One of the truly wonderful things about writing about restaurants is stepping inside a place you have seen and heard about for many years, yet never before experienced its menu. Such was the case recently for my family when we walked inside Restaurant Sho-dan on downtown Metcalfe Street for the very first time. Let me say from the outset that if you are a lover of sushi like I am and have never tried this spot before then make a reservation without delay.
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
After dining at Jukebox Burgers & Bar Laitier in Dollard des Ormeaux for the first time, I asked myself why I had waited so long to do so? The place opened up in Marché de l’Ouest on de Salaberry in 2010. Marc Emond, Derek Hirsch and Mark Gawronski were original partners in creating this very unique concept and while it took a few years to build a clientele, the place is now an unqualified success.
Thursday's has been a Montreal institution on Crescent Street since 1973. The brainchild of Bernard Ragueneau and his former partner Sonny Lindy, it was a restaurant, bar and nightclub all rolled into 24,000 square feet of property spread over three floors.
If you are looking for a gorgeous backdrop and a pure country atmosphere for dinner one summer weekend evening, the Windmill Heights Golf & Country Club in Notre-Dame-de-l'Île-Perrot, would make for an excellent choice.
It has been six years now since the Carbone family purchased the picturesque Île Perrot Golf Club and rebranded it as the Windmill Heights Golf & Country Club, placing an entirely new stamp on the popular operation.
From the moment my wife and I first experienced RYU Sushi last winter, we were hooked on this place. For several months we dined exclusively at the RYU Westmount location. With news that the Peel Street spot had relocated into large premises we were curious to give that venue a try. Manager Jorge Da Silva was there to greet us.
Over the past 20 years I have spent a lot of time in Montreal North thanks to my day job with the English Montreal School Board. So why did it take me so long to stop by a place that can best be described as steamy hot dog heaven?
In case you have not noticed, I am a huge fan of the growing Petros Taverna family of dining establishments in the Montreal area.
Owner Ted Drainias is a man on the move. Years ago he first brought us Peter’s Cape Cod on the West Island. Then came La Trattoria on Notre Dame Street in Griffintown, where he introduced the maiden Petros right next door in May of 2015. It was such an instant success that in December 2016 he expanded with Petros Westmount at the corner of St. Catherine Street and Grosvenor.
En route to the Centaur Theatre in Old Montreal recently, I followed the practice of so many people and made a reservation next door at Bonaparte Restaurant on Saint Francois-Xavier. While this place is indeed a favorite of those heading to or from a show, it has an extraordinary reputation among regulars and newbies alike which is why reservations are definitely recommended.
Let me begin by telling you that all of my life I resisted the temptation of poutine. The Quebec, creation of French fries and cheese curds topped with a brown gravy just did not appeal to me. Then I was invited to the grand opening of the new Poutineville franchise on Queen Mary Road and my attitude changed completely.