With the pandemic being a part of our daily lives for the last two years, restaurants have been among the biggest collateral victims of this outbreak. Many have had to close their doors; some to throw in the towel and others to reinvent themselves.
Now more than ever, it is important to support local shops and restaurants so that our community can reconnect and rediscover the pleasure of breaking bread in our neighborhood spots.
With that said, the West Island is full of hidden treasures that make it such a popular place to live on the Island of Montreal.
To start off, if you’re feeling festive and want to taste the dishes of the Irish tradition, accompanied, of course, by a great fresh beer; pubs are the place to be. Duke and Devines has been well established in the village of Beaurepaire for several years and has become a must. Since the start of lockdowns, it has gained popularity, creating an influx of the cars, in the Fieldfare and Beaconsfield Boulevard intersection, of customers coming to pick up their take-out dishes. Not to mention, as the weather warms up, its inviting terrace and friendly staff wearing traditional plaid, welcome locals and lovers of the "west coast" of the island.
A little further west, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue and its pub Cunnighams’, which has been breaking the news since Hally Berry swapped the red carpet for a clover-covered one, continues to appeal not only to celebrities, but also to fans of the atmosphere. Just like the stars, we come here to taste the famous chicken wings, but also for Friday and Saturday nights animated by music groups that alternate to set the tone for our conquest of the West.
Speaking of fame, the no less well-known food critic, Lesley Chesterman, wrote a column in The Gazette about one of the most frequented restaurants in the West Island that offers New Orleans cuisine in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, the Nolah Bistro. From the blackened catfish to the Creole shrimps with Jambalaya - not to mention the Mississipi Mud Pie, you will be transported elsewhere for an evening.
What’s paradoxical about the West Island is that you can cross over at all levels just by taking your taste buds on a journey. In fact, from Louisiana flavors, we move on to the sweet delicacies of the chicken butter, from which customers say that they have regained the taste of their childhood at the Bombay Choupati in Pierrefonds.
Of course, we cannot ignore the 40 Westt, whose reputation is now well established, as is its well known highway. It would be easy to list forty reasons to visit this establishment. With the gradual lifting of lockdown restrictions, we are looking forward to the freshness, the atmosphere, and the promise of an unforgettable moment.
From here, I hear the rumor of the sea spreading its waves to Sources Boulevard, bringing back the pearl of pearls to the shore: Maïko Sushi. This restaurant opens with a variety of uniquely prepared dishes. Of course, sushi is popular, but no matter what dish you choose, you’ll have a blazing journey of flavors that will take you from the sea floor to a space odyssey.
There are also funkier places to discover, such as Janette’s Spicy Island in Pierrefonds-Roxboro. Here, we go off the beaten track. We don't sit at the table, we choose, we pay, and we taste the Caribbean anywhere and everywhere the reggae takes us. In addition to the delectable jerk chicken, the rest of the menu could bring our Buffalo Soldier back to life!
Is your desire for a bibimbap is stronger than anything? Fried chicken? A vegetarian dish? Matjip at Dollard-des-Ormeaux is the answer to your temptations and has enough to satisfy your cravings - Korean-style.
We continue our gourmet ride on St. Charles Boulevard in Kirkland. The fragrance of the grill Select will be felt right down to your stomach. If you had to choose a dish to satisfy your appetite right away, don't miss their delicious saffron chicken. Apart from their Persian and Greek specialties, the hospitality of the staff rivals their cuisine, which is to the greatest satisfaction of their customers.
If the urge is irresistible, then you must turn back on the same boulevard heading north. The Pho Binh opens the doors to subtle Vietnamese flavors.
Finally, to all those who claim to serve the best Italian food, my Italian mother wouldn’t agree because she’s convinced that at her home is where we eat best.
When will you be coming out West?
https://bistronolah.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bombaychoupati/
https://www.facebook.com/JanettesSpicyIsland/
https://www.matjipmontreal.com/
https://restaurantphobinh.com/
