Kitchenette restaurant

1351 Boulevard René Lévesque Est

 Montreal, QC H2L 2M1

(514) 527-1016

With a new list of 50+ restaurants to go to, it's always hard to pick what's next. Montreal, with so many choices, is the city of food, everything from Chinese, Indian, Japanese, French, contemporary, fast food... We all have our preferences and kitchenette seemed like mine. 

A Wednesday night at 7 P.M., most restaurants would be empty, not here. It was almost full and there was still a good crowd going past 10 P.M. A small cozy restaurant near the Jacques Cartier bridge, is one that most people would not see just walking by. A large menu with a variety of meats, salads and seafood is one that is sure to please everybody. The low prices here also help, unfortunately most items are very small.

 The "yellowfin tuna tartare with jalapeño, avocado, tomato, micro coriander, spicy mayo and nachos"(14), was a delicious tuna tartare with a variety of flavors that makes you smile, hit number 1. The second appetizer was a "Japanese taco with pulled teriyaki beef, wasabi green goddess, daikon slaw & yuzu "Jello"" (14). One of the best taco's I have ever had, such tender beef, its was a pleasure to eat. The yuzu 'jello" a sort of lemon jello didn't really fit in anywhere in my opinion and the dish was slightly expensive for what it was.

The main courses started off great with "Beer-braised short ribs with house BBQ sauce, roasted garlic mashed potatoes and buttered haricots verts"(24) was completely worth the price. Such a delicious sweet and tender piece of meat, a spoon is good enough to cut trough it. My only complaint would be that it possibly needed a little more BBQ sauce for some extra flavoring. The "BC farm-raised chipotle glazed black cod, jalapeño and scallion waffles, maple ponzu, green apple and radish salad"(26) was a strange mix, chipotle black cod on waffles.. It was great nevertheless. The cod was nice and moist with a delicious glaze, and the waffles had a strange taste that I later found out was scallions, very interesting. The last dish was somewhat of a disappointment "Grilled cheese" panzanella, sourdough and smoked gouda, grilled squash, heirloom tomatoes, green beans, and roquette"(19). Maybe the fact that I was full at this point or that it was boring compared to the other dishes, I pushed the dish away after a few bites.

The side dishes were also a disappointment to me, "the sweet potato tater toters"(5) were way too sweet and the "vidalia onions rings"(5) were way under seasoned and tasteless.

Now desserts were the best part, an absolutely delectable "Sticky toffee pudding sundae with “Cracker Jacks"(9) is in the top desserts. A vanilla sundae with a mixture of toffee pudding and salty caramel popcorn, a perfect combination of sweet and salty. 

The "Bread pudding with Jack Daniel's and toasted pecan caramel"(8) was another near perfect dish, so moist and tasty. Unfortunately the owner's mother was on vacation, so many desserts were off the menu and I can't help but wonder if these could be any better if she was here.

I left this restaurant 3 hours later, wondering were time had gone, a great atmosphere and great food, I'll be returning soon to try the other huge selection of dishes on the menu.

Food:8.5/10
Atmosphere:8.5/10
Service:8/10
Location:7/10
Price:9/10
Overall:8/10

Le Club Chasse et Peche

423 rue St-Claude
Montreal, H2Y 3B6
(514) 861-1112

What consists of a perfect meal? A beautiful restaurant, breathtaking decor, phenomenal waiters, and of course A++ perfect food. My meal here was just as close to perfect as they come. From the great location in the Old Port to the huge door that lets you enter this strange basement looking establishment. I must say the decor is very different, but absolutely spectacular.

The menu changes every week but a few items stay indefinitely, and for good reason. The prices for the meals are not extremely high but portions are very small so order a lot, or eat before you come! I started out with a classic, the braised piglet risotto with foie gras shavings(16). This is the perfect dish, a mixture of rich and creamy with saltiness, I couldn't get enough. This might possibly be, THE BEST DISH I EVER ATE! Another appetizer I had was the partridge, a deliciously cooked bird.

