Top 25 YOO Montreal : Unmissable spots in Griffintown and its surroundings (1st part)
Sunday November 23, 2014
15 restaurants worth the detour
Real estate investors with flair don’t need to be told that Montreal is renowned for its culture, gastronomy, and ability to integrate nature at the heart of its urban design. The Sud-Ouest district, with its central hub of Griffintown, is the neighbourhood of choice for enjoying the most authentic Montreal lifestyle.
To help you discover the neighborhood and its surroundings, here are 25 indispensable spots, encompassing all kinds of categories. From foodies to design lovers and zen afficionados, everyone’s sure to find something to their liking, guaranteed!
15 restaurants worth the detour
Fans of Italian cuisine will be charmed by the menu, highlighting the Northern regions of the country like Piedmont, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna. All this, in an enormous industrial space dating from 1889, which was spectacularly refurbished and embellished with an impressive central bar, mezzanine, and interior garden.
377 Richmond Street
Connoisseurs of tartare, ceviche, tataki, and other fresh and raw dishes will be pleased… And carnivores won’t be leaving hungry either. This “grinder” and steakhouse is located at the heart of Griffintown and the perfect place to meet beautiful and interesting people. The space was fabulously decorated by Zébulon Perron, the most sought-after bar and restaurant designer in Montreal.
http://www.restaurantgrinder.ca/en/home/
1708 Notre-Dame West Street
This brewery, known as BdM among locals, offers a selection of high-quality beers worthy of your full attention. With a laidback and unpretentious menu, you’ll delight in comforting foods and family recipes. This is one of the best restaurants to visit to fully appreciate the comfort food trend, which is undoubtedly here to stay! And if you’re looking for a little something to bring home, we recommend the infamous Griffintown Montréalaise brew!
http://www.brasseurdemontreal.ca/en/
1485 Ottawa Street
This restaurant – one of the province’s most famous – needs no introduction. A key player in the rebirth of Little Burgundy, Joe Beef was named in honour of Charles McKiernan, a.k.a “Joe Beef”, a 19th century working class hero. Here, you’ll find unbelievably fresh and undeniably carnivorous ingredients, a well-researched wine list, impeccable cuisine, and an impressive ability to combine know-how with finesse and ruggedness. The décor is modest – here, it’s the food that shines. To discover the complete work of the two visionary owners, Fred Morin and David McMillan, you should also try the restaurant’s two neighbors: Liverpool House and Vin Papillon. The latter, without being completely vegetarian, puts meat aside and lets high-quality vegetables be the star of the show. It was also recently named the 3rd best new restaurant in Canada by En Route magazine, no less! Don’t leave without trying the absolutely exceptional orange wine (of course, it’s impossible to find out the name of the – private – importer!).
2491 Notre-Dame West Street
Located at the border of Old Montreal and Griffintown, Serpent offers a high-caliber menu, led by the same people who brought us the mythical Club Chasse et Pêche and Le Filet restaurants. Some advice: don’t come here with a small appetite, and leave your diet at the door! Our lunch favorite is certainly the veal shank with gremolata and orzotto (pearl barley). As for dinner, be sure to try the macaroni nero with braised cuttlefish.
257 Prince Street
The most recognizable pub in Little Burgundy! Come here if you’re looking for an enthusiastic crowd during football, hockey, and soccer games… or really, any sport event worth mentioning. Along with one of the biggest collections of scotch and whisky in Canada, Burgundy Lion also serves English, Irish, and local beer… as well as the Burgundy Lion Ale! Weekend brunch here is a favorite among locals.
http://www.burgundylion.com/en/
2496 Notre-Dame West Street
Recently named by La Presse as one of the two best sushi restaurants in Montreal, Shinji offers dishes that stand out for their simplicity: nigiri, sashimi, and some maki. Everything is made with fresh and seasonal produce. If you’re used to chain restaurants, you’re likely to come out of your comfort zone… and it will be for the best! Tip: let the chef and co-owner Shinji Nagai surprise you with one of his tasting menus.
1732 Notre-Dame West Street
This smoke house specializes in Southern American cuisine and is famous for its BBQ chicken, ribs, and lobster rolls. Also on offer: nachos, chicken wings, Cajun shrimp, and more. It’s the perfect place for a night among friends, beer or bourbon in hand. The ambiance often picks up towards the end of the night!
1886 Notre-Dame West Street
“The Office” in English, this restaurant is definitely more of a tapas bar than place to get work done. Le Bureau is known for its tapas (of course), but also for its cocktails. The team took some time off this summer to renew itself, and came back to us in September, making the locals and regulars – who had been anxiously awaiting its return – breathe a sigh of relief. Worth remembering: Le Bureau recently inaugurated a special event that occurs every Thursday, during which roasted suckling pig is on offer to complement your drink of choice.
1642 Notre-Dame West Street
Located in a former bank, this restaurant was created by two architects. On the menu, the latest trends rub shoulders with ever-satisfying classics. The result is a well thought-out menu elaborated with care. The seared tofu appetizer will delight even the most die-hard carnivores, while the octopus dish with candied lemon and touch of Espelette pepper will take you straight to the Basque Country. The wine list is solid, with plenty of excellent choices at affordable prices. We haven’t tried the brunch yet, but what we’ve heard makes us pretty confident it’ll be just as good.
538 Place Saint-Henri
Open since June 2014, Henri Saint-Henri commanded the attention of locals and young professionals alike in the blink of an eye. Though the highlight is certainly seafood, the few meat dishes – varied and carefully chosen – are just as good. There’s also an “Eat & Drinks” menu that offers the chance to try appetizer and cocktail pairings. For purists, we recommend the Dirty Henri martini and oysters; as for foodies, there’s no better choice than the ice cider cocktail and foie gras parfait.
3734 Notre-Dame West Street
Having opened his cafe in 2005 at the age of 24, Patrick Hébert certainly didn’t expect Lili & Oli to become one of the most beloved cafés of critics and locals alike. Since it’s extremely popular on the weekend at brunch time, we recommend making the most of a weekday morning to come here and share in the company of the neighborhood’s restaurateurs (Marc-Olivier Frappier of Vin Papillon confessed that he comes here several times a day), sipping one of the best espressos in the city. It opens at 7 a.m. during the week (which is a relief, since so many third-wave coffee shops only open their doors at 8 a.m.), so you no longer have any excuse to go to Starbucks!
https://www.facebook.com/liliandoli
2515 Notre-Dame West Street
The one and only pastry shop by Patrice Demers, the most talked about pastry chef in Quebec. The place offers a unique concept: a complete lunch menu during the week, and a wine menu on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. If you have a sweet tooth and a refined palate, you’ll surely succumb to desserts like puff pastries, cannelés, brioches, and choux pastries, all of which will raise your blood sugar levels faster than you can say “mmmmm”!
2360 Notre-Dame West Street
A café owned by professional photographers? Two girls from Lac-Saint-Jean decided to give it a try! Part studio and part coffee shop, this friendly spot offers photo shoots, photography workshops, conferences, and a very welcoming work space… as well as fulfilling our need for caffeine with beans roasted in the owners’ hometown! If you prefer tea, fret not! It is delicious and prepared with just as much love and care.
2471 Notre-Dame West Street
Saint Henri micro torréfacteur
Though the main reason for coming here may be to stock up on coffee for the home, we also come to chat about origins, blend compositions, flavors, and roasting methods with the dedicated and passionate team in place! Good to know: training workshops are offered on the third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. You’ll learn how to make coffee like the pros – in the comfort of your home.
3632 Notre-Dame West Street