see how tasty it is.
Chowhound Post
Pick's vs Buns: Burgers
well, finally got my big fat *** over to Pick's! About time. We really enjoyed the hamburgers, really great bun, really great patty, this is a pretty tasty burger. We'll go back for these again soon. We also tried the Kogo. I am sold! I love the chunks of potato in the batter, it was perfectly fried. Must also have another Kogo soon! I love food on a stick.
Chowhound Post
Downtown student restaurants
Feedback on Manna would be awesome! With all the new korean restos, it is getting harder and harder to keep up with the eating.
Chowhound Post
The Laws of Diminishing (Culinary) Returns
I do not have her claypot book, in fact I only have her one book, but am considering getting more as I like her recipes. I did find it pretty funny that most of them require more than 1 day of cooking - I kept on trying to make a recipe, only to find I hadn't enough time as you were supposed to start them 3 days in advance.... I've learnt my lesson now, and whenever tackling anything form her book, I look at least 4 days in advance.
Chowhound Post
The Laws of Diminishing (Culinary) Returns
We make the Oxtail Daube on pg. 264 of Wolfert's "The Cooking of Southwest France". And good news, i rechecked the recipe and it is only 2 days of cooking, not 3! I love this recipe, it is the perfect winter's day meal, and so good with a glass of good red wine.
