Egg Club Expands to Quebec and Ottawa With Japanese Style Breakfast

Glenn J. Nashen: A new Vietnamese experience at Tran Cantine

When it comes to a Vietnamese dining-out experience in Montreal look no further than the Tran Family. Following up on our recent sensational night out at the newly launched Hang Bar in Old Montreal, Judy and I, along with our friends Dana and Jeff accepted an invitation to Marilyn Tran’s diner in St. Henri, aptly named Tran Cantine.

Review of Restaurant Hang: Glenn J. Nashen: Montreal’s Top-Notch Vietnamese Cuisine

What secret treasures await when a new restaurant opens? One can only imagine, until being lucky enough to be exposed to the sights, smells and tastes of Restaurant Hang. Such was the experience on a recent Thursday night when my wife and I made reservations at what has been billed as the “first haute cuisine Vietnamese restaurant” in Montreal. Sure, our city has plenty of upscale trendy places, but nothing quite like this new concept in Asian fine dining. It tantalized all of our senses, from the moment we walked through the doors and took in the sumptuous decor. Hang arrives as the newest restaurant in the renowned hospitality group JEGantic’s portfolio. Vietnamese cuisine will be elevated from its usual humble “mom and pop” eateries to a refined haute cuisine experience that celebrates the unique flavours of the Southeast Asian country. Montrealers will be fittingly welcomed to come “hang” and indulge in a culinary journey that reflects Vietnam’s rich heritage with an innovative spin on favourite dishes. We were greeted by Joyce Phanekham, the effervescent general manager, who was helpful and attentive to her guests throughout our two-and-a-half-hour dining experience. She promptly introduced us to one of the most personable restauranteurs we have yet to meet, Marylyn Tran. Marylyn teamed up with her husband Alain and the folks from JEGantic to create an experiential and uniquely Asian venue for traditional, authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a class of its own. And who better to know how to achieve this pinnacle other than the Tran family who already own several restaurants under the Tran Cantine banner? After all, Marylyn was raised in her parent’s kitchen where she acquired her unique taste, over at their St. Denis Street Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Tay Ho. The family started this business back in 1986 and it is still going strong. Indeed, the name Hang is a nod of appreciation to Marylyn’s mom. Marylyn grew up cherishing the culinary and cultural intricacies that captivated their family, friends and clientele and eventually branched out, opening her own chain of traditional Vietnamese restos. Located between Griffintown and Old Montreal, Hang will surely attract the young in-crowd, as well as tourists seeking a memorable night out on the town. Marylyn introduced us to her right-hand man, Marco, a knowledgeable and experienced server and cook who took care of us for our date-night. He described in great detail each dish served, with ease and familiarity as though he himself was the chef. We started out with, what else, Pho Wagyu Consommé, a classic noodle soup that Hang has enhanced with its elaborate preparation: 14 hours of cooking over at Tran Cantine. It had many delicate ingredients including Wagyu beef and fresh rice noodles. The aroma of truffle alone made this a mouth-watering winning choice. Judy’s Franco-Viet Salmon Tartare tasted “like the ocean.” This dish of salmon was served with old-fashioned mustard, crispy rice, shallots, green onions and long red peppers. My Five-Spiced Buttered Scalloped – Ngo Vi Houng consisted of three pan-fried scallops each nestled in its own Asian soup spoon and bathed in secret fish sauce. They were garnished with crushed nuts and a hint of lemon making them simply perfect. Judy enjoyed her main course of Vegan Red Curry, a locally sourced seasonal vegetable medley stewed in red curry paste, coconut milk, palm sugar and julienned taro. I literally licked my fingers while eating a homemade order of Banh Mi Foie Gras. Imagine pan-seared foie gras, caramelized onions, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, coriander, and homemade mayo with Hang special sauce on a soft baguette, an ode to Alain’s native city of Paris. It was served on a large banana leaf, and the garnish on all their plates was a work of art. So too was the elegantly designed cutlery. Joyce describes Hang as a chill environment to linger, drink, talk and share delicious dishes among friends. All the staff were extremely personable, friendly and helpful. The decor features exotic nature elements that mimic the dense greenery of Da Nang’s jungle. The soaring ceilings, leafy chandeliers and striking wood columns add an impressive grandeur to the place. There was a great vibe throughout our evening with lots of smiling, happy young patrons. Indeed, owing to the immersive bar environment diners must be 18 or older at Hang. Finally, our dessert was served. Gateau au Pandan was quite distinct and attractive but we both decided that the Creamy Coconut Flan with Banana was the clear winner. Hang has a flair for mixology. From our opening round of shots to our cocktails, and mocktails and ending with a Vietnamese Coffee Martini, they are pros at presentation, taste and hospitality. Marylyn and her crew may be new to the high-end market but the high-end market is also new to Vietnamese cuisine. They are truly passionate about their mission and are on a winning track. Our experience was delightful and our evening was enriched by their warm and hospitable demeanour. We felt like we were hanging out (no pun intended) with friends and family around an exquisitely prepared table of outstanding cultural cuisine. Who could ask for more? Hang is poised to become Montreal’s new must-visit dining destination. It is located at 686 Notre Dame Ouest in Old Montreal, Tuesdays to Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. Visit hangbar.ca or call 514 910-2227.

