Brunch at La Raclette

New brunch place in my neighborhood! La Raclette, a Swiss restaurant at Gilford and Christophe-Colomb, has just started serving brunch during weekends. Last Sunday, I stopped by and tried some dishes of their brand new menu.

It was my first time there. But some friends have tried their traditional raclette dish and enjoyed it. Plus the place is a BYOW restaurant and they are offering a brunch special: bring your own sparkling wine and they provide you the orange juice for your mimosa. So I decided to give it a try.

Bring your own sparkling wine and La Raclette will provide you orange juice for your mimosa.

La Raclette’s atmosfere is friendly and cosy and they have a nice terrace. The menu ranges from standard brunch fare like the English Breakfast ($14) to some more inspired choices such as the Egg Casserole with Foie Gras ($18).

La Raclette’s Brunch menu

I had the Déjeuner du Campeur ($14) that included two eggs, trout fillet, beans and bacon. My friends ordered the Boudin Noire ($15), a black pudding with caramelized apples and the Egg’s casserole with chorizo ($15).

Déjeuner du Campeur: two eggs, trout fillet, bacon, beans and roasted tomato.

My dish was pleasant, but there was nothing really remarkable about it and my friend found her black pudding a bit too sweet for her taste. The Egg’s casserole was amazing though. The tomato sauce and the manchego cheese was the perfect pairing for the chorizo sausage.

La Raclette’s Boudin Noire: black pudding with caramelized apples

The Egg’s casserole with chorizo sausage

The Egg’s casserole with manchego cheese and chorizo sausage at La Raclette.

The staff was really nice and attentive and prices were pretty good. Overall, I wasn’t blown away but I’d come back mostly because of the mimosa special. I just love an excuse for drink in the mornings.

LA RACLETTE
1059 rue Gilford (Map)
(514) 524-8118
http://laraclette.ca/

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by montrealbestfoodever on May 11, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Brunch

Tagged Brunch at Plateau Mont-Royal, BYOW mimosas, Swiss Restaurant

Posted by montrealbestfoodever on May 11, 2013

http://montrealbestfoodever.com/2013/05/11/brunch-at-la-raclette/

Montreal’s top chefs’ secrets on your iPad

I’ve always been a big fan of cookbooks. I can’t resist a nice collection of recipes full of colorful photos and beautiful illustrations. But I have to admit that I hardly check my bookshelf when I’m looking for inspiration to prepare my food. Instead, I bring my iPad to kitchen. That’s why I was so excited when I first head that Dynamo, a Montreal-based digital design agency, was working with five of the city’s top chefs to create a recipe app.

Deep Dish app: bring the good old cooking book to the digital era.

The Deep Dish Montreal app includes more than 50 recipes created by the chefs Emma Cardarelli (Nora Gray), Derek Dammann (Maison Publique), Dave McMillan and Fred Morin (Joe Beef), Dyan Solomon (Olive & Gourmando) and the Iron Chef winner Chuck Hughes (Garde Manger). Each recipe contains pictures, a set of instructions and an ingredient list, including both the food and equipment you’ll need. The app also creates a shopping list that can be sent by email or shared on social media. So you won’t forget anything when you go grocery.

Deep Dish app features recipes of Montreal’s Top Chefs

The Deep Dish MTL app’s interface is slick and intuitive. Clear instructions and great step-by-step photos make all the recipes really easy to follow. It totally gives me the feeling that I could actually cook like a professional chef.

Deep Dish’s interface is slick and intuitive.

The free download comes with 5 recipes – enough to get a feel for whether the app will be useful to you. Additional recipe packs cost $2.99 each. If you bought them all, you’d have well over 50 recipes and you would have spent $14.95 – not a bad deal, overall.

Joe Beef Vault’s homemade Jabom Blanc with Mustard Cream.

Derek Dammann’s schiacciata

Yesterday, I had the chance to attend the app launch party and taste a selection of the DeepDish MTL recipes prepared by each one of the featured chefs. Trying all those delicious samples definitely motivated me to put my cooking skills to the test. So, it’s time to go the kitchen!