For the main course I had to have the famous, Chasse et Peche(44), which that night was a Kobe beef steak and a half lobster. Pure perfection on a plate, the Kobe beef was juicy and tender and the lobster was so flavorful . The boar roasted two ways(32) was also a hit with a thin crispy piece of skin on top of it. This was our order for the night, yet I was still hungry and was really craving that risotto once again. Yes! I thought of ordering the same dish twice, it was that good. Instead I opted for the duck magret(34) which on any other night would of been great, but because of all these spectacular dishes it was just really good.

"Youppi"! Yes, that's right, I'm happy, happy I ate that dessert. A long milk chocolate bar with a base made of peanuts with a caramelized banana along side. I dug into the bar with my spoon to realize, it was completely melted, yet it stayed completely intact like if it was hard. Pure chocolaty, nutty and sweet, what more can I ask for. The other dessert was the "univers", a Cinnamon brioche with a salty ice cream. The ice cream actually tasted like the remainder of milk from a bowl of corn pops cereal, a very interesting flavor.

At the end of the night, I was full and extremely content with the way the meal had turned out. My only complaint was the service, it was sub par, but the food was so perfect that it didn't matter. As I left the restaurant, little chocolates were given out as souvenirs. Thank you Le Club for an amazing night, I will be back quite soon.

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

Recipe of the day!

The most delicious dessert I've ever made on my barbecue, is also one of the simplest! This takes only 15 minutes to make, and it is an absolute treat, simply delectable.

Grilled Banana Split

Ingredients:

• bananas
• unsalted butter
• sugar
• semi sweet chocolate chips
• chopped pecans
• vanilla ice cream
• whipped cream

Preparation:

There is no specific quantities of each item in my mind, it depends on how sweet and chocolaty you desire it. Take the banana with the peel and slice it down the middle without cutting the banana itself. Open it without completely taking it out of the peel and butter the inner layers, sprinkle sugar and throw in pieces of chocolate chips. Wrap the whole in tinfoil and put it on the barbecue on medium heat for 7-10 minutes.  The banana should be thoroughly caramelized and then served with chopped pecans, vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and extra sugar.

Enjoy this absolutely wonderful dessert!

Kitchen Galerie

60 Rue Jean Talon Est
Montréal, QC
(514) 315-8994

There is a never ending amount of ideas in this world. Innovation is one of the greatest qualities any person can possess. Some ideas fail and some barely stay alive, but others flourish and can go on to be something great. Kitchen Galerie is a different concept than most other restaurants as the two chefs-owners, Matthieu Cloutier and Jean-Philippe Saint-Denis, are both your waiters, hosts and cooks. Located only a few minutes from the Jean-Talon market, daily menus are established based on seasons (meaning only the freshest ingredients are used). There is a maximum seating of 30, so reservations are definitely recommended. This small, cozy, open concept kitchen is nothing impressive...so it must mean that it's all about the food.

On the hottest EVER day in Montreal, we decided to make our way to a restaurant which has no AC, or very little of it. Sitting right by the open kitchen did nothing to help the already 45 Degree weather. This could possibly have been the most uncomfortable dinner I had every had, leaving the table a few times to get some air and wiping the sweat off my brow countless times.

The daily changing menu prices start at 29$ for an appetizer, main course and dessert, which is very affordable. Obviously, our bill wasn't even going to be close to that price. We started off with the "foie gras roti entier pour 4, pommes caramelisees, glace de viande" which was an extra 80$.  They present the uncooked foie gras, the biggest piece I've every seen, before cooking it. It was an absolute pleasure eating that giant piece of fat. I probably have all my arteries clogged and gained 10 pounds, but it was so worth it. After devouring this savory dish, we requested more bread to wipe the delictable oil mixed with the fatty juices. Our plate was returned to the kitchen spotless.

Next, I shared the "Cote de boeuf rotie, jus a l'estragon et legumes racines (pour 2)" (80). Deliciously tender pieces of meat bathing in estragon juice with mashed potatoes. Dish for 2... I think it was more like a dish for 4 because it took up two whole tables! I also tasted the "Care de porc poele, sauce au foie gras, rattes, paris, petit pois, harictos" (34), and I was a little dissapointed that the pork was overcooked. The sauce was nice and the potatoes were tasty, but unfortunately the meat was too tough to enjoy.

