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Mike Cohen

Mike Cohen gets filled up at the truly unique Deville Dinerbar

    Deville Dinerbar is unlike any diner you’ve been in: a lovechild of whimsical nostalgia and 21st-century spirit.

    I have been to Deville a number of times since it opened in the past decade, but more recently I was invited back by my friend Louie Mercuri. He is a veteran in the restaurant business and our paths have happily passed on a number of occasions. When he landed at the RD3 Restaurant Group as part of the management team he invited me to visit for an exclusive tasting.

    Mike Cohen explores newest Madisons Restaurant & Bar franchise on Decarie

      Madisons Restaurant & Bar has always been one of those dining establishments I have truly appreciated for its well-balanced menu: terrific appetizers, salads, tartares, soups, burgers and sandwiches, steak, seafood, pasta, chicken, ribs, sides and decadent desserts. There is also a neat bar setup.

      Mike Cohen goes back to an all-time favorite in P.F. Chang’s

        Let me begin by saying what a huge fan I have been of P.F.Chang’s going back well before the iconic global chain first landed in Montreal. From Miami to Chicago and closer by in Albany, if there was a P.F. Chang’s in a city I visited they could count on me as a customer.

        Mike Cohen checks in to Bar George at Le Mount Stephen on Drummond Street

          Mike Yuval and Jack Sofer are the visionaries behind the Tidan Hospitality and Real Estate Group (www.tidan.com), a company they launched and built from the ground up some 50 years ago. They have much to be proud of, but when I met with them recently it was Le Mount Stephen they wanted to present to me.

          Mike Cohen Discovers Souvlaki Bar: a nice choice of menu items and large portions

            I recently experienced the Laval Centropolis location of Souvlaki Bar (http://souvlakibar.ca) upon the suggestion of friends who joined us for dinner on a beautiful Saturday evening. There were six of us. The place, which debuted in September 2014, can accommodate 150 people over two floors (plus a terrace). It was filled to capacity. Manager Matthew Perez had us seated and assigned wonderful server Maro to our table, an artist who specializes in sculptures.

            Mike Cohen happily returns to Elounda: Mediterranean cuisine at its best

              Elounda was established in 2003 by Gary Makris and Haralambos (Bobby) Michailidis. As Bobby told me, he and Gary`s first order of business was to lure their good friend Tasso Konidis over as a partner and head chef. Tasso was rather busy, having head the kitchen at Milos on Park Avenue for the previous 20 years. This included launching the Milos brand in New York City. “It took a year, but we did it,” said Bobby.

              Mike Cohen takes a trip to Brit & Chips and enjoys some maple syrup batter

                For years I have driven by the three Montreal locations of Brit & Chips (www.britandchips.com), curious about the experience but never venturing inside. When I had to drop a family member off for a doctor’s appointment recently on Côte des Neiges Road, I did a google search for restaurants nearby. Brit & Chips was a mere two blocks away.

                Mike Cohen reviews the Firegrill Restaurants: Downtown and St. Laurent locations going strong

                  It has been almost 20 years since the Theo family opened their first Firegrill Restaurant in the same St. Laurent complex which houses the Cinemas Guzzo Méga- Plex Sphèretech 14. In 2007 a downtown location on Stanley Street followed. After experiencing their cuisine with my family for the very first time, we are all asking ourselves the same question: How in the world did we miss this place?

                  Mike Cohen steps inside the 40 Westt Steakhouse & Bar

                    There are a lot of good restaurants on the West Island of Montreal. But since it first opened in 2002, 40 Westt Steakhouse & Bar has “carved” a solid reputation for fine dining and an ambiance that cannot be beaten.

                    Conveniently located right off Highway 40 in the Méga Centre Pointe Claire, owners Stefano Hinoropos, John Leonis and their staff aim to please. This very attractive venue features large ceilings, good lighting, nice artwork, interior brick walls and pleasant music playing in the background. You cannot miss the spacious open kitchen. The restaurant can accommodate 110 people in the main room, 90 at the bar, 100 in a private room and 66 in the wine room. For a cocktail cocktail denature, the number swells to over 1,000.