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The Nashen family falls in “LOV” with first dine-in experience since restaurants reopened

    Our first restaurant outing since the pandemic was to Cuisine Botanique LOV in Laval’s trendy Centropolis. While apprehensive about returning to dining out, any tension quickly dissipated as we approached the modern eatery along the wide, car-free boulevard. There we found an airy and very inviting terrasse. We were greeted by the friendly staff who showed us to our outdoor table set-back from other dinner guests.

    Restaurant Kitchen73 experiments with carryout service at their Dollard-des-Ormeaux location

      I had the opportunity to review Kitchen73 on 45A, Boulevard Brunswick, H9B 1P7 in Dollard-des-Ormeaux. (https://kitchen73.ca) They are located across from Cinémas Guzzo des Sources on Boulevard Brunswick. I elected to go in person for carryout.

      The service was quick and professional. It did not take long to prepare my meal. The staff is well equipped to handle the current pandemic situation. Dino Semeraro, the co-owner of the Dollard-des-Ormeaux location, explained to me that they are keeping the two-meter distance rule by having a long table between the staff and the client when they are served their orders. The staff is taking every precaution and dressed to code with gloves and masks to help stop any transfer of COVID-19.

      Ryú Sushi introduces a top-notch and safe take-out and delivery service: first we report on Peel Street

        For the past few weeks, my family and I have gone through some major sushi withdrawal. So we were delighted to hear that Ryú Sushi (www.ryusushi.ca) had reopened its Peel and Westmount locations for take-out and delivery.

        Ryú (Japanese for Dragon) is known throughout Montreal for its fresh ingredients and a unique philosophy of respect for the environment and one another. The place specializes in high-end sustainable sushi.

        Peel is open from Tuesday to Saturday whereas Westmount is open from Thursday to Monday, both with different menus. We decided to order from Peel first; Westmount is penciled in for next week.

        First a little bit about the precautions they are taking during this COVID-19 pandemic.

        Mike Cohen stops by new Carrefour Laval food court sensation New York Fries

          There are many reasons why like to shop at Carrefour Laval. The food court, for one, ranks as one of the best in Quebec as far as I am concerned.

          I recently dropped by for a bite en route to a meeting and I came across the newest addition to the food court: New York Fries. It is a simple kiosk featuring hot dogs, French fries and poutine, but judging from the lineup it appears to have caught the fancy of passersby.

          Mike Cohen and family enjoy a superb dining experience at La Sirène de la Mer

            Joseph Cheaib was 10 years old when he first arrived in Montreal with his family from Lebanon. One of nine children, it became clear pretty quickly that his career path would end up involving the food industry.

            It was the Cheaib family who started the hugely successful ethnic food retailer Marché Adonis. From a small store on Faillon Street, it has grown to become a powerhouse chain across Quebec and Ontario. In 2011 it was purchased by supermarket giant Metro.

            Mike Cohen gets a tasting at Le Cathcart Restaurants and Biergarten

              Montrealers are starting to get spoiled vis-à-vis the food court experience.

              First came TimeOut Market Montreal at Eaton Centre, featuring 16 eateries, three full bars, a cooking school, a demo kitchen and a shop brimming with goods and local artisans.

              Now comes Le Cathcart Restaurants and Biergarten, a $1 billion investment from Ivanhoé Cambridge.

              I was invited to both openings and to say I was impressed is an understatement.

              Mike Cohen reports on La Queue de Cheval Steakhouse and Raw Bar & its imminent Toronto expansion

                As La Queue de Cheval Steakhouse and Raw Bar located at 1181 Avenue de la Montagne, marks 21 years in business, owner Peter Morentzos has some exciting news to announce.

                In early 2020, the Q will open up in Toronto at 224 King Street in the base of a glitzy condo building. Morentzos will tell me more soon so stay tuned to this space, but the prime location is right next to the Royal Alexandra Theatre in the very heart of Toronto’s entertainment district.

                Mike Cohen gets a taste of the new Pasta Presto Restaurant in Anjou

                  I first met Antoine Zammit when he was a teenager attending Laurier Macdonald High School in St. Léonard. It appeared, even back then, that he had some true entrepreneurial talents. We kept in touch over the years via Facebook and email, but when he decided to open his own restaurant in Anjou he extended an invitation for me to come as a guest and give it a try.

                  Miranda Medeiros has breakfast at Allô Mon Coco Sources

                    I recently went out with a friend and enjoyed a meal at Allô Mon Coco Sources. The restaurant décor was cute, polished, and charming with its breakfast inspired designs. It was a nice friendly place, clean and modern. The servers we had, Steve and Laura, were friendly and fun. Laura was especially lovely with her bright smile and bubbly personality, my friend started referring to her as ‘the angel’.

                    Mike Cohen lands at the Semaphore Restaurant at the DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal Airport

                      The beautiful DoubleTree by Hilton Montreal Airport Hotel in Dorval opened towards the end of 2018 and not only has occupancy been high, but for the better part of the past year people I know were giving rave reviews about both its restaurant and bar known as the Sephamore.

                      What does the word “Sephamore” mean? This is the person you see on the tarmac of an airport guiding a plane by waving flags to its proper parking spot upon landing.

                      Mike Cohen stops by the kosher Deli Boyz at Quartier Cavendish

                        I have lived most of my life in the City of Côte Saint-Luc so when it came time to go to a restaurant close by for dinner or pickup, the Famous Delly Boys always won out. Owners Sonny and Chico made some great smoked meat sandwiches and had other signature items such as the pizza burger. The iconic spot shut its doors for good in 2015 after 53 years in business.


                        Three years ago Emmanuel Darmond purchased the kosher Sorsky’s Deli at the Quartier Cavendish food court and he renamed it the Deli Boyz. “It is a nostalgic name,” Emmanuel told me when I stopped by recently for a bite. “The spelling is different and we do not use the word ‘Famous,’ and we think it has caught on.”

                        Glenn J. Nashen finds African cuisine in Plateau Mont-Royal

                          Always on the lookout for something different and experiential to try among Montreal’s thousands of restaurants, I recently happened upon a great find tucked in among the eclectic, unique spots in Montreal’s Mile End district of Plateau Mont-Royal. And of the many eateries I’ve experienced in our great city this was my first outing to an African restaurant (northwestern Africa to be more specific, and Mauritanian to be pinpoint accurate).