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by montrealbestfoodever on April 23, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Events

Tagged Chuck Hughes, Dave McMillan and Fred Morin, Derek Dammann, Dyan Solomon, Emma Cardarelli, Garde Manger, iPad food app, Joe Beef, Maison Publique, Montreal's Top Chef, Olive & Gourmando, Recipe App

Posted by montrealbestfoodever on April 23, 2013

http://montrealbestfoodever.com/2013/04/23/montreals-top-chefs-secrets-on-you-ipad/

Chez Boris

Some might say that doughnuts are just bits of fried dough. But for me, there’s no better match for a good cup of coffee than a warm, light and fresh donut. And I’m so happy that this traditional treat is becoming increasingly trendy in Montreal. New donut places are popping up all over the city lately.

Last week, I had my first Russian Donut at Chez Boris. This friendly and laidback café on Parc Ave won my heart! Great ambiance and nice space for reading, eating and relax.

Chez Boris: great ambiance and nice space for reading, eating and relax.

Chez Boris’ doughnuts are delicious and inexpensive. One can have a basket with a dozen of them for only $7.50. Fresh out of the kitchen, Chez Boris’ donuts have a fluffy interior and this crispy exterior, coated with a variety of different flavours.

I ordered the chocolate, orange, earl gray, clove & cinnamon and the sugar ones. I really liked all of them. The donuts have the right size, not too big, so you can try more the one without feeling guilty. They’re not too oily or too sweet either.

Chez Boris’ doughnuts: unbelievably fresh!

If you’re not interested in sweets, you should try some of Chez Boris’ savory options like the Donut au canard or the famous Beignewich, made of a donut with cream cheese and smoked salmon. Highly recommended!

The next stop on my doughnut list is Café Sardine and Leché.

CHEZ BORIS
5151 av. du Parc (map)
(514) 900-1965
www.chezboris.ca/

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by montrealbestfoodever on March 25, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Donuts

Tagged Beigne, Donuts, doughnuts, Mile End, Outremont, Parc Ave

Posted by montrealbestfoodever on March 25, 2013

http://montrealbestfoodever.com/2013/03/25/chez-boris/

Brunch at Sparrow

Sparrow is my restaurant of choice for a unique brunch experience. I’ve been there several times and the food has always been delicious.

In the past, they used to offer a fantastic all-you-can-eat fixed menu for $18, including an entrée, a dessert and two main dishes options. It was like being in heaven! I remember sitting there and never wanting to leave. Unfortunately, those good days are over and the all-you-can-eat brunch formula has been replaced by a regular à la carte menu. But the food they serve is still as extraordinary as it used to be, which is enough for keep me coming back for more.

Good coffee for a cold, winter morning.

The ambience
Sparrow is a charming hipster-chic gastropub located on Boul. St. Laurent, between St. Aviateur Street and Fairmont Avenue. The place is gorgeous, classy but comfy at the same time. I love their woody décor, the tall windows and the lovely bird pattern wallpaper.

Sparrow: classy but comfy at the same time.

The space is quite big, but during the weekend it can get crowded. I heard that now it’s possible to reserve a table between 10 and 11:30 am. If you’re lucky enough, you’ll get the couch next to the window, the perfect spot for a relaxing meal with friends. But if you’re not an early bird, expect to wait at least 15 minutes for getting a seat.

The food
I haven’t tried all the items of the new menu yet, but it’s really hard to go wrong at Sparrow. There are many options, from the classics Eggs Benedict’s and Pancakes to Breakfast Burritos and Pulled Pork.

Sparrow’s Smoked Peameal Pork with Eggs and Smashed Potatoes.

During my last visit, I had the Smoked Peameal Pork with Eggs and Smashed Potatoes ($14) and it was unbelievably good. The peameal pork was so crispy and rich, topped with a delicious white gravy and an amazing applesauce that were great paired with one another. Perfect comfort meal for a cold winter morning!

