536439 Mon Jul 07 19:15:33 -0700 2008 4 22 Quebec (including Montreal) 0 3847131 Want to get a reservation at Madre for later this week. any recent reviews or comments on this restaurant ? and how does it compare to Raza ? Thanks. Mon Jul 07 19:15:34 -0700 2008 11828 Maximilien 1 3850681 Madre's been doing very well since its opening, and the last time I was in the neighborhood it looked difficult to be a walk-up customer. Food-wise, I'd say it's more of a Nuevo Latino bistro and you will see certain things that are ex-Raza (e.g. arepas, pineapple dessert) which have been re-imaged to better fit the restaurant's atmosphere. A nice change from the more classic bistro offerings: competent cooking and pretty much unobtrusive wait staff. Raza's still small-plate experimental (higher-end conceptually and price-wise) but you need several hours to run through the tasting menu. There's à la carte too but I think this is a place where the tasting menu is definitely the stronger of the two options. Couple of molecular techniques and some toy work (e.g. smoke gun, anti-griddle) during my last meal a few months back. Guess it depends on what you're in the mood for, but I wouldn't say no to either. Better chances for parking at Madre though (Laurier's still a b*tch to find a spot). Tue Jul 08 19:04:34 -0700 2008 3847131 196486 wattacetti 1 3850875 Speaking of which, noticed ads for special ceviche and tapas nights (I forget which resto has which) - anybody been? Tue Jul 08 20:18:38 -0700 2008 3847131 27713 chilipepper 2 3879605 Madre, Tapas ( latin tapas) every tuesday staring august 5 Raza Cevicheria ( the other alternative to sushi) every wednesday staring august 6 Thu Jul 17 23:55:33 -0700 2008 3850875 89886 cerati 1 3887139 I live in the Madre area and saw an add that the chef, Navarette, was going to be there from July 22nd to around August 2nd if I am not mistaken. I went there a couple of months ago and thought it was a bit on the expensive side, especially the wines. There was only a bottle only 40$ and they did not have it in stock. All the other bottles were over 45$ which I think is a bit much for Masson street. The other 2 good restaurants around, Le zeste de folie and M sur Masson, are more affordable in the wine area. Le zeste de folie is a BYOW (one of my favorite restaurants!) and M sur Masson has a couple of bottles under 40$. We went there last week and had their selection at 29$ and it was a Costiere de Nimes and it was excellent. I liked the food at Madre but found that 80$, just for me, was a bit much. I would go back but only because there were no choices for me on Masson and in a case where I wanted to stick close to home. I love the decor though...The open kitchen in the back is a great idea. They even have a small table where you can eat in the kitchen. It may be a great idea since the chef will be there in the coming weeks. Mon Jul 21 06:25:38 -0700 2008 3847131 22859 cricri7