Confusion Restaurant

1637 Rue Saint Denis
Montreal, QC H2X 3K3

(514) 288-2225

 I was recommended this tapas restaurant by a friend a few weeks ago. After being told countless times how great it was, I finally made a reservation to go on a Friday at 8 PM. As I walked in on the main floor, I noticed that the restaurant was empty and I even thought of leaving... A waiter asked us if we had reservations and walked us to the basement where at least a few tables were taken. Let me just say... this place is different, very different. From the fact that there are swings to sit on and that the table faces the wall (with a huge mirror hanging too), this was definitely a completely different atmosphere from what I was used to. Watching myself eat all meal isn't the prettiest thing, so I opted for a side seat. As the night progressed it got busier and busier...Thank god because I HATE empty restaurants.

I was first served by a waiter, who was very polite and did a great job, until he was later replaced by a snobbish french Quebecois who did little to help the night. After placing different orders, I saw tables which arrived much later than us receiving bread and getting the ROYAL treatment, while we awaited bread and water. The soup of the day finally arrived, a mushroom soup(5) that lacked a little bit of flavor and that was a tad too sweet, but still decent. After this dish, the bread arrived (about time), a nice baguette with olive oil. A 30 G. foie gras torchon(14) was the second dish to arrive, a boring piece of torchon on a slice of fig bread. It was tasty but you could taste that nothing was done to the foie gras. And now for something good, a goat cheese crumble with tomatoes and rosemary(10), which went very well with the baguette. A great glass of red wine(12.25) helped relaxed me during this meal.

A well done salmon tartar(12) with wasabi and avocado- although it didn't mix quite properly it was still OK. An average duck Rossini slider topped with foie gras was on the bland side. The burger was missing onions, tomatoes, lettuce something to give it some extra flavor. The same thing happened with the 3 lamb mini sliders(14), but on top of that they were way overcooked. Not juicy, not tender, not anything appetizing. I let the waiter know what I thought of this burger, and he let me know that it was on the hous...Thank you- one good thing about this restaurant at least. For dessert, I ordered a spicy chocolate fondant(10) with a salty ice cream. Alone each item tasted strange but together they worked quite well.

In the end my experience here was mediocre: the waiter wasn't too great, the food wasn't amazing, but the presentation was good and the unique atmosphere added some positive credit. Would I recommend this to anyone? Maybe...To someone only looking for a new place and who really doesn't have any desire for some flavourful food. I've decided for next week, I need to go somewhere good to make up for this, VERY GOOD!

Food: 6.5/10

Atmosphere:8.5/10

Service:6/10

Location:8/10

Price:9/10

Overall:7.5/10

40 Westt Steakhouse

2305 Transcanada Highway
Pointe-Claire, QC H9R 5Z5
(514) 428-9378

It has been over a year that I have not been to this establishment. When it first opened, I was excited, very excited to go to the "Queue de Cheval" of the west Island. The building is gigantic, but beautiful in every way, from the moment you enter the doors, until arriving at the seats and even the bathroom, you can smell the richness. I personally like the feeling of being in this restaurant, let's face it, its stunning to look at and before you sit down, you know it's going to be good... and expensive.

For the appetizer, I always go for the steak tartar, I absolutely love the taste of any type of tartar. To me this is meat at it's best, before it's been "tampered" (cooked) with, it is the truest form to enjoy it. I enjoyed this dish that came served on matchstick french fries, it was good but nothing extraordinary.

Of course for the main course I got a steak, who wouldn't.. Well seafood lover's because they have a great selection of seafood also. I've tried the Delmonico(14 oz rib eye), the Cowboy(20 oz rib steak) and the 24 oz Porterhouse. I enjoyed all three but not to a greater extent then making one on my barbecue. The prices of steaks vary from 40 to 50+$, not cheap but not absolutely terrible figuring they are dry aged for 4+ weeks. An asparagus side dish for 12$ with only a few spears was a complete waste of money. The garlic roasted mashed potatoes are delicious as a side dish and so are the french fries.

For dessert I ALWAYS get the delicious chocolate souffle, an exquisite chocolate cake with a melted center and vanilla ice cream to dunk. This is one of my favorite desserts of all time bar none.