Glenn J. Nashen’s Five Alarm Culinary Adventure at Sushi Taxi

Not even a major shutdown of Notre Dame Street in Little Burgundy could keep us away from a gastronomic luxury take-out of sushi and Asian fusion at Sushi Taxi. No exaggeration! The fire department literally closed down the street for an emergency. However, the conscientious staff called to say, ‘stand by’. As soon as the ‘all clear’ sounded we headed into the bistro-chique locale.

Glenn J. Nashen discovers more than a good dinner at Casa Grecque in Chomedey

I was looking for a tasty, family-friendly take-out dinner and Casa Grecque in Chomedey was my next pick. My family and I love plentiful Greek salads and tangy appetizers, particularly during long, cold Quebec winters when delicious, plump red tomatoes are not in abundance. What I found at this spacious, well-decorated restaurant in Chomedey at the corner of St. Martin Blvd. and Daniel-Johnson Blvd. was far more than I could have imagined.

Nashen does Take-Out: Bistro Amerigo still heating up on Monkland

Bistro Amerigo may be a relatively small eatery, but during the pandemic lockdown the well-known West-End restaurant is doing large scale take-out and delivery. I last reported on Amerigo some two-and-a-half years ago and have returned numerous times with friends and family since then. The local “Garde Manger Italien” (or kitchen pantry) has maintained its flair for fine authentic dishes at reasonable prices, not far from home.

Glenn J. Nashen grabs a kosher slice at PizzaPita Prime

PizzaPita has been going strong in the Snowdon area for more than 30 years. With their recent move across Decarie Boulevard to the former Pizza Hut location in front of Decarie Square, at the corner of Decarie and Vezina, they have a prime spot to garner the attention of thousands of commuters, shoppers and locals each and every day. Hence they’ve rebranded PizzaPita to PizzaPita Prime.

Tony Medeiros

Tony Medeiros is a Montreal-based blogger with over 20 years of experience covering pop culture and the culinary scene. Known for his engaging reviews and unique insights, he has built a trusted voice for readers seeking informed and entertaining perspectives on food and entertainment.

Egg Club, known for soft milk bread and made-to-order egg sandwiches, sets its sights beyond Ontario.

Egg Club launched in Toronto in 2018 after its founders questioned why breakfast chains lacked freshness and creativity.
The brand is known for Japanese-inspired egg sandwiches made to order on soft milk bread with house-made sauces.
Egg Club plans to expand into Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Quebec, with a goal of 10 new locations by 2026.
Its philosophy of Affordable Happiness, approachable pricing, and strong social media buzz have fueled rapid growth across Canada.

I am a devoted breakfast person, so this news immediately caught my attention. While Montreal is not getting its own Egg Club location just yet, it is still encouraging to see the brand entering the Quebec market. That alone feels like a step in the right direction for anyone who believes breakfast deserves more imagination than what the big chains usually offer.

