Restaurant Review: Anabel Bar et Vin

Anabel

Your Fall go-to restaurant.

• 361 Bernard Ouest, Montreal, Quebec H2V 1T6

3 words come to mind when thinking about my most recent visit to Anabel Bar et Vin: Quirky, Comforting, and Original.

Quirky: the ambience- turquoise walls, classic black and white floors, and wooden tables. It sounds like a lot of mix & match, but somehow it works creating a cozy and striking restaurant interior. You won't mind sticking around for a while, especially with the perfect playlist they have on in the background.

Restaurant interior (taken from Facebook page)

Comforting: the menu items. I would say Anabel serves modern comfort food. From a lobster french toast to a grilled pork chop with rapini, turnips, and horseradish. You will definitely leave feeling warm & satisfied (especially if you ordered a bottle of wine from their extensive list).

Original: all around. Their menu, presentation, and décor are all pretty refreshing in a restaurant scene where I'm getting used to seeing a lot of the same. They tend to do things a little differently here.

On top of everything, the staff are friendly, the cocktail list is creative, and though the menu is small, you will want to try everything on it! Plus they take a seasonal approach meaning the menu changes with each season based on market-fresh ingredients. I believe this week they are rolling out their Fall menu and I am excited to see what that entails! I would imagine the perfect combo of ingredients to keep us warm here in Montreal.

What we ordered (The menu is changing this week- not sure if any of these will remain, but they were so good that I want to share anyways!):

Drinks

• The London Pact: My personal favourite. Pimms, cucumber, mint, lemon, and some other ingredients I can't remember- but so delicious! A little taste of London.
• The Anabel Julep: Mint, Orangina, bourbon, and some other ingredients- my lesser favourite of the two.

London Pact

Appetizers

• Salmon tartare: Unique and delicious. Marinated cucumbers, pomegranate seeds, lemon oil, french radish, and salmon tartare piled atop prawn crackers and served with a tangy sauce.
• Lobster french toast: Their take on the classic lobster roll. Lobster salad stacked on a thick slice of savoury french toast with a homemade bacon marmalade and homemade potato chips.
• Pan-fried gnocchi: Cozy. Pan-fried gnocchi with pancetta and peas in a crab sauce drizzled with truffle oil.
• Tomato salad: So simple, but sooo good. Market-fresh heirloom tomatoes with coriander and homemade croutons topped with an impressive fried poached egg.

Salmon Tartare

Lobster French Toast

Gnocchi

Tomato Salad

Fried Poached Egg

Main

• Halibut: Warm. Halibut served with clams, mushrooms, and swiss chard in a carrot butter sauce.

Halibut

Dessert

• Fried Oreos: BETTER than any I've had before. Deep-fried oreos served with ice cream and a shot of milk.

Fried Oreo Platter

Fried Oreo

See what I mean!? Charming restaurant, on a charming street. Couldn't imagine a cozier place to spend an autumn Saturday night.

Reservations: Yes.
Date night: Most definitely.
What I wore: leather leggings, buttoned-up denim shirt, chunky necklace under the collar, leather jacket, and booties (Can't believe it's layering season already!).

The damage: $$$

Stay in the know: Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Bonus: $1 oysters on Thursday's. 

Mind, Taste, Love.

Nightlife: Lorbeer

Lorbeer

Rustic Refinement.

381 Avenue Laurier Ouest, Montréal, QC H2V 2K3

More than just your typical neighbourhood bar, Lorbeer is the quintessential spot to grab a drink with friends on charming Laurier street. You may not know that Lorbeer is also the other half of Laurea (the revamped Laurier BBQ). Owned by Jeff Stinco (Simple Plan member and Montreal restauranteur) and partner Eric LeFrancois, this bar definitely reflects their passion for beer and food. The beer on tap is even from their very own Quebec-based brewery- The West Shefford Brewing Company.

The bar serves upscale bar food- not your traditional burgers and wings. Some options include curry braised lamb and chickpea tacos and Porc belly lettuce wraps. The menu is sophisticated and original, just like the décor and vibe. Unfortunately I only stopped by post-din and was way too full to order food (aside from fries...never too full for fries), but I will definitely be back to sample some of their food creations!

