Montreal Food Scene
"I say this everytime I dine out in Montreal but, hopefully my next resto experience will be better"
talking of what? The service beeing overbearing and a bit fake or the experience in general?
[Note: This thread was split from another discussion here: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/786790 -- The Chowhound Team]
-
eastcoastgirl_westcoastlife
Sep 1, 2011 07:11 AM
I could talk for hours about what exactly has been dissapointing about dining out here, the service being overbearing is just one more item on a long long list.
›15 Replies-
re: eastcoastgirl_westcoastlife
Well, you had to know that this kind of comment (and generalisation) would raise eyebrows... Especially when you don’t bother explaining yourself...
I lived in Europe few years, travelled there extensively both for business and leisure and tried to get a feel of the culinary culture of the cities I visited. I also criss-crossed NYC restaurants but haven’t been much to the west coast (apart LA - the overall experience was underwhelming apart for the food trucks). All that to say that Montréal defends itself well; not as well as some would like to think but, in certain niches, it does score high. I’m stating the obvious here but the offering of market/French in the higher rang of the “mid-market” & lower range of the “high end” is outstanding. Actually, there are at least 15 to 20 restaurants in town that give you (quite) good value for money; theses places could also defend themselves in any European Capital.
Now, if Satay Brother (I agree with you on this, the place is ok at best) is your idea of dining out…
-----
Satay Brothers
138 Avenue Atwater, Montreal, QC H3J 2Z6, CA-
re: Ched1000
Ok now, you will need to tell me what are those great restaurants you are talking about. I have been living here for a year and havent had a good experience yet except maybe La Banquise, which is good poutine.
I went to a restaurant on Wellington and 1st yesterday night. We wanted to sit on the patio, so I went inside and asked if we could sit outside; the guy said yes, so we did. We went to a table for two, there were no chairs, so I went back inside to ask for chairs. It took five minutes before we got the chairs and he didnt bring menus or ustensils. We waited ten minutes siting at the table, then decided to leave, because there was only one server for the whole restaurant which is about 15 tables. We went to check for other restaurants going east. Seeing that the other ones were in the same situation, we went the other direction. Passing by the restaurant we were at, the server saw us finally. He just noticed that were gone for while already.
Then, we went to resto bar malawa, which is african food. The menu looked good, so we sat on the patio. We were the only customer. It took about 20 minutes before we were able to get a beer and a vodka with ice. Then it took 15 minutes till we got our food. My fish was pretty good, I was impressed, but my girlfriend's beef brochettes were so tough that even our dog had a hard time eating them. Her rice was suppose to be red rice and it wasn't and our server left to go home without telling us. The other person was pissed, because I didn't give any tip. I feel like people here assume that they are going to get tip. In my opinion, you get it if you did a good job.
All that so you can see why I want to know where are the good places.
Thank you
-
re: Foodlover_livetoeat
Restaurant Malawa opened a while ago and has never really been praised on the boards. It opened around the time of the World Cup and I honestly thought it was just someone trying to make an environment for their friends and family to watch the games. In mho the menu does not look good at all. I go by there every day and I have never seen many people eating there.
If you are looking for better places to eat in Verdun, along Wellington, there are plenty, many of which have been recommended on this board.
-
re: unlaced
Ok, but what are those places, because I tried Malawa, the Pho place, which was okay for the price, but it is not real pho. I tried BoraBora, which is again, nice for the price, but not really tasty. I also went to a place on 5th and Wellington that I dont remember the name, because the service was too long and I couldn't get to try it. I went to a restaurant in the Old port, which again, I don't remember the name, because it was way too pricey for a place that called a crepe a kind of quesedilla grilled on a flattop with I don't remember what in it. I went to le Saint-Sulpice for a beer that was suppose to be on special, but cost 8$; Once the waitress gave us our change, she waited there staring at us for a tip; She could't give us a receipt, because she was ordering all the drinks on the same tab, which is quite a lazy way to do. I went to a DaysInn to eat with some friend and I got a Nachos with cheap cheese that didn't melt properly, there was only one layer and all the veggies were in big chunks.
I was really looking forward for the food here, because I thought that with the europeen background and the immigration, that the food would be really good; I was actually disappointed to the point where I don't really want to go out anymore, because I am scared of being disappointed again.
If you know any good restaurant, anybody, seriously tell me, because I am almost desperate.
-
-
re: kpaxonite
Look, what kind of reply is that? I am trying to find good restaurants, I am asking people to help me out, cause I can't seem to find the great place that you seem to know. Tell me where they are, I will go try them and I will judge by myself if I like it or not. It is not by saying I know nothing or by making me feel bad that I am critisizing that you will make me love the montreal food secne.
