There is a new player on the Old Montreal restaurant scene. Joiea Sociale (645 Wellington Street) opened for business in June 2018 - an authentic urban Italian eatery with a young and vibrant sense of local community spirit.
Posts published in “Mike Cohen”
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.
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.
Growing up, The Bar-B Barn was always a favorite restaurant for my family. As such, we would frequently dine or take out from the downtown Guy or West Island Sources Boulevard locations.
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.
The Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel opened back in 2009. I have made many trips back and forth to Pierre Elliott Trudeau International in Dorval since that time, I always take a glance at this beautiful property with a great amount of curiosity.
I must confess that it had been a few years since I dined at a Mikes Restaurant. But after going to a few movies at the Cinemas Guzzo Spheretech 14 in St. Laurent in recent months and seeing one of the new locales, I was anxious to give this iconic franchise another try.
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?
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.