Juliette & Chocolat is more than chocolate, it’s a festival for the senses. My daughter and I were invited to the grand opening of their new location on the west island. We were greeted with an overflowing chocolate fountain of delight. I felt like I was on a Willy Wonka factory tour with my inner child. This was not going to be a regular review of the norm. There were kids with plastic bib aprons ready to get messy with their chocolate treats. Yes, get ready to get messy with your chocolate food. This was a perfect opportunity to spend some quality father-daughter time at Juliette & Chocolat. This is the place where your sweet tooth gets re-activated. Everything in the restaurant looks so chocolicious! That should be a word.
MTL Resto Rap
The first Billy K’s in Quebec opened on Boulevard de Gare in Vaudreuil in March. That has since been followed by a May debut on Lacordaire in St. Leonard. Laval is slated to join the group by the end of the year. A few years back Bountis was in Cornwall to open a new Mr. Puffs when he came across a spot called Billy K’s, specializing in burgers, wraps and other comfort food. It turned out the owner was looking to sell. He and his sister Fotini and partners Melih Batri and John Sanoudakis decided to purchase the brand.
Not even a major shutdown of Notre Dame Street in Little Burgundy could keep us away from a gastronomic luxury take-out of sushi and Asian fusion at Sushi Taxi. No exaggeration! The fire department literally closed down the street for an emergency. However, the conscientious staff called to say, 'stand by'. As soon as the 'all clear' sounded we headed into the bistro-chique locale.
BeaverTails evokes wonder for many people. I always get excited when I see a food truck at our local grocery store on the West Island. When you have a guest over, there is nothing great but to offer them a BeaverTail. The company has come a long way from its original concept in 1978. They now offer 12 different varieties of Beavertails. Besides Tim Hortons, there is nothing more Canadian than BeaverTails. Dignitaries from around the globe have tasted Canada’s most famous indulgence. The brand is so popular that it reaches out to six other countries.
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.
Boustan has been in a steady expansion mode in recent years, with 40 locations and counting. Ottawa and Toronto franchises have come on board. By the time 2022 draws to a close that number will grow to an astonishing 60. That will include Cornwall and New Brunswick.
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.
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.
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.