La Banquise: 25 variations on a heart attack
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve definitely heard of those two beautiful words that, when uttered, are sure to induce instant drooling to any young Montrealer. It’s one of those joints that make me wish I wasn’t writing this review on an empty stomach. Of course, I’m referring to La Banquise; the product of some crazy mastermind who one day decided to open a joint that serves almost exclusively Quebec’s pride and joy: the poutine.
If you’ve never heard of it, shame on you and go get some friends, but let me give you a quick recap:
The place first opened in 1968 as a dairy bar, also serving hot dogs and fries. By the 1980’s, the poutine started to gain popularity across Quebec and as a result, was added to the menu. When more and more people were introduced to this glorious artery-clogging dish, it hit a peak in the 1990’s and by 1999, La Banquise’s menu already listed 23 different kinds of poutine.
Now I bet you’re thinking: “Silly girl, how the hell can you make the ingenuous mix of fries, cheese curds and gravy any better??” Although you can never go wrong with the classic recipe, La Banquise offers 25 variations that are sure to especially satisfy the meat lovers. You can find combinations of ground beef, sautéed onions, merguez sausage, bacon… The list goes on, and I assure you that the choice is never an easy or quick one to make when seated in front of the menu.
Their poutine is only half the excitement. Since they’re open 24/7, it’s no wonder that their peak hours are usually when the clubs shut down and a swarm of drunken party-goes, overcome with the munchies, invade the place. Don’t be surprised to find a lineup at 3:30am on a Saturday night. The place isn’t huge but trust me, the food is definitely worth the wait. Call me cheesy (pun!), but you always remember your first time at La Banquise, where a special moment is shared with the people you’re with.
Prices range from 6$ to 12$ for generous portions.
Gym memberships not included.
Upstairs – It’s Jazztastic!
Just a few steps below the street level on Mackay, you will find a quaint little hidden gem called Upstairs Jazz Bar and Grill. This place caught my eyes from the moment I glimpsed in through the window and saw an upright bass musician jamming away. As an avid jazz fan, I squealed like a little girl and excitedly walked in.
The place: dimly lit room. Very jazz-y and intimate. The Chicago 1950’s feel, complete with brick walls covered with an array of frames, takes you away from the downtown Montreal feel the moment you walk in. All that’s missing is the cloud of smoke hanging in the room (damn this ban!). The food is simple yet tasty and the staff is remarkably friendly. The ditsy, large breasted blonde bimbos you’d find as a nightclub bartender working for tips would not fit in to this classy, old-fashioned joint. Surprisingly, the prices are extremely fair. This place has a vibe I haven’t seen in a long time in Montreal, which is always a bonus since it seems that so many places follow the same template nowadays. A generally older crowd (30+) can appreciate this cozy, laid-back feel where people can share their passion for music.
Several times a week, you will find live performances by jazz artists. For that alone, it’s worth to check out Upstairs. Don’t get me wrong; you don’t have to adore jazz to go. When the performances are done for the night (roughly by midnight), the crowd gets back to it’s lively pace.
I fell in love with this place the moment I walked in. There’s a certain warmth in the personal interactions you can never find in a nightclub.
Their wine list isn’t too extensive, so I’d stick with the drinks. If you’re in the mood for a quick bite, get the Antipasti for 2, you can’t go wrong with calamari, smoked salmon, grilled chicken and a few other ingredients to pleasure your taste buds.
Bonus: Check out their website for scheduled performances as well as special recipes with step-by-step instructions.
www.upstairsjazz.com
Chez Liang – Starving Students, Rejoice!
There’s no doubt that Monkland village is a booming area of the city, located in N.D.G., just a few minutes west of downtown. Monkland Avenue is packed with small shops, bars and restaurants that are sure to offer something for pretty much everyone. As much as the strip is attractive, especially in the summer time, some good restaurants tend to be somewhat pricey. Fear not, for I’ve just discovered this great little joint located on Côte Saint-Luc, just a block north of Monkland, that offers some of the best Chinese food at a great price, called Chez Liang (also goes by the name Imperial).
