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Thursday, September 28, 2023

Reviews:

Milestones has arrived in Quebec with the new Fairview Pointe-Claire location
The newly opened Hogar Steakhouse in Westmount effortlessly blends the rich heritage of Mexico
From a great raw bar to a top-notch menu Lucille’s Oyster Dive offers a great dining experience
RestoDishes Exclusive: Le Burger Week: Restaurant Paulo et Suzanne’s “Le Colosse” Burger
Le Burger Week 2023: BBurger, Patty Slaps, and Centre Philou represent a nice collection

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Ottawa Reviews

Lavender Grill and Lounge adds some definite flavor and color to the Byward Market
Lavender Grill and Lounge opened in the Byward Market in the summer of 2022, the vision of owner Reza Khakbaz. Lavender, of course, is a light shade of purple or violet. It applies particularly to the color of the flower of the same name. Khakbaz and his team have certainly taken advantage of the connection, from the décor to the coloring of some of the drinks like my blackberry smash tea mocktail, a combination of blackberry and Earl Grey tea.
The magic touch of John Borsten: Starling, YOW and Apothecary are his latest creations
John Borsten is indeed the picture of success when it comes to Ottawa restaurateurs. Borsten is the visionary behind five Zak’s Diner locations, Zak’s Cantina, Grand Pizzeria, the Metropolitain Brasserie as well as the historic York on William (YOW) building, which encompasses Starling Restaurant & Bar and Apothecary Cocktail Lounge The latter are part of a multiple-dining concept featuring a rooftop terrace and street-level patio.
Pierrefonds native Christopher Michaud is proud of his Marzitelli Restaurant in Ottawa
Christopher Michaud and Caleigh, with my breakfast order. When I first started visiting Ottawa on a semi-regular basis a few years ago, filing restaurant stories, a former colleague from The Suburban Newspaper Christopher Michaud reached out. The West Island Pierrefonds native was now in the nation’s capital and operating a supper club called Marzitelli and named after his Italian mother. On my most recent trip to Ottawa, I went to visit with Chris and take advantage of the ever-so-popular Marzitelli Sunday brunch. We sat on the beautiful rooftop terrace, overlooking hopping Elgin Street. Chris’s charming wife Fei helps manage the place and on this day his niece Caleigh was my server. Fei also handles the bar and provides great renditions of classic cocktails and specializes in custom house favourites. Ask about her Amaretto Sour or Fei’s Negroni! The breakfast was top-notch. Chris recommended I try their Galette au Saumon Fumé: two sunny-side-up eggs, accompanied by a potato galette topped with Norwegian smoked salmon, wafer-thin red onion, sour cream & capers. On the side, you can have some crispy roasted potatoes or a garden salad, garnished with fruit. A Galette is a rustic French tart, but the Marzitelli version looks and tastes a lot more like a latke. “I worked at Chenoy’s on Boulevard St. Jean when I was a student at John Rennie High School,” Chris told me. “I made plenty of latkes in those days.” I also ordered a clubhouse wrap to take back with me for lunch, marinated chicken breast, roasted peppers, onions, bacon and mozzarella. It was delicious, especially after putting it in the microwave oven for 30 seconds. Chris left Montreal in 2013 to pursue his love for music and cooking, landing in Toronto. Initially, he built websites and came up with a concept for online orders and deliveries for restaurants, preceding Uber and the other apps. He did that for three years until he decided to open a bar on Yonge Street. When the venue started attracting lineups for its drinks, music and pasta, a neighbouring restaurant took notice and proposed a merger. That arrangement lasted two years before Chris was on the move again, this time to the popular Ontario summer vacation spot of Wasaga Beach where he set up some food kiosks. He returned to Toronto in 2018 and established his first Marzitelli. This was a small operation, but business evolved nicely until the COVID-19 pandemic turned everything into pieces. By the fall of 2020, Chris and his wife decided that another fresh start was necessary and this time it would be Ottawa. His new version of Marzitelli materialized at some prime real estate at Elgin. The second-floor dining room and lounge can accommodate 220 people, plus 40 on the seasonal terrace. Facing east, it has the distinct advantage of an early morning sun and afternoon shade, for the perfect ambiance and maximum comfort. Of course, Michaud had arrived in Ottawa with COVID protocols still in place. Patience was required, but with a lot of hard work, Marzitelli has already gained a good following here, featuring performances by some of the city’s best musicians. The dinner menu is noted for excellent pasta dishes, all made from scratch and from the Marzitelli family recipe book, as well as French classics, pizzas, burgers, steak, shrimp, whiskey maple braised salmon, fish tacos, a poke bowl and more. Chris’s late dad was a musician and his mom was a cook. On the stage sits Chris’s baby grand piano and it isn’t uncommon to see him come out of the kitchen after dinner service to enjoy a few cocktails with the guests while playing well-known hits. Often, guests are also entertained by one of his many musical friends invited as performers. In fact, his house band is called the Men From Marz and performs about once a month. It includes Chris and NDG musician Dimo James Papadimitrios. Marzitelli is located at 360 Elgin Street. Hours of operation are 4 pm to 10 pm Wednesday, 11 am to 10 pm Thursday, 11 am to 1 am Friday and Saturday and 10 am to 4 pm Sunday. For more information call 613-870-1377, e-mail; info@marzitelli.ca, or log on to www.marzitelli.ca.
A return trip to the fabulous Métropolitain Brasserie in Ottawa
Last summer I made my first visit to the Métropolitain Brasserie in Ottawa, conveniently located next to the Byward Market at 700 Sussex. That is just steps away from Parliament Hill. Home to Ottawa’s largest oyster bar, the restaurant is open seven days a week, serving lunch, dinner and brunch on weekends.
Al’s Diner stands the test of time in Ottawa, noted for its all-day breakfast
My friend Jack has been telling me about Al’s Diner in Ottawa for some time now, a popular spot on Clyde Street that serves breakfast and a whole lot of other menu items all day long. Now that is my kind of place, so it was indeed time to explore.

