Bar Otto is one of this city’s most compelling culinary experiences

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.

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

In a city blessed with no shortage of exceptional dining destinations, Bar Otto has quietly established itself as one of Montreal’s most compelling culinary experiences. Nestled along Notre-Dame Street West in Little Burgundy, the restaurant succeeds in marrying the refined traditions of Japanese cuisine with the relaxed conviviality that defines Montreal’s dining culture.

After dining at Hana Korean Steakhouse in Old Montreal last winter, owner Hanhak Kim encouraged me to experience his Bar Otto. On a recent Saturday night, we did just that. The 70-seat establishment is a gem and has officially been added to my list of “go-to” places. In the summer, the windows open wide, garage-style, bringing in the fresh air. The interior is beautifully designed. Even the washrooms have nostalgic mini turntables playing pleasant music

Bar Otto first opened one week before the COVID-19 shutdown in 2020. It survived that period with take-out options and quickly gained a loyal following among Sud Ouest diners. As time went on, it began to attract a much larger audience, with people coming from across the island, not to mention many tourists, given its location.

Maureen Rouge is the general manager. She originally joined the team as the curator for the beverage program, taking great care to oversee the wine and sake selection. Leading the kitchen is Chef Yutaka Abe, whose menu celebrates the finest seafood and the changing seasons. His approach is both delicate and comforting, drawing inspiration from Japanese culinary traditions while embracing the freshest daily ingredients. Every plate reflects a meticulous attention to detail without sacrificing warmth or accessibility. He came to Montreal 25 years ago from Japan and brought a lot of expertise.

When our server described the diverse menu items, she strongly recommended the heirloom tomatoes – their hidden secret. A vibrant celebration of the season’s finest produce, this dish showcases colorful heirloom tomatoes paired with a silky tofu mousse, creating a delicate balance of freshness and creaminess. Crisp lotus root adds an earthy crunch, while a fragrant herb oil brings brightness and depth to every bite. Light, elegant, and beautifully composed, it is a refreshing starter that highlights texture, flavor, and the natural beauty of each ingredient.

We then went about sharing a variety of selections. Of course, we wanted sushi and we went for an elegant selection of 10 handcrafted nigiri, curated daily by Chef Abe to showcase the freshest seafood available. Each piece was carefully prepared with perfectly seasoned sushi rice and topped with premium fish and delicacies chosen at their peak. We then added two exquisite pieces of toro nigiri, showcasing the prized fatty belly of premium tuna. Delicately hand-pressed and draped over perfectly seasoned sushi rice, each bite offered a luxurious melt-in-your-mouth texture, rich buttery flavor, and a clean, lingering finish.

We continued our journey to Japan with the Osaka-style torched salmon oshizushi, a refined interpretation of traditional pressed sushi, featuring pristine salmon layered over seasoned sushi rice with spicy mayo and jalapenos. The result was a beautifully balanced bite with a delicate texture, subtle sweetness,

Next came something completely different- skewers. It was a pleasant surprise on the menu for us. One contained Wagyu beef with Montreal Otto spices and the other cod cheeks with honey-miso butter.

The surprises continued with the duck confit mazemen, containing duck leg, egg, truffle oil, bonito and sake sauce and noodles. We were advised to cut the duck up and mix it all about.

We certainly enjoyed some drinks from the bar, notably, of course, the sake, the Kakurei Junmai Ginjo to be more precise.

As for dessert, the chocolate and matcha opera cake was just perfect to conclude the evening. A refined twist on the classic French opera cake, this elegant dessert layers delicate almond sponge with silky matcha buttercream and rich dark chocolate ganache. The earthy, slightly bittersweet notes of premium Japanese matcha beautifully complement the deep intensity of the chocolate, creating a harmonious balance of flavors. Finished with a glossy chocolate glaze and precise, delicate detailing, each bite is smooth, sophisticated, and indulgently satisfying.

Bar Otto is open Tuesday to Saturday evenings at 2695 Rue Notre-Dame. Log on to https://www.barottomtl.com/ or call (514) 419-0909.

Bar Otto is one of this city’s most compelling culinary experiences

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