After going to 40 Westt five times, I finally decided, it's enough! This is not worth the money one little bit. Yes it's a fantastic atmosphere and the service is very friendly, but the food is not up to par. I do not recommend eating at this steakhouse, but buying a nice rib eye, marinading it and throwing it on the BBQ and voila! A better piece of steak and for less then 15 bucks.

Food:7.5/10
Atmosphere:9.5/10
Service:9/10
Location:7.5/10
Price:7/10
Overall:8/10

A Father's Day Feast!

For father's day this year, I decided to make my dad a BBQ. It was a gorgeous summer day, so all the dishes had to fit this agenda. I made my famous rib eye steak in a 24 hour beer marinade with sweet potato fries and asparagus, for dessert a scrumptious strawberry panna cotta. Here are all the recipes for these dishes, enjoy!

Rib eye steak

Ingredients:

12+ ounces AAA rib eye
1/2 can of Rickard's red beer
1 cup of Heinz ketchup
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon of brown sugar
salt and pepper

Preparation:

Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl and mix well. Poke holes in the meat on both sides, then place them in a Ziploc bag with the marinade. Let sit for 24+ hours in the fridge to absorb the flavors. 30 minutes prior to cooking, let the meat sit at room temperature. Babecue at 400F for approx 5 min per side for medium. After reaching the appropriate doneness for the steaks, let them relax on a plate with tin foil over top for 5-10 minutes. Enjoy!

Sweet Potato French Fries w/ Basil Salt and Garlic Mayo

Ingredients:

• 3 sweet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1.5 tablespoons chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1.5 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/3 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3/4 tablespoon lemon

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the sweet potato "fries" on a foil-lined baking sheet and toss with the olive oil. Bake until golden, about 45 minutes. Meanwhile combine the basil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. In another small bowl combine the mayonnaise, garlic, and lemon juice, and then combine. Sprinkle with salt when the fries are done and serve with mayo. Enjoy!

Strawberry Panna Cotta

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup whole milk
  
• 1/2 tablespoon unflavored powdered gelatin
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 3/4 tablespoon sugar
• Pinch salt
• Quebec Strawberries
• Whip Cream
  

Preparation:

Place the milk in a small bowl and sprinkle the gelatin over. Let it stand for 5 minutes to soften the gelatin. Pour milk mixture into a heavy saucepan and stir over medium heat just until the gelatin dissolves but the milk does not boil, about 5 minutes. Add the cream, sugar, and salt. Stir until the sugar dissolves, 5 to 7 minutes. Prepare wine glasses with strawberries at the bottom ,remove panna cotta from the heat and pour into the glasses so that they are 1/2 full. Cool slightly. Refrigerate until set, at least 6 hours. Serve with strawberries on top of the dish and some whip cream. Enjoy!


This meal overall was great, from the delicious super tender steak to the crispy fries with a very tasty mayonnaise, all the way to the refreshingly summery panna cotta. This feast is not very difficult to make, so beginner's start cooking and have yourself a wonderful meal.

Riccardos Restaurant

4055 SAINT-JEAN BLVD
DOLLARD-DES-ORMEAUX QC
H9G 2R4
514-620-3477

Fine dining is great and all, but some nights it just feels great to relax and stay close to home. A small and cozy restaurant with great food and a wonderful staff with such great prices,what's not to love. Riccardos restaurant situated in a small strip mall on st-jeans is serving up homemade italian cuisine, from his grandmothers recipes. This is a family owned restaurant that fits about 60 people, so reservations are recommended.

I have been to this place countless times and have enjoyed it every single one of them. I cannot go into huge detail into every dish on this menu because all I ever really get is there fantastic gnocchi rose with the veal parmesan(18). The gnocchi is one of the best in the city,a good blend between chewy and moist with a tasteful rose sauce. Another dish I recently tried was manicotti(13), a cheese and spinach filled pasta, another delectable hit! The fried calamari(10) is also a tasty fried dish on the menu. I've also been told that there desserts are great, notably the mille-feuilles(6), but you guys will have to let me know about that one.(Edit) I finally tried the Mille Feuilles and it is delicious, so moist, every piece melts in your mouth. A tasty graham cracker mixture with custard and whipped cream, what's not to love!