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Reviews by Tony Medeiros

RestoDishes Exclusive: Le Burger Week: Restaurant Paulo et Suzanne’s “Le Colosse” Burger
RestoDishes exclusive: Restaurant Paulo et Suzanne is a delightful eatery adorned with 1950s-inspired decor that exudes a distinct Québécois influence. The extensive menu and ingenious use of space provide a comprehensive dining experience worth indulging in.
Weekends Mean Takeout Bliss – and Gigi Pizzeria in Pointe-Claire Village Takes the Crown!
Gigi Pizzeria is nestled in Pointe-Claire village. Every corner of Quebec seems to have its cherished pizza haven, a place where the locals hold fervent convictions that it reigns supreme in terms of being the most delectable, the oiliest, the cheesiest, or the heartiest, among other attributes.
Medeiros family tries yummy smash burgers at Yumi Burger near Concordia University
We met our daughter downtown and she came up with a fantastic recommendation to eat at smash burger specialists Yumi Burger, conveniently situated at 1448 Rue Mackay in the heart of Montreal. A smash burger refers to a variety of hamburger creations involving the action of “smashing” or pressing down on a spherical mass of ground beef onto a heated cooking surface, commonly a griddle or skillet.
Madame Poulet: New local restaurant comes to Pointe-Claire
Have you heard the news? Madame Poulet (madamepoulet.com) has just opened a brand new location in Pointe-Claire! I recently had the pleasure of visiting the restaurant and was delighted by the experience.
Athena Pizzeria restaurant, a great new find on West Island
Every neighborhood has a cozy dependable pizzeria in Montreal. The West Island has a handful of great pizzerias. I discovered Athena Pizzeria in Pierrefonds-Roxboro close to Boulevard Sources. This fine eatery is no stranger to the loyal patrons of the area. If you bowl at Bowl-O-Drome, you will most likely grab a sub or pizza at Athena Pizzeria.

