Let me say from the start that I have been a huge fan of the Bâton Rouge Steakhouse & Bar Restaurant chain (batonrouge.ca) since the original Carrefour Laval location opened in 1992. It was at that time a gentleman by the name of Kosta Mavrohalis created the concept. Twenty-six years later the group has grown to 29 venues in Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia. The 30th will debut soon in St. Hyacinthe.
Renowned for its famous Rotisserie chicken and delicious back ribs, the first Scores Rotisserie opened its doors in Montreal in 1995. As a growing business, their network of franchises now include some 38 rotisseries across Quebec and Ontario.
Scores rotisserie insists on always giving its clients only the best quality at the best possible price. It’s with that in mind that Scores recently inaugurated its flagship Franchise Training Centre. MtlRestoRap caught up with Scores Chief Operating Officer Ronald Simard to visit the new centre located on St. Laurent Boulevard in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville Borough of Montreal.
Simard proudly showed off the training centre as though he built it himself. And in a sense, that’s just what he did. It was Simard’s idea, after all, to create a, “school system for franchisees to attain real life experience.” The program lasts for 10 weeks and franchisees are put through every routine in the restaurant to gain hands on experience for every position they will have to fill in their own locations.
“We needed a strong support mechanism to train our team,” Simard told us. “You need to teach it, measure it and watch it grow,” said the affable COO.
Scores is one of the few banners to offer the vocational qualification program in cooking through an apprenticeship program.
While 38 locations are currently in operation, including two in Ontario, there are several new locations opening soon. The next restaurant will open in Longueuil in May, while a month later two new franchises will open in Dollard-des-Ormeaux and on Lacordaire Blvd. Simard let us in on a secret, that a new site is also being planned for the Notre-Dame-de-Grace district, in Montreal’s West End.
Scores is particularly excited about their latest innovation, a brimming salad bar they call the Grand Saladier. This display of fresh, colourful vegetables rivals the best chains in Canada and the U.S. The Grand Saladier offers soups, salads and fruit. They have chicken, chorizo, hearts of palm, northern shrimp and so much more! The Grand Saladier includes:
The Grand Saladier is included, free, with chicken and rib entrees. For other meals it is available for a modest charge.
Non-meat eaters will be pleased with the fish choices on the menu, such as cod and salmon.
Charles Dufresne, Executive chef for the entire chain stated that, “No restaurant has a salad bar like this one. Everything is prepared fresh, on site.”
An entirely new menu was launched across the entire chain this past January, Dufresne told those at the official launch.
The newer stores sport the urban model, with modern lighting and decor, high ceilings and earthy tones with seating for up to 186 dining patrons in a 5700 sq. ft. setup.
So environmentally conscientious are the developers, they’ve now purchased 100 percent electric, Kia Soul cars for local deliveries.
The new concept stores are designed with private rooms that can accommodate community organizations and local businesses for their catered gatherings as well as those throwing parties or large family dinners.
Anik Tétreault, Scores Director of Marketing welcomed the Mayor of the Ahuntsic-Cartierveille borough, Émilie Thuillier.
“This is an excellent restaurant to welcome into the borough and to help revitalize this shopping centre,” the mayor said. She was also excited to learn about the electric delivery cars, that will roll silently, and pollution-free, through her borough.
The mayor was accompanied by newly-elected city councillor Hadrien Parizeau, also a member of the city’s Executive Committee, and grandson of former Quebec Premier Jacques Parizeau.
As part of the kick-off event, guests were treated to exclusive hors d’oeuvres including buns stuffed with shrimp and crab meat, crispy BBQ chicken wings and drumsticks with a tangy sauce and smoked meat wrapped in bacon.
Scores is part of the Imvescor Group of Restaurants, which was recently acquired by Group MTY.
From the modern appointed restaurant decor, to the enthusiastic staff to the innovative and incredibly tasty nibbles that night, they stand true to their motto: “A Great Deal More at Scores.”
