Jun 20, 2012

Deville Dinerbar

Put on your stretchy pants folks – Deville Dinerbar is classic American dining with a twist, designed to satisfy you until you burst. I won’t dwell on the hype this restaurant has received since it opened recently, but this place really seems to be on everyone’s lips lately and for good reason.
 
Ahi Tuna Tacos

Reading the menu at Deville is like going to Disney World for the first time when you’re a kid– you walk in and you’re so excited, you don’t know where to begin. Appetizers are the stars here. The bacon-wrapped Dog Sliders are exceptional and even more so when slathered with their special purple mustard sauce. The Ahi Tuna Tacos are another notable favorite. Slightly seared tuna in crunchy wont-ton taco shells, slathered in lime-wasabi aioli proves to be a successful Asian twist on this traditional Mexican dish. The Philly Cheesesteak Spring Rolls are interesting but the meat to cheese ratio is a bit off and makes for an overly heavy dish.

The salad menu boasts some strange yet delicious flavor combinations – waffle croutons and fried chicken? A bit over the top, but worth a try. The main courses include some classic American staples that no one can resist. The Bacon-Weaved Meatloaf, and Adam’s Ribs are the top picks here. If there’s one thing to avoid here it’s the burger. Yes you will see one sitting on almost every table, but don’t be fooled by its ubiquity. Taller than two Big Macs put together, the Deville burger can only be eaten with a knife and fork and the meat to bun to condiment ratio is completely off and we didn’t find anything particularly special about the taste.
Adam's Ribs

Southern Fried Chicken Salad
The dessert menu is where it gets really snazzy. Going on a ‘dessert-only’ date? Forget the lineup at Juliette & Chocolat and share a Toasted Marshmallow milkshake at Deville in true Archie and Veronica fashion. If you have room left after the main meal (which you doubtfully will), try the Big Easy Beignets. Made on site and served with warm decadent caramel and chocolate bourbon sauces these are not your average donuts. Another great choice is the Pain Perdu, which comes with the requisite caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.

If there’s one downside to this downtown eatery, it would be the pricing. The casual dining is certainly not reflected in the bill. The appetizers are excessively pricey so if you’re on a budget and know you won’t finish a huge meal, plan your meal carefully and just order an appetizer and dessert.

On a final note, Deville opens up their private terrace in the back courtyard in the summer which makes for a great 5 à 7 spot. There’s usually hardly ever a wait and you only make reservations for large groups.

Deville Dinerbar on Urbanspoon

Jun 18, 2012

Foodies for a Cause – Table of Hope 2012

If you were in the ballroom at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel on May 22, 2012 you were probably witness to another great edition of the Table of Hope, benefiting the Share the Warmth Foundation. This annual event showcases Montreal’s hottest restaurants and wineries, and local celebs lend their culinary skills for a good cause. 

The evening’s VIPs were treated to a pre-dinner Patrons Cocktail and then the party moved into the main ballroom where over 40 restaurants had delicious samplings at the ready. The event showcases the city’s well established and popular eateries such as Moishes and L’Orchidée de Chine, but also allows guests to discover unfamiliar restaurants, amazing caterers and sample local wines.

Here’s the roundup of the night’s star-studded festivities:

Table of Hope Foodie Awards  - 2012

Best Display: 
Queen Elizabeth Hotel's Beaver Club
Pyrus Bistro
Mr. Basil

Best Food: 
Macaroni Bar (pulled porc sandwiches)
Casa Minhota (croquettes and calamari)

Best Dessert: 
Délices de Dawn (Lemon Merengue Cake and Chocolate Brownie  Explosion)
CHOM’s spectacular guitar cake

Most Popular: 
Moishes
Tavern
Rib 'n Reef
Elounda

Best Celebrity Sous-Chef: 
Sugar Sammy

Best Musical Performance: 
Montreal Gospel Choir
  
For more information: http://www.tableofhope.ca
Braised beef from Bitoque
Mac Bar chefs & Sugar Sammy (most likely saying something inappropriate)
Restaurant Ofelia

Croquettes from Casa Minhota

L'Orchidée de Chine


Elounda
Baxo Cuisine and Bar
Former PM Brian Mulroney getting his sugar fix at CJAD's candy bar
Montreal Gospel Choir - bringing soul to the evening's festivities
Alouette players Bowman (#7) and Bourne (#59)
Macaroni Bar's  pulled pork sandwiches
Délices de Dawn
CHOM 97's Guitar Cake
Pyrus Bistro


See you next year!