Minced Smoked Duck with poached eggs and grilled red peppers: absolutely fabulous!

My husband ordered the special: Minced Smoked Duck ($19) served with poached eggs, hollandaise sauce and grilled red peppers. Wow! This one was absolutely fabulous! Everything tasted so well and the presentation looked mouth-watering.

Sparrow’s Honey-Ginger Lemonade: one of the best onesI ever had!

The drinks were equally good. I was very happy with my coffee ($3) and the Honey-Ginger Lemonade ($3) I had was one of the best I ever had. They also make breakfast drinks, such as Mimosas and Bloody Caesars. Although, I find them too small for the price they charge.

The only things I miss in the menu are the entrees and small deserts from the old good days. They were just perfect, especially for people like me that usually finish breakfast craving for something sweet but don’t feel like asking for a full plate of pancakes. I’d love to have the option of ordering a small piece of cake or any other tiny sweet treat after the meal.

Service and Price
The service you get at Sparrow is top-notch. The staff members look cool and they’re also friendly, efficient and helpful. No complaints at all!

Dishes can vary from $10 – $16 dollars (before taxes), which I find a very decent price range for brunch, considering the quality food you get. Just note that they don’t accept credit or debit cards, so bring cash.

SPARROW
5322 Boulevard Saint-Laurent (map)
(514) 507-1642 ‎
www.fb.com/TheSparrowBar

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by montrealbestfoodever on February 26, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Brunch, Gastropubs

Tagged Brunch, gastropub, Hipster-chic, Honey-Ginger Lemonade, Mile End, Peameal Pork, Smoked Duck

Posted by montrealbestfoodever on February 26, 2013

http://montrealbestfoodever.com/2013/02/26/brunch-at-sparrow/

Poutine: Patati Patata & Chez Claudette

Today is the last day of the Montreal Poutine week. So far, the Philly Bomb Poutine from Paulo et Suzanne Restaurant is ahead of its competitors, but the contest is not over yet. Montrealers have until tonight to vote on one of the 30 exclusive recipes created for the event.

Inspired by the Poutine Week, I’ve found myself an excuse to revisit two of my favorite poutine joints that are not taking part of the competition. Hope you enjoy the reviews just as much I’ve enjoyed eating those big plates of fries, cheese curds and brown sauce.

Patati Patata

Patati Patata: a Montreal’s institution

This tiny friterie at St. Laurent Boulevard has become a Montreal Institution. It’s fast food at its best! I love its colorful and inviting ambience. The small staff (usually just 2 people at a time) is super friendly and incredibly efficient. I’m always impressed by how quick those guys are. How come they still have time to chat with clients?

Patati Patata: colorful and inviting ambience

Patati Patata: I love its colorful and inviting ambience!

Patati Patata is my top destination when I feel like having a poutine without feeling so guilty about it. The portions are not so big there and the Patatine ($4.50), their signature poutine, is topped with veggies. My mom would be so proud of me!

The patatine include onions, peppers and olives for this recipe

Patati Patata’s patatine includes onions, peppers and olives.

In addition to the crispy homemade fries, thick cheese curd pieces and velvety gravy, the patatine includes onions, peppers and olives. The result is absolutely fabulous! The flavors blend so well together. I also heard that their mysterious gravy is made with chicken stock and wine, which definitely makes their poutine unique and delicious. Plus, did I mention it’s cheap?

Chez Claudette
Everyone knows that the best poutine is the one that you eat at 3 a.m. after partying hard with your friends. I mean, what could be better than a sticky, hot burst of poutine in your mouth on a cold winter night? So, whenever the drunk in me is craving for a delicious bowl of fat and cholesterol, Chez Claudette is the place to go.

Chez Claudette: typical québecois greasy spoon.

Some might say that they had better days in the past and that their poutine is not as good as it used to be. But there’s nothing wrong with Chez Claudette. This is the typical québecois greasy spoon: the décor is horrible and the menu includes the customary junk food options, such as hot dogs, hamburgers and fries. But their poutine is still pretty good. So again, there is no reason to be ashamed. Just don’t come there when you’re on a date.