Fries & Mayo

As for the interior: warm and rustic with an antique feel. Industrial brass pipes run along the wall, and lit-candles provide additional coziness. For a place with such a refined menu and décor, it miraculously manages to keep a "friendly", unpretentious ambience.

Interior

My absolute favourite aspect of Lorbeer (being a girly-girl) are their Beertails- cocktails that incorporate beer. Choose from one of their whimsical creations including (my choice) the Monaco- 20 oz pint, grenadine syrup, 7up, and pale ale (LOVE). Plus, if you can't choose just one of their brews, sample 3 with their tester-sized beers. And finally, if you don't feel like calling over the waiter each time you want a re-fill, grab a seat at the back of the bar for a self-service/private tap experience!

Beertail Menu

Monaco & Alchimiste Beer

Yup! Beertails, fancy bar food, self-service taps, and ambience- I think I found your new favourite bar!

Reservations: Just walked in on a Sunday night- not sure about Thursday, Friday, Saturday.
Date night: 10/10.
Attire: Plaid shirt, jeans, & ankle booties.

The damage: $$$

Stay in the know: DJ on Thursday nights.

Bonus: Terrace

Mind, Taste, Love.

Restaurant Review: Faros

A trip to the Greek Islands without leaving the island of Montreal. 

Faros

Address: 362 Avenue Fairmount Ouest, Montréal, QC H2V 2G5

Phone:(514) 270-8437

One great aspect of the Montreal restaurant scene is its diversity. We are not only known for our own unique cuisine, but for that of other nationalities as well. We are especially known for our Greek food. Hard to believe, but I've heard it competes with Greece itself (I’m heading to Greece later this summer, so I will confirm upon my return!) There are countless options all over the city, but one of my favourites is Faros. My family has been going to this cozy, hidden spot for years. Located on Fairmount West in the Mile End, it is super easy to drive right by this location—the exterior does not resemble a restaurant of its caliber (which is part of its charm). But hidden behind its dark blue awning and potted plants lies an authentic Greek taverna with blue-washed walls, wooden detail, and home to the freshest of produce and seafood.

The resto is known for using seasonal ingredients. There is no need to even look at the menu. Have the waiter make some suggestions! There are a few items you must order- no questions asked. The Greek salad is served stacked high and packed with the juiciest tomatoes and creamiest feta. The grilled portobello mushrooms and peppers are not to be missed. And finally, the tower of fried eggplant and zucchini chips hovering over a mountain of homemade tzaziki will blow your mind. They are not greasy compared to others I've tried around the city and like many other dishes at Faros, they are simply delightful! The rest of the ordering is totally up to you. I would opt for seafood, however, their lamb chops and meat are definitely a hit as well.

Now let's talk dessert. Their fruit plates are absolutely spectacular. Studded with exotic and market-fresh fruits, it is definitely part of a perfect end to a great meal. The other part comes in the form of melt-in-your mouth honey balls- lightly fried balls of dough rolled in cinnamon and dripping in honey. Sorry if I have you drooling at work.

By the end of your meal you'll feel like you just took a trip to the Greek Islands and you'll probably already be thinking about your next visit to Faros.

This is a great spot to celebrate birthdays, and events. Just be sure to reserve in advance as it is a small, intimate space. Last night we were lucky to be celebrating my sister's birthday and my cousin's graduation. Shoutout to Chocola for providing the nut and peanut-free cake we picked up in advance, so that the graduate could enjoy :).

Reservations: I would recommend calling, but it really depends on the day.
Date night: Woo him/her with a dozen oysters, lobster, and some Greek wine (but you also need to come here with a group so you can over-order and try everything!)
Attire: Dress on the nicer side, but the place itself is not pretentious, so don't worry about being underdressed.
The damage: $$$ (could get pricey, but the freshness merits it!)
Bonus: Free valet!

Check out the photos below, and comment! Are you gonna try Faros? What's your favourite Greek in Mtl?

Greek Salad	Grilled Portobello Mushrooms	Grilled Peppers
Fried Zucchini & Eggplant Tower	Rice & Veggies
		Chocola Vanilla-Vanilla Cake

Mind, Taste, Love.