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.

Restaurant Review: Les 3 Maria

Les 3 Maria

The West Island gets a taste of Portugal.

4886a Boulevard Des Sources, Dollard-Des Ormeaux, QC H8Y3C7 (514) 683-1333

The surprising location of this restaurant should not diminish your opinion of it. It is located in a strip mall on Sources in DDO. West Islanders are lucky to have this place so close by. There is a fair share of great Portuguese restos in the city (Romados, Piri Piri, etc.), but Les 3 Maria is delicious, inexpensive, and definitely a contender.

The place is small with diner-style décor. 4 tables line the wall across from the take-out counter, and there was only 1 waitress (who was very helpful and attentive!). But once your food arrives, you won't care about the size, or look of the place!

Let's start with the fries. Move over OJ, I've found some competition. These fries share similarities with Orange Julep's, but are crispier and tastier. They season them with spices and just the right amount of salt. Next, the star of the plate- the chicken. It's cooked on a charcoal grill, and you know it's fresh since it takes 15-20 minutes to get to the table. I highly recommend you order it spicy if you can handle it! It will arrive perfectly spiced, juicy, and flavourful. And don't forget to ask for their amazing piri piri sauce on the side- it adds the perfect punch.

Chicken Plate

We also ordered the chicken sandwich, which comes on fresh bread, filled with moist chicken, and piri piri sauce (also served with fries)- highly recommended.

Chicken Sandwich Plate

For dessert you NEED to try one (or two, or three) of their Natas- a traditional Portuguese custard tart. Light, and delightful!

Portuguese Natas

Overall, this restaurant easily won me over. Definitely worth a trip to the West Island. Pick-up is also a good idea as the resto is pretty small and they don't have a liquor license yet.

You should go!

Reservations: Yes, there are only 4 tables and it fills up fast.
Date night: It depends who your date is- but I was totally fine with it :)
Attire: Super casual.

The damage: $

Mind, Taste, Love.