For dessert, the creme brulee was the star, with a thick crunchy caramel crust and a custard filled inside...pure perfection. The second best was the "blanc comme cerise" and then the "Joe Couture", a twist on a Joe Louis.

A brutal seating, at temperatures way above the norm, I'm sure I could have enjoyed the food even more if I didn't think I would pass out. The waitress was not that great either, but I assume she was dying of heat also, so no points docked off there. I truly did enjoy my meal here and would recommend it purely for the foie gras pour 4, a dish that is quite rare to find in that proportion and that is quite exquisite. I might retry this place once the temperature has returned to normal to really find out how truly great it is and explore their potential much more.


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

Editor's Note: Also to try is their sister restaurant, Bistro Chez Roger located at 2316 Beaubien Est.

Gibby's Restaurant

298 place d'Youville
Montreal, QC H2Y 2B6
(514) 282-1837

Our magnificent city is definitely known for it's fantastic food, especially our steakhouses. This makes it very difficult to pick a restaurant that delivers top notch results. I have had countless steaks that were not up to par with their prices, especially compared to my own barbecue. That said, Gibby's restaurant, with two locations (one in the Old Port and one in St-Sauveur), has some of the best steaks and lamb out there. The first time I went to Gibby's was about ten years ago, and then I went again last year. I can certainly vouch for the Old Port location as their food, atmosphere and  service are spectacular...well sometimes.

What I mean by this is that I encountered one instance where the service was sub par, something very rare for Gibby's. I had taken my girlfriend there for her birthday, and while she went to the bathroom I ordered her dessert and coffee. Actually, in the end, the waitress took care of the dessert and brought her a tasty cake, but then charged me for both the cake and coffee. I am not cheap at all, and I will never take freebies unless it's due...but for a birthday it is due.

The Old Port building is over two hundred years old and the interior keeps true to its roots and authenticity. A very dark and somber room makes for a wonderfully romantic evening. One thing that I love about this place is the free valet parking that is included, a very appreciated gesture since parking is so hard to find in the Old Port area.

Onto the food: I've had both the Filet Mignon and the Gibby's cut Rib Eye. Both absolutely delicious in every way as their ageing process of the meat and marination is executed to perfection. The best tasting piece of meat that I've enjoyed in Montreal that's for sure. Another fantastic dish is the St-Sauveur rack of lamb (provençale, brushed with mustard and
lightly dusted with herbed garlic breading)...and once again, possibly the best tasting piece of lamb in the city. Of course, I always get the Monte Carlo potatoes (twice baked potatoes) to go with my meat. They are my favorite type of side dish and here they do it well, very well. For dessert, I had the Gibby's chocolate delight (a medley of soft, smooth and crunchy) and the profiteroles. Both were tasty, but nothing special.

There is no need to say much more than their slogan, "THE BEST STEAK IN MONTREAL!" So go ahead, have a date night and enjoy yourself a delicious romantic dinner, and then take your companion for a nice walk by the water. The perfect night!


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

Karma Restaurant

4720 Boulevard Saint Jean
Montreal, Quebec H9H 4B2
(514) 620-1233

I was invited by the owner of Karma to try this Indian restaurant. I have driven by a million and one times and been intrigued by its immensity and beauty. I have always wanted to try it, yet there was always a place I wanted to go to more. Mistake!Yes it might be different from my everyday french bistro cuisine that I love, but variety is they key to life.
I was greeted by such warmth into this building, a friendliness that I have never received at any restaurant before. I must commend the designer of this restaurant, no expense was spared in giving it a true Indian feeling, while making it both new and hip. It sits around 150 people but looks much bigger than that, with a top floor and lights that change colors all night. I must say it is pure beauty, as is the beautiful bar with a great alcohol selection. I must also mention the breathtaking bathroom...can you use the word breathtaking to describe a bathroom? Well anyways, the sink pours into a long cubicle fitted with rocks instead of a normal basin.

