San Gennaro

Little Bakery in Little Italy

69 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montreal, QC H2S 1K7

I could not imagine a more relaxing way to spend my lunch break, or a weekend afternoon than by lounging on a terrace in Little Italy sipping on an Italian coffee paired with some pizza and of course, canoli. Ladies and gentleman, a trip to Firenze, or Rome is not necessary to live this dream. Said magical terrace is only a drive, walk, or metro ride away at San Gennaro in our very own Little Italy.

Chock-full of Italian bakeries, restaurants, and cafés, deciding which to choose is often a difficult task. Let me make it a little easier for you. San Gennaro is stocked with traditional Pizza Al Taglio (baked in rectangular trays and served by the slice) with toppings to appease any pizza-lover. Their selection of baked goods is equally impressive: canoli (filled right in front of you), lobster tails, bombolone with nutella, apricot crostada, and homemade cookies line the display. I must have looked like a puppy eyeing the dinner table (staring and salivating at the line-up of yummy desserts).

It was around brunch time, so we decided to try out their breakfast pizza as well as the eggplant and mozzarella pizza. For dessert, the lemon ricotta lobster tail, a canoli, and latté (and of course a box of canoli to-go).

I could spend hours sitting on their terrace and enjoying their delicious pizzas and dolci. Now that they have begun serving gelato, I will definitely be back!

Mind, Taste, Love.

Notre Boeuf de Grace

NDG Welcomes NBG

5732 Sherbrooke W, Montreal, QC H4A 1W8

NDG, a family-friendly neighbourhood that is quickly becoming inhabited by a younger demographic, is facing one small problem. Aside from local hot spots like Lucille's and The Tavern on Monkland, where will these young and trendy NDG residents eat?

Enter Notre Boeuf de Grâce. Becoming better known around town as NBG. Nestled on Sherbrooke (west of Decarie), this spot offers everything you could possibly need for the summer: a terrace to chill on, grub to satisfy all of your cravings, soft-serve ice cream, creative cocktails, and the most delicious affogato to sip on in the sunshine.

I visited on a night that was a tad too cold to sit on the terrace (of course there were people eating outside anyways.....Oh...Montrealers.....), so we grabbed a table inside. The space is casual, but wooden tables, and a large central lighting fixture add some ambience. Bold red and black writing on a statement wall gives the room a rock and roll vibe.

Start off with the Devils on Horseback: Dates wrapped in bacon that are deep fried and served with hot sauce. An unlikely combination that just works.

Devils on Horseback

Wedge Salad

Customize your burger, or choose from one of their suggestions that are even offered with the perfect drink pairing.

Vegetarians have the option of a veggie burger. Non-beef eaters can go for a chicken burger. And those of you on a health-kick can opt for a lettuce wrap.

The burgers themselves are thin, tasty, and juicy- as they should be. There are plenty of toppings and sauces to choose from, so go wild!

Beef Burger / Tandoori Mayo / Etc.

Chicken Burger / Lettuce Bun

Beef Burger / Lettuce Bun

Beef Burger / Salami / Fried Egg

The potato skins are crispy and topped with a combination of sauces and chives. Think loaded baked potato in finger-food form. And of course fries and poutine are always a good option as a side. P.s. coke is served the classic way- with syrup (cherry coke is available!).

Potato Skins

Fries

Poutine

You should definitely go if you live in the neighbourhood. NBG is the only of its kind in NDG, and I predict it will be a hit with locals and Montrealers alike this summer!

Mind, Taste, Love.

Escondite

Cerveceria, Tequila, FIESTA

1206 Avenue Union, Montréal, QC H3B 3A7

Downtown now has an actual selection of diverse and trendy restaurants to choose from. Escondite (which translates to hiding place) has recently been added to the roster and is bringing a totally fresh concept to Montreal. We're used to basic tacos served at whole-in-the-walls, and the odd cute Mexican establishment, but this spot is chic in every way and serves up tacos and other Mexican-inspired dishes with flair.