I’ve actually walked in front of it many times and never thought much of the place since it always looked deserted. Apparently I was fooled; most of their customers grab their food to go, or even take advantage of their delivery service (however the delivery menu’s not as extensive). The interior decor is nothing spectacular, but sometimes those types of little family-run restaurants are the ones that offer the tastiest meals.
I had the General Tao chicken, which was some of the best I’ve ever had. And believe me, I’m a girl who loves her General Tao. Accompanied by a friend, the two of us ordered off their Table d’Hôte list which included a soup and spring roll. And get this, the bill cost 17$, total!
I forgot to mention the best part – it’s a BYOW! So really, there’s no reason not to go if you’re strapped for cash, are starving, and feel the need get tipsy over dinner. I can assure you, I’ll be eating there very often, and it’s not only because it’s located literally at the corner of my street… it’s because I’m cheap and can’t cook.
Devi Indian Restaurant and Lounge on Crescent
Our waitress called it: “Crescent Streets Best kept secret” and she probably is right. I accidentally went in this Indian restaurant for dinner on Saturday and although I am still suffering from the consequences of the spices, this place was amazing. I have been to some typical “ghetto” Indian couple of times but this restaurant is nothing like that. The attention to detail in this joint is surprising, both from a menu and decor perspectives. The ambiance is borderline mystical, with colors, lanterns, wooden beams and great loungey “BuddhaBar” style music. The food was pretty much your typical Indian meal but the presentation was very interesting, with modern versions of the metal plates and cups you would typically see in India or any hardcore Indian restaurant in Montreal. Overall the experience was great and so was the service, however if you are just hungry and are craving Indian food, there are lots of alternatives in the city that offer the same food for the fraction of the price but if you are looking for a different dining experience, Devi is definitely worth a shot.
My bill: about 130$, tip and a bottle of wine included.
Suite 701 – Don’t Forget to Shave
Feel like bumming out and getting wasted with your buddies without spending too much? Then don’t head off to Suite 701, because you probably won’t even get in with those dirty sneakers of yours. This lounge is the definition of class – the interior is beautiful, the people are beautiful and the drinks are beautiful.
Located in Old Montreal, Suite 701 is relatively small: basically a long narrow room with a bar running down one side. However, its extremely high ceiling prevents the feeling of being cramped. Opposite of the bar, a series of low coffee tables and lounging sofas help accommodate large groups. The interior architecture is absolutely fascinating. The high ceiling paired with the detailed moldings, modern chandeliers and boudoir-type mesh curtains give the space a classical, contemporary and naughty feel.
Although you’ll see the DJ booth the moment you walk in, there unfortunately isn’t an existent dance floor. So really, a DJ is kind of useless but she was hot, so there you have it. I’m more of a chat-over-a-drink kind of person, so the absence of the dance floor didn’t bother me. What was frustrating however was the excessively loud music that even prevented you from having a conversation. After somewhat mastering the art of reading lips, the ambiance was pretty chill and ideal for going out with a group of friends.
The drinks are not cheap, they’ll run you about 12$ for a cocktail, but you’ll definitely find some original ones made with quality liqueur. Maple syrup is an interesting ingredient found a few times on the menu – a tad too sweet for my liking, but worth trying and will definitely be enjoyed by most girls. Fortunately, Suite 701 is one of the rare nightlife spots where they serve mojitos! Finally! You can sit down with a drink and pretend like it’s just another hot summer day when the reality is that you’re completely unaware a snow plow has just ripped off one of your side mirrors during its run. Unfortunately, I speak from experience… By the way, the reason why those drinks are so hard to come by is due to the fresh mint leaves needed as the prime ingredient. Most of the time, it’s not worth for clubs or bars to carry something with such a short shelf life if the demand isn’t high enough. So ladies, no bitching if a club or bar doesn’t offer mojitos. Order something else and quit acting like a princess. … again, I speak from experience.
If there’s a drink that you must try, it’s called The Basilic. Evidently, one of the ingredients is basil… sounds nasty, I know, but its combination with the sweetness of the raspberry liqueur makes it very interesting. It’s a usual favorite for the ladies, the men however, find it tastes like spaghetti sauce.
Pros:
• Good music
• Good drinks
• Gorgeous design
Cons:
• Pricey
• A slightly snooty crowd
• Tight space