Old Montreal / Old Port Archives - Page 2 of 8

Going back to basics – Verses Bistro

by Jason October 23, 2019

written by Jason

I’ll be the first to say that sometimes it’s hard to find a place to eat in Montreal. Crazy right? No. I say it’s hard to find a place to eat not because of the scarcity of options, but the sheer amount of places to choose from. I’ve eaten at over 400 restaurants in Montreal (past and present, opened or now closed) and have reviewed over 300 of them. It’s easy to overlook places that may not be too obvious and that you’ve become stomach blind to. Spots where you’ve casually passed but never considered eating at. I’m guilty of this many times over – especially in the Old Port. But I made it a personal goal of mine to find those diamonds peppered within the tourist trap coals. This week I checked out the new menu at Verses Bistro.

October 23, 2019 0 comments

Food Old Montreal / Old Port Reviews

Old Montreal’s Newest Izakaya – Hanzo Izakaya

by Jason September 17, 2019

written by Jason

Picture a dimly lit alley steps away from the hustle and bustle of a typical Tokyo street. Along a row of wooden doors sits a hidden oasis of food and drink where locals congregate and strangers make new friends. A mix of J-pop and Japanese oldies fill the air and ride a smoke scented draft wafting from the kitchen. Small bites of fried goodies and raw seafood, pepper the tables and glimmers and random lights are caught on the edges of cocktail glasses. This is Hanzo Izakaya. Owned and operated by the same team that brought to you Escondites, biirū, La Habanera, Kao Lua, and Gokudo, Hanzo Izakaya is Tokyo at night where wisps of neon lights creep in through noren curtains inviting you into a familiar place for a drink.

September 17, 2019 0 comments

Food Old Montreal / Old Port Reviews

Garden Vegetables and Big Meat – Restaurant Maggie Oakes

by Jason February 16, 2017

written by Jason

I had a friend the other day come up to me and say, “hey did you know it’s only 318 days until Christmas?” … HAD. Are you sick of winter yet? I am. We live in a place where the air literally hurts your face, the fucking AIR. Our winters are long and tedious but Montrealers are resilient and soldier through it. As shitty as our winters are, there is that proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. Summer and more importantly what’s the best part about summer? Short skirts and crop tops? Sure, but let’s be honest here, I’m talking food festivals. There’s no denying that our city revolves around food. Our gastronomy scene is second to none. Being said, food festivals aren’t unique to summer. The hyperborean months between Christmas and Easter are host to some of the year’s best food festivals like, La Poutine Week, and Happening Gourmand.

I had the opportunity to check out the Happening Gourmand festival and experience one of the city’s happening restaurants. Wait, I know what you’re thinking. “Great, you jerk, don’t tell me you’re going to write and tell me about some food festival after the fact. What is that going to do for me now that it’s over?” I knew you’d say that. But you can still go! Here’s how!

February 16, 2017 0 comments