Running out of inspiration for your next restaurant outing? Here are some suggestions published by our journalists.
Ferreira
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Our experience
The fact that this institution was packed on a Wednesday evening in November led journalist Ève Dumas to several observations. Firstly, the Ferreiras are hard workers who have never compromised on rigor. Second, safe values are popular. Third, wealthy customers are not experiencing the financial crisis. She would also do well to go and spend her money in the many small restaurants of inspired chefs who are going through tough times.
Should we still eat octopus? At Ferreira, the answer is yes, three times rather than once. Unable this time to resist the call of the crispy tentacle, our journalist opted for the delicious starter composed of Portuguese bean puree, marinated pearl onions, salsa verde and smoked paprika oil. It’s soft and textured at the same time.
Price
Between oscietra caviar, tomahawk and bottles from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, luxury has no limits here. And it only took us two cocktails as an aperitif and a bottle of wine in the hundred to come up with a bill for two of $500 (with taxes and tip).
Good to know
Ferreira is open Monday to Friday for lunch and every evening except Sunday.
1446 Peel Street, Montreal
Satu Lagi
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Photos for Satu Lagi restaurant review
Our experience
There is no shortage of exotic options and, unless you absolutely need to end a meal on a sweet note, I advise you to order one or two more dishes. The desserts are far from bad – although the first version of crème brûlée with pandan (a plant with a vanilla flavor) that I ate was not sufficiently set – but the cuisine excels above all in savory dishes.
Price
You can walk away from this restaurant with a reasonable bill if you avoid expensive dishes like whole fish and Hokkaido scallops. Both cost around forty dollars, while the other most expensive dishes are $26 and the majority of “tapas” charge between $8 and $18, depending on the size or value of the base ingredient. But it is also very possible to spoil yourself if thirst and hunger are particularly great.
Good to know
Satu Lagi is open Tuesday to Sunday, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
1361, avenue du Mont-Royal Est, Montreal
The dining cellar
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
A small glass of Quebec red with your buttered ham?
Our experience
With its pretty wooden terrace with canary yellow parasols and its flight of stairs leading to the bakery’s den, the place is intriguing. Once inside, a small room is revealed. A shelf filled with beautiful bottles divides the space. At the very back, we arrive in front of the pastries counter: croissant (plain, almond, ham and cheese), chocolatine, “cinna grizzle” (flaky cinnamon brioche with Madagascar vanilla icing). These delights are made in an artisanal way. The croissants, without food additives, are made with flour from Moulins De Soulanges and butter from New Zealand, the best there is, according to the baker, who says they take three days to make!
Price
Pastries start at $3.25 (for the croissant) and go up to $9.75 for the famous roll. As for bread, the baguette is $5 and the country bread is $9. A slice of pizza is $6.75, buttered ham is $12.50, bruschetta and banh mi – in limited quantities, always – are priced at $15. Wines by the glass start at $5.
Good to know
The Cellar à Manger is open every day, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You order at the counter to take away or sit on the terrace; there is no table service. With its stairs, the place is not accessible to people with reduced mobility, but the terrace is.
386, rue Saint-Paul Est, Montreal
A la carte
P2
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
The P2 is intended to be a cocktail bar.
P2 wants to differentiate itself from its other festive address, Bar Palco. We come here for an aperitif until late in a cozy atmosphere, to the sound of hip-hop, R’n’B or 1990s music. The team is even pleasantly surprised to find former Palco customers, who are now looking for a place where they can chat over a (good) drink. “We want to bring people from Verdun and elsewhere to discover the world of cocktails, in a cozy atmosphere », says co-owner Charles-Étienne Bégin. Mission accomplished ! Open Tuesday to Saturday, 5 p.m. until late.
4847 Wellington Street, Montreal
Caifan
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Pieces of pork belly cooked sous vide, guacamole, radishes and escabeche
What chef Eduardo Acosta, passionate about history and anthropology, offers is a taste journey to the different regions of the country and to the heart of the history of Mexican gastronomy, which has greatly evolved over time, colonial contacts and cultural exchanges. Something rather rare in the city, the kitchen will be open until midnight on certain weekday evenings. With its long bar, its private room in the basement, its DJ space, its wine list, its choice of 26 cocktails and non-alcoholic cocktails created by mixologists Jérémy Escolano and Johnny Martinez, the place is ideal for partying.
4542, rue Saint-Denis, Montreal
June Buvette
PHOTO HUGO-SÉBASTIEN AUBERT, THE PRESS
The beef tartare, garnished with cheese, is already shaping up to be a must.
Bienvenue is the formula of dishes between $14 and $28 which can be shared or eaten alone. Although the menu changes regularly, there are two signature dishes that you order for the first time knowing that it will not be the last. : scallop pogos and beef tartare topped with cheddar cheese on a rosti. As for privately imported wines, they are carefully chosen – between established values and small producers – by sommelier Olivier Deschamps.
1900 Center Street, Montreal