Bocco is my favorite poutine at Chez Claudette: just onions and bacon!

For me, Chez Claudette’s poutine has just the right cheese curd to potato ratio. The fries they use are perfectly crisped and the gravy is a real, homemade, peppered-to-perfection sauce. If you’re not a purist, there is a big list of option that includes, from classic Italian Poutine to unusual combinations like the Tandoori, made with chicken and tandoori spices. My favorite one is the Bocco ($9) that comes with onions and bacon. Pure goodness!

PATATI PATATA
4177 Boulevard St-Laurent (Map)
(514) 844-0216

CHEZ CLAUDETTE
351 Ave Laurier E (Map)
(514) 279-5173

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by montrealbestfoodever on February 7, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Poutine

Tagged Greasy spoon, Patatine, Poutine, Poutine Week, Poutine with bacon, Poutine with veggies

Posted by montrealbestfoodever on February 7, 2013

http://montrealbestfoodever.com/2013/02/07/poutine-patati-patata-chez-claudette/

Montreal Poutine Week

It’s time for fries, cheese and gravy! Montreal’s first a Poutine Week started yesterday and will be running through February 7. Brought by the same people behind of the Montreal Burger Week, the event is a tempting opportunity for discovering new poutine places and tasting unusual versions of Quebec’s most beloved dish.

Over 30 restaurants are taking part of this competition that will choose Montreal’s “best poutine”. Some of them decided to stick to the standard formula, featuring just fries, gravy or curds for poutine purists. Others tried to put their own spin on the traditional recipe and bring it to another level by using high-end ingredients, such as pulled lamb, duck confit and foie gras sauce.

Blackstrap BBQ’s Burnt Ends poutine

Despite the fancy gourmet options available, Blackstrap BBQ’s Burnt Ends poutine is the clear a favourite to win this competition. If you already tried that scrumptious combination of super crispy fries, BBQ beef burnt ends, sauce and brisket drippings, you know this one is hard-to-beat opponent.

All the featured poutines at participating restaurants are listed at $10 a piece, with sampler plates available at $5. The complete list of restaurants can be found at poutineweekmtl.com

So, have you tried any of the Montreal Poutine Week’s options? Tell me what your favorite one is!

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by montrealbestfoodever on February 2, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Poutine

Tagged Burnt Ends poutine, Montreal Poutine Week, Poutine

Posted by montrealbestfoodever on February 2, 2013

http://montrealbestfoodever.com/2013/02/02/montreal-poutine-week/

GaNaDaRa

GaNaDaRa is quite new in town but it is already one of my favorites Korean restaurants in Montreal. Their food is well made and most of the items in the menu are $5-7. That’s a killer combination. Not surprisingly, this nice little eatery became my top destination whenever I’m in downtown.

GaNaDaRa’: one of the cutest eateries in town.

The Place
GaNaDaRa is definitely the cutest restaurant I’ve seen lately. The atmosphere is cozy and unpretentious: KPop music playing, friendly staff and cute decals on the wall! Love it!

GaNaDaRa’s menu

The Food
GaNaDara serves Korean street food. Dishes are not fancy, but they’re overall very good and pretty feeling. The menu can be kind of hard to understand if you don’t speak Korean, like me. But, with time, I’m starting to learn the names of the dishes I like the most.

Dak Balls: deep-fried chicken balls with spicy sauce

GaNaDaRa’s Mandu: fried pork dumplings. Tasty!

Last time I went there with a friend, we had a blast. As starters, we ordered Dak Balls ($5) and some Mandu ($3), fried pork dumplings. But I couldn’t help myself of asking for my favorite Korean appetizer: the Seafood Pajeon ($5), a fried pancake made from eggs, rice flour, shrimps, shellfish and veggies. So far, a lot of food!

The Seafood Panjeon is my favorite appetizer!

As if that were not enough, then we shared the traditional Bibimbap ($9) and a Galbi ($9), that is basically a big plate of marinated beef short ribs with rice. By the end, I was amazed. In total, all that feast costed us less than $35 with taxes!