The list goes on, from pizza, to sandwiches, to every type of pasta with even more sauces that you can think of, this place is just so great that I would have to recommend it to everyone. This is not just a restaurant for an occasion but a place to eat lunch, supper, monday, tuesday, wednesday.. anytime your in the mood to grab a nice bite to eat at an affordable price.

Food:8.5/10
Atmosphere:8.5/10
Service:8.5/10
Location:7.5/10
Price:10/10
Overall:8.5/10

Recipe of the day!

This is an absolutely delicious chicken dish, that is on the healthy side...Well somewhat!

Stuffed Chicken W/ Prosciutto and Provolone

Ingredients:

• Boneless skinless chicken breast
• Prosciutto
• Provolone cheese
• Lettuce
• Tomatoes
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Olive oil

Preparation:

Cut chicken into thin slices, then pound the meat with a tenderizer. Apply thin layer of olive oil, a pinch of black pepper and salt. Put thin slices of prosciutto,provolone, a little piece of lettuce and a small slice of tomato onto the flat piece of chicken. Roll carefully and apply two toothpicks on each end to hold the roll together. Cook on barbecue, or in the oven.

Such a simple recipe for such a great dish! Enjoy!

Europea Restaurant

1227 Rue de la Montagne
Montreal, QC H3G 1Z2

(514) 398-9229

First off, let me begin by saying, "How have I only gone to this place now"! I used to be an avid 1234 "clubber" and I have never noticed this place, situated right in front. After eating here, I must say that chef Jerome Ferrer is one of my idol's, from the outside of the building to the decor inside, this three level establishment is truly beauty at it's finest. I cannot post pictures from the website here, but please go look at " http://www.europea.ca/" in the "see slideshow" section to be able to understand the extravagance, the beauty...

On with something even better then the looks of this restaurant, the food! There are three different menu's which you can order from, a la carte, menu degustation or the tasting menu. In the end end, how can you refuse 10 courses for 86.50. This is not expensive if you calculate 8.65 per dish, especially at one of the city's finest! What makes this place expensive is the wine pairing for 64.50, which by the end of the night with tip and taxes 200 per person.

Some of the most notable dishes of the night were, an exquisite "Lobster cream Cappuccino with truffles shavings" in a small cup that was beyond words, the top layer cold and frothy all the way down to the warm lobster cream soup. A foie gras cromesqui shaped like a cigar,brought in a cigar box was beautifully presented. The "Fresh ravioli with ricotta mushrooms, porcini emulsion, grilled Portobello, Alba truffle sauce" was another great dish, whith so much flavor, I wanted more. The last dish that really stood out was the "Short ribs of Kobe Beef, crispy galette of roots vegetables" served in a smoked glass which once again the presentation was some of the best out there.

Five dessert courses including some fun cotton candy and a tantalizing assortment of cheeses, we were given in a Chinese takeout box some madelaines to take home and different chocolates. By the end of the night we counted 16 courses, no that is not a typo. 16 courses with all the different amuse bouche that Jerome Ferrer love's enticing his diner's with. Every dish had something different to offer, with new plating, cutlery at every serving, this is a place that will impress.

We finished the night with a guided tour of the restaurant and the kitchen, perhaps next time I will go,I'll take the chef's table, a private section on the basement level watching the "magic Happen". Note to any and everyone, "you must all try this restaurant, to learn about the wonderful world of food".

Food:8.5/10
Atmosphere:10/10
Service:9.5/10
Location:9.5/10
Price:8.5/10
Overall:9/10

Il Mulino

236 Rue Saint Zotique East
Montreal, Quebec H2S 1L2
(514) 273-5776

Il mulino was not my first choice restaurant when trying to find a nice place to go during the 2010 Montreal Grand prix. Every restaurant in the downtown area was packed, so I had to look elsewhere. Being in Little Italy, of course known for its great Italian Cuisine, I decided to try the famous Il Mulino. I had read so many great reviews that it was time to go the Italian route. First off let me say before starting this review that I am nowhere near a connoisseur in this food genre and I will do the best of my abilities to critique it.

