Le Club Chasse et Pêche - Hubbo's Birthday - cozy old school Montréal

Halibut with Clams - Le Club Chasse et Pêche

I'm back!  The inertia of the holidays got the better of me.  You'd think that having family around would alleviate the burden of the new lil one but it just made me more tired.  We were home for nearly a month for the Christmas break and the grandparents were able to bask in the their first little one.  I say the first because his paternal grandfather has other grandchildren and he's not really a baby or kid person.  He certainly wouldn't bask.  It takes him a few minutes to realise there is a non adult in the room.  If you can't keep up your end of the conversation, you're not worth the energy to recognise.  My story about the unruly grocery store clerk is far more important! Listen up!  Gee, I hope D doesn't see this :^D

Anyhoo, we spent Christmas in Montréal this year which meant that we were also able to spend D's birthday together.  He was born on Christmas Eve Eve.  That meant of course, when he wasn't old enough to keep up conversation with his dad, he was too a forgotten birthday boy.  He took it in stride.  Not me!  I would have expected double the Christmas presents.  I took him out while our niece baby sat.  The last image I had was of him sitting on a personal sized trampoline while the younger one was doing ballerina twirls.

I wanted to make the most of dinner and asked D to pick.  He told me of a handful.  I was close to selecting Chuck Hughes place down the road but for some reason landed on Club Chasse and Pêche.  The menu looked a tad more diverse, though albeit, less adventurous.   It is a classic French Game style.

Le Club C&P is around the corner from the Notre Dame church on, well, Notre Dame.  So bear that in mind when thinking about parking.  We just go lucky when a gent pulled out and offered us his parking stub.  Woohoo!

Sweet Breads - Le Club Chasse et Pêche

First thing you'll note about le Club is that it is rather unremarkable from the outside.  I almost walked by, or rather slid by.  There had just been some sleet.  It is dark and a bit cavernous on entry.  D tried to convince me it was meant to convey the feeling of a hunting lodge.  I'd rather disagree.  With it's chunky purplishish/bluish painted walls and random use of crystal and glass intermingled with some taxidermy, it was more like Vincent Price meets Liberace's den.  The rooms are separated with heavy velvet curtains.  Odd.  We were seated at a small table in the smaller room which was fine.  The vestibule and the velvet curtains kept most of the draft out.  It was packed when we arrived and when we leisurely left.  So despite it's uninspired decor, it is still a popular locale.

Artic Char - Le Club Chasse et Pêche

We started our dinner with some starters.  I ordered the Halibut with Clams with a nice rich veloute. The Halibut was perfectly cooked and nicely seasoned.  The Clams were equally well cooked, not at all rubbery or fishy, very tender. D had some Sweet Breads on Risotto.  The Risotto was well cooked and balanced.  Our server helped select the wine.  I insisted to D that since it was his birthday, that he needed be concerned with my order.  I wanted him to enjoy his meal.  He prefers a bigger red but when we eat out he usually orders on the lighter side because I do not eat meat.  Our server recommended this wine based on our conversation.  It worked very well with both our meals.  Though it seems like trend/style deal with the whites and seafood.  There are some reds that simply clash with seafood.  I experience a very very unpleasant metallic, jaw tightening sensation with some reds and seafoods, particularly white fish or tuna.  Not so with the Abadia.

Duck three ways - Club Chasse et Pêche

I ordered the Arctic Char.  I struggled with it because I liked the sides on another dish.  That said, be aware that the restaurant does turn the menu over every so often.  I would rather draw your attention to the quality of the ingredients, and the skill of the chef.  The Char was well cooked with a nice crispy skin.  The Eggplant puree was tastey though lacked a bit of texture.  There was originally some meat on this dish which may of contributed to the Eggplant's lack of texture.  That said, they were very gracious in offereing to leave it off.  D ordered the Duck three ways.  He was concerned that normally the Duck breast in this sort of dish is often dry and a let down.  Our server assuaged his fears and D thoroughly enjoyed his Duck.

I had discretely told our server that it was D's birthday but when it came to dessert, he was otherwise occupied with another large table so another server took our dessert order.  I couldn't stall much longer.  So when our lovely dessert came out, our server was confused.  He had planned for something else.  But very generously, he offered us a glass of Brut Rosé in lieu of an embarrassing candle in another dessert.  Perfect for D.

