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: 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.