Filtering thru the B.S.- Is It Smoke and Mirors or Really Good Food???

[minno]

Maybe I'm a little jaded but being an ex bartender and now cook my curiosity kills me and I wonder....

Despite all the hype which surrounds all these up and comming supper clubs, lounges and tapas places, is there a spot that actually has both an Ambiance worth paying for and food to match???

I'm looking for knowledgable foodies and industry people to come and chat because quite frankly I'm sick and tired of "Paris Hilton" dishes: expensive and dressed up but completely empty and unsatisfying.

Lets work together to find the diamonds in the rough!!!

xxx
mino

[minno]

I recently checked out this spot called Pullman on Sherbrooke and Parc and was very satisfied. It's a wine bar that gives a vast selection of red, white and ice wines along with a liquor and petit bouchee list. Not only was I impressed by the beautiful chandelier that greets you as soon as you walk in but I like the split level floors, incredibly high cielings and dim intimate lighting it was the perfect balance between class and casual. The FOOD matched...it was Simple, Casual, Classy and Tasty!!! My girlfriends and I really enjoyed this little gem.

[moh]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is a supper club? and what are supper clubs in Montreal?

[Maximilien]

Supper Clubs are "restaurants" that turn into a club at 'round 11pm.

Usually, the music is loud, the boobies are as large as the biceps of the patrons.

(will probably be censored for the above).

Lytchee on St-Laurent was one of it, Times Supper Club is one, Buena Note is one,...

[moh]

Ah, thanks for the explanation. I am so out of touch... Is Globe like that too? Or is that a restaurant only? Because I heard the food was ok at Globe, and that might fit the OP's criteria.

[devilishlyj]

I used to know someone who worked in the kitchen at Globe and they swore the food was good, but I've never been myself. Course, they could be biased...

[lagatta]

No, you were even-handed in your sexist stereotypes, and the patrons of such places, male or female, live in sexist-stereotype-bling-bling land.

(Though I am of a Mediterranean "mamma" build that is not known for small boobies, whether we are Italian, Jewish, Greek, Lebanese or whatever) But how do we get the long legs?

Aren't there also "old-money" supper clubs where the music is not as loud?

In any event, they exist in all cities and continents where there is a restaurant "scene" and money to be made.

I'd say there is very little culturally or regionally-specific about such places...

[Moosemeat]

Hey, I just reviewed Magdala Resto- Lounge recently, and would have to say the food is excellent. I don't know how well it works as a lounge / bar, but it's inexpensive, and the decor is nice. The place is the upscale reincarnation of one of the city's best hole in the wall ethnic restos. Anyways, my review is here:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/503138

Honestly though, I'm sure there are some good tapas places, but the whole point of supper clubs is to remove fools from their money.

[cherylmtl]

I love Tapeo for tapas - good atmosphere, but it's not one of those "see and be seen" places. Also well off the beaten path. In my experience, the more the hype, the less the quality of food. There are always exceptions, but still, it's my general rule of thumb when choosing restaurants.

[minno]

ha...i didn't want to post that remark on my question at hand bc i hate being rude but i do believe that the dishes at supper clubs do reflect the clientele....

[rillettes]

Although she may be dressed up, I always thought of Paris Hilton as cheap, rather than expensive.
Seriously, though, I can't ever imagine paying for ambiance.