Gryphon D'Or Tea Room

Tea for Two!

5968 Ave De Monkland Montréal, QC H4A2L2

I live around NDG, so I often visit Monkland for a coffee, a trip to Lucille's Oyster Dive, or for some froyo. This time, I ventured onto one of my favourite avenues for an afternoon tea at the cozy Gryphon D'Or Tea Room with some of my favourite girls!

Gryphon D'Or Tea Room is quaint and homey. Take a seat on a wooden bench and ask to look through their selection of loose-leaf teas. Decide whether you will have a full afternoon tea served with scones, sandwiches, a pot of tea and desserts, or just a Dessert Tea, which is served with scones, a pot of tea, and desserts. You could also choose to order brunch, dessert, or any of their daily specials on their own.

Loose-Leaf Teas

We arrived later in the day and had already eaten lunch, so we decided to go with the Dessert Tea. First, a basket of warm scones arrived with butter, lemon curd, homemade jam, and heavy cream. I could have eaten the entire basket myself. My pot of vanilla-orange tea went perfectly with the citrusy lemon curd. Next, a two-tiered display of desserts was set down in front of us. Slightly unsure of how to tackle this extensive dessert tray, we decided just to dig in. There were assorted tea squares, shortbread cookies, chocolate mocha cake, strawberry shortcake, and mini apple crumbles.

Vanilla-Orange Loose-Leaf Tea

Scones with Lemon Curd, Cream, Butter, and Homemade Jam

Desserts

Everything was delicious and I could not think of a better way to spend my Sunday afternoon than by sipping on warm tea, enjoying freshly baked desserts, and catching up with friends. Not to mention, the entire dessert tea is under $15!

FYI, all baked goods are made on the premises, they offer Saturday and Sunday brunch, and dessert tea is offered 7-days a week after 3pm. I can't wait to return for brunch sometime soon!

Check out their website and definitely visit The Gryphon D'or Tea Room!

http://www.gryphondor.com

Mind, Taste, Love.

Le Bon Vivant

Saint-Henri Strikes Again

2705 Notre-Dame St W Montreal, QC H3J1N9

The neighbourhood of Saint-Henri is no longer "up and coming". I think it has reached a point where we could say it has arrived. Full of trendy cafés, bars, restaurants, this neighbourhood has established itself as one of the coolest in the city at this moment. People live in spacious lofts and spend their winter weekends hanging out at cafés, and during the summer, find them by the canal, or at the nearby Atwater market.

Le Bon Vivant fits the Saint-Henri mould perfectly. Cozy, trendy, and wholesome, the restaurant uses market fresh ingredients to craft meals that are (mostly) healthy and full of seasonal ingredients. The menu truly caters to everyone. Their seasonal "Farmer Bowl" for vegetarians, and plenty of meat and fish options too!

Farmer's Bowl

We started with the tacos of the day (shrimp) which were served on a grilled corn tortilla, topped with avocado and other fresh vegetables, and drizzled with a mildly spicy sauce. The char on the tortilla combined with the grilled shrimp worked perfectly. Order as a starter to share, or as a meal for yourself (they were that good!). Our other starters were the Kalbi Short-Ribs, fried cauliflower (with Brussel sprouts and Halloumi), and the farmers bowl (beats, squash, zucchini, onions and goats cheese). Equally fresh and delicious.

Shrimp Tacos

Kalbi Short Ribs

Cauliflower, Brussel Sprouts, and Fried Halloumi

For our mains we tried both the Tandoori Chicken for two and the Lamb Shank. The lamb shank was fall-off-the-bone tender and was served on a bed of Israeli cous cous and broccolini. The perfect winter dish. But the item I would definitely come back for- the Tandoori Chicken. The chicken was moist and served on a bed of quinoa and Mediterranean salad (more of a stew)- another dish to complement the cold weather we've been having, but I would truly eat this dish any time of year!

Chicken Tandoori for Two

Lamb Shank on Israeli Cous Cous and Broccolini

For dessert we ordered the "Rochers", which were kind of like coconut macaroons served with whipped cream. A sweet and light ending to an exquisite meal!

Rochers

If you are looking for a dinner spot where you could leave satisfied, but without feeling overstuffed, or greasy, this is definitely for you. They take reservations and the space is small, so reserve!

http://lebonvivantmtl.com/

Mind, Taste, Love.