This small cozy establishment, with a seating capacity of 60, is on the corner of St-zotique and Rue Alma, a beautiful area. We decided to try a variety of their "antipasti","primi" and one "secondi" each. A wonderfully presented plate with small quails and polenta, grilled vegetables and octopus and an array of different sauces to excite the palate. This assortment of "antipasti" was a hit. A Chianti bottle of wine that the waiter brought us went well with all our courses.

For our "primi", a deliciously light gnocchi in an even lighter tomato sauce with a little bit of grated cheese sprinkled on top. These were on the top of my list as far as best gnocchi goes, very light and fluffy in texture but I would have particularly liked them with a little bit more filling. On the same plate was a delicious ravioli called "Ravioli Dello Chef", which had a mixture of olive oil and basil.

For the "secondi", "Arrosto di Vitello con Cipolline" which was a nice and tender veal chop in a great wine sauce, with cipollini onions. This dish was a great start to the main courses. Next, was a lobster pasta dish cooked "al dente", that lacked somewhat of flavor. The cod was light and cooked very well along with a tasty rose sauce. Another pleasing dish to the senses.

In the end, this place turned out to be somewhat of a disappointment. It is still a good restaurant, even a very good restaurant but not the same as I have read over and over in reviews. The dishes all had something to offer, the restaurant was charming and the waiters did a good job of explaining everything. I would recommend this place only as nice date night for couples who really love italian food, either then that I'm sure I can find better Italian food at a more reasonable price.

Food:8.5/10
Atmosphere:8.5/10
Service:9/10
Location:8.5/10
Price:7.5/10
Overall:8.5/10

Bufala Restaurant

18425 Rue Antoine-Faucon,

Pierrefonds, QC

H9K 1M7

514-624-2777

When I found out that a new restaurant had opened by the same chef as Bronte, my heart started beating. A little history lesson, Bronte was the first bistro restaurant that I ever attended. From that moment on, my love for food expanded. Quail, squab, rabbit pappardelle and an oxtail ravioli, all exquisite dishes. Unfortunately, I won't be reviewing this restaurant. Why, you ask? Well, because it closed down about two months ago; you all the missed the boat. So, when I heard that another addition to the Mercury family restaurant list, Bufala has opened in Mundo Trattoria's old spot, it was time to book a table.

My reservation was for 7:30 PM on a Friday night, boy was that call a waste of time. The place was empty! By the time I left at 9, there were only five tables full. Regardless that the restaurant was empty, I was here to enjoy myself. I started off with the "Gnocchi Poutine"(14) that was absolutely delicious. The creamy texture of the sauce went perfect with the melted mozzarella cheese. I was informed that the gnocchis were homemade, which I have a hard time believing, just a tad overcooked possibly. The melted mozzarella cheese was nice but just a tad too salty for a poutine. Another entree that I loved was the "Arancini di Riso'' (6), a deep fried rice ball with melted cheese inside. Delicious, a nice mixture of flavors, only downfall was the boring meat sauce accompanying it.

For the main courses, we opted for pizza, since it is a pizzeria. I started with the "prosciutto pizza"(18) with arugula and parmesan. A tasteful thin crust pizza, but once again a little bit too much salt. The next pizza was the "Funghi Pizza"(17) with truffle oil. Now that's what a pizza should taste like! A delicious blend of flavors that made my mouth water. A nice glass of wine to go with this meal and I left a satisfied customer.

One of the waiters at this restaurant is a friend, a polite one, the one serving us did not seem too happy to be there and was impolite. One more thing, the wine menu needs expanding and the prices have to be lowered. In the end, this was a nice meal, especially for the west island. The biggest downfall is the location, the end of Antoine-Faucon, hidden from the world. Hopefully they will start advertising this restaurant soon, before it closes down.

Food:8.5/10

Atmosphere:7.5/10

Service:7/10

Location:5/10

Price:9/10

Overall: 7.5/10

Greasy Spoon

160 Avenue Laurier O.
Montréal, QC
(514) 495-7666

I read a few reviews from this joint, so naturally when I saw it next door to Juni sushi, I decided to give it a try. I was a little disappointed by the lack of options of food and beer. No beer on tap and just three options, of which I have never heard of. I choose to try the "Greasy Spoon" poutine croquettes with smoked meat(10). A different take on poutine, deep fried mashed potato nuggets with pieces of smoked meat submerged in cheese and gravy, am I ever glad I tried this!