Apart from the odd decor, it is a cozy restaurant.  The servers are very welcoming, and knowledgable.  The food was wonderful and fresh and very well prepared. Though the menu may read otherwise, it was not a heavy meal.

Cost: $$$-$$$$
Wine list: Extensive
Service: Excellent and warm
Ambiance: Dark yet cozy

Le Club Chasse Et Pêche

(514) 861-1112
Old Montréal
423 Rue St-Claude Map.4536f2c
Montréal, QC H2Y
leclubchasseetpeche.com

Wednesday, September 7th - Le Resto Banquise - Baby, Poutine and Me

Poutine Mexicaine - le Resto Banquise

We were staying at a friend's place in the plateau at the end of our extended stay in Montréal.  Whilst D was dealing with some heavy family stuff, I had lil T to myself.  It was much better to be on my own with lil T in the plateau than the East End suburbs, I'll tellya.  Nothing in walking distances for km's and oppressive humidity keeping me from meandering further.  That said, the only unfriendly thing about the plateau is the exact thing that gives it so much character....the stairs.  If you have ever been to Montréal or received a postcard, you will be familiar with my predicament.  Most brownstones in the city have two to three stories with flats on each.  Each flat is usually accessible only, by an external set of very precarious, albeit ornate, stairs.  Our kind friend A, who was on a cruise in Italy, lent us her second level flat near Parc LaFontaine.  It was gorgeous.  The building featured 10 ft high ceilings, which of course meant even higher access stairs.  Well, that meant, that any excursion with lil T was a committment to wending my way down these death defying steps with a stroller and a baby.  Building codes be damned around these parts!  The last three stairs at the top were half the width of normal stairs and were cut in a strange L shape to accomodate the flat next door.  I can't do it justice and I only wish I had taken a photo just so you could appreciate the brave men that moved A's piano into her place!!!

I therefore planned the day carefully so that I would only have to deal with the down and up once and be out for most of the day.  I prepared everything for the excursion so we could bolt as soon as I had fed lil T.  I mentally, planned my walking route so that I would be on the move near the end of T's patience with the stroller so he might fall asleep.

Luckily, where I wanted to eat lunch was quite near her place, Banquise.  It was all over the food boards as one of the more popular restaurants, including Urbanspoon.  That is quite amusing since it's all but a greasy spoon almost directly out of the set of Friends or something. With it's garishly, bright painted walls, mismatched chairs and hipster waitstaff, you'd hardly think it would rank ahead of some the culinary haunts of this most European Canadian city.  Well, that's what kind of draw Poutine has on the visiting public and the locals alike. 

The first thing you have to accept is the type of fry you will see in Montréal.  By any other standard, Montréal fries look either burnt or cooked in dirty oil.  Either or both may be the case, but that is the type of fry you will see all over town.  I reckon, that they do not do the par frying in the lower temp before crisping but put the spurs to the oil right away.  What results is a darker fry that is more creamy in the middle than floury.  The exterior is more on the soft side than the crispy except on the extremities.  From La Fleurs on every corner to Outremont, you will see the same.  It's a style that few establishments choose to deviate from and Le Resto Banquise is not an exception.

My first visit here (yes there was more than one in two days), was just me and lil T.  First thing to note on my new Baby Friendly rating (quite common in #Montreal EVERYWHERE) is the #inaccessibility.  Seriously, it's bad.  The entire metro system except one station in the obscurest station does not have platform to street elevators.  You will encounter stairs at every station except one.  This is also an issue with restaurants.  Most restaurants are NOT equipped with ramps or automatic doors or propping doors.  Alot of restaurants have very inconvient stairs right before the door which do not allow a single person to safely lift a stroller to the top, rest and open the door because the door opens outward onto the narrow top step.  Banquise is such a place.  If it weren't for the staffer smoking outside who held the door for me after I stood there regarding the door and planning my entry for two minutes, I would still be standing outside fuming today.

