Game : The Alouettes offer outstanding entertainment at Percival Molson Stadium
I have been a fan of The Montreal Alouettes football team dating back to when I was a young child and games were played at the old Autostade.
The 1980s represented tough times for Als fans. In 1982 the club went bankrupt and were reborn as the Concordes. That lasted for four seasons, until the Alouettes name was brought back in 1986. It was short lived and just prior to the following campaign they disbanded, seemingly for good. Nearly a decade later the Baltimore Stallions, one of the American teams that had joined the Canadian Football League, relocated to Montreal and naturally assumed the iconic Alouettes name. It was rough going attendance-wise at Olympic Stadium and when a U2 concert in 1997 forced the team to schedule a playoff game elsewhere they wisely choose McGill’s Percival Molson Stadium. It was an immediate hit and they have not left since.
Yes, the team almost folded twice more. First they were rescued by Toronto businessman Gary Stern. When he gave up ownership, the savior Pierre Karl Péladeau stepped up. Now in his third season, he has been praised for his supportive role.
I love the ambiance at McGill and I was there for the home opener, a thrilling 37-30 victory over Toronto. With field access after the game, I got to interview quarterback Davis Alexander and receiver Tyson Philpot -two star players whom I am proud to say already know me on a first-name basis. What true ambassadors they are for the sport here! This is an exciting team. their fan following is loyal and I feel growing. If you have not seen them play at home, check out what you are missing.
GRUB: The Bijou Resto Bar is the go-to dining establishment at Trudeau Airport
Are you looking for a fine dining experience at Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Dorval? How about a way to avoid the frequent traffic congestion and exchange it for a relaxing experience? Well, then I have something to share with you.
Recently I had to pick up family at the airport. Due to the construction on a new parking lot, you can spend more than an hour on the highway before getting to arrivals or departure depending upon the time of day. I chose to leave my home more than five hours before the flight and my destination was the Montreal Airport Marriott In-Terminal Hotel. If you dine at The Bijou Resto Bar at the Marriott and spend at least $75, your valet parking fee (based on availability) for four hours is free. Now I had dined at this restaurant twice before: also, while waiting for a family member and another time for breakfast. Other parking options are for a fee and owned and managed by the airport authorities. I was lucky to get a coveted valet parking spot right at the entrance. With my laptop computer in my bag, I headed to the business center where for more than two hours I got some work done in an absolutely perfect ambiance. I made a 6 pm reservation at Le Bijou.
My server Martine was superb. I began my meal with a delicious order of Salmon tartare, composed of salmon, avocado, coriander, cucumber, roasted pumpkin seeds, Sriracha mayonnaise, tobiko and crispy nori. In addition, I sampled the braised short rib tacos. This was another winner, made with pickled enoki mushrooms, cilantro in between a flour tortilla. Just to ensure I tried something else, Martine brought me a sampling of their fabulous risotto .
Next came the main course. The menu has quite a nice variety, but when I saw confit duck leg there was no other choice, accompanied by sweet potatoes, braised white turnip and sherry vinegar reduction.
For dessert I had my eyes on the S’mores and the decadent creation did not disappoint.
There is no question this is the best dining establishment on the airport property. The hotel and restaurant is located at 800 Place Leigh-Capreol. For more information call 514-828-5117. Go to https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/yulma-montreal-airport-marriott-in-terminal-hotel/dining/
Le Roseline For Brunch
Jean-Marc Renaud is a noted Montreal art director and production designer, with a number of films, television show and commercials to his credit. In December 2019 he ventured into the restaurant business, opening Le Roseline on St. Laurent Blvd. between St. Joseph and Laurier, in the Mile End. Business was booming from the start, then the COVID-19 pandemic happened and the restaurant industry grinded to a halt. Renaud waited for the dust to clear and when indoor dining resumed at full tilt he was rolling again. While I heard wonderful things about Le Roseline, my first visit on a recent Sunday morning was to experience their new brunch menu. The options combine skillfully reinvented classics with truly daring creations. I had the decadent grilled cheese with smoked meat and apple cider tomme while my guest chose the fluffy buttermilk pancakes, topped with homemade rhubarb compote. Le Roseline is located at 5014, boul. St-Laurent. It has a seasonal terrasse. You can call 514-544-6869 or log on to www.leroseline.com
Fine Iranian Cuisine at Ispahan
I cannot remember how many times I have sampled Persian cuisine in Montreal, but a recent summer evening at Ispahan in Pointe-St. Charles left a particularly lasting impression on both my dinner guest and me. The family-run restaurant is the creation of Farah Esfahani and her son, Arsalan Khalilian, with support from other family members, including her other son, Erfan, an aerospace engineer by day. The family immigrated to Montreal from Iran in 2011 and initially opened a French-inspired lounge in 2017 before pivoting to the cuisine closest to their hearts in 2022: authentic Persian cooking.
Ispahan specializes in traditional Persian cuisine, with an emphasis on expertly grilled meats and time-honoured family recipes. Among its signature dishes are the Joojeh Kebab (saffron-marinated chicken skewers), Koobideh Kebab (minced lamb and veal skewers), Mahicheh (slow-braised lamb shank), Kashk-e-Bademjan (eggplant dip), and the refreshing Shirazi salad of cucumber, tomato and herbs. And I absolutely loved their fluffy white rice infused with precious saffron. Farah personally looked after our table with the same passion she brought to her beautiful cookbook, Un Voyage Culinaire en Iran, published last year. Portions throughout the evening were remarkably generous, ensuring we left with several takeout containers and enough leftovers to enjoy the next day.
Ispahan is open for dinner from Thursday through Sunday and is located at 1777 Rue Centre in Pointe-St. Charles. For information or reservations, call 514-805-5002, visit www.ispahan.ca, or email ispahan.mtl@gmail.com
