L'Avenue du Plateau

Wednesday morning, I was in need of a good pickup brunch with good friends. Mid-week blues I guess. We decided on L'Avenue du Plateau, on Mont-Royal. It's small, always crowded and there's always a line, but frankly, I don't care. Their pancakes never fail to cheer me up.

It's one of those places that everybody goes, classic 'hip' Montreal, and I'll admit sometimes it's a bit of a turnoff. It takes too long to get a table, and as in a lot of very busy restaurants, the quality of service is sometimes lacking. The staff isn't rude, only I think a little too laid back for the speed at which they should serve. But the food...oh the food, it lives up to the hype. Fluffy pancakes that taste like vanilla cake with bananas, greek yogurt and honey, specialty eggs benedict, fruit cocktails... Mon dieu. It makes up for any shortcomings. I'm determined to try their dinner (it closes late on weeknights - around 1AM), though it never crosses my mind when I'm making plans. One day it will and I doubt I will be disappointed. Though even if it does, I'll still be back. What can I say - I'm a sucker for a good brunch spot. After all - brunch is just a fancy way of saying I want pancakes in the afternoon.

Restaurant L'Avenue du Plateau
514-523-8780
922 Avenue du Mont-Royal Est

Voro

For some reason, I get a little lost every time I am meeting someone at Voro. I can never remember which street off Parc it is on, and somehow end up wandering around the Mile-End for twenty minutes before finding my way back to its doors at 275 Fairmount West. Fairmount - must remember that next time. Because there always is a next time.
After looking at their menu online, I realize Voro must serve dinner, though I've never been. I prefer to go on a Saturday or Sunday morning for a kick-ass brunch (served pretty much all day). Whether you prefer sweet or salty, you won't be disappointed, even though the selection isn't very wide. The food is just that good. Even the bread they bring you with your coffee (or mimosa!) is yummy - homemade focaccia either with raisins and powdered sugar, or herbs and oil. I always start with the greek yogurt parfait - made with a different granola and fruit compote every time. As for the rest of my meal, I've tried something different every time, and never have I been let down.
The restaurant is surrounded almost entirely by windows, and even on a rainy day, it's a calming way to spend a weekend morning, watching the busy neighbourhood wake up slowly. I come here to catch up with old friends, and it's where I bring family from out of town when they come to visit. It's never crowded (god knows why, but I'm thankful) and the atmosphere is relaxed. The staff always seem to be cheerful, though not forcibly so, which counts for a lot with me when I'm deciding if I like a place.
Voro has become my favourite brunch stand-by. If I can't come up with someplace new, if another one is full, Voro is my first suggestion. I will always be indebted to my old friend who introduced me to the brunch spot where there is never a wait and the bowls of cafe au lait are bigger than your face.

Voro
514-509-1341
275 Fairmount West

Schwartz's Deli

Montrealers take their smoked meat seriously. Never having been a fan myself (too much meat for my taste, at half a pound of brisket per sandwich), it took a legend to convert me; Schwartz's Deli, an iconic Montreal hole-in-the-wall serving up heart attacks on a plate. Ask any Montrealer worth their salt where to get the best smoked meat in the city, the answer will almost unanimously be Schwartz's. The restaurant has stood in the same place for almost 90 years (86 to be exact) and uses the same spice rub recipe as the day it first opened its doors. Briskets are marinated for 10 days, smoked for 8 hours then steamed for up to 4 hours before being sliced up and stacked between pieces of rye bread and mustard. 11 days to make a sandwich that (in my experience) will last no more than 10 minutes on a plate before being completely devoured.
The restaurant is small and line-ups are inevitable, especially for lunch, weekends, any day in summer or with somewhat nice weather - basically any time, so cross your fingers and be prepared to wait (up to an hour on a busy day, even for take-out, the line stretches around the block). If you're like me, and refuse to wait in lines, come during off hours or off season (opening and closing hours are good times, as well as the months of January, February and March).
The menu is simple - smoked meat. Get a steak, or even liver if you're daring, but don't ask for a cold cut sandwich unless you want your waiter to spend 10 minutes trying to convince you otherwise. Believe me if you won't believe him - smoked meat is what you're there for. Tender, savory and filling, it's a taste you can't find anywhere else and the smell of the restaurant alone is enough to make you want to move into one of the industrial steamers behind the counter.
A word of warning - eat quickly. Turnover is fast-paced and the waiters won't thank you for moving in at a table for six during peak hours. Also keep in mind that the restaurant accepts cash only, so come strapped beforehand.
The service gets a bad rap, but in my experience, you get what you give. And what you should give is a big smile and a good tip - the food is excellent and the staff has a rough job in an absolute madhouse, believe me, they deserve it. Good customers are always welcomed back like family.

Schwartz's Deli
514-842-4813
3895 Boulevard Saint-Laurent

Zyara

Like most Montrealers, I am sceptical of 'La Rive-Sud'. It's the suburbs. It's developments. It means crossing a bridge, and for us who get around town solely with our precious monthly OPUS bus/metro cards, it means a million transfers and requires exact change. Until recently I honestly didn't believe I could fall in love with a restaurant in the suburbs. They all seemed to be Boston Pizza's and St-Hubert's and the occasional Steak Frites. Then came Dix30. Insane shopping and a surprisingly good selection of restaurants, especially for what is essentially an outdoor mall.

This friday I went to dinner with family at Zyara, a Lebanese-Mediterranean restaurant on the second floor of a some building in Quartier Dix30. We got there early for our reservation but were seated right away. The dining room is huge, airy and light, not to mention beautiful. The menu was a little overwhelming at first glance, but we all chose appetizers to share and try more of everything. One word - damn. The best falafels I've ever had, hands down. Shrimp perfectly cooked. Beautiful hummus. Every plate was wiped clean.

I loved the laid back ambiance, we went relatively early for a friday night so the dining room was half-empty for most of our meal and the waiters had time enough to give a good service. Towards the end of dinner, the place was filling up, and the vibe changed. The music went up, a belly dancer came out, everyone was laughing, shaking along with her and having a good time. It was a good end to a fun meal, and I walked out with a smile on my face - straight to the tea store across the way to buy the fruity tea I had just enjoyed in the restaurant. Yum.

Zyara
450-812-0235
9140 Boulevard Leduc #205, Brossard

P.S. - In Dix30 on a weekend night - ALWAYS have a reservation. The ENTIRE South Shore flocks here for dinner and drinks, don't be caught with an hour and a half wait to be seated!