Casa Manolo (portuguese in Verdun) - I have been twice now.
Here is a very decent casual portuguese place in Verdun, on the main Wellington strip. I've been twice in a year and it's pretty good! I liked it enough to ask to go back on my birthday.
Ambience: deep narrow space, sports on TV, and kinda chilly near the door, definitely not fancy, a little smoky (from the kitchen, not from cigarettes!).
I had the grilled quarter chicken (breast) and fries, which comes with a salad. My husband had the chourizo and same sides. Other person had grilled sardines. The chicken was a little dry... but there was quite a lovely hot chili oil on the table which you can slather on with the paintbrush provided for the purpose (from dollar store next door, I'm sure!) , and it makes a really tasty simple meal.
Sardines weren't that great though... I had them at Jano and to compare, those at Casa Manolo seemed more fishy-tasting. But maybe I'm wrong? I realise these are fish, after all.
Also, there are nice sort of pickled beans (kind of flageolet-type) on the table to go with a good crusty bun, before the meal. I was competing with my dining companions for them! They were that tasty.
The service is the kind I really appreciate. They were a quite young waiter and waitress, very sweet and helpful, not over-friendly.
here is the review from the gazette: http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/C...
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I agree 100% with you. When I used to live in Verdun, it was my favorite neighborhood restaurant, perfect for a very affordable dinner on the spot and high quality.
I loved specially the fried calamari, tender and juicy with a tomato sauce (or similar). Even the desserts were outstanding (compared to other Protuguese restaurants), specially the che chocolate-passion fruit cup. Grilled meat was good and at pair with other Portuguese restaurants at Montreal, although not outstanding.
Only weak side was service, which sometimes took very long, but I understand that at such low prices the place should survive only understaffed.
A full dinner for 2 for less than $50 which such quality is hard to find nowadays,
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SnackHappy
Feb 9, 2012 12:54 PM
Thanks for the report, LittleBee. Keep 'em coming. Casa Manolo is one of those I always wonder about whenever I pass by. I'm sure I'll end up checking it out, one of these days.
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