Author: Blair Dohey

The Dominion Square Taverne is an iconic establishment in downtown Montreal. In an effort to expand their horizons, the folks behind the Taverne took over the space next door and opened the Balsam Inn, a much-lauded icon-in-the-making in its own right. Last week, and friend and I stopped by the restaurant for the first time…

(Vicolo is now closed) I’ve got to hand it the owners of Vicolo for they are certainly persistent. Freshly opened back in December as an Italian eatery, the space is still haunted by the ghost of the very short lived, Frunchroom (the décor hasn’t changed much since it closed late last year). Though the ghost of…

In Montreal these days, nothing ventured really is nothing gained when it comes to our abundant restaurant scene. With the year we’ve had, where so many restaurants have been hit with hard times or worse, we should be thankful that there are people still willing to invest their time, money and hope in to pleasing…

In December, the folks behind a slew of popular Montreal hotspots like Pastaga and Tapas 24, came together to open Commerce, a new restaurant and bar on the ever diversifying McGill street in Old Montreal. Combining an extensive background in people pleasing atmosphere, delicious food and drinks, the powerhouse team proved there’s fun in the…

What’s your favorite restaurant? That’s the question I’m most often asked as a restaurant-obsessed writer. The answer to that question is far from simple, as I don’t have just one particular favorite place I like to go. When I’m out and about on a night off from openings and launches, there are a few places…

This past summer we discovered Ryu, a cutting edge, Asian inspired eatery in Outremont. Last week we were invited back for an off-the-chain menu relaunch that proved the brains and brawn of this restaurant are a worthy contenders in Montreal’s busy restaurant scene. Cocktails, sake and wine got the party off on the right foot…

St. Henri is home to a plethora of restaurants serving up dishes as diverse as our city’s population. For the last year, Rasoi has fed us their funky take on Indian cuisine. We recently celebrated their first anniversary with a healthy helping of Indian tapas and a few drinks while a henna tattoo artist left…

To start, let me admit something to you. Before this week, I wasn’t that big a fan of Rachel Rachel. Read on to find out why and you’ll also learn how they won me over. It all started about a year ago when I left a neighbouring restaurant with a few friends. It was relatively…

When I was younger I remember being seated at Bronte on Sherbrooke Street West with a few friends, knowing that I may not be able to afford breakfast the next morning. It’s happened more often than not, over the last 15 years in Montreal, that I’ve spent my last dime in a restaurant.  It may…

Surrounded by the soft glow of warm lighting, brick walls and ambient music, there’s no better place to be during autumn than inside Labarake. The restaurant’s ambiance seems made perfectly for this time of year. Just in time for fall they have freshened their menu with tastes that will want to keep us cozying up…

In a few short years downtown Montreal is set look very different. La Place du Canada is currently undergoing phase two of a massive overhaul while St. Catherine Street is about to get a much-needed facelift. Several new towers in the west end of downtown are in various phases of construction and soon our skyline…

This past October, Ikanos, the latest restaurant from mastermind, Constant Mentzas (former owner of Tasso Bar à Mezze) invited guests to come explore Montreal’s newest place to enjoy fine Greek cuisine. The event featured some of the fresh and delicious food that anchors their extensive menu, copious amounts of wine and cocktails and of course…

The folks behind Henri St-Henri, Quai No 4, Baron Samedi and a slew of other thriving establishments have done it yet again with their latest venture, Grenade. With their new newest restaurant, they’ve transformed a once derelict building in east Ville Marie into an Asian inspired oasis with some interesting feature that are sure to…

Last night a select group of Montreal’s nightlife aficionados were invited to Lea, Westmount’s swanky new restaurant for a sneak peek at their cool new space and menu. Lea is the third offering from the guys who broke ground on the Plateau with Hachoir and built a strong foundation in Griffintown with Grinder.  With their…

After a much lamented absence, Queue de Cheval is back. About a month ago, the restaurant reopened, in a new, entirely revamped location, returning to its prominent place atop the lists of foodies in this city and beyond. At the beginning of the summer we were among the first to get a peek at what…

Jack Saloon’s opening night was touted as a not to be missed event. We received invites from two different sources welcoming us to Montreal’s next big eatery. A few weeks ago the restaurant, located in the heart of Old Montreal, rolled out the black carpet for a western inspired event like we’ve never experienced before.…

L’Orignal (Moose in English) has been a mainstay in Old Montreal for the past seven years. It’s proven its longevity and staying power by remaining one of the city’s favorite hotspots by offering quality food in a unique and cozy atmosphere. Over the past few months they have been overhauling both the restaurant and the…

Putting together a media tasting can be a daunting task for a restaurant and it’s chef. When 60 or more, hungry human beings with pens sharper than swords arrive at your door, ready to slice, dice and deconstruct the plates put in front of them, you can’t help but sweat a little. Last week, Laurea’s…