For the main, an ordinary hamburger with pretty decent french fries and salad(19), a little overpriced.

I probably need to come back here another time to fairly assess the whole menu, but personally I don't think that will ever happen. The waiters were slow, the bathrooms had long lineups but in the end, it's an alright place to catch a quick bite to eat.

Food:7.5/10
Atmosphere:7.5/10
Service:7/10
Location:7.5/10
Price:7.5/10
Overall:7.5/10

Juni Sushi

156 Avenue Laurier O.
Montreal, Quebec
H2T 2N7
514-276-5864

I don't usually start an article off with a negative point, but this is one that I must address. My reservation was at 7, but only arrived at the restaurant at 7:45PM. I ended up driving around frustrated, furious for 45 minutes looking for a spot to park, at times, I contemplated going somewhere else. As I FINALLY arrived at the restaurant, I asked the waiter if there is a parking lot nearby, his response was "the parking situation here is terrible, even worst then downtown". I'm not sure that this parking situation has affected their business, but it's highly likely that it has. Enough ranting and onto the food!

This small and narrow establishment provides comfort and class all in one. With a nice little setup and an attractive corner bar, my spirits were starting to lift again. I must praise them on such an abundant wine menu with prices so low it boggled my mind. The average prices for wine on the menu were around 45$, started at 25$ and of course they had higher end ones also. We opted for a nice bottle of white(48) that was smooth and fruity.

We started with the shashimi, which consisted of five sashimi specials of the day with five different sauces(18). What a treat this dish was, I have never tasted in Montreal such fresh and delightful seafood. Next came the octopus, which I was told was nicely flavored(14).

As the main course, we chose the "roasted pekin duck breast topped with honey and spices sauce, comes with panfried duck foie gras, almonds, fiddle heads and a balsamic reduction"(35). This was the highlight of the night, the duck breast cooked to perfection, charred on the outside and pink and tender on the inside. The panfried foie gras that came with this dish was one of the best I had ever tried. We all agreed this dish was a winner, my only problem with it, was that the price was a little steep for the portion.

Now, for the phenomenal sushi, Unagi Dynamite(12), B-52(9.50), Funny Maki(12.50) and Gyu Taru Maki(12). These were all presented beautifully and tasted superb, but the standout was the Funny Maki, that we almost ordered again. One difference I noted was that there is no sushi tempura, but as a substitute they use real rice krispies, a nice touch.

In the end, as I suspected, the food did not disappoint, being rated as the top sushi restaurant in Montreal. Do I agree with that statement, no, but it is not far off. My only disappointment about this restaurant is the lack of parking, but in the end whats 45 minutes sitting idly in the car when the end result is so great.

P.S. I think it's time to change the prices on your website, they are almost all more expensive then stated!

Food:9.5/10
Atmosphere:9/10
Service:8.5/10
Location:7.5/10
Price:8/10
Overall:8.5/10

Glutton For Enjoyment

If anyone here is a fan of Glutton For Punishment, the show on the Food Network, you will like this article. Last night was a night of pure Gluttony ("one who over-indulges in and over-consumes food, drink, or intoxicants to the point of waste"). The night was composed of 6 different locations, all with food, lasting from 5 PM until 2 AM.

5 Pm: I had friends come over for wine (Amarone Della Valpolicella), cheese (Brie, Camambert and Grand Creme Delin Triple Creme) with a fig spread and fruits.

7:45 Pm: Juni restaurant for sushi and another bottle of wine.

10 Pm: Greasy Spoon restaurant for their famous "Greasy Spoon" poutine and hamburger.

12 AM: Le Locale Restaurant for three unbelievable desserts.

1:15 AM: Queue De Castor (Beaver Tails)

2 AM: Orange Julep for hot dogs and OJ.

So, how was my night...? Well let's just say it was fantastic, but at the end of a long journey like this, it's nice to go back and eat some plain chicken breast and egg whites. I think I am going to have to start something new, restaurant hoping. An experience that we must all try, but this is not something that should be done very often.