Once in, the mood lightens, the staff are very friendly and try to find the best table for you and your stroller.  Though in the 'hip and trendy' part of Montréal, open 24 hours, they are equipped with 4 high and booster chairs.If you'd rather keep the baby in the stroller, they'll move the chairs away for you.  Awesome. As well, shockingly, their large bathroom is equipped with a massive change table! Yeah, it was tagged but there it was, woohoo!  They're quick with the water and taking your order, well aware that with baby in tow, your stay will likely be abbreviated. 

There is a full range of diner type foods from breakfast to burgers but the reason for their fame is there list of 25 different authentic Québecois Poutine!  One thing they do not make clear, and to rest assured, all their poutines come with those lovely squeeky fresh cheese curds and a gravy (unless a different sauce is specified).  I wasn't sure so I asked.  As I said, I was here two days running.  The second day I came with D, after I raved about the Poutine so I'll share the three Poutine's I've tried and I'll mention one I almost ordered and having seen it arrive at another table, I wish I had.

The first day, I ordered the Mexican (sorry, Mexicaine, Poutine is feminine :^P).  It was heaped with Cheese curds.  They do not skimp like in so many places, usually outside Québec, where you seem to have alot of cheese but only on top and after a few forkfuls, you're left eating plain soggy fries.  Nope. Fork after fork, right to the end you will have Cheese Curds.  As well, a magical amount of gravy so as not to completely drown your fries or sodden them yet, not leave you wanting.  Perhaps that's the wonder of the darkened fries, the ability to repel the gravy long enough to last through a poutine. :^P  The Mexican was served with Cheese Curds, Gravy (Vegetarian Peppercorn Sauce optional), fresh Tomatoes, Black Olives and sliced Banana Peppers.  I also added smoked pepper sauce that was on the table and as a tribute to my high school days, a dash of ketchup on the side. The awesome thing about a dish like poutine is that once lil T tired of playing with his stuffed elephant and his teething ring, I could pick him up to stop him from howling and still continue eating.   The only complaint I would have about the Mexican is that since the fresh Tomatoes were cold, the Cheese did not melt into stringy goodness.  But that was my choice so I will choose differently next time.

Poutine Rachel - le Resto Banquise

Well, next time was the next day.  I ordered the Rachel.  The Rachel is served with Gravy, Cheese Curds, Sauteed Onions, Bell Pepper and Mushrooms.  MMMMM It was like a guilty pleasure on a plate.  If I were still pregnant, the Rachel, with a dollop of Sour Cream would have been dinner at least twice a week.  I was quite close to ordering the Taquise with Guacomole, Sourcream and Tomatoes but I was worried they'd skimp on the Guac and wanted to have a melty Poutine this time.  Well, meltiness aside, I shouldn't have worried about the skimping.  The family next to us ordered one and there were two icecream sized scoops of Guac and Sourcream heaped on top of the Poutine. Drool.  Is it possible to have Poutine envy whilst eating your own Yummo Poutine?  Well, I did.

By the by, I ordered the 'Regular' sized poutine both times.  It was quite sufficient.  That's saying something reader!  The large was easily 50% more or more.  If the table behind us, of a dozen college students are good statistical sample set, only 1 dude ordered the Large and finished it and almost all the girls and 1 guy, had to ask for takeaway containers for their 'Regular' Poutines.  I personally think they weren't trying.

Poutine B.O.M. - le Resto Banquise

D ordered the Poutine B.O.M, ready for it?, Bacon, Onions and Merguez Sausage.  D loved it.  It had his name written on it, really.  He agreed on the portion size and he's a big guy.  Just right.  Yes, I eat as much as my foot taller than me husband.  What can I say?  I'm Korean and have a very warped sense of portion control and I'm breastfeeding which justifies my eating anything, wooooohooooo!  Overall, we loved the poutine but have to say, though we accept the dark fries of our heritage and past, we prefer a lighter crispier fry, soz, la belle province.  Still it was fantastic poutine that I will return for when home for Christmas!

Ambiance: diner
Cost: $-$$
Staff: helpful, friendly
Baby friendly: mixed; Inside: staff and facilities are good. Outside: access is hampered.
Notes: Licensed, Open 24 Hours, Cash and Debit Cards Only.

