The Raj Eats

Restaurant: Vin Mon Lapin, 150 Rue Saint-Zotique Est, Montréal, QC H2S 1L8

Service (Dine-In) (5/5)
Ambience (Design) (5/5)
Food (Dine-In) (5/5)

There are only a few restaurants on the planet that probably live up to a hype of being called “The Best Restaurant in (Insert Country)” but listen to me…

I don’t think I’ve ever steered others wrong, and I very rarely put an excellent score on any restaurant but “Vin Mon Lapin” is definitely “The Best Restaurant in Canada” /

I simply want to put my story out there, and you do what you will with it but as to why I give them a perfect score isn’t simple. I try very hard to go in with a blank canvas but when you have your neighbours at the restaurant saying “oh my god, how’d you a get a reservation?” or “we waited months to try this place out!” It makes it quite hard not to feel the aura that this place brings.

My story, picture this, it’s 30 degrees Celsius, one of the hottest evenings in Montreal, sweating while I’m sitting there and out comes one of the most energetic and full of life bartenders I’ve ever met.

I knew right there….5/5 service was going to happen. She asked us, “do you trust me with your menu or do you trust yourselves”. The answer was trust the Bartender.

We had the BEST meal in the longest time and I couldn’t even tell you all the dishes that came out. Go try it on your own, get your own reservation, figure it out people! and let me tell you my other bits to why this place is perfect.

They have their own fresh vegetables and everything in house or used from local farms. Their staff are all LOCKED-IN to make sure you have the most epic meal of your life.

I’ve never felt so scared, nervous and excited to go into a restaurant like this and they all just made you feel at home. It’s this atmosphere and the heartiness of the food, and the pairings of alcohol that just put them at the top tier of the best city in Canada for food.

Please everyone, do your best to get there. Whether it’s a Wednesday evening, Friday at 9pm, or whatever you can get, JUST GO!

And don’t forget, and continue to support local farmers and restaurants!

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Restaurant: Bonheur D’Occasion, 4001 Notre-Dame St W, Montreal, Quebec H4C 1R3

Service: 4/5
Ambience:4/5
Food: 4/5

I had the chance to enjoy recently, a wonderful dinner with one of my close friends. Normally, he’s quite the picky eater, but this time he surprised me by taking charge of most of the ordering. To my surprise, every dish he chose was an out of the ordinary, and it turned out to be one of the best dining experiences I’ve had in a while.

We went to Bonheur D’Occasion (.doccasion ), a relaxing spot with a warm atmosphere that makes you want to settle in for the evening in the heart of Saint-Henri.

While the service wasn’t as “polished” as I’d hoped, the food and vibe easily made up for it. One unique aspect of this place is how frequently they seem to be updating their menu, meaning the dishes we tried might not even be there next month. That sense of creativity adds an exciting layer to the experience, and it keeps you curious and wanting to come back to try new things.

The lamb dish was a standout for its originality. The concept was unfamiliar to me as I’ve never had Lamb Belly, but the way the flavors intertwined made it something special. The bread was perfectly baked, pairing beautifully with the vegetables, which were bursting with flavor.

The Guinea fowl was another highlight, cooked to tender and juicy perfection.

But for me, the star of the night was a Parmesan dish that left me speechless. It was in the vegetables section of the menu. A real masterpiece on the plate.

The drinks were just as impressive, and I loved how accommodating the restaurant was for groups of all sizes. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner or a larger gathering, this place has you covered.

If you’re looking to try something creative and out of the ordinary, I highly recommend visiting Bonheur d’Occasion while we still have this beautiful weather to enjoy exploring the city. And As always, let’s continue to !

Menu:
*** = Must Try

Food:
- Aritchoke or Brussels Sprouts Dish, I forgot which vegetable at the moment
- Dish with Parmesan (In Vegetables Section) sorry I forgot the name ***
- Lamb Belly
- Guinea Fowl ***
- Bread ***

Restaurant: Bar St-Denis, 6966 Saint Denis St, Montreal, Quebec H2S 2S4

Service: 4/5
Ambience: 4/5
Food:4/5

This past month, I finally visited Bar St-Denis , a restaurant led by some of the most creative minds in Montreal’s food scene. Chefs David Gauthier and Emily Homsy have created a menu that blends Egyptian and Quebecois flavors in such a unique way.