Bibimbap: a bowl of warm white rice topped with meat, sautéed and seasoned vegetables and chili pepper paste.

GaNaDaRa’s Galbi: marinated beef short ribs.

Services and Price
One thing I like about eating at small family business is that feeling of being among friends. At GaNaDara I felt that way. The staff is really attentive and charismatic. They always serve me with a smile.

As mentioned before, prices are super cheap! That’s the perfect place for students. And if you’re in a hurry, they do take out!

GaNaDaRa
1862 boul. Maisonneuve O. (Map)
514-933-2288
www.facebook.com/GaNaDaRa/

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by montrealbestfoodever on January 27, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Korean

Tagged beef short ribs, Bibimbap, Cheap Eats, Concordia, deep fried chicken, Downtown, Korean, Korean fried dumplings, Korean Street Food, Montreal

Posted by montrealbestfoodever on January 27, 2013

http://montrealbestfoodever.com/2013/01/27/ganadara/

Brunch at Aux Vivres: 100% Vegan

Aux Vivres: 100% vegan brunch

One of my New Year’s resolutions for 2013 is trying new things. So, I found that going for a 100% vegan brunch would be a good a way to start. I’ve been to vegan restaurants before, but never really considered giving up my traditional Sunday eggs with bacon for a tofu-with-veggie meal. After trying Aux Vivres’ brunch, I only regret not doing this before.

The place
Aux Vivres is one of those top-of-mind restaurants when it comes to vegetarian food in Montreal. Located on boulevard Saint-Laurent (just a couple minutes walk from the Mount-Royal metro station), this restaurant is always packed. They even have a to-go counter, as well as an online delivery service in order to the meet demand. The space is big but still a bit cramped and the decor, which is very functional and bright, doesn’t really add much to the experience. That means people come here for food, so it must be good!

The Food
Ok, I’m a bit of a carnivore, so it’s really hard for me to judge restaurants in a vegetarian perspective. But as a food lover, I can tell that everything I ate at Aux Vivres was made with fresh and wholesome ingredients. On top of that, these guys have my respect because I know it’s not easy to replicate a breakfast menu with no trace of dairy, eggs or meat.

The brunch options are a bit limited. There are only three choices in the menu: Le Complet ($11.95), La Polenta ($11.95) and their famous vegan waffles ($12.50). But all the regular menu items, such as their famous Dragon Bow and the BLT, can be ordered at anytime.

Aux Vivres’ La Polenta comes with with refried black beans, guacamole and salad.

I picked the fried polenta with refried black beans, guacamole and salad and really enjoyed it. The polenta was outstanding, very crunchy and well seasoned. And, as I expected, all the salsas and salad dressing were spectacular.

Aux Vivres’ cornbread was fantastic!

My husband had the Complet that consisted in tofu scramble, tempeh bacon, cornbread, sweet potatoes and salad. I tried a bit of everything on his plate and I found that, overall, all items were pretty good, especially the tofu and the cornbread. The tempeh bacon was just ok though.

Aux Vivres desserts deserve a special mention.

Aux Vivres’ desserts deserve a special mention. We tried three different ones and they all tasted divine. We started with the Choco-banana pie ($5.25), very smooth and intense. It basically melts in your mouth. Chocolate Apple Cake ($5.75) was equally tasty. But my favorite one was definitely their famous vegan cheesecake, Le Gateau Faux-mage ($6). It tasted exactly like a real cheesecake, a good one! I am still wondering which ingredients they use to get that texture.

Aux Vivres’ famous Gateau Faux-mage. It tasted exactly like a real cheesecake.

Service and Price
No complaints about service this time. The menu was easy to read, the food came fast, and the staff was friendly. But I remember having a hard time to order some other times, when the restaurant was busy.

I find the brunch prices at Aux Vivres very reasonable, although some might say that their portions are getting smaller than what they used to be. Overall, I really enjoyed my latest experience and I recommend this restaurant to all people, no matter if they are vegetarian or not.

