Local Expert
Olga Z.
Olga works as a freelance writer and translator. A Montreal native, she enjoys taking advantage of the city’s host of activities, including concerts, theatre, and comedy.
Olga works as a freelance writer and translator. A Montreal native, she enjoys taking advantage of the city’s host of activities, including concerts, theatre, and comedy.
Review Articles
Have you ever come across the odd person who claims they don't like chocolate? Individual tastes vary, of course, but to chocolate lovers this statement is always a blow, equivalent to suggesting that puppies aren't cute or worse yet, babies! Perhaps those who dislike chocolate have never had the superior kind, only candy bars, chocolate coins, or chocolate syrup from a bottle. If this is the case, they need an intervention in the form of Juliette et Chocolat. If they're still not satisfied after visiting this chocolate haven, sadly, there is no helping them.
Juliette et Chocolat is a chocolate lover's paradise. Chocolate comes in many forms here: crepes, fondues and drinks to name a few. One of the many wise choices is the chocolate brownies, which are ooey gooey, melt-in-your mouth good. Served with warm, quality chocolate drizzled on top, these brownies need no improvement. If you're a hardcore chocolate fan, the ‘grandma style' hot chocolate is the way to go because it's essentially drinking thick, melted chocolate.
One shortcoming of Juliette et Chocolat is that the prices don't reflect the ambiance. Since it is on the pricey side, you don't want to feel as though you are dining in a noisy cafe-bistro with servers wearing silly red chef hats. But don't let this discourage you. It certainly doesn't deter those who are lined up outside the door, waiting patiently to get a taste of Juliette's treats.
What better way to enjoy the fall season than to be out in the crisp air picking fresh apples. Quinn Farm, located just off the western tip of the island, is a lovely place to visit while vacationing with your kids. For a reasonable price, fill your bag with as many apples as you can squeeze into it without them spilling over. Those who are willing to climb the ladders propped against random trees throughout the orchard will get the best picks: you'll have to reach high for those juicy, hard-to-see apples hidden amongst the dense leaves.
October is apple and pumpkin season, but throughout the year you can pick your own strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, gooseberries and more. In December, a horse-drawn sleigh will bring you to the lines of Christmas trees where you can choose the perfect one for your family; you know, the immense one suitable for transport by crane that is unlikely to fit in your living room, but is way too stunning to give up.
After spending a few hours outside, warm up in the barn with hot, spiced apple juice and homemade treats from the bakery. There is also a gift shop filled with goodies to bring home with you, such as gift baskets with homemade jams, jellies and pickles. Although you'll have picked more than enough apples to make your own pie, the ones sold here may give your family recipe a run for its money.
A visit to Quinn Farm is a nice way to take in the striking autumn season. The invigorating air, along with the beautiful scenery, will be enough to convince you that spending precious vacation time here was the best of ideas.
With all-you-can-eat sushi, there is the potential for badly rolled pieces that are quick to fall apart, skimpily filled hand rolls and an overall lack in taste. Instead of focusing on the art that is sushi, the business of all-you-can-eat has resulted in sushi production lines where the aim is to get the stuff out quickly so as to satisfy insatiable customers. Of course, this is not always the case. A few sushi bars, like Sushi Mou-Shi, have managed to maintain a certain level of quality.
Sushi Mou-Shi is a rather large restaurant with an unmemorable décor. What is memorable, however, is that their sushi is fairly good and tastier than many other all-you-can-eat places. Its selection is smaller (sadly, no sashimi), but it is varied enough to keep your taste buds interested, with rolls that include ingredients like litchi, pineapple, mango and even blueberries. Best of all, you can bring your own wine (or more fittingly, sake), which you can conveniently pick up at the liquor store just a short walk away.
The service at Sushi Mou-Shi is painfully slow, which many people have complained about. With the restaurant being virtually empty on a weeknight, it took nearly three hours for three orders and the bill. Although the wait borders on ridiculous, at least this means the chef is putting in that extra care the competitors lack. In all, it is worth the trip and worth the wait.
Sadly, summer is quickly coming to an end, forcing us to put away our much-loved flip-flops. Temperatures have been dipping so low in the evenings that the first tuque wearers have been spotted. Were they exaggerating? But Montrealers have yet to bust out the mitts, so there is still time to revel in the last moments of summer. One way to remain in your delusional state of summer bliss is to go out for ice cream. As you sit inside the shop, you can convince yourself that you're chilled because of the air conditioning, not because summer is fading away.
A nice place to enjoy the final scoops of the season is Bilboquet. The homemade, all-natural ice creams and sorbets served here are fantastic. The sorbets, for instance, are made with 80% fruit, so the flavour of the fruit takes center stage and not the sugar. Made with 35% cream, the ice cream is dense yet smooth. There are traditional flavours as well as a few unusual ones that will pique your interest.
True ice cream lovers will be glad to know that Bilboquet remains open until the end of December. That's right -- ice cream in winter boots! If you're in Montreal and crave a scoop or two, don't let the cold deter you. Hey, at least your ice cream won't melt in the sun.
When you walk into Rumi Grill & Café, the first thing you notice is the wonderful smell of grilling meat wafting in the air. Not that overwhelming, smoky smell, but the kind announcing that something good is cooking in the kitchen and you've come to the right place. The second is the warm environment: beautiful wall rugs, framed images of lands that seem so far away and all-wood tables give this small space a sense of the exotic.
Middle Eastern cuisine is almost always marinated and subtly spiced to perfection, and the food here is no exception. The chicken kebab was tender and flavourful, served with fragrant basmati rice sprinkled with saffron and a side of glistening olives. Of course, you could always opt for fries, but when in Rome ... The kefta (beef and lamb) was equally delicious and more tender than one could ever imagine meat being. The best way to really appreciate this restaurant is to go with a group of people and order a series of entrees, meats and sauces and taste a little bit of everything.
For dessert, go with something different and try the Afghan pudding. This smooth, milk-based pudding flavoured with pistachios, cardamom and aromatic rosewater is very refreshing. Also, don't forget to order one of the many fragrant teas, such as the jasmine & rose, which is a nice way to unwind as the meal comes to an end.
To indulge in the pleasing flavours of the Middle East, visit Rumi Grill & Café. This affordable, welcoming restaurant will have you wiping your plate clean with pita. Located on busy St. Laurent Street, you'll surely find a way to continue an evening that started off so well.
Ever thought of putting sweet potatoes into your burrito? How about apples? This inventive take on Tex-Mex is what you can expect at Burritoville. The welcoming vegetarian joint has set the meat and grease aside, proving that wholesome Tex-Mex is both hearty and appetizing.
The brief menu consists of burritos, tacos and enchiladas made healthily with ingredients such as beans, sweet potatoes, cheese, apples and rice. Meals are served with a basket of chips and salsa, which will be refilled until you're all chipped out. One thing that detracts from the flavourful food, however, is the salsa. Made with the distinct taste and texture of canned tomatoes, no amount of cilantro could possibly make it palatable.
The small restaurant is as casual as a university student's apartment. There is a shelf full of books to peruse, a tack board overflowing with community postings, and a few toys to entertain kids (and immature adults, of course). There is even a self-serve water station, adding to that at-home feel.
If you happen to be in the charming NDG area, Burritoville is a great option for a filling lunch. Not worth going out of your way for, but shouldn't be walked past either.