Onto the food, the owner came and sat with us to describe what he was going to bring to us and the way Indians eat. To start, every table is brought a lentil type of pita with three different types of chutney, mango, mint and turmeric. The mango was nice and sweet, the turmeric was a nice amount of spice and the mint, well was a little strange for me.The next dish was a vegetable samosa with chick peas and it was absolutely delicious! The sauce used inside was so tasty and sweet and the dough was baked to perfection.

The next two dishes that came were the main courses, the butter chicken and a delicious spiced lamb. The butter chicken charcoal braised boneless chicken simmered in a butter, tomato and cream sauce...not much more to say but fantastic. I was literally spooning the sauce and eating it as a soup becayse it was so flavorful. The chicken was so tender that a spoon could have cut right through it. The spiced lamb was also so tender, but the sauce wasn't my favorite. The tasty juicy lamb  then made up for it. A delicious butter and garlic naan bread was just great- I kept dipping it in the butter chicken cream sauce. This all came with plain rice, but in reality I was way too full to eat much more then a few spoons of it.

For dessert, an absolutely fantastic Gulab Jamun, which is a very authentic popular Indian dessert. This is the first time I have ever eaten this, and it made me wonder why I haven't had Indian dessert before. This dish is made of a dough consisting mostly of milk solids in a sugar syrup usually flavored with cardamom seeds, saffron or rosewater. It came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream...a perfect mix of dessert flavors.

The bill came to about 100$ with all these dishes, a glass of Chilean wine and a martini. I was given a special price for the meal as I was the owner's "guest", another friendly gesture on his part. In the end, I was sad to see that at 9:30 at night on a Friday, this place wasn't getting much busier. With great waiters, a gracious and friendly host that greets all his clients and thanks them at the end of the meal, I truly enjoyed being here and I am planning on going back, and soon. I want to get the word out there about this place because many like me, drive by everyday, wondering what lays in the world of delicious Indian cuisine at Karma's restaurant.

Food:8.5/10

Atmosphere:9/10

Service:8.5/10

Location:7.5/10

Price:9/10

Overall:8.5/10

Le Local

740 Rue William
Montreal, H3C 1P1
(514) 397-7737

As I planned my 2nd anniversary dinner, still being in the "impress" stage of the relationship, a lot of thought went into where we would go to eat...to be honest a hell of a lot of thought. There has to be a mix of great food, a great atmosphere, great location and a great wine list too. After searching through countless pages on the web, newspapers and asking "foodies" for their opinions, I came up with my decision of picking Le Local. Le Local is run by the famous chef Louis Francois-Marcotte also from Simple-Chic and the show "Le Gout de Louis" on Canal Vie.

The whole establishment is pure beauty in my eyes, with a hip and trendy feel and a touch of sophistication. There are two different rooms, one more of a lounge area facing the bar and the other more of a diner experience facing the kitchen. The first thing I noticed was the open concept kitchen that I've so many times seen on his TV show, which by the way is excellent.

The food here was not the best, but it was still very enjoyable. From a beef tartar(14) dish to a duck terrine, the appetizers were only decent. On the other hand, the main courses were very good, a venison roasted with beans in maple syrup had a nice sweetness to it and the duck leg confit was delicious also.

I was here just a few weeks ago for dessert and as I remembered them, they were fantastic! The plate of Mignardises(7) with all kinds of different treats was phenomenal. A delicious white chocolate cheese cake with homemade raspberry sorbet was another hit. I truthfully cannot remember what I had the first time but all I can say is that they were really good as you can see in the picture.

In the end, my experience at Le Locale was a very enjoyable one. I recommend this restaurant for a special night out with a special person or even on a Saturday night to stop by and have drinks and dessert. A very pricey night out on the town with a few glasses of wine, and to impress my wonderful girlfriend, this night was one to remember.

Food:8/10

Atmosphere:9.5/10

Service:8.5/10

Location:9/10

Price:8.5/10

Overall:8.5/10