Resto la Banquise

(514) 525-2415
Plateau Mont-Royal
994 Rue Rachel E
Montréal, QC H2J
www.restolabanquise.com

for greasy spoon

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Sunday, September 4th - Le Local - Cozy Port in the Storm

Halibut with Potato Crust and Aubergine Mousseline

My sister in law offered to watch lil T for us to have a nice night out. The original plan was to see an early movie and then supper. We ran into a familiar roadblock that I had forgotten about since the days I used to live in Montréal over a decade ago, the scarcity of v.o. movie theatres. I can handle seeing a French or Quebecois movie but I can think of few things less compelling than seeing Rise of the Planet of the Apes dubbed over in French or Helen Miren in the Rachel Singer Affair with a twangy Quebecois accent. Nope. Shut it down. We decided to skip the movie. The few English theatres in town were too far or playing at very inconvenient times. Hohum.

So a longer, relaxing meal it is. We chose Le Local. Bro in law was familiar with their chef and his other restaurants and TV shows. We wanted to avoid the downtown core if we could. That said, Vieux Montréal was not the less crowded alternative we naively anticipated, particularly on a Sunday, duh! We've definitely been away too long. After crawling along behind a caleche we arrived at the patio we where we were going to have a cocktail. Unfortunately the sky opened up into some serious west-coast like rain. We were early so headed straight to Le Local for drinks instead.

We were lucky to park right out front. The patio we originally reserved was far less appealing in this weather. It was covered in a platic tent which seemed to cheapen the chrome bistro tables with a view of a parking lot. On a nice sunny day, I could see how it might be nice but the canyon separating the decor and ambiance from inside to out, made me request a table inside. They were very accommodating. The bar area looked just as chic and welcoming if had had to wait for our table.

We ordered two very interesting cocktails with described with enticing herbal accents that neither of us could detect. It's not even worth telling you the name of the cocktail as they both tasted of hummingbird feed, pure simple syrup, sweeter than koolaid. Sad.

Escargot Cromesquis with Fennel Gorgonzola Salad

I was than slightly worried about the food but needn't have been. I ordered the Escargot with Fennel Salad in Gorgonzola dressing. D ordered the Tuna Pissaladiere. When my dish arrived, I was a tad apprehensive at the stylized plating. That said, it was delish. The escargot was lightly battered and tender. The salad was well balanced and bright. The portion was on the modest side. It was the only dish that was. D's was more bistro classic plating and quite generous on the amount of Tuna. The Tuna had a lovely smokey quality, Yummo.

As a main, I ordered the Halibut, as a default. Though there was a number of seafood options, the majority were accompanied with a meaty element. They were not willing to substitute, only leave off. How odd. How can you offer to simply remove a crucial element of a 35$ dish without offering a replacement. Anyhoo, I did not order that dish. D did though, so I did try it. It was the Scallops with Ravioli Stuffed with Carbonara inspired filling.

The Halibut was gorgeous. It tenderly cooked and not dry.  The Potato crust was not what I had expected, more of a dusting of potato than a potato layer but the fish itself compensated.  The Eggplant mousseline was light and flavourful.  Actually, I want to specifically call out that everything was PERFECTLY seasoned which has become rather rare now.  There is too much bravado salting in kitchens these days.  We're not on food tv ladies and gents, let's go easy with the flare.  The salting tends to happen at every layer whilst cooking leaving a final plate of such saline dimension as to preserve the tongue.  Not here. D thought it was a hair on the under seasoned side, a hair but that is far easier to rectify than an over salinated dish.

Scallops with Carbonara Ravioli

D's dish of Scallops and Carbonara filled Ravioli was gorgeous as well.  It was a nice portion of very happily large Scallops done to perfection.  D told me the ravioli was light on the offending bacon flavour so I might have been able to handle it.  Though as an avid fan of bacon, his judgement on the subject is a biased one.  He has been trying to convert me for years.

To accompany or meal we had a Bourgogne, a Clos de la Combe Chardonnay 2009 by Jean Chartron. Very nice.

Jean Charton - Clos de la Combe Chardonnay 2009

The service was lovely and attentive with the whole staff working as a team.  Should our glasses appear empty, a passing server from another station would replenish.  The ambiance was warm yet not suffocating or heavy.  We did not bring lil T so I could not comment on family friendly though there was a infant at the booth next to us.  Which even as people with a small infant, I have to say, seemed out of place.  The staff seemed understanding and accomodating enough, though.  The baby was exceptionally quiet so we were not bothered on our night off either.

