Pizza Nova has expanded to more than 150 locations across Southern Ontario

Glenn J. Nashen: A new Vietnamese experience at Tran Cantine

When it comes to a Vietnamese dining-out experience in Montreal look no further than the Tran Family. Following up on our recent sensational night out at the newly launched Hang Bar in Old Montreal, Judy and I, along with our friends Dana and Jeff accepted an invitation to Marilyn Tran’s diner in St. Henri, aptly named Tran Cantine.

Review of Restaurant Hang: Glenn J. Nashen: Montreal’s Top-Notch Vietnamese Cuisine

What secret treasures await when a new restaurant opens? One can only imagine, until being lucky enough to be exposed to the sights, smells and tastes of Restaurant Hang. Such was the experience on a recent Thursday night when my wife and I made reservations at what has been billed as the “first haute cuisine Vietnamese restaurant” in Montreal. Sure, our city has plenty of upscale trendy places, but nothing quite like this new concept in Asian fine dining. It tantalized all of our senses, from the moment we walked through the doors and took in the sumptuous decor. Hang arrives as the newest restaurant in the renowned hospitality group JEGantic’s portfolio. Vietnamese cuisine will be elevated from its usual humble “mom and pop” eateries to a refined haute cuisine experience that celebrates the unique flavours of the Southeast Asian country. Montrealers will be fittingly welcomed to come “hang” and indulge in a culinary journey that reflects Vietnam’s rich heritage with an innovative spin on favourite dishes. We were greeted by Joyce Phanekham, the effervescent general manager, who was helpful and attentive to her guests throughout our two-and-a-half-hour dining experience. She promptly introduced us to one of the most personable restauranteurs we have yet to meet, Marylyn Tran. Marylyn teamed up with her husband Alain and the folks from JEGantic to create an experiential and uniquely Asian venue for traditional, authentic Vietnamese cuisine in a class of its own. And who better to know how to achieve this pinnacle other than the Tran family who already own several restaurants under the Tran Cantine banner? After all, Marylyn was raised in her parent’s kitchen where she acquired her unique taste, over at their St. Denis Street Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Tay Ho. The family started this business back in 1986 and it is still going strong. Indeed, the name Hang is a nod of appreciation to Marylyn’s mom. Marylyn grew up cherishing the culinary and cultural intricacies that captivated their family, friends and clientele and eventually branched out, opening her own chain of traditional Vietnamese restos. Located between Griffintown and Old Montreal, Hang will surely attract the young in-crowd, as well as tourists seeking a memorable night out on the town. Marylyn introduced us to her right-hand man, Marco, a knowledgeable and experienced server and cook who took care of us for our date-night. He described in great detail each dish served, with ease and familiarity as though he himself was the chef. We started out with, what else, Pho Wagyu Consommé, a classic noodle soup that Hang has enhanced with its elaborate preparation: 14 hours of cooking over at Tran Cantine. It had many delicate ingredients including Wagyu beef and fresh rice noodles. The aroma of truffle alone made this a mouth-watering winning choice. Judy’s Franco-Viet Salmon Tartare tasted “like the ocean.” This dish of salmon was served with old-fashioned mustard, crispy rice, shallots, green onions and long red peppers. My Five-Spiced Buttered Scalloped – Ngo Vi Houng consisted of three pan-fried scallops each nestled in its own Asian soup spoon and bathed in secret fish sauce. They were garnished with crushed nuts and a hint of lemon making them simply perfect. Judy enjoyed her main course of Vegan Red Curry, a locally sourced seasonal vegetable medley stewed in red curry paste, coconut milk, palm sugar and julienned taro. I literally licked my fingers while eating a homemade order of Banh Mi Foie Gras. Imagine pan-seared foie gras, caramelized onions, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, coriander, and homemade mayo with Hang special sauce on a soft baguette, an ode to Alain’s native city of Paris. It was served on a large banana leaf, and the garnish on all their plates was a work of art. So too was the elegantly designed cutlery. Joyce describes Hang as a chill environment to linger, drink, talk and share delicious dishes among friends. All the staff were extremely personable, friendly and helpful. The decor features exotic nature elements that mimic the dense greenery of Da Nang’s jungle. The soaring ceilings, leafy chandeliers and striking wood columns add an impressive grandeur to the place. There was a great vibe throughout our evening with lots of smiling, happy young patrons. Indeed, owing to the immersive bar environment diners must be 18 or older at Hang. Finally, our dessert was served. Gateau au Pandan was quite distinct and attractive but we both decided that the Creamy Coconut Flan with Banana was the clear winner. Hang has a flair for mixology. From our opening round of shots to our cocktails, and mocktails and ending with a Vietnamese Coffee Martini, they are pros at presentation, taste and hospitality. Marylyn and her crew may be new to the high-end market but the high-end market is also new to Vietnamese cuisine. They are truly passionate about their mission and are on a winning track. Our experience was delightful and our evening was enriched by their warm and hospitable demeanour. We felt like we were hanging out (no pun intended) with friends and family around an exquisitely prepared table of outstanding cultural cuisine. Who could ask for more? Hang is poised to become Montreal’s new must-visit dining destination. It is located at 686 Notre Dame Ouest in Old Montreal, Tuesdays to Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. Visit hangbar.ca or call 514 910-2227.