Reviews Mike Cohen

Milestones has arrived in Quebec with the new Fairview Pointe-Claire location
We have been touting the much-anticipated arrival of Milestones Restaurants, a leading Canadian restaurant chain, to Quebec for a few years now. Well, thanks to the team at Foodtastic, this exceptional dining experience has arrived at Fairview-Pointe Claire.
The newly opened Hogar Steakhouse in Westmount effortlessly blends the rich heritage of Mexico
Hogar is a new steakhouse in Westmount with Mexican influence which is quickly attracting a following for lunch and dinner. The place opened last summer. It can seat 60 people in the dining room and 15 more at the bar.
From a great raw bar to a top-notch menu Lucille’s Oyster Dive offers a great dining experience
Lucille’s Oyster Dive opened its first location on Monkland Avenue in NDG back in 2009. For reasons I cannot properly explain, it took me 14 years to enjoy my first experience and wow was this ever a treat! There are now five restaurant locations – NDG, Fairview Pointe-Claire, Dix30 in Brossard, Laval and Mont Tremblant. In addition, there is a summer pop-up at Atwater Market, three food trucks and a catering division. We decided to enjoy our first Lucille’s experience at Fairview.
Le Burger Week 2023: BBurger, Patty Slaps, and Centre Philou represent a nice collection
Each September I look forward to Le Burger Week (www.leburgerweek.com) for the opportunity to discover something new. Le Burger Week continues across Canada through September 14, with over 600 participating restaurants. That includes 31 in Montreal. Bravo to Thierry Rassam and Na’eem Adam, who came up with this brilliant concept 12 years ago, as well as La Poutine and La Pizza Weeks. The two Montreal businessmen have unveiled an interactive gamified experience that allows participants to rack up points (called YUMS) and redeem them for burgers throughout the event. For participants in Le Burger Week who are partaking in the Hambur-games, they will have the option to donate $1 to one of three charities in their area when buying points or transactions for YUMs. In Montreal, the beneficiary is Centre Philou, which supports children with a global developmental delay as well as polyimpaired young adults and their families by offering a variety of specialized services. Those who wish to participate in the festival will also be able to vote for their favorite burger recipe on leburgerweek.com. With the added convenience of being able to order takeout through their exclusive delivery partner, DoorDash, Le Burger Week makes it easier than ever to support local businesses. From classic cheeseburgers that ooze nostalgia to avant-garde gourmet burgers, Le Burger Week satisﬁes every palate. This year I chose two restaurants to experience while my MtlRestoRap.com partner Tony Medeiros opted for another which you can read about on our new sister page RestoDishes.com. BBurger BBurger, with locations on Fleury Avenue in Montreal North and Côte des Neiges Road, is still a relatively new kid on the block. The former opened in 2017, the vision of co-owners and friends Mustapha Taha, Moustafa Sayed Ali, Hussein Atoui and Ali Douhayni. In February 2023 they expanded to the West End on Côte des Neiges, near Queen Mary Road across from the Metro supermarket. It’s a great spot, with seating for more than 60 people inside at tables and booths as well as a small seasonal patio. “We like to describe our restaurants as ‘fast casual’ since everything is made fresh, simple, Halal and reasonably priced,” says Taha. “We stay true to our advertising; what you see on social media is what you get on your plate.” Added Sayed Ali: “We saw a good opportunity. Sure, there are restaurants that serve Halal Shawarma, but not necessarily Halal burgers.” A friend of mine was indeed impressed as we feasted upon BBurger’s entry in Le Burger Week. The Double Smashed B Burger Style is topped with cheddar cheese, their delicious house sauce, pickles and onions. It was outstanding! So were the crispy fries. I also ordered the smoked meat poutine; saving most of it for lunch the following day. That too got good marks from me. This may be a countertop restaurant, but all of the burgers are made from fresh Halal meat each day. There are four steps to a BBurger visit: pick your burger (Halal beef or chicken), then your condiments, sauce and extras. There are seven different poutines and a small kids menu. You can dine in, pick up, or order delivery