Old school Portuguese place --- on a corner?

[cherrypicker1972]

About 10 years ago, a McGill pal took me to an old-school Portuguese restaurant and I remember the most delicious chicken and fries despite the scorching temps.

All I can remember is it was on a corner, it felt like 1960 and it was a bit dark inside. I think they might have had artificial hanging plants too...

Does anyone know what I'm talking about??

I'm going with my husband and baby son for a 3-day visit at the end of the month and I'd love to go there again....

[morebubbles]

I think it's Roi du Plateau on Rachel.

[cherrypicker1972]

Thanks for racking your brains, everybody. It was indeed a sit-down place with a wait service. And I also seem to recall deep cranberry red--perhaps on hanging lamps or wallpaper.

It wasn't fancy---just really dated.

[cherrypicker1972]

Is it possible it was around Wilensky's? Something tells me went there the same day we poked our heads in Wilensky's.

And I could be completely wrong but I think there was a 3/4 wall separating the dining area from the entryway...

Regardless, I'll just want good chicken and fries, so I'd love to know your thoughts on that too.

[emerilcantcook]

If you like butterflied, chargrilled then Romados or the Chicken Nazi (Rotisserie Portugalia) is your best bet (others might disagree). Both are good for takeouts, the seating dismal and not as fun as having a picnic at the park. For the latter, you also need to call ahead (2 hours will do it) and also have to deal with the quirks of the owners (for me it is fun), but it is worth it. Romados is more accessible, you might just need to wait in line and they have really good fries (not sure about the fries in Portugalia)

If you prefer rotisserie chicken, then Coco Rico is a good one, again mostly for takeout. They don't have fries, but roasted potatoes. However you can always get your fries from Romados and chicken from elsewhere.

For sit down Portuguese, I prefer Roi du Plateau; but a lot of people rave about the chicken at Doval, which I haven't tried.

[cherrypicker1972]

Wow. Thanks for all the suggestions.

I'm thinking it will be Roi du Plateau. Do they have good fries?

Should we anticipate a crowd at about 6pm on a Sunday?

[emerilcantcook]

The fries will be good, but in a more "Montreal" way good. Most fries (including the Romados, but less in their case) are in the brownish and slightly soft category. My impression is that it is what people prefer here. If you like crisper but blonder fries, then Frit Alors (multiple locations) is all the way. The rest of the food is pretty standard, but you are there for the fries.

I think Roi takes reservations.

[Campofiorin]

If the grill and kitchen was in the front on your left when you entered, then it's definitely Le Roi du Plateau.

[cherrypicker1972]

Love the brownish, slightly soft category of fries.

I'm going to try and make a reservation just to be safe.

Thanks for all your help, guys!

[riboflavinjoe]

Was it a restaurant or a take out place? Could have been Chez Doval on Marie Anne and Bullion, there's a guitar player and singer who wanders around table to table. I love it there.

[emerilcantcook]

Or it could be Roi du Plateau (I've seen artificial plants there), or Romados (though it is not officially a restaurant, there are tables and fries are pretty good).

We need more information, me thinks. Why are all Portuguese places located on a corner (Except Jano?). Was it at least in the Plateau?

[afoodyear]

My guess is also that it is Romados, but that's just judging by McGill student food and great chicken and fries.

[bomobob]

I agree that it's probably Doval. It fits the description perfectly.