Kaizen Sushi

4075 Ste Catherine Street West

Montreal, QC H3Z 3J8

(514) 932-5654

One of the best Sushi restaurants in Montreal. I could even go as far as saying, the best sushi restaurant in Montreal, but I haven't tried them all, yet. So for now we'll leave it at one the best that we have. The place itself is spectacular, you can feel the wealth as you enter, and its such a warming feeling, that you don't want to leave. This place has it all, two great bars, two dinning sections, a great vibe and even greater food. This restaurant has some of the freshest seafood you can find, and the way the chef's prepares everything is an art. The plating is spectacular and you can taste the flavors by just looking at the food. If sushi is your thing, then get here ASAP, you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

Food:9.5/10
Atmosphere:9.5/10
Service:8.5/10
Location:8.5/10
Price:8.5/10
Overall:9/10

Kanda Sushi

Kanda Sushi, with currently six different locations, offers all you can eat sushi at a reasonable price. The selection is the best at dinner time, but unfortunately that is the most expensive time. With the prices during the week lunch menu around only 15$, the prices comes close to doubling on the weekend nights.

My suggestions for this restaurants are the gyoza's (dumplings), chicken teriyaki, pizza sushi and udon noodles. In terms of sushi, the phoenix rolls, deep fried are a must. The seafood rolls, once again deep fried are delicious. Of course the standard california's and kamikaze's are also great. I do suggest going to Kanda and trying the whole menu!

Go enjoy an all you can eat extravaganza with all your friends, this place can provide some serious fun!

Food:7/10
Atmosphere:7/10
Service:8/10
Location:8/10
Price:8/10
Overall:7.5/10

Recipe of the day!

Today's recipe is a nice and healthy lunch. Great for a nice summer day with a glass of rose wine.

Walnut and Strawberry Chicken salad


Ingredients:

• 2 cups diced chicken
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoons sour cream
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  
• 1 cup of sliced strawberries
• 1 cup of sliced cherry tomatoes
  
• 2 green onions,thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup walnut pieces
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Pinch of pepper
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• Salad greens( your choice)

Preparation:

Mix the diced chicken with 1/3 cup mayonnaise, sour cream, olive oil,balsamic vinegar, sliced strawberries , sliced green onions, sliced cherry tomatoes, walnuts, salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Serve the chicken salad mixture on salad greens. Add more dressing as desired.

Recipe of the day!

For my first recipe I decided to start with the first meal of the day, breakfast! Everyone's favorite meal!

On one side, being a health enthusiast, I must post a healthy dish to make and of course as a food enthusiast, a fatty one that tastes so great! Here goes:

Delicious low fat french toast

Ingredients:

1. 2 slices of whole wheat stone milled bread
2. 4 egg whites
3. 1 whole egg
4. 1 teaspoon vanilla
5. 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
6. Walden Farms syrup
7. Pam pan spray
   

1. Beat the eggs and egg whites
2. Add vanila and cinnamon
3. Add toast to the mix
4. Let sit overnight
5. Cook in pan on medium high for a few minutes
6. Add fruits and syrup
   

Walden farms is a brand that makes all sort of great stuff ( http://www.waldenfarms.com/) and it's all calorie free! IGA is one of the only supermarkets that carry there products.

Nutritional value:

1. Calories: 320
2. Fat: 5 g
3. Carbohydrates: 40 g
4. Protein: 25 g

This is a delicious and healthy dish that I eat almost everyday, a treat that you don't have to regret!

Delicious peanut butter banana french toast

Ingredients:

1. 4 slices whole grain bread
2. 4 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter
3. 1 banana
4. 3 whole eggs
5. 50 ml 10% cream
6. 1 teaspoon vanilla
7. Pinch of cinnamon
8. 1 tablespoon of rum
9. Powdered sugar for topping
10. Sirop D'erable Pur( maple syrup)
11. 11-Butter for cooking
    

1. Beat eggs,cream,rum,vanilla and cinnamon together
2. Apply thin or thick layers of peanut butter to the bread
3. Apply thin slices of banana to the bread
4. Mix the bread with the egg mixture
5. Cook on medium high for a few minutes
6. Serve with generous amount of powdered sugar and maple syrup
7. Add fruits as desired( strawberries and raspberries work best)

Nutritional Values:

Who wants to know! Enjoy!

