By Chef Derek Bocking for Curtains Up
There is certainly no shortage of great restaurants here in Montreal. One small problem is that a lot of the ones that make peoples top 5 – such as Joe Beef or Pied du Cochon – are not open for lunch. If you’re looking for a good place to spoil yourself during the office lunch break, or want to show off what this city has to offer to an out of town friend with a plane to catch in the evening, here’s a list of my favorite places to get some serious food in the afternoon.
I’ve included a couple fancy places that are good for important business meetings, but also a couple more casual, relaxed spots. Some of these places are a bit pricy, but lunch at most of these spots won’t cost you any more than a visit to that terrible chain restaurant that your co-workers always drag you out to. I’ve given each a $ rating to give you an idea of what sort of prices to expect. What these places do all have in common is outstanding food that should earn them a spot on your own personal top 5.
And now the list, in no particular order:
Kazu
In a small, unassuming space, on a stretch of St. Catherine’s populated with t-shirt shops and sports bars, Chef Kazuo Akutsu dishes out authentic Japanese pub food that is mind-bogglingly good. The menu is filled with all sorts of little dishes – a lot of it finger food – that are perfect for sharing. Good thing, because everything is so tasty at Kazu that you will want to try it all. The stand outs include Japanese pot-stickers, the ‘calcium salmon’ spread and the roasted tuna belly. Be prepared to wait though – Kazu doesn’t take reservations and the line-up is often a block long. But trust me, the calcium salmon alone is worth the wait. $
kazumontreal.com 1862 Sainte-Catherine St W.
Lunch from 12pm – 3pm Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
Lawrence
Located on a trendy stretch of Boulvard St. Laurent in the Mile End, Laurence feels like a neighborhood bistro that just happens to serve world-class food. Chef Marc Cohen, originally from England, serves classic British food, with the occasional French or Canadian twist. The presentation is clean and unfussy and the ingredients are always top-notch. The menu is constantly changing to keep up with the seasons. To find the latest menu, you can follow their twitter feed @lawrencefood . $$
lawrencerestaurant.com 5201 St Laurent Blvd
Lunch 11:30am – 3pm, Wednesday to Friday
Brasserie T
Brasserie T is the little sister to the famous restaurant Toque. The menu is far simpler, and the prices are brought down to match. It’s still not your cheapest option for lunch, but well worth a visit. Rustic dishes like pate campangne and duck confit are done with grace and precision. The atmosphere of the glass walled room that sits beside Place des Arts is casual enough for a relaxed lunch with friends, but just formal enough for an important business meeting . $$$
brasserie-t.com 1425 Rue Jeanne-Mance
Open every day from 11:30am
Le Comptoir
Just down the road from Lawrence is another of my lunchtime favorites. Like its neighbor, the menu is constantly changing, driven by the market. Whereas Laurence specialises in Anglo fare, Le Comptoir specializes in modern French cuisine. A chalkboard above the long bar lists the day’s menu. The table d’hote is reasonably priced and the charcuterie platter is top notch. They also have a great selection of wines by the glass. $$
comptoircharcuteriesetvins.ca 4807, boul. Saint-Laurent
Lunch: Tuesday to Friday 12pm to 2pm , Brunch Sunday 10h30 to 2pm
Le Gros Jambon
If you find yourself in the Old Port and need a good lunch that won’t break the bank, try Le Gros Jambon. Le Gros Jambon is styled after the greasy spoon dinners of yore and is the place to go if you just want a hot dog or a sandwich, but you want it done right. The atmosphere is bustling and the food is pure greasy goodness. For dessert, try one of their incredible handmade donuts, made by the wonderful St.Donut companie, a.ka. pastry chef Rachel Corber. $
legrosjambon.com 286, rue Notre-Dame Ouest
Open weekdays from 8 am, weekends from 9am
