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Mike Cohen savors the fine Mediterranean and Greek cuisine of Lesvos West in NDG

    On December 15, 1999, John Drymousis and wife Carmela opened their first Lesvos Restaurant on Mount Royal Street, at the corner of Brébeuf.

    John had been a waiter for years, but always dreamed of having his own dining establishment. Carmela was not in that industry at all, having earned a living the previous 12 years at the credit bureau of the Royal Bank of Canada. A decade earlier the couple had relocated to Fort Myers, Florida, where John had been offered a senior role by some Montreal businessmen at a 250 seat family restaurant. At the time their only child, daughter Mia, was a toddler.

    Mike Cohen celebrates Grilled Cheese Month at L’Gros Luxe

      I think one of the first food items I learned how to make myself was a grilled cheese sandwich. We had one of those grillers at home and all I needed was a slice of cheese, two pieces of bread and some margarine. Over the years I learned different variations: buttering up two sides of bread, slipping in the cheese and making it on the frying pan and or toasting two pieces of bread, applying the margarine then sticking it in the microwave for 30 seconds.

      Mike Cohen checks out the revitalized La Cage Brasserie Sportive at the Bell Centre and the Moishes Steak

        When I sat down with Groupe Sportscene President Jean Bedard recently, he spoke glowingly about the restaurants under the company umbrella: La Cage, Brasserie Sportive; Moishes Steakhouse; PF Chang’s and Avenue.

        We were chatting at the now-former PF Chang’s on Decarie, which will be converted into a state of the art Cage facility by next spring. Bedard asked whether I had experienced the newly renovated Bell Centre location, urging me to do so. On a recent Sunday afternoon, I did just that.

        Mike Cohen and Glenn J. Nashen go kosher at Luzzatto on Decarie

        When my friend Glenn and I recently had to attend an event at the Ramada Plaza Hotel on Decarie near Plamondon, I suggested we try the Luzzatto Kosher Restaurant.

        I have been driving by this location for years and noticed previous incarnations of this dining establishment and hotel. It was recently rebranded a Ramada Plaza from Quality Inn and got a complete facelift –inside and out.

        Mike Cohen savors a first-class meal at the venerable Gibbys Steakhouse

          There are restaurants in Montreal which merit being compared to a “unique dining experience” and Gibbys certainly qualifies for that category.

          In 1969 Gilbert (Gibby) Rosenberg and two partners established a steakhouse in St. Sauveur. His nickname stuck and would soon become legendary. Three years later a second Gibbys opened up in a historic former stable in Place d’Youville in Old Montreal. The rest is history. Today, both locales continue to thrive. For a brief time, there was even South Florida locale in Fort Lauderdale.

          Ai Dumpling

          Mike Cohen marvels at the new concept NDG restaurant Ai Dumpling

            For the past year, I kept noticing this small storefront with the name “Ai Dumpling” on the awning. I kept promising myself I would go inside and check the place out. It was only when a friend suggested we meet for lunch there that I did so and how glad I am that occurred for this is a most unique dining experience.

            Mike Cohen experiences the sushi magic at Restaurant Sho-dan

              One of the truly wonderful things about writing about restaurants is stepping inside a place you have seen and heard about for many years, yet never before experienced its menu. Such was the case recently for my family when we walked inside Restaurant Sho-dan on downtown Metcalfe Street for the very first time. Let me say from the outset that if you are a lover of sushi like I am and have never tried this spot before then make a reservation without delay.

              Mike Cohen and friends have a blast at Jukebox Burgers & Bar Laitier in DDO

                After dining at Jukebox Burgers & Bar Laitier in Dollard des Ormeaux for the first time, I asked myself why I had waited so long to do so? The place opened up in Marché de l’Ouest on de Salaberry in 2010. Marc Emond, Derek Hirsch and Mark Gawronski were original partners in creating this very unique concept and while it took a few years to build a clientele, the place is now an unqualified success.

                Mike Cohen dines at the Windmill Heights Golf & Country Club

                  If you are looking for a gorgeous backdrop and a pure country atmosphere for dinner one summer weekend evening, the Windmill Heights Golf & Country Club in Notre-Dame-de-l’Île-Perrot, would make for an excellent choice.

                  It has been six years now since the Carbone family purchased the picturesque Île Perrot Golf Club and rebranded it as the Windmill Heights Golf & Country Club, placing an entirely new stamp on the popular operation.

                  Mike Cohen experiences the newest RYU Sushi restaurant on Peel Street

                    From the moment my wife and I first experienced RYU Sushi last winter, we were hooked on this place. For several months we dined exclusively at the RYU Westmount location. With news that the Peel Street spot had relocated into large premises we were curious to give that venue a try. Manager Jorge Da Silva was there to greet us.