For more information log on to www.scores.ca
By Glenn J. Nashen
I have always loved the Embassy Suites brand, but when Stewart handed me a menu I was impressed with the selection. Located across the street from the Palais des congrès and minutes from Old Montreal, the hotel’s Ristorante Atrio has a steady clientele from hotel guests alone for breakfast, lunch, supper and the very popular Manager’s Reception. But as Stewart told me, because of the attractive menu, combined with excellent prices, many people at conventions at the Palais or headed to or from the Old Montreal have discovered this hidden gem.
I often drive down Lacordaire Boulevard in St. Léonard for business. The large Scores Restaurant on that strip was always a big favorite of mine. Then last year I noticed the sign in front had disappeared, replaced by Grillys 9305.
Recently, curiosity got the best of me and I dropped in to meet owner Maria Tsimboukis, her sister and brother-in-law George Tsonis. George has decades of restaurant experience under his belt and serves as the general manager. After undertaking extensive renovations and re-branding the property Grillys 9305 (the latter is their civic address) they opened and customers began to arrive in droves.
I must confess that I am quickly becoming a huge fan of foodora, the on-demand food delivery service.
Le Bird Bar joined foodora a few months ago. You must check the foodora site first to see which days you can order from Le Bird Bar. At the moment they do not provide the service Thursday through Sunday. “We are really happy with the arrangement,” Lallouz told me. “Customers are so pleased to have this opportunity to get our chicken and other favorites right to their door. At the moment it is the only type of delivery service we provide and the system works very well. Foodora was so reputable, it was an easy choice to go with them.”
From the moment Scores Restaurants (https://www.scores.ca) made its debut in Quebec in 1995 I was a fan. Renowned for its famous Rotisserie chicken and delicious back ribs, it now has over 38 restaurants and counting in Quebec and Ontario.
A subsidiary of Montreal-based company Imvescor Inc (imvescor.ca) which also oversees the operations of Baton Rouge, Toujour Mikes, Ben & Florentine and Pizza Delight, Scores always appealed to me for many reasons. It starts off with their terrific all you can eat, soup, salad and fruit bar, a great way to start a meal. You can literally make that experience your meal or for a small add on price get things rolling with some soup and a wide array of choices.
Dunn’s Famous Decarie Boulevard benefits from a winning formula.
Nine years ago a Dunn’s Famous opened on Decarie Boulevard near Jean Talon in the spot that once housed La Diligence (The Stage Coach). It shares the same parking lot with Kanda Sushi and Amir. Expertly run by General Manager Tony Sama and co-manager Eric Blake, this is well-oiled machine which is always crowded. They know how to treat the client here. The dining room can seat 105. They also have a busy takeout business and offer home delivery from 5 pm to 11 pm., the latter requiring a minimum $15 order before tax. The place is open 24 hours Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and up until 2 am on other days.
There was a time not too long ago when I did not particularly care for sushi. We’d go to a sushi restaurant or pick it up for home and I’d generally order chicken or salmon teriyaki. However, while frequenting the popular Mikado Restaurant (www.mikadomontreal.com), I gradually developed a taste for this amazing Japanese favorite.
Mikado first opened its doors in 1987 on St. Denis Street and followed that up with another locale on Laurier Street near Hutchison. The latter relocated to a new and larger space nine years ago. Chef-owner Kimio Nguyen introduced an NDG locale on Monkland Avenue in 16 years ago.
When I heard that the Pacini restaurant chain had launched a new program to deal with food waste, I was intrigued.
Every year on Earth, people waste 1.3 billion tons of food, which is responsible for releasing 3.3 gigatons of greenhouse gases per year. According to FAO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, this is not only a major economic loss, but also “a serious detriment to the natural resources humanity depends on for nourishment.” In addition, the more food that’s wasted, the bigger the environmental impact.
For a few years now, when in Old Montreal, I have walked by BEVO Bar + Pizzeria (http://bevopizza.com/en) on St. Vincent and noticed the lively atmosphere. Via word of mouth I began to hear very good things about the food.
BEVO was on my list of restaurants to try in 2017 and on a recent Sunday evening it was mission accomplished. Our party of three were seated at a window side table with the charming Rebecca as our server. She has been on staff for three years and is presently studying accounting at university
