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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

Mike Cohen savors the fine Mediterranean and Greek cuisine of Lesvos West in NDG

November 13, 2019
Mike Cohen savors the fine Mediterranean and Greek cuisine of Lesvos West in NDG

On December 15, 1999, John Drymousis and wife Carmela opened their first Lesvos Restaurant on Mount Royal Street, at the corner of Brébeuf.

John had been a waiter for years, but always dreamed of having his own dining establishment. Carmela was not in that industry at all, having earned a living the previous 12 years at the credit bureau of the Royal Bank of Canada. A decade earlier the couple had relocated to Fort Myers, Florida, where John had been offered a senior role by some Montreal businessmen at a 250 seat family restaurant. At the time their only child, daughter Mia, was a toddler.

Mike Cohen celebrates Grilled Cheese Month at L’Gros Luxe

November 8, 2019
Mike Cohen celebrates Grilled Cheese Month at L’Gros Luxe

I think one of the first food items I learned how to make myself was a grilled cheese sandwich. We had one of those grillers at home and all I needed was a slice of cheese, two pieces of bread and some margarine. Over the years I learned different variations: buttering up two sides of bread, slipping in the cheese and making it on the frying pan and or toasting two pieces of bread, applying the margarine then sticking it in the microwave for 30 seconds.

Mike Cohen heads across the Mercier Bridge for a taste of Two O Seven Steak and Seafood

October 26, 2019
Mike Cohen heads across the Mercier Bridge for a taste of Two O Seven Steak and Seafood

I have been to Kahnawake a few times in my life, but it was my curiosity over a tempting relatively new restaurant called Two O Seven Steak and Seafood which closed the deal for me to venture over the Mercier Bridge for dinner one night. I was joined by my friend Mel Leitman, his wife Connie Dorfman and his sister-in-law Marilyn Silverman.

Mike Cohen checks out the revitalized La Cage Brasserie Sportive at the Bell Centre and the Moishes Steak

October 17, 2019
Mike Cohen checks out the revitalized La Cage Brasserie Sportive at the Bell Centre and the Moishes Steak

When I sat down with Groupe Sportscene President Jean Bedard recently, he spoke glowingly about the restaurants under the company umbrella: La Cage, Brasserie Sportive; Moishes Steakhouse; PF Chang’s and Avenue.

We were chatting at the now-former PF Chang’s on Decarie, which will be converted into a state of the art Cage facility by next spring. Bedard asked whether I had experienced the newly renovated Bell Centre location, urging me to do so. On a recent Sunday afternoon, I did just that.

Mike Cohen and Glenn J. Nashen go kosher at Luzzatto on Decarie

September 15, 2019
Mike Cohen and Glenn J. Nashen go kosher at Luzzatto on Decarie

When my friend Glenn and I recently had to attend an event at the Ramada Plaza Hotel on Decarie near Plamondon, I suggested we try the Luzzatto Kosher Restaurant.

I have been driving by this location for years and noticed previous incarnations of this dining establishment and hotel. It was recently rebranded a Ramada Plaza from Quality Inn and got a complete facelift –inside and out.

Mike Cohen savors a first-class meal at the venerable Gibbys Steakhouse

September 7, 2019
Mike Cohen savors a first-class meal at the venerable Gibbys Steakhouse

There are restaurants in Montreal which merit being compared to a “unique dining experience” and Gibbys certainly qualifies for that category.

In 1969 Gilbert (Gibby) Rosenberg and two partners established a steakhouse in St. Sauveur. His nickname stuck and would soon become legendary. Three years later a second Gibbys opened up in a historic former stable in Place d’Youville in Old Montreal. The rest is history. Today, both locales continue to thrive. For a brief time, there was even South Florida locale in Fort Lauderdale.

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