There is still time to vote for Best of Montreal: Here is my look at the Eat & Drink Section

If you have been following and participating in our Best of Montreal contest then you will know that you have until Oct. 27 to vote for your favorites. You can cast your ballot at least once per day. It is all brought to you by Tanguay, the furniture, electronics and home décor chain that is truly connected to the communities it serves.

Let me once again applaud my colleagues at The Suburban for coming up with this contest and the glossy magazine that will follow in early 2025. So just go to www.BestofMtl.com and choose your favorites. It is actually quite a fun exercise.

I will share with you some of my choices in the Eat & Drink Section.

All-Around Restaurant: This is a tough one and since I can vote daily I have been splitting my choices between Duc de Lorraine, Gibbys, Moishes, Baton Rouge, Rib ‘N Reef and Au Vieux Duluth.

BBQ Chicken: While Chalet BBQ and Côte St. Luc BBQ are no brainers, this year I discovered Porto Poulet on Fleury Street in Ahuntsic, noted for its authentic Portuguese chicken so that is in the mix.

Bagels: Dizz ‘s Bagel & Deli on Cote St. Luc Road is nominated (its smaller Pointe-Claire location merits an honorable mention). On the eve of its 30th anniversary, owner Steve Dizgun has made some changes. I dropped by last week. A full renovation has given birth to a full kitchen (to be dubbed Chez Dizz) where they serve an array of hot sandwiches on one of 12 bagels or challah rolls. I sampled a few from Chef Anthony Lyons (Bacon, Egg and Cheese; lox special Atlantic doubled smoked sandwich; Dizz’s Turkey Club; and Anna’s crispy chicken) 

Bakery: Dizz’s Bagel and Deli is nominated again along with Beso Montreal, the kosher catering outfit run by Alan Serour on Montview Avenue near Ferrier. They also do retail and when you see their display counter you will want to eat everything in sight.

Catering: Beso Montreal gets my nod.

Deli: Dizz’s Bagel & Deli along with Moe’s Bar & Grill West Island and the iconic Schwartz’s Deli make my list. For more years than I can remember I would drive to Pointe Claire just to enjoy a good smoked meat sandwich or some breakfast at Moe’s. The menu has so many tempting items. Longtime owner Johnny Cripotos always has this place at the top of its game.

Breakfast: Pigeon Café in NDG and Pointe-Claire as well as the L’Ouefrier and Eggspectations chains get my votes. Pigeon was the brainchild of restaurant king Jonathan Dresner in the heat of the pandemic. L’Oeufrier presently has 45 franchises, with a goal to reach 65 in the next couple of years. The latest is across from Place Bell in Laval. Eggspectation is a mainstay. There are four Montreal locations, two in the Ottawa area, one in Toronto and four in the Middle East. We miss them at Ruby Foo’s on Decarie.

Brunch: It is not just folks coming and going on flights who love Bijou Resto Bar at the Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal in Dorval. This has become a destination stop, with its own parking area and a superb brunch.

Burger: Have you been to Billy K’s or Patty Slaps? Billy K’s, the brainchild of Allo mon Coco founder Tom Bountis, was launched in Cornwall several years ago. Bountis and his partners purchased it and opened Montreal-area locations in Vaudreuil, St. Leonard, Laval, Pointe-Claire and now Ste. Catherine Street East near the downtown core. Patty Slaps is in the heart of downtown on Ste. Catherine Street near Guy and a new one will open soon at Royalmount.

Casual Restaurant: Who does not love Marathon Souvlaki, with locations in Chomedey, Decarie and Dollard des Ormeaux? Their salads are terrific; ditto for the brochettes and the dollar fries.

Dessert: While you can go there for a magnificent breakfast, lunch or dinner, Duc de Lorraine is noted for its dessert. This French bistro, bakery, pastry shop and caterer, first opened in 1952 at the corner of Côte des Neiges Road and Queen Mary in Montreal and it has thrived under the ownership of the dynamic Victoria Sørensen in the last 15 years. Let’s also give a shout out to Les Delices Lafrenaie, with multiple locations across the island

French Resto : Duc de Lorraine again.

Fast Food: When I posted a rumour recently that the Orange Julep on Decarie might be closing, my X account blew up. Ever since I was old enough to know that the “Big Orange” was a place for food I have longed for those combos of julep, toasted hotdogs and crispy fries.

Fine Dining: In Pointe-Claire we have 40 Westt, Steakhouse and Raw Bar and for folks looking for that exceptional dining experience before a Canadiens game or a concert, there is Mythik at the Bell Centre.

French Fries: When you go to La Belle Province, they certainly do not cheat you on the fries. Every location – special mention to the rebooted one on Decarie- overloads the takeaway box and man are they addictive.

Greek: Petros Taverna has locations in Westmount, Griffintown, Laurier and Lachine while Resto Molyvos is a bit under the radar, located in the former Lesvos West spot on Decarie near Monkland.

Italian: I experienced Melrose Resto Bar on St. Laurent Blvd. in Little Italy last spring. Not only do they have great food and a terrific ambiance, but live comedy is also on tap a few nights a week.

Japanese and Sushi: Kiku on Monkland won these categories last year and for good reason. You can always count on good quality Japanese cuisine and sushi. When your head chef is known as “Sushiman” that sends a specific message.

Pizza: During La Pizza Week last spring I discovered Restaurant Lo Dico on Decarie in St. Laurent. Then of course there is the trustworthy classic, Gigi Pizzeria in Pointe-Claire which has been in the game since 1970. Add Enoteca Monza Pizzeria Moderne, with multiple locations.

Seafood: Based on the magnificent seafood platters they have added to their menus, Moishes and Gibbys are my choices.

Smoked Meat: While it has been a few years since I last went to Schwartz’s, nobody can forget how good their sandwiches are. Closer to home, the Snowdon Deli never disappoints.

Sports Bar: Geez Resto Bar Café on St. Jacques has a cool vibe and great burgers.

Steakhouse: If I had a choice to go to only 40 Westt, RibN Reef, Gibbys or Moishes, I could honestly not settle on just one.