if you are in the zone. They also are available for catering. While there are no immediate plans to add a third location, I can see that this is a winning format that would be appreciated on the West Island, South Shore and Laval somewhere down the line. BBurger locations are at 5153 Chemin De La Côte-Des-Neiges. Call (438) 380-9779; and 3451 Rue Fleury E. and call (514) 379-3451. Log on to www.bburger.ca. Patty Slaps Le Burger Week also introduced me to a virtually brand-new restaurant called Patty Slaps, located downtown. There I tried their entry, simply known as Le Burger, made from grilled AAA Canadian Beef. This juicy eight-ounce burger comes from freshly ground meat each day. Your taste buds will revel in the interplay of textures, from the melting yellow cheese to the tantalizing smokiness of the bacon they bake in-house. The satisfying crunch of onion rings pairs perfectly with the crispness of their signature crunchy fries, creating an adventure in every bite. As I savored each mouthful, the sharpness of red onion, the crunch of lettuce, and the burst of tomato came together in a flavor symphony, orchestrated by the velvety touch of their daily crafted aioli sauce, made from eggs, butter and fresh garlic, plus the zesty notes of tomato relish, crafted from the freshest tomatoes. Oh yes, the burger sits atop a daily baked pretzel bun, adding that extra dimension of flavor and texture to elevate your burger experience. “Le Burger represents an enhanced evolution of our beloved Bacon Blaze burger, crafted with the intention of offering our burger aficionados the opportunity to savor and provide their discerning verdict,” Brand Marketing Strategist Melina Yousefi noted when she greeted me at the counter. There is a self-order touchscreen system with fully customizable items, which then gives you a QR code to check on the progress of your meal. Patty Slaps opened last June, in the busy neighborhood of Concordia University. There are five co-owners: Keyvan Moradi, Hamed Massoumi, Mohammad Mehmanchi, Atthar Ahmadi and Ehsan Baghaki. They have big plans to expand across Canada and beyond within the next five years. Other offerings include the Psycho Patty, Crunch-A-Delic, Truffle Shrooms, Triple Trip, and Bacon Blaze. There are also poutines. Who is Patty? She is a fictitious female character who is accompanied in illustrations by PUC (Patty’s Unemployed Cousin). Very clever indeed. There will be animations introducing them in the near future The interior of the restaurant, which can seat 70 people, is still getting some finishing touches, so Melina urged me to come back for another look when the renovations are complete. Patty Slaps is located at 1449 Sainte-Catherine Ouest. Log on to https://pattyslaps.com/about. More on Le Burger Week Beyond serving up yummy patties, this renowned food festival aims to uplift local restaurant communities across Canada by shining a spotlight on the passion, dedication, and artistry […]
Rôtisserie St-Hubert dining room returns to Côte des Neiges after a four-year absence
As readers of my restaurant stories know very well, the Rôtisserie St-Hubert chain has always been high on my list of dining experiences. My “go-to” spot has long been on Côte des Neiges Road. But four years ago the land where the restaurant sat was repurposed for a residential high-rise building. St-Hubert had to conclude its lease, with a promise to return again at the same location.

Reviews by Glenn J. Nashen

India Rosa delights with unique Punjab-fusion creations and an unforgettable blend of tradition and innovation
With its refined and intimate atmosphere, unique cocktails, and delicious selection of classic Indian and fusion dishes, India Rosa is undoubtedly an amazing spot to impress a date, catch up with friends, or network with colleagues.
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: Peruvian-Italian Night Out Review of Restaurant Les Deux Fours
Peruvian-Italian restaurant, Les Deux Fours, in the Villeray—Saint-Michel—Parc-Extension borough, my curiosity peaked and I jumped on the opportunity.
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 orders a birthday celebration from ChuChai
My wife Judy and I have been fans of ChuChai on St. Denis since it opened back in 1997. Indeed, I had been a regular at its predecessor eatery, Chao Phraya, which was around for nearly a decade before it transitioned into its present namesake.

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