Glenn J. Nashen’s Five Alarm Culinary Adventure at Sushi Taxi

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.

Glenn J. Nashen discovers more than a good dinner at Casa Grecque in Chomedey

I was looking for a tasty, family-friendly take-out dinner and Casa Grecque in Chomedey was my next pick. My family and I love plentiful Greek salads and tangy appetizers, particularly during long, cold Quebec winters when delicious, plump red tomatoes are not in abundance. What I found at this spacious, well-decorated restaurant in Chomedey at the corner of St. Martin Blvd. and Daniel-Johnson Blvd. was far more than I could have imagined.

Nashen does Take-Out: Bistro Amerigo still heating up on Monkland

Bistro Amerigo may be a relatively small eatery, but during the pandemic lockdown the well-known West-End restaurant is doing large scale take-out and delivery. I last reported on Amerigo some two-and-a-half years ago and have returned numerous times with friends and family since then. The local “Garde Manger Italien” (or kitchen pantry) has maintained its flair for fine authentic dishes at reasonable prices, not far from home.

Glenn J. Nashen grabs a kosher slice at PizzaPita Prime

PizzaPita has been going strong in the Snowdon area for more than 30 years. With their recent move across Decarie Boulevard to the former Pizza Hut location in front of Decarie Square, at the corner of Decarie and Vezina, they have a prime spot to garner the attention of thousands of commuters, shoppers and locals each and every day. Hence they’ve rebranded PizzaPita to PizzaPita Prime.

Mike Cohen

Mike Cohen, born and raised in Côte Saint-Luc, has long been active in the community as a volunteer, journalist, and consultant. He profiles restaurants in Montreal and beyond.

mikecohen.ca and @mikecohencsl

As I enjoyed a nice walk along Church Street in downtown Toronto, I found myself standing beneath the Pizza Nova sign, hungry and curious. The aroma of freshly baked dough and melted cheese drifted through the air, promising comfort and satisfaction.

Founded in the Toronto suburb of Scarborough in 1963, Pizza Nova is a family-operated business that is committed to sharing the rich taste of Italy with Canadians. There are more than 150 stores and concession locations in Southern Ontario, inspired by family values such as trust, integrity, and authenticity. The company is known for its fresh toppings, high-quality ingredients and a wide range of authentic Italian menu items including lasagna, panzerotti, Italian sandwiches and chicken wings. They also have a line of Primucci-branded products featuring extra virgin olive oil, homestyle tomato sauce, Italian hot peppers, spicy green olives and sundried black olives.

Domenic Primucci, the president of Pizza Nova, comes by his passion for Italian food and the ingredients that create it. His father and uncles opened the original Pizza Nova in Scarborough, Ontario. The first franchised Pizza Nova opened in 1969, and since then, Pizza Nova and the Primucci family have helped hundreds of families own and operate their own stores. I am very impressed with how involved the company is in the community in terms of charitable endeavors.

What is a typical culinary experience here like? You can start with a slice of pepperoni pizza. The crust is crisp on the outside and soft within, providing the perfect foundation for the rich tomato sauce and generous layer of mozzarella. The pepperoni delivers just the right amount of spice, making each bite both familiar and rewarding.

There is also the Pesto Amore Pizza, where Pizza Nova shows its creative side. The pesto adds a fresh, herbaceous flavor that blends beautifully with the cheese and toppings. It feels lighter than a traditional pizza, yet every bite is packed with character.

You can also try the wings. Often a supporting player in a pizza meal, these wings confidently step into the spotlight. They are juicy, flavorful, and coated in a sauce that strikes a pleasant balance between sweet and spicy.

No visit is complete, I was told, without trying the garlic bread. Golden brown and fragrant, it arrives warm and buttery. The garlic flavor was bold without being overwhelming, making it the perfect companion to the pizza.

How much did I like Pizza Nova? A few days later, I went for lunch at another location on downtown Bay Street.

Pizza Nova was recently named the official pizza of Rogers Stadium, the Live Nation-operated outdoor concert venue at YZD in North York, bringing its signature quality and authentic offerings to one of Toronto’s most exciting live entertainment destinations. The partnership officially launched with Bruno Mars’s opening performances.

Pizza Nova President Domenic Primucci at Rogers Stadium, where his brand is the official pizza.

Born from a shared belief in the power of unforgettable experiences, the partnership reflects Pizza Nova’s commitment to bringing people together over great food and memorable moments. Much like live music, pizza has a way of connecting people, creating shared experiences that stay with fans.

“We believe great experiences deserve great food,” said Domenic Primucci, president of Pizza Nova. “Live music brings people together in a powerful way, and we saw an opportunity to elevate what fans can expect when attending a show at Rogers Stadium. We’re proud to bring our authentic pizza experience to one of Toronto’s premier entertainment venues.”

As the official pizza of Rogers Stadium, Pizza Nova will serve slices and dips from two dedicated concession locations throughout the venue. The partnership builds on Pizza Nova’s longstanding reputation for quality, strong brand recognition and deep roots in the Greater Toronto Area.

Located in North York, Rogers Stadium is a 50,000-capacity open-air music venue and the Greater Toronto Area’s largest purpose-built music venue, hosting some of the world’s biggest touring acts.

For more information, visit www.pizzanova.com.

Pizza Nova has expanded to more than 150 locations across Southern Ontario

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