AUX VIVRES
4631 Boulevard St-Laurent (map)
(514) 842-3479
http://www.auxvivres.com/

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by montrealbestfoodever on January 22, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Brunch, Vegetarian

Tagged Brunch, fake cheesecake, Plateau Mont-Royal, Vegan, Vegetarian, veggie bacon

Posted by montrealbestfoodever on January 22, 2013

http://montrealbestfoodever.com/2013/01/22/brunch-at-aux-vivres/

La Matraca

la-matraca-taqueira
La Matraca is one of those nearby place that I visited very often. Whenever I’m hungry, I stop by and have some tacos. That’s the perfect quick-fix meal for me. My Mexican friends have recommended this place, and in fact, this is the most authentic Mexican restaurant I found in Montreal so far.

La Matraca at Rue St. Denis

Ambience and Menu
La Matraca is not fancy at all and its menu is very straighfarward. All they offer are tacos, quesadillas and sandwiches, just like in any regular “taqueria” in Mexico. So, you won’t find any other side dishes or salads. And Matraca is really proud of staying true to the authentic way of serving tacos. They even have a sign explaining how to eat them with your hands. Mexican style!

La Matraca is really proud of staying true to the authentic way of serving tacos. They even have a sign explaining how to eat the tacos with your hands.

La Matraca: proud of staying true to the authentic way of serving tacos.

Food
Before you order your tacos, try one of the small appetizers they have. My favorites are the black beans with bacon soup and the melted cheese, or “queso fundido”, in Spanish.

La Matraca’s black beans and bacon soup

The tacos are served on freshly made corn tortillas with super tasty marinated meats, topped with onions and cilantro. You choose your type of meat: Bisteck (Steak), Suadero (Beef ribs) or Al Pastor (Spicy Pork w/ Pineapple). You can add cheese, if you like. That’s it! Squeeze some lime on it and enjoy it with one of the three different spicy homemade salsas they have.

La Matraca tacos are served on freshly made corn tortillas with super tasty marinated meats

The sandwiches, or tortas, like the Mexicans call them, are huge and delicious too. Imagine a well-seasoned breaded and fried beef steak on fresh warm bun with cheese, filled with beans, butter, onions, tomatoes, avocado and jalepeno peppers. There is no way such a good combination can go wrong, isn’t it?

La Matraca Torta: delicious Mexican sandwich

Tortas: breaded and fried beef steak, cheese, beans, onions, tomatoes, avocado and jalepeno peppers.

Price and Service
My only complaint about La Matraca is price, especially for the tacos. Food is obviously not as cheap as they are in Mexico. And considering the portion sizes, in fact, it’s a bit expensive. At least, everything is fresh and well prepared. So, it pays off.

Be aware that the service can be slow sometimes and some people may think that the staff doesn’t speak enough English or French. I didn’t really have any problems, but if that’s is the case, you should see it as part of the experience. Most of the customers at La Matraca are Mexican, and they don’t seem to be bothered.

LA MATRACA
4607 Rue Saint-Denis (map)
(514) 285-0777

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by montrealbestfoodever on January 4, 2013 • Permalink

Posted in Mexican

Tagged Authentic Mexican, mexican food, Tacos, Tortas

Posted by montrealbestfoodever on January 4, 2013

http://montrealbestfoodever.com/2013/01/04/la-matraca/

Montreal’s Top Restaurants of 2012

Today is the last day of 2012. And, like every year, it’s time of putting together my “best of” lists. I always have so much fun compiling my favorites moments of the year. Especially, when I had a good one. And I can’t complain! In fact, 2012 was a delicious year for me. I started this blog and I had an amassing time discovering so many great new food places. It was a terrific year for Montreal too. New restaurants, gastronomy festivals, food trucks hitting the streets. The local food scene has never been so busy and Montreal has truly become an international culinary destination, earning the respect of some of the worlds best chefs.

So, picking the best Montreal restaurants I visited in 2012 wasn’t easy. But finally I have my Top 5 eats of year. Voilá!