Toronto’s fast casual favorite, Egg Club, has built a loyal following for its Japanese-inspired egg sandwiches served on soft, pillowy milk bread. What began as a simple question over breakfast has turned into a growing Canadian success story. Back in June 2018, on what could only be described as a sunny side-up kind of morning in Toronto, founder Jason Yu looked at his plate and asked a deceptively simple question: Why does breakfast have to be so predictable? He shared that thought with coworkers and together they decided to rethink the morning meal from the ground up.

Their answer was Egg Club. Instead of pre-made sandwiches sitting under heat lamps, Egg Club committed to made-to-order breakfasts prepared fresh every time. Each sandwich starts with soft Japanese milk bread, layered with gently folded eggs, and finished with house-made sauces that balance sweet and savory flavors. The result is a breakfast that feels thoughtful, comforting, and indulgent without being overcomplicated. Their ambition was never just to sell breakfast. It was to create a daily ritual, a small moment of comfort people could look forward to every morning.

That philosophy has clearly resonated. Egg Club has already expanded beyond Toronto into the Greater Toronto Area, Waterloo, and Calgary, and now the brand is setting its sights on a much larger footprint. Plans are underway to move into Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa, and Quebec, to open 10 new locations by 2026. The mission remains the same everywhere they go: spreading what they call “Affordable Happiness” through high-quality breakfast at accessible prices.

Part of Egg Club’s popularity comes from its focused but playful menu. Standouts like The Classic and Bacon and Cheese deliver familiar comfort, while more unexpected options, including a lobster sandwich, add a sense of fun and indulgence. Everything is tied together by their signature sauces and that unmistakably soft bread that practically melts with each bite. Add in prices that feel fair and a strong social media presence fueled by highly photogenic sandwiches, and it is easy to see why the brand continues to gain momentum.

Egg Club has carved out a loyal following by turning the humble egg sandwich into something rich, comforting, and deeply craveable. At the heart of the menu is fluffy Japanese milk bread, lightly sweet and impossibly soft, serving as the perfect base for their signature folded eggs. Every sandwich is made to order and layered with a thoughtful mix of sauces, proteins, cheeses, and vegetables that elevate breakfast beyond the usual fast food routine. From silky white sauce and classic hollandaise to creamy chili and smoky chipotle, Egg Club’s sauces are central to its melt-in-your-mouth appeal.

The sandwich lineup showcases both familiarity and playful indulgence. The Classic Egg Club brings together folded eggs, balsamic onions, Swiss cheese, and the brand’s signature Egg Club Sauce with a kick of creamy chili. The BLT reimagines a breakfast staple with bacon, lettuce, tomato, folded egg, white sauce, and ketchup. For something more decadent, the Chipotle Lobster sandwich layers tender lobster with folded eggs, corn, lettuce, and bold sauces that nod to Tokyo street food influences. Other standouts include the Creamy Cheese Corn, rich with garlic and cream cheese, the Guacamolic with avocado and guacamole, and the Burger Club, which pairs folded eggs with a sausage patty, cheese, and garlic parmesan sauce. Even nostalgia gets a place on the menu with a simple PB&J served on their signature milk bread.

Beyond sandwiches, Egg Club also offers hearty breakfast bowls designed for bigger appetites. The Chipotle Lobster Bowl combines lobster, double-fried eggs, crispy hash browns, and chipotle sauce for a savory, filling option. The Meat Lovers Bowl leans into comfort with double eggs, sausage, bacon, and hash browns, delivering all the flavors of a classic breakfast plate in one satisfying bowl.

Rounding out the menu is a concise but thoughtful drink selection, including brewed coffee, lattes, iced coffee, iced lattes, and hot chocolate, making Egg Club a true morning stop rather than just a grab-and-go counter. Across the menu, the focus remains consistent: high-quality eggs, soft Japanese milk bread, and bold house-made sauces working together to redefine what a fast casual breakfast can be.

Even if Montreal has to wait a little longer, Egg Club’s expansion into Quebec suggests that better breakfast options are finally being taken seriously. For those of us who believe the morning meal sets the tone for the day, this feels like a very good start.

Egg Club Expands to Quebec and Ottawa With Japanese Style Breakfast

Egg Club, known for soft milk bread and made-to-order egg sandwiches, sets its sights beyond Ontario.

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