La Cornetteria: Nothing starts a day right like a cornetto dipped in a big steaming cup of caffè latte. Cornetti are Italian-style croissants, which are lightly sweetened. At La Cornetteria, they come in several flavours, including almonds, Nutella and custard. I prefer mine plain, which makes it easier to dunk in my coffee. La Cornetteria is also the perfect place to get a slice of delicious Gluten-free chocolate or lemon cake. La Cornetteria, 6258 Boulevard Saint Laurent, 514 277 8030

Restaurant Brama: Brama is the new kid in town in this neighbourhood, having just opened its doors a few weeks ago. This modern Italian taverna is dishing out some traditional northern Italian fair with a twist. The brunch choices at Brama are all comforting and hearty and are adapted to suit our local and seasonal produce. Try the frittata valdostana with potato, escarole and fontina cheese or the equally delicious biancostato e patate or pulled braised short ribs with potato hash and egg. Delizioso! Restaurant Brama, 6701 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, (514) 270-6701

Caffé San Simeon: This is where you will find me on any given Sunday afternoon perfecting the art of the far niente. San Simeon makes the best Italian-style coffee in town, in my humble opinion of course. The crowd is a mix of regulars who have been coming here for 30 years and young hipsters. There is something very special about Caffé San Simeon that goes beyond their perfect crema or luscious lattes. It’s a certain feeling that transports you to the old country, if only for as long as it takes you to savour that cup. Caffé San Simeon, 39 Rue Dante, (514) 272-7386

Restaurant Inferno: Unfortunately, being in Little Italy doesn’t necessarily guarantee that one will have many options when it comes to excellent Italian fare. Most of the choices available are mediocre but Inferno is one restaurant that does not disappoint. Opened a couple of years ago, Inferno serves homemade Italian market food, with a modern and comforting twist. From pasta to braised meats to their famous trippa (tripe) everything here is made in-house. The portions are generous and satisfying and the neon-lit ambiance is fun and hip. Restaurant Inferno, 6850 Rue Saint-Dominique, (514) 274-0666

Café Via Dante: I have a particular soft spot for this old school, traditional Italian trattoria that has gotten a face-lift by the sons of the original mamma. Café Via Dante nondescript façade doesn’t really attract the eye so it was out of curiosity that I walked in the first time only to discover a restaurant packed with diners. The food was even more of a surprise. The robust and original flavours of Northern Italy cooked to perfection and plated with no frills. Try the homemade gnocchi with Bolognese sauce or the braised rabbit with polenta. Café Via Dante, 251 Rue Dante, (514) 270-8446

And as a bonus 6^th place, I would have to add Pasticceria Alati-Caserta, which has been located in the heart of Little Italy, across the street from the Our Lady of the Defense church since 1968. The place looks like it hasn’t changed since 1968 but I always head that way when I am craving a good, crunchy Sicilian cannolo. The cannoli are filled à la minute with a luscious ricotta cream so the shell stays crunchy. Order a dozen mini ones to bring to a dinner party and you’ll be everyone’s favourite guest. Alati-Caserta, 277 Rue Dante, (514) 271-3013

And of course, if you happen to be in Little Italy then you must visit one of the best food spots in the city: the Jean-Talon Market! Here are my suggestions to nibble your way through that food mecca.

The post 5 PLACES TO EAT IN LITTLE ITALY appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Upon entering Hotel Herman, you are welcomed by the imposing U-shaped bar that extends from the open kitchen in the back all the way to the front of the dining room. It pulls you into the space and makes you want to sit down and linger.The space has been completely redone in an industrial chic style. Unfinished wood floors meet brick walls, industrial lights, tin ceilings and cement tables. All of these rough materials manage to somehow create a welcoming and warm space.

