Restaurant Review: Pho Sho

Pho Sho

Pho-nomenal.

5175 Sherbrooke St W Montreal QC H4A1T4

UPDATE: Pho Sho has closed.

I usually head to the same two pho spots on Cote-des-Neiges- and for good reason. I crave their authentic pho creations that keep me coming back time and time again. But there's one thing they can't give me-  atmosphere. I wouldn't typically go to them on a date, or to catch up with friends- they are literally there just to curb my pho cravings.

SO I was really excited when a good friend of mine suggested a new pho spot on Sherbrooke in Westmount/NDG for our next girls night. I was shocked when she described it as "cute" and obviously had to try it out immediately.

Just 3 weeks old, Pho Sho may sound a little tacky, but it really is (as my friend put it best), cute! With high wooden tables and walls lined with chalkboards, this is definitely somewhere you could go with friends to catch up. It's by no means fancy, but it has what many other pho places in the city are lacking- some style and atmosphere. I'm not saying this is the place to be on a Saturday night, but it's designed to make you feel as if you could linger a little, instead of the typical "eat-and-run" places I'm used to.

I can't promise that this is the most authentic pho you will have (I'm not an expert), but I have made pho at a cooking class in Vietnam, and this was definitely right up there. My friends and I also shared the coconut chicken satay- delicious, and we each got a Vietnamese coffee on the house! I'm not sure how long this promotion is going to last, but I'd highly suggest ordering one anyways. 

Coconut Chicken Satay

Beef Pho

Chicken Pho

Vietnamese Coffee (drip-brew with a layer of condensed milk on the bottom)

Vietnames Coffee (poured over ice)

Next time you want to grab a quick bite and catch up with friends, you should "Pho Sho" check this place out (sorry, but I had to...)

Reservations: No need for reservations.
Date night: In my books, yes!
Attire: Pho-ncy (one too many pho puns? whoops.)

The damage: $
Bonus: Outdoor seating

Mind, Taste, Love.

Restaurant Review: Café Santropol

Café Santropol

Sunday Retreat

3990 Rue St-Urbain Montréal QC H2W1K2

Café Santropol is considered by some a Montreal landmark- with reason. It has been around for 38 years and has yet to lose its charm. The vegan-friendly café is famous for their sandwiches (vegan, vegetarian, or with chicken salad or ham) served on thickly-sliced pumpernickel. The interior feels warm and homey, but in the summertime that's not important because you'll be sitting on their renowned terrace. Santropol is perfect for a leisurely lunch in the plateau (emphasis on the leisurely- service could be on the slow side and there is often a wait for a table outside).

Santropol Terrace

Santropol Garden

The garden is lush and serene and makes sipping a latte on a Sunday afternoon even more pleasant than it already is. Order a sandwich served on traditional Santropol bread- I went with the "Sweet Root": a mix of grated carrots, raisins, coriander, nuts, and eggless mayo, topped with fresh apple slices (+ cheese for an extra fee). Though I was not wow-ed by the sandwich, it was definitely tasty and I could appreciate the fresh ingredients. We also started with a chicken and grilled corn soup and shared a Mexican salad topped with vegetarian chili. Both were good!

Mexican Salad with Vegetarian Chili

Chicken and Grilled Corn Soup

Santropol "Sweet Root" Sandwich

Come to Santropol for the atmosphere and a healthy lunch. I would imagine it would be a cozy spot in the winter to enjoy a coffee or homemade soy chai latte, and one of their vegan desserts. If you haven't yet visited Santropol in its 38 years of existence, maybe it's time!

Reservations: No reservations.
Date night: Cute spot for a day date!
Attire: Comfy & cute

The damage: $$
Bonus: Lovely terrace!

Mind, Taste, Love.

Restaurant Review: Hof Kelsten

Hof Kelsten

Brunch + Bakery....Brunchery?

4524 Saint Laurent Blvd Montreal, QC H2T1N4

If you're into brunch, pastries, bread, or coffee, then I highly suggest you read on. Hof Kelsten has been on my "must try" list for a while now, and I finally made it there this weekend for brunch and some baked goods to-go of course. Two of my favourite things under the same roof!

When you walk into the small, but hip space, you're immediately drawn-in by the scent (and sight) of freshly baked breads, pastries, and COFFEE.

Short & Sweet Brunch Menu

The concept is simple: order your brunch at the counter and then grab a seat and wait (impatiently) for your name to be called. The menu is equally straightforward- only a couple of options, but they're done right. I ordered the shakshouka, and my friends tried the smoked salmon sandwich on homemade rye bread (accompanied by some freshly squeezed OJ and some coffees). The smoked salmon was thickly cut atop a spread of dill cream cheese and onions. They thoroughly enjoyed their sandwiches til' the last bite. My shakshouka was just as delicious- poached eggs in a cumin-spiced tomato salsa with merguez and grilled toast.

OJ and Coffee

Smoked Salmon Sandwich

Shakshouka

Iced Coffee

I filled a box with mixed pastries to-go- which lasted less than 10 minutes on my kitchen counter (next time I'll get a bigger box). I advise you try the babka- somewhere between a cake and a chocolate danish. I could get in a lot of trouble for saying this, but in my opinion, theirs rivals Cheskie's, and that's saying a lot.

Pastries To-Go!

Apparently their challah is worth a try, but order in advance, or go early on a Friday to pick it up.