Cost: $$$$
Service: attentive and friendly
Ambiance:  Chic, cosy
Wine list: extensive

Le Local

(514) 397-7737
Old Montréal
700 Rue William
Montréal, QC H3C
www.resto-lelocal.com

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Sunday, December 19th - Amelio's Pizza - Mont Royal - Yummo Memory Lane

Amelio's All Dressed Pizza

If you attended McGill University, Amelio's pizza will undoubtedly conjure warm, cheesy and satisfying memories.  There is a sort of unspoken allegiance to this small, unassuming, family run, Pizzaria in Montreal's 'McGill Student Ghetto'.  Having eaten a lot of pizza over the years, there is nothing quite like Amelio's.  There is definitely a loyal following of McGill Alumni who still frequent the old and new locations.  A friend of mine recently had a homecoming reunion in Montreal and they had an Amelio's pizza night for dinner.  Since there were a rather large group, they ordered out and squatted in their old student lounge.

I have had a craving to go back for some years now.  For one reason or another, mainly the brevity of the visits, I have not been able to drag D there.  It does not help that they are closed on Sunday's which are most likely to be our family-free days.  Luckily for me, they recently opened a new location on the swankier Bernard Street in Outremont.  A far cry from the modest environs of the Student Ghetto but smelled just as good.

Amelio's sur Bernard - Outremont

The owner is the daughter of the original Amelio's.  She returned from a banking career in New York to follow her true dream.  She mentioned that she does have a regular flow of McGill Alum up there who have now grown up and bring their kids.  I know I would if I lived there.  The new location is alot brighter and cafe like than the original but still served the same free starter salad in the wooden bowls with shaved carrots.  She admitted the staff and the kitchen are quite new and were probably not as well equipped to handle the traffic of the other location.  I'm sure it will come along with experience.  The tastes were definitely authentic.

Why did I feel so compelled to track this place down?  Well, one particular dish which has eluded me, lo these many years, the Eggplant Parmesan Submarine Sandwich.  I have not found it anywhere else, definitely not in Vancouver.  There are lots of Roasted Veggie subs around but not the Eggplant Parm sub.  As well, you will rarely, if ever find a Vegetarian Pizza in many cities that have Eggplant as a topping. MMMMMM So I dragged D, in the bitter cold of a Montreal Winter across town, despite the fridge at his parents heaving with leftovers so that I might have my Eggplant Submarine.  We brought the food back so we could eat with his parents.  We ordered an All Dressed and a Vegetarian.

We ordered two Mediums and the nice owner suggested we order a half half large.  We would get almost the same amount of food for less money.  But we decided to ordered the two pizza's just in case his folks were hungry.

The Sandwich was just as I'd remembered it.  If you carry it out, the toasted bun becomes slightly soggy but in a good way.  It is heaped with the same shredded, fresh iceberg lettuce which too will soften on route which is actually a good thing since the overflowing sandwhich would not contain it otherwise.  It has a considerable amount of melting, oozing cheese.  D thought a tad too much not for memory lane, it was just right.  At the core was the wonderful Eggplant Parmesan.  It was slightly more salty than I would go for but the sandwhich as a whole was not too salty.  Yummo!  I can't wait for my next annual visit and fix!

Amelio's Vegetarian Pizza

The Vegetarian Pizza was just as wonderful.  Heaping with fresh and roasted vegetables and even more cheese, it was perfect for the blustery Montreal winter outside not to mention the long nights spent in Engineering study rooms. D and his folks made a funny observation.  As most cuisines do, there are local adaptions.  Like Curry or Korean food in Spain was never very spicy.  Well, in Montreal, most Pizzerias have French Fries on the menu as well as an Italian Poutine which is basically fries with Bolognese sauce and cheese.  I brought back the takeaway menuAmelio's does not A perfect way to end my visit.

Cuisine: Italian/Pizzeria
Cost: $$-$$$
Service: Warm, friendly, bilingual
Ambiance: Cafe/Upscale Diner
Takeout/Pick Up/Sit In

Amelios sur Bernard

Outremont
1205 Ave Bernard
(514) 903-8397
Montreal, QC H2V
www.ameliospizza.com
 

Take-out Pizza

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