I am trying to like it, so just give me good restaurant names, that's all I want. I am trying to understand why you like Montreal's food industry so much. I am opening my mind to it. Maybe I was just not looking at the right place, maybe there is an oasis that I haven't found yet. So, again anybody that wants to say that I know nothing about food, because I haven't been impressed yet, instead of shooting me, just help me and tell me where to go.
-
re: Foodlover_livetoeat
Im not trying to make you feel bad ... maybe its just a montreal thing but I wouldn't ever go to a hotel to order nachos.
Here is a list of some well reviewed restaurants (which I didnt initially post and I assume others arent because what you are asking for is not related to this thread):
DNA
Ferreira Café
Au Pied de Conchon
Leméac
F Bar
Brasseurie T
Patati Patata
Au Cinquième Péché
Romados
Laloux
Les trois petits bouchon
Pintxo
Casa Tapas
Da Emma
Lawrence
Joe Beef
Le Club Chasse et Pêche-----
Joe Beef
2491 Rue Notre-Dame W, Montreal, QC H3J1N6, CACasa Tapas
266 Rue Rachel E, Montreal, QC H2W1E6, CA -
re: Foodlover_livetoeat
Have you been searching the board for recommendations?
You mentioned Verdun in your previous post, here are my favourite restaurants in Verdun. You can search the boards for more reviews on each if you like
Cuisine Xiang - for spicy Sichuan food. Don't order the "western" Chinese food, order the specialities like boiled fish with chillies and peppercorns, and the spicy fried green beans
Lotus Bleu - Northern Chinese food - good for dumplings, lamb noodle soup and ma po tofu.
Aka Fuji - very simple but authentic sushi. It might not compare to what is found in Vancouver, but for Montreal it is very good, and at a very reasonable price.
Mas Cuisine - fine dining, one of Montreal's best restaurants. Only open Mon-Fri. I think they are on vacation during Sept.
Hecho en Mexico - this place is a bit up and down, so read the reviews and make your own call. I still like it, but I do find you have to be careful what you order. I recommend ordering a bunch of appetizers, or making sure to share a main meal, as the mains are large and the flavours can get a little repetitive when you have a large plate.
Bistro Su - looks like it is being renovated inside at the moment, so call first to check. Excellent Turkish cuisine, some of the best in the city.
Cha Noir - for tea, chocolates and small desserts
I hope that helps!
-----
Mas Cuisine
3779 Rue Wellington, Verdun, QC H4G, CA -
re: Foodlover_livetoeat
Its the response of someone who wouldn't base their dining experience of a city based on eating nachos at cheap chain hotel.
Basic list of restaurants often mentioned on board favourably (which I posted on the other thread but got deleted)
DNA
Ferreira Café
Au Pied de Conchon
Leméac
Au Cinquième Péché
Laloux
Les trois petits bouchon
Lawrence
Joe Beef
F Bar
Brasseurie T
Patati Patata
Casa Tapas
Romados
Le Club Chasse et Pêche-----
Joe Beef
2491 Rue Notre-Dame W, Montreal, QC H3J1N6, CAPatati Patata
4177 St-Laurent Blvd., Montreal, QC , CACasa Tapas
266 Rue Rachel E, Montreal, QC H2W1E6, CA -
re: Foodlover_livetoeat
kpzoo
Sep 2, 2011 01:52 PM
> just give me good restaurant names, that's all I want
Brit & Chips
Olive & Gourmando
Moti Mehal
Shahi Palace
Au Petit Coin du Mexique
Amaranto
Hoai Huong
Chalet BBQ
Rayan Seafood
La Caretta
Kazu
Prato Pizza
Lulu B.
Dejeuner Cosmopolitain-----
Shahi Palace Restaurant
4773 Boul Des Sources, Pierrefonds, QC H8Y3C6, CAMoti Mehal
1024 Rue Jean-Talon Ouest, Montreal, QC H3N, CADejeuners
3339 Boul Des Sources, Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, QC H9B1Z8, CAKazu
1862 Sainte-Catherine St W, Montreal, QC H3H 1M1, CA -
-
-
-
re: Foodlover_livetoeat
Thanks for the morning laugh...
Tips are often shared with all the restaurant staff.
Tipping is the norm in Montreal and you won't make many friends by not tipping... especially if you're in a bar and want another beer.
$8 for a beer is expensive, did you order a Guiness. I've never been to St. Sulpice but I thought it was known for its cheap student beer drinking thing. For better prices and beer, go to Cheval Blanc in that area. Other note, in general if you don't want to pay high prices for beer, don't order imported beer. Montreal bars usually have a good selection of local microbrews that are super good and wil run you $4.75 - $6.50 a pint for the most part (note: before tip).
-
-
-
-
-