Overall, Hof's has already successfully built a name for themselves in the Montreal bakery/brunch world. If you're smart, your next cheat day will be spent here. After all, they do provide some of Montreal's BEST restaurants with their homemade bread. And if it's good enough for Joe Beef, it's good enough for me!

Reservations: Nope- order at the counter and hope a seat opens up!
Date night: ------
Attire: Plateau-chic

The damage: $$

Mind, Taste, Love.

Restaurant Review: Pizzeria Gema

Pizzeria Gema

It's Definitely Not Delivery...

6827, rue St-Dominique (Dante), Montreal, QC, H2S 3B1

Directly across the street from its more sophisticated older brother, Impasto, lies Pizzeria Gema.

Less sophisticated does not imply that Gema is not as good. What's wrong with being the fun and cute younger sibling? Absolutely nothing (my sister could vouch for that!).

Gema

Though this restaurant is fairly new, they already have things down pat. From the service to the uncomplicated, yet impressive menu, you could tell that the owners of this restaurant (Impasto duo Stefano Faita and Michele Forgione) know what they're doing.

Some friends and I walked in on a Saturday night (no reservations), and were told that there would be about an hour wait (which was expected), but were delighted when they took down a cell phone number to call us at once a table was ready. This allowed us to walk around Little Italy and grab a drink close by, without having to stand around impatiently. Already impressed! Not many restaurants in Montreal have started using this system, but it is definitely a good one!

When we sat down (no more than an hour later- as promised) we perused the menu, which is not very long. There are some appetizers including salads and fried calamari, but the real star here is the gourmet pizza selection. The menu and general vibe of the place is of an upscale pizzeria. Quaint, but still trendy! Décor is on point with the food and the concept.

We ordered a classic Margherita pizza (the 1889), as well as one topped with mushrooms and cheese (Emilia). The first element that struck us when we got our pizzas was the dough. And it tasted even better than it looked. The toppings were also perfection.

1889

Emilia

In true pizzeria fashion, Gema's main dessert is their frozen custard. ORDER IT. And when you do, get ready to try the creamiest and yummiest soft-serve ever. Topping options are simple, sticking with the upscale-pizzeria feel (caramel, chocolate, baci crumble, cherry, and a couple of others - no rainbow sprinkles here!). A sweet end to a savoury meal!

Frozen Custard with Caramel Sauce

Pizzeria Gema has carved itself a well-envisioned niche in Montreal's Little Italy. Though their are other pizzerias in the area, none do it quite like they do!

Reservations: No reservations - but they will take down your cell number and call you when a table is ready!
Date night: Pizza + Wine = Perfect date night
Attire: Cute & trendy. Not what you would wear to your typical local pizzeria though (no sweats!).

The damage: $$

Mind, Taste, Love.

Restaurant Review: Bistro Nolah

Bistro Nolah

Western Comfort Food?

3669 St-Jean Dollard-Des-Ormeaux, QC, H9G1X2

If you live in the West Island and are looking for delicious food on a cute terrace just a stone's throw away, I would highly recommend Bistro Nolah. This resto is not new to the West Island, but it definitely deserves to be dished on. Nolah serves up Southern/Soul- and they do it right. Their menu incorporates Creole-style dishes with what you might find on the menu at a French Bistro. No matter what you order, this is comfort food at its finest.

Enter the restaurant through a charming stone gate and immediately feel transported out of Dollard des Ormeaux (and the strip mall within which Nolah is located). Nestled amongst trees, the spacious terrace is perfect for a summer night. The interior of the restaurant itself is small and simple with warm accents, nothing to rave about, but the food and service will do all of the talking.

Restaurant Entrance

The food isn't the only aspect that reminds you of the South- the staff really know how to treat customers with a special Southern hospitality.

Let's talk dishes: Each table is provided with an amuse-bouche. Ours was a deep-fried cornbread with diced jalapeños. A tasty start to the meal! Don't worry....that doesn't replace bread...hot rolls followed (mmm). Ordering at Nolah is not an easy feat. With specials including shrimp in a bourbon sauce and ossobucco, as well as standard menu-items like gumbo, jambalaya, mac and cheese, grilled fish, meat, and chicken (all with a southern-flair)- deciding what to get is definitely a challenge.

Menu

Deep-fried Cornbread

After a lot of back and forth, I went with the fish of the day- a grilled catfish in a lime-butter sauce served with a sweet potato purée and seasonal vegetables. The others ordered a duck confit with blackberry BBQ sauce, and shrimp and grits.

Grilled Catfish in a Lime-Butter Sauce

Duck Confit with a Blackberry BBQ Sauce

Shrimp and Grits

The grilled catfish and duck were mouthwatering and were both presented beautifully

The shrimp and grits is the ultimate comfort food (don't miss out on this dish).

For dessert, we opted for the bread pudding in a jack daniel's syrup (heavy on the Jack Daniel's), but could have also gotten the classic beignets, a chocolate torte, or a dessert trio of all three.

Bread Pudding in Jack Daniel's Syrup

Even if it's a bit of a trek out west, you should definitely pay this delightful Southern spot a visit!

Reservations: They only take reservations for inside- make one.
Date night: Not if he/she is only into salads...
Attire: Your most Southern Sundress. But in all seriousness, cute and casual.

The damage: $$$

Stay in the know: Closed on Mondays and Sundays 

Mind, Taste, Love.