Kinka Izakaya

Irrashaimase!

1624 Saint Catherine St W Montreal, QC H3H1L9

Be prepared for a loud and boisterous experience from the second you walk into Kinka Izakaya. Each time someone enters, the entire staff yells Irrashaimase! (welcome! in Japanese).

Located in the Faubourg on St. Catherine street amongst many other Asian eateries, and not too far from Imadake (another Izakaya that has definitely made a name for itself in Montreal) it is hard for a newcomer to stand out. However, Kinka Izakaya has done a brilliant job of gaining momentum on the competitive Izakaya playing field. Thanks to the stylish design, warm staff, and incredible dishes, they have mastered the recipe for success. The people behind this Izakaya are not new to this, having opened Guu and multiple other restaurants in Toronto.

Torching master!

Plum Wine Mojito

Plum Wine

We sat at the bar and watched the chefs perfectly torch sushi and deep fry takoyaki. Definitely a fun part of the experience. I sipped on my favorite plum wine (one of the special drinks of the night) and a plum wine mojito- a unique take on the classic mojito.

When you visit this hotspot, these are some of the dishes that you must try (though there were another 20 items I wish I could have tried-  I'll have to return for more!):

Rapini and Mushroom Stir Fry

Tuna Tataki

Pressed and Torched Salmon

Miso Cod

Beef Udon Noodles

Green Tea Crème Brulée

This is also a fun place to go for a birthday. The team will sing their (loud) version of happy birthday and bring out crazy dessert and shot platters for the party (for a price of course)!

When you leave the restaurant, you will be sent-off with a cheer and the entire place waving goodbye to you.

You could now make reservations, and I highly recommend that you do, because it fills up quickly!
Mind, Taste, Love.

Chef on Call

Indulge for a Good Cause

Anyone who has been a student in Montreal, or who has lived Downtown at some point, has heard of Chef on Call. Whether to fulfill those late night cravings, or to keep you awake during exam cram sessions, Chef on Call has been there. As if that wasn't enough, they have now decided to team up with local charities around the city by introducing the Donator Burger. The burger and charity will change each month to benefit both our appetites and different causes.

Chef on Call is a very community-oriented business that has become well-established and loved in the city. It is only fitting that they have decided to give back to the community that means so much to them.

In February they will be teaming up with Dans la Rue, which provides assistance to homeless youth and youth at risk. $1 of each Donator Burger will be donated to the cause. Order yours with an Oreo milkshake. Trust me. You need it to focus.

So in support of late night cravings and study grub, let's all indulge in a Donator Burger for a good cause! Who knew a burger could feel so guilt-free?

Oh So Crispy Burger **FEBRUARY DONATOR BURGER**

The Basic Burger

Mind, Taste, Love.

Arts Café

A Fairmount Find.

201 Avenue Fairmount Ouest Montreal, QC H2T 2M8

On a mild Winter Sunday morning/afternoon, nothing beats brunching and catching up with good friends, but the brunch experience was recently taken to the next level at Arts Café. 

Windows are dressed with hanging light bulbs adding to the eccentric feel, while wooden floors and walls help keep the small space warm. Mismatched chairs and different-sized tables give the café a vintage vibe. The décor may be busy, but it works. Grab a latte (or a mimosa) and a seat by the window if you can for some natural sunlight and a view of this adorable plateau street. 

Brunch itself is delicious. The menu is not overwhelming, but still has enough choice that you will need a few minutes to decide on your target. Highlights included the breakfast poutine, sweet & savoury french toast, and the delicious coffee. See what else we ordered below!

Latté

Grapefruit Mimosa

French Toast with Apple Cardamom Chutney, Cheddar, Almonds, and McMillan Farm Maple Syrup

Breakfast Poutine: Duck Confit, Sarladaises Potatoes, Cipollini, Cheese Curds,  Poached Egg, and Hollandaise

A Fairmount Bagel with Salmon Gravlax, Organic Tomato, Arugula, Herb Cream Cheese, Fried Capers, and a Baked Potato with Crème Fraîche 

All I can say is GO (but go early because there is bound to be a wait and they don't take reservations).

Mind, Taste, Love.