I’ll be honest. some of the French-inspired dishes, like the chicken ballotine, weren’t really my thing. The textures and flavors didn’t quite work for me, and the scallops were a bit too heavy on the lemon, which overpowered the dish. But that’s just my personal take, and I know others might enjoy them!

My highlights were the Middle Eastern-inspired dishes completely stole the show. The labneh and gnocchi were incredible. packed with flavor but still so comforting. The flan was a nice surprise too, not overly sweet and perfect for those who like a lighter dessert. Add great beer to the mix, and it made for a memorable night!

Next time, I’d stick to the Middle Eastern dishes or go all in on appetizers and drinks.

Let me know your thoughts if you’ve been to Bar St-Denis, and don’t forget to

Menu:
*** = Must Try

Food:
- Labneh with flatbread, pistachios, and olives ***
- Scallops with cured lemon
- Chicharron ***
- Mehdi’s gnocchi with Jerusalem artichokes and white truffles ***
- Ballotine de volaille stuffed with mushrooms and Madeira sauce

Dessert:
- Flan ***
- Profiteroles ***

✨ Discovering flavors at Tsukuyomi! ✨

Checked out ( ) Tsukuyomi’s Bois Franc location in Montreal, one of the spots participating in ! This spot combines the cozy vibe of cherry blossoms with some seriously tasty Japanese-inspired dishes. We went with the MTL à Table ( ) menu and it was such a treat—from the Ponzu Tataki and Ika Age (fried calamari) to a warm, comforting bowl of Tonkotsu Ramen. Everything was on point!

If you’re looking for a spot to dive into bold flavors and beautiful ambiance, Tsukuyomi is definitely worth a visit! Cheers to exploring Montreal’s food scene one meal at a time. 🍜🍣🍺

Ambience: 4/5
Food: 4/5
Service: 5/5

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✨ A Culinary Journey at Bistro La Franquette! ✨

Took a delicious dive into the MTL à Table ( ) experience with a stunning 4-course menu at . Every dish was a celebration of local flavors, from the refreshing Québec fennel salad to the perfectly prepared sea bass with Québec Jerusalem artichokes, ending on a sweet note with an indulgent Banoffee Pie. 🍽️

What made the evening even more special was meeting a fan of the blog and connecting with the chef! Hearing from someone who follows my food adventures truly motivates me to keep sharing and supporting our incredible local spots. Conversations like these, and witnessing the passion of chefs firsthand, remind me why I love doing this.

Swipe for some food pics and to get a taste of the vibe that made this meal unforgettable. Here’s to supporting our local gems and celebrating the creativity that keeps our food scene fresh and vibrant. 🙌

🎇 Post-Diwali celebrations done right at Bernie’s ( ! 🎇

I stepped away from reviewing tonight and just wanted to keep the festive vibes alive by bringing my parents, my wife, and my in-laws together for a cozy family night out. With Festivities ending, what better way to keep the spirit going than with good food, and great company?

We started with some incredible cocktails — an espresso martini for my wife (her favorite!) and another beautifully crafted drink for me. Bernie’s really knows how to make a memorable cocktail! Each sip was smooth and flavorful. There’s just something special about enjoying a great drink in a welcoming spot with the people who matter most.

For the main event, we went all out with comfort food classics: burgers, pizzas, and crispy fries (what’s missing is the Caesar salad and Pork Ribs). The fried chicken sliders were a huge hit with everyone, with juicy chicken and perfectly seasoned fries. It’s not easy to find a place that caters to everyone’s cravings, but Bernie’s nailed it. Grateful for nights like these, where we can relax, enjoy each other’s company, and support local! 🍕🍔🍹

They’re always packed so I suggest grabbing a reservation early in the week to make sure you’re all taken care of.

As always and enjoy some local eateries