Best New Place: Maison Publique

Maison Publique: Brunch for Two

Back in October, chef Derek Dammann finally opened the doors of his highly anticipated new business, Maison Publique. The gastro-pub attracted a lot of attention because it’s backed by the British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver. But the fact is that, despite the buzz, Maison publique is really an unique place. This charming British-style tavern, hidden in the middle of the Plateau, has this cozy and unpretentious vibe and serves affordable and delicious good. That’s the perfect spot for having a beer after work or sharing a comforting meal with good friends. I had brunch there on my birthday and it’s was a remarkable experience. It definitely deserves to be in my Top-Five list!

Best “New-to-me” Place: Toqué!

Toqué! Mushroom Cavatelli with Milk Mousse and Truffle Oil

Toqué opened its doors in 1993 and for years it has been widely considered one of the best restaurants in town. Although I was aware its reputation, I only had the chance to sample a bit of its incredible menu a while ago, during the Taste Montreal Restaurant Week. I have to admit that I’m not a big fan of fancy places and, most of the time, I find fine dining a bit overrated. But Toqué! really surprised me. Everything I ate there looked amazing and was cooked to perfection. Undoubtedly, one of the best meals I ever had.

Best BBQ : BlackStrap BBQ

My Blackstrap’s brisket and smoked turkey were super tender.

That’s a fact: 2012 was the barbecue year in Montreal. New BBQ joints were popping up everywhere. As a meat lover, I couldn’t be happier. After trying many different new options, I finally have my verdict. In my opinion, the best place for having the perfect, juicy smoked piece of meat is Blackstrap BBQ. Brought by the former owners of Grifintown Cafe, the eatery opened its doors a few months ago in Verdun. Like in most BBQ joints, the menu offers Southern classics: ribs, brisket, pulled pork, chicken and turkey. The big difference it that, at Blackstrap BBQ, meats are prepared in genuine Memphis Style: they use a homemade dry rub and meats are smoked over oak and apple woods for up to 16 hours. It’s finger licking good! And those fried mac & cheese balls were definitely my biggest guilty pleasure of the year.

Best Brunch: Lawrence

English Breakfast: sausage, bacon, blood pudding, a fried egg, grilled tomato, bubble & squeak and toast.

Brunch is my favorite meal of the week. I love breakfast food and I never miss an opportunity to go out and have a relaxing time with friends on my weekends. Throughout the year, I’ve discovered a lot of nice brunch spots in Montreal. It’s awesome that the city offers such a great variety of tasty options. But if I have to name one place, my favorite brunch in Montreal is still Lawrence. Whenever I go there, I never get disappointed; Food and service are always outstanding. And since the menu changes constantly, I know I’ll be always nicely surprised.

Best Food Ever: Dinette Triple Crown

A basket full of happiness. Having a picnic has never been so easy!

A basket full of happiness. Picnic has never been so easy!

Dinette Triple Crown is my little food heaven in Montreal. This Mile X takeout counter really made my life happier. My summer picnics couldn’t be more delicious. And even after the sunny season was gone, I couldn’t help myself from stopping by and having some fried chicken, some smoky slabs of brisket or a pulled pork sandwich from time to time. Dinette Triple Crown has the friendliest staff ever. The girls at counter are always nice and cheerful in their cute polka-dot uniforms. But most importantly, everything they serve is absolutely fabulous! I remember eating their Thanksgiving special: home-made turkey served with meatloaf and creamy mashed potatoes. Unbelievably good! Not to mention all the to-die-for desserts that I had the chance to try. Those deep-fried apple “pie”rogis were something out of this world. And there’s more to come. Dinette Triple Crown recently got its liquor license and they will start offering cocktails soon. They are also in the process of renovating the space next door and expand the business. I can’t wait for 2013!

Well, those were favorite Montreal eats of 2012. How about yours? What were your most memorable restaurants of the year?

MAISON PUBLIQUE
4720, rue Marquette (map)
(514) 507-0555
twitter.com/maisonpublique