Shinka Sushi Bar (previously known as New Generation Sushi) is located on Laurier Avenue West near Elgin. It has been around since 2004. When the COVID-19 pandemic, it pivoted exclusively to take-out and delivery. Their clientele responded in strong numbers so they have stuck to this format. A second location will open later this year at a location to be determined.
Posts published by “Mike Cohen”
Mike Cohen, born and raised in Côte Saint-Luc, has long been active in the community as a volunteer, journalist, and consultant. He profiles restaurants in Montreal and beyond.
mikecohen.ca and @mikecohencsl
Red Lobster still operates in four Canadian provinces – Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. There are two locations in Ottawa. The one at 1499 St. Laurent Blvd., just as you enter the city, has always been our “go-to” spot. Twenty years ago, I did a few reviews for my newspapers and connected with General Manager Ian Forrester. When I went there for a curbside pickup back in December, Ian was still on the job. It turns out he has been there for an incredible 36 years.
For more years than I can remember I would drive to Pointe Claire just to enjoy a good smoked meat sandwich or some breakfast at Moe’s Bar & Grill. The menu had so many tempting items, I always tempted to return. On my way home from Ottawa recently I decided to make a pit stop and call in a large order that I could enjoy over a couple of days. When I arrived, longtime owner Johnny Cripotos was there to greet me.
As a foodie, I love the Ottawa restaurant scene. High on my list is The Works Craft Burgers & Beer (www.worksburger.com). Open since 2001, this wildly popular and award winning full-service neighbourhood bistro is known for its more than 30 different, hand-prepared gourmet burgers, bottomless fresh hand-cut fries, cool classic shakes and ice-cold beer, which are all 100 percent Canadian. The Works offers guests eight different patty options as well as gluten-free and vegetarian combinations to choose from.
Kettlemans hand-rolled Montreal style bagels, unique spreads, fresh salads, and sandwiches make the perfect breakfast-to-go, boardroom power lunch or late-night indulgence. Founder and Montreal native Craig Buckley opened the first store in August of 1993. When he started the business, he simply wanted to make the best bagels you could find. By rolling, “kettling,” and baking traditional Montreal Bagel in a wood burning-oven using handpicked hardwood, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to the traditional quality of the food, Kettlemans has become a food institution — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year — for 28 years.
When Montreal-based Foodtastic purchased the Milestones Grill + Bar restaurant chain (https://www.milestonesrestaurants.com) last summer, with plans to finally debut franchises in Quebec, I got pretty excited.
Foodtastic, a highly successful multi-brand restaurant company, is owned by brothers Lawrence and Peter Mammas.
Au Coq has been part of the Quebec restaurant landscape for more than 60 years. Since 2019 it has been part of the Foodtastic group (foodtastic.ca), which was enough to get my attention when I was in Dollard des Ormeaux and looking for a place to eat on Sources Blvd. There are presently 10 Au Coq franchises in Quebec (Dollard, St. Laurent, Marché Central, Hochelaga, Montreal East, St. Leonard, Central Station downtown and Gatineau). Opening soon will be locations in Terrebonne and Île-Perrot.
Sikellis and his team managed their way through the pandemic, but he told me clearly that I must come back to one of his locations when indoor dining could see what a sensation it is. I finally did so recently in Dollard, managed by Harry’s son Mike. It was a Sunday morning and when I arrived the place was starting to get busy. By 10 am there was a lineup out the door. Mike, assisted by his mom Marina Tzanetakou, was busy checking vaccine passports. There is plexiglass between tables, which are well spaced.
When I dropped by at a lunch hour to meet Dranias, Chef Armeni greeted us with a basket of bread, an appetizer of Fritto Misto – deep-fried calamari, shrimp and smelt- and delicious bowls of busiate pasta, with a braised rabbit in fresh tomato sauce.