wattacetti
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Posts posted by wattacetti
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Have you been back to Pintxo since your first post? I'd like to know more about the pintxo selections. Were they on a piece of baguette like the bars in San Sebastian, Spain? Or are they more like small plates of food, to be eaten with utensils?
Were there more people at the bar, or in the seated area?
I'd like to know how well you thought the concept worked...
No, I have not returned to Pintxo.
chopper’s description is more or less correct in that it’s “modern” Spanish so nothing really sits on a slice of bread; some things you can pick up with your hands and others you'll definitely want