The best of Montreal

75 years and running….Schwartz’ smoked meat sandwiches put Montreal on the world map (along with our 24 Stanley Cups and great bagels). Open from 8 AM to 12:30 AM (Saturday nite they are open till 2:30 AM), the oldest deli in Canada is located on the “Main” and their famous sandwiches includes no preservatives and smoked daily. Get ready to stand in line – they do not take reservation requests.

We don’t really care who “They” are when “they say Moishes is home to the best steak in North America” because we believe it. A delightful and pleasant dinner awaits you on St-Laurent Boulevard where the doorman greets you to the second floor where a proper reception area awaits you along with a hospitable staff. Once you enter the diner…the only difficult task is choosing one option on the menu. That’s why many will share a number of menu items, including the roasted peppers along with your choice of the finest meat in town. Make reservations, dress appropriately and bring your visa.

Bring a talkative buddy with you on the weekend, for you will be waiting in line at l’Avenue—and rightfully so. Known for the big bright breakfasts and striking fruit cocktails, l’Avenue is the quintessential breakfast place of the Plateau. With an urban décor, some say the window even looks like a bicycle shop with a chef in the window. Prices are modest and the lunch/dinner menu is just as scrumptious. Dress at will.

Located on Rachel in the Plateau, Casa Tapas opened roughly six years ago and has yet to tone it down a notch. Home to a Spanish menu, winelist and décor, the waiters all sport skinny black ties on a deep red Spanish shirt worthy of mentioning. The menu is unmistakably designed featuring countless appetizers such as chorizo, quail legs, calamari, mussels, grignotine and other $7-11 dollar tapas dishes make your dinner as delicious as the date you bring with you. Gorgeous crowds flock and fill Casa Tapas, so make a reservation. And don't make it two hours before.

A local haven for grilled chicken at its best, and don’t expect candles or music. If anyone can recommend a better place to have grilled chicken and patatas (Portuguese style French fries), the Doctor will retire on point. Romados is located in the Portuguese part of Montreal (Rachel Street in the Plateau) and is a bakery that opened up a grill section where you can get a chicken, pork or beef sandwich without hesitation. Lineups can be ten minutes long at any given time and finding seats are few to none, but well well worth it.