Let me know what you guys think of these delicious french toast recipes!

To a happy Mother's Day!

Toqué
900 Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle
Montreal
H2Z2B2
514-499-2084

I decided to take my mother to Toque for Mother's Day, a little late, but as they say," better late then never!" I have been wanting to try this restaurant for some time now, but never got around to it. Normand Laprise and his wife Christine Lamarche are the owners of this fine establishment, and if you know anything about food, you've heard the name Laprise before. This restaurant was accredited as one of the Relais gourmands (culinary destinations) of the prestigious Relais et Châteaux international network of luxury hotels and gourmet restaurants. Opened in 1993, it had great food and guess what? Its 2010 and it still holds true! By nature, I am a very inquisitive person, so before going to any restaurant I must read a ton of reviews and ask everyone I know if they have been there. I got the same answer everywere I looked, "It's great, but I have not been there in years!" I guess it was left up to me to find out, does this cuisine still rank supreme?

The decor is just magnificent, one of the most beautiful restaurants in all of Montreal. With a wine cellar in the middle with suspended bottles, I knew this place would be a winner. To start off, I must first add that they have a tasting menu (104) and you can add wine to that (50-100). My mother, not being as much of an adventurist as I, rathered that we opt for 'a la carte'. To start I had the "Roasted half quail, cretons, ricotta and olive ravioli, emulsified sweet onion jus"(20). What a beautifull dish, the quail was tender and falling off the bone, the cretons added a nice texture and the raviolis were just superb. This dish was a hit, a big hit to start. Next came the"St Jacques style scallop and nordic shrimps, button mushrooms, spinach and Mornay sauce"(20). A nice dish with one flaw, a little too buttery and I tasted a tad too much citrus in it.

At this point we asked the sommelier to come help us pick a nice wine to go with our main course. He gave us his recommendations of bottles, and upon looking at the menu and the prices (they were all in the "You're too poor range" which consists of 250$ and up), we decided to go by the glass. Disappointed by the lack of selection, we ended up getting nice, tastefull wines (average of 15$). My next great choice was the"Suckling pig cooked sous vide, Parmentier cream, morels and fiddelheads" (46). A tender piece of pork shoulder, partially overcooked right in the middle, with a delicious sauce and morels that tasted so wonderful, I just wanted more. My mother chose the "Cavatelli with foie gras shavings and white truffle oil"(40), this dish was just a pleasure to eat. The menu actually states foie gras shavings but I ended up finding chunks, big chunks of foie gras in this dish. Fantastic! Who doesn't love foie gras, especially cooked to perfection.

The dessert was probably the downfall of this restaurant, but at the same time gave it a few points. Confused? Well here goes, It was" Rhubarb cannoli, yogurt with pastry cream, meringue and rhubarb sorbet"(13). I was impressed this restaurant was using very fresh ingredients, Rhubarb which is currently in season, and of course the fiddelheads from my previous dish. The dish itself was not sweet enough for my liking but was nice and refreshing for warm summer days. The selection of cheeses(4) were great, a nice little sampling for a good price, it came with roasted and sugar coated almonds with a fruit jam submerged in olive oil. The bread they served with the cheese was ten times better then the hard and stale entree bread...

Overall this place was a nice night out with some really good food. A few things to improve on, Mr. laprise: waiters who speak English, bread that you don't need a sledgehammer to open and perhaps not charging for parking directly at the top of my bill! 14$ plus taxes and tip? Then I have to tip the gentleman who gets my car, 20$ is a bit steep for parking. I believe one of my favorite steakhouses "Gibby's" gives free valet. Anyways, there I am ranting, it is a nice place to try but as I have heard before, "It's not what it used to be".


Food:8.5/10
Atmosphere:8.5/10
Service:7.5/10
Location:9/10
Price:7.5/10
Overall:8/10