From the outside, you expect to walk into an ordinary and casual restaurant, but step inside to find a dimly lit space with ornately painted walls, interesting art, and neon signs that all work together to create a hip atmosphere. This is THE taco restaurant Montrealers have been waiting for.

Ok, so the restaurant is beautiful...but what about the food and drinks!?

Papi Chulo's pork ribs are a must-  sticky and sweet in a black cherry chipotle sauce. And if you're a truffle lover, you need to order the truffle and cheddar cheese quesadillas. I would go for the shrimp ceviche over the beet ceviche-  more zing and flavour. 

Papi Chulo's Pork Ribs

Quesadilla Sincronizada de Hongos

Beet Ceviche 

Shrimp Ceviche

All of the tacos we tried were great. My picks are the crispy cod and cauliflower tacos. The smoked meat tacos (a Montrealer's dream) were good, but not my personal favourite.

Crispy Cod Tacos

Crispy Cauliflower / Vegetarian Taco 

Smoked Meat Taco

Of course you should end your meal with CHURROS-  coated in cinnamon sugar and served with nutella for dipping.

Churros

Drinks were flavourful and colourful. I always love a good Michelada (basically the Mexican version of a Caesar with beer). The La Papaya with gin and papaya purée was another favourite. 

Michelada

Mojito del'King

Cartel de Santa (with Hibiscus Flower syrup and Hibiscus Foam)

La Papaya

Escondite is a real "hidden" gem. The restaurant is a good size allowing for bigger parties and they take reservations. Perfect for your next Mexican fiesta with friends or a date!!

Mind, Taste, Love.

Le Cochon Caché: Porchetta

Simplicity at its Finest

7901 Avenue Henri Julien, Montreal, Quebec H2R 2B9

3 ingredients: Porchetta, Rapini, and Potatoes. That is what you will find on the menu (in several variations) at Le Cochon Caché in Villeray. And 3 is all they need. Have your Porchetta on a plate, in a sandwich, on a pizza, or atop an out-of-this-world poutine.

Marco Barone, the passionate chef behind the small joint in Villeray, has cooked at some of Montreal's finest restaurants. But in a time when restaurants try to wow with gimmicks, I can really appreciate when a restaurant decides to take things back to basics. At Le Cochon Caché there are no fireworks, no gimmicks, just two guys behind a counter serving up food that stands on its own based on quality ingredients.

The small orange space is easily identifiable from the outside-  a quaint round window emblazoned with a pig that reads "Porchetta" will greet you on this fairly deserted side street. Enter and the aroma of rosemary, and roasted Porchetta will get your stomach grumbling (and also probably entice you to order way more than you can handle...I'm speaking from experience here). The chalkboard menu lists their short selection. All you have to do is order, and watch chef Marco work his magic.

The poutine can only be summed up as an Italian/Quebec Thanksgiving meal. Instead of french fries, they use roasted potatoes, and the gravy is also homemade. The rosemary used in their spice rub (which you could buy on-site) adds a certain warmth and "cooked by nonna" feel to the dish. Don't miss it.

Porchetta Poutine

Porchetta Poutine

The sandwich, also filled with sliced Porchetta, packs tons of flavour and crunch. I got mine with a side of rapini, one of my absolute favourite vegetables. If you're unfamiliar with rapini, it is a bitter green vegetable, that when cooked right makes the perfect side-dish! Next time I stop by, I will be sure to try their pizza topped with...take a wild guess......PORCHETTA and rapini!

Porchetta Sandwich

Porchetta Sandwich with a side of Rapini

Porchetta Pizza

Porchetta Pizza & Pizza with Tomato Sauce

Pull up a stool, or grab your porchetta to-go, but don't miss out on the deliciousness that is Le Cochon Caché.

They also cater, so definitely reach out to them for your next event. And no, surprisingly, the catering business is not limited to just Porchetta!

Mind, Taste, Love.