The three young owners of this handsome restaurant – chef Marc-Alexandre Mercier, Dominic Goyet and Ariane Lacombe (front of the house) – all met working in some of Montreal’s hottest kitchens, including Reservoir and La salle à manger. They are a definite contribution to the sense of welcome that this “hotel” exudes. Their enthusiasm and passion are undeniable whether they are helping you with a wine pairing from their list of biodynamic ones or dishing out some very creative and beautiful plates. Sit back, relax and let the magic begin.

The menu at Hotel Herman is comprised of several dishes listed with no apparent distinction between appetizers and main meals. Most of them are appetizer size but large enough to be shared. Some of the heartier dishes located at the end of the list are a bit more consistent. I recommend sharing a few of the dishes because you will have a hard time choosing and you will want to taste several of them.

I tasted 5 dishes while I was there and loved every single one of them. Chef Mercier’s clever pairing of flavours and textures and the perfect execution of every dish is remarkable. If I had to play favourites though, I have to say though that I fell hard for the chilled corn soup with roasted tomatoes as well as the warm king mushroom salad with sweet onion puree, snails and garlic chips. Since the menu changes often according to market availabilities, these dishes may not be available when you go but whatever will be available will surely be just as delicious.

A

THE DETAILS

Hôtel Herman, 5171 St-Laurent Boulevard, (514) 278-7000

The post HOTEL HERMAN DELIGHTS MILE END DINERS appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Bofinger BBQ Smokehouse: Smoked and grilled 100% all beef patty, with Bofinger’s famous pulled pork, house smoked bacon, Swiss cheese, Spicy barbecue sauce all on a toasted Portuguese bun.  Awesome addition of tangy coleslaw, reminiscent of any classic pulled pork sandwich but with a burgery twist.

Restaurant Biarritz: Bulgogi marinated flank steak, homemade kimchi, topped with freshly chopped scallion and ginger drizzled with oil. Cooked to a perfect medium rare and served on a grilled sesame seed bun, the burger took first place in the only competition that really mattered… in my heart.

Café Pave: One of the three vegetarian options on the week – a patty comprised of braised black turtle beans, corn with a south-western kick, English cucumber, organic Roma tomatoes, spinach with roasted garlic, and dressed with a yogurt sauce. Between you and me, probably the only veggie “burger” I’ve ever eaten and enjoyed… ever.

Bistro le république: Beef patty, cheddar, crispy griddled cooked bacon, onions, with a dollop of homemade bbq sauce on a sesame seed Kaiser bun.  Pretty basic burger until they sexed it up by braising the onions with beer.

Café Souvenir: Called the “breakfast burger”, this burger encompasses everything you think of eating first thing in the morning: pulled pork, topped with a sunny-side up egg, and guacamole.

Comptoir 21: From a fish and chip shop comes the fish and chip burger sans the chips… So basically it’s a fried fish burger. Topped with mesclun, tomatoes, sliced pickles and their house special sauce.

Diablos Smoke House BBQ: Called the sixth deadly sin, this monstrosity is AAA-beef patty, provolone cheese, smoked bacon, smoked tomato ketchup hugged in a pretzel bun. Only way they can push this burger over the edge is if they battered and deep fried it… wait a minute…

KONO Pizza: The only non-burger entry of burger week – A cone shaped pizza burger pizza cone. Grilled fresh ground beef, secret four-cheese blend, homemade tomato sauce wrapped in their signature pizza crust cone.

Le Gros Jambon: All beef patty, caramelized onions, topped with fried pickles and doused with a homemade Coca-cola mayo in a homemade hamburger bun. Yes, I said Coca-cola mayo.

M:Brgr: Kobe beef patty, topped with pecorino, arugula, grilled sweet cherry tomatoes, with a grilled slice of all beef salami slapped on top – the burger was decadent and lustful.

Nouveau Palais: This is a traditional burger topped with straight up classic fixings: lettuce, tomato, onions, bacon, and cheddar on a poppy-seed bun. Don’t get me wrong, by no means is this a simple burger, it makes up for its modesty in big flavor – don’t wear socks when eating this burger, they’ll probably be blown off.

The post A MONTREAL BURGER PHOTO GALLERY appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.