By Tracey Hill for Curtains Up
The word ‘convenient’ isn’t how most restaurateurs would describe their establishments. But at Maddie’s Place, ‘convenient’ is sexier than Channing Tatum in a thin cotton t-shirt on a humid day.
Taking the 20 to the Mercier Bridge after rush hour took about 13-14 minutes, and Maddie’s Place is 2 seconds after the bridge, which surprised and delighted me, given my preconceived idea that Khanawake was at least one-half hour (or more) outside Montreal. So, yeah, not feeding hungry downtown parking meters, no traffic and a quick jaunt into a world of green pastures and acres of woodland can be pretty sexy…and I haven’t even begun talking about the food. Maddie’s Place is situated on acres & acres of natural landscape, perfect for outdoor concerts, fairs and local festivals. And Ken Doran–the mastermind behind the next big thing since Bourbon Street North–knows exactly how to take advantage of this; by booking heavy-hitting acts like the Beachboys, Randy Travis, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Quiet Riot, Foreigner and Ronnie Milsap.
A giant tent, 6 gazebo loges for private booking, parking lots as far as the eye can see, a humongous billboard and fantastic food make this venue the future of Montreal-area entertainment. And as much as we can envision the future of this goldmine, there’s a hint of reminiscence here…it has a distinctive Woodstock-like feel to it. I can imagine sitting in the grass, cold beer and corn-on-the-cob in hand, swaying to the retro-Malibu sounds of the Beachboys…
But let’s take a moment to step into the mammoth Native long-house which houses Maddie’s restaurant and event center. Gleaming log walls and a rustic yet elegant decor make you feel right at home from the time you push open that gorgeous front door.
Chef/Co-owner, Maddie Lazare is only 24 years old, but age is but a flimsy number when conversing with this cordon-bleu trained chef and old, old-soul. Maddie eagerly breaks down the ingredients in every dish, her fresh face lighting up as she describes the importance of using local suppliers, local ingredients and remembering where she comes from each and every day.
Mentioning that the server forgot to bring us our wine list, I was told to go take a walk. Wha? Then I discovered that the ample selection of wines line a wall surrounding the bar, and you can stroll through some fine options–at unbelievably low prices–before the first course. Cool idea.
I opted to play it safe with the traditional shrimp cocktail, and was blown away by the size, quality and freshness of the prawns. “Off to a good start” would be an understatement. In keeping with my ‘play-it-safe’ theme, I followed up with a 16oz. rib steak, cooked to mouth-watering perfection with a side of steamed, fresh vegetables and a spinach dish that rival any top-notch steak restaurant in the province. Ever heard of Jack Daniels blue cheese steak sauce? Me either…until now. The rich, decadent dipping sauce for my juicy steak bites was recommended by Mr. Doran, who graced us with his convivial presence and scintillating conversation. I would drive here just to drink this velvety, luscious gravy with a straw. Heaven help me, I seriously lack self-control when stuff tastes this good.
Even though there was not one ounce of room for dessert, Maddie impishly sent out a chocolate mousse and a New York-style cheesecake to tempt us as we sipped coffee. The cheesecake had that lovely texture and tang we all look for in a perfect cheesecake, and the chocolate mousse–made with the highest quality chocolate–might just be the best I’ve ever tasted. I made room…again, my self-control was nowhere in sight.
The next time I decide to dine here (which will be soon, believe me), I’ll take along my foodie friends to savor everything on this steak & seafood menu, which leans toward a French style cuisine with a sophisticated, comfort-foody feel to it.
If you haven’t heard of Maddie’s Place before now, not to worry, it will be on everyone’s lips in the very near future, because there’s no way a restaurant and concert venue of this quality and caliber will be a secret for much longer.
Want to know how phenomenally-priced the food is? Click onto the Maddie’s Place web link to see for yourself; http://www.maddiesplacerestaurant.com/
Don’t forget, the reception & event room is stunning, affordable and a magical space for private parties, weddings, etc. I recommend taking a drive out there to check it out for yourself. They expertly tailor the space and menu for each and every booking.
Want to take in an outdoor show ( If you don’t want to drive, they provide shuttle bussing!!) less than 15 minutes from the downtown core? Go to; http://www.maddiesplacerestaurant.com/#!rocks-home/c1unz for ticket and concert details. Sexy indeed.
