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Tony Medeiros’ family celebrates Earth Day by getting take-out at Quesada

    My wife and I had some take-out from Quesada Burritos & Tacos. For the past two years, I have strictly ordered through take-out. I can honestly say some of the apps out there are frustrating. Some are hard to navigate. Some just take away from the experience of ordering. Quesada makes it so easy to order. It was such a pleasure using their interface. It was so easy to use. Just enter your location and presto you are ready to order. Pick a time when you want to pick it up. You can easily customize your burritos. Select your burrito combo and pay. That simple. No hassles. The user-friendly app makes it a pleasure to order from Quesada. If you are not into apps, you can call or pick-up yourself.

    For some of the best Japanese cuisine in Ottawa, Shinka Sushi Bar fits the bill

      Shinka Sushi Bar (previously known as New Generation Sushi) is located on Laurier Avenue West near Elgin. It has been around since 2004. When the COVID-19 pandemic, it pivoted exclusively to take-out and delivery. Their clientele responded in strong numbers so they have stuck to this format. A second location will open later this year at a location to be determined.

      Suffering from Red Lobster withdrawal? A trip to Ottawa will do the trick

        Red Lobster still operates in four Canadian provinces – Ontario, Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan. There are two locations in Ottawa. The one at 1499 St. Laurent Blvd., just as you enter the city, has always been our “go-to” spot. Twenty years ago, I did a few reviews for my newspapers and connected with General Manager Ian Forrester. When I went there for a curbside pickup back in December, Ian was still on the job. It turns out he has been there for an incredible 36 years.

        Tony Medeiros and his family order fresh meals from Beurre et Baguette

          Joseph Mantagaris is a globe-trotting chef who has garnished many years of experience in many countries.  At the age of sixteen, he started as a cook’s helper and has not looked back. He has cooked for celebrities. His wealth of cooking knowledge from every continent brought him back home to create a few restaurants in Montreal.  His passion now is with Beurre and Baguette. Your mouth will discover the plates he created from his travels. The ever-changing online menu has something for everybody.  You will find standards such as pizzas, kid corner meals for picky eaters, pasta meals, a variety of sushi, poke bowls and a wealth of salads. The menu keeps changing each day.

          Moe’s Bar & Grill West Island continues to achieve success three decades later

            For more years than I can remember I would drive to Pointe Claire just to enjoy a good smoked meat sandwich or some breakfast at Moe’s Bar & Grill. The menu had so many tempting items, I always tempted to return. On my way home from Ottawa recently I decided to make a pit stop and call in a large order that I could enjoy over a couple of days. When I arrived, longtime owner Johnny Cripotos was there to greet me.

            Montreal-owned chain The Works serves up some of the best burgers in Ontario

              As a foodie, I love the Ottawa restaurant scene. High on my list is The Works Craft Burgers & Beer (www.worksburger.com). Open since 2001, this wildly popular and award winning full-service neighbourhood bistro is known for its more than 30 different, hand-prepared gourmet burgers, bottomless fresh hand-cut fries, cool classic shakes and ice-cold beer, which are all 100 percent Canadian. The Works offers guests eight different patty options as well as gluten-free and vegetarian combinations to choose from.

              Tony Medeiros gets a tasting as Arahova opens its brand-new Pointe Claire location

              The 10th Arahova location in the Greater Montreal officially opened in Pointe Claire on January 8, 2022, at the Sources Mega Centre near Brunswick Avenue and next to Les 3 Brasseurs. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Quebec government regulations closing dining rooms, the Kalogrias family decided not to delay the debut and welcome customers for take-out and delivery.

              Kettlemans Bagel set to open its first Montreal location across from the Bell Centre

                Kettlemans hand-rolled Montreal style bagels, unique spreads, fresh salads, and sandwiches make the perfect breakfast-to-go, boardroom power lunch or late-night indulgence. Founder and Montreal native Craig Buckley opened the first store in August of 1993. When he started the business, he simply wanted to make the best bagels you could find. By rolling, “kettling,” and baking traditional Montreal Bagel in a wood burning-oven using handpicked hardwood, and maintaining an unwavering commitment to the traditional quality of the food, Kettlemans has become a food institution — 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 365 days a year — for 28 years. 

                Mike Cohen makes a stop for rotisserie chicken at Au Coq

                Au Coq has been part of the Quebec restaurant landscape for more than 60 years.  Since 2019 it has been part of the Foodtastic group (foodtastic.ca), which was enough to get my attention when I was in Dollard des Ormeaux and looking for a place to eat on Sources Blvd. There are presently 10 Au Coq franchises in Quebec (Dollard, St. Laurent, Marché Central, Hochelaga, Montreal East, St. Leonard, Central Station downtown and Gatineau). Opening soon will be locations in Terrebonne and Île-Perrot.

                Mike Cohen finds a very popular Petinos franchise in Dollard des Ormeaux

                  Sikellis and his team managed their way through the pandemic, but he told me clearly that I must come back to one of his locations when indoor dining could see what a sensation it is. I finally did so recently in Dollard, managed by Harry’s son Mike.   It was a Sunday morning and when I arrived the place was starting to get busy. By 10 am there was a lineup out the door. Mike, assisted by his mom Marina Tzanetakou, was busy checking vaccine passports.  There is plexiglass between tables, which are well spaced.

                  Osteria Pollino has opened to much applause in Little Italy

                    When I dropped by at a lunch hour to meet Dranias, Chef Armeni greeted us with a basket of bread, an appetizer of  Fritto Misto – deep-fried calamari, shrimp and smelt- and delicious bowls of busiate pasta, with a braised rabbit in fresh tomato sauce.

                    Mike Cohen gets into the game at the Station des Sports

                      At the Île-Perrot location, manager Costa Soilis  aims to please. He has been at this spot since it opened six years ago, having started off as a chef and then taking charge. Throughout the pandemic he kept the place running with take-out and delivery orders. Now he is overseeing the return to in-person dining. The terrasse season has regrettably ended for their patio can accommodate 90 people. He and wonderful server Sophie, who has also been on staff since the start (in between becoming a mom three times), told me how these days they also must play the role of COVID-19 vaccine passport copies. Regularly they have to prevent unwanted customers from coming through the front door.

                      Mike Cohen steps into history at the iconic Restaurant Greenspot

                        Greenspot is right out of a movie set. There are a few counter stools and enough vinyl booths to accommodate as many as 140 diners.  Each table has a jukebox. While the machines no longer function, some people still try to feed coins inside for some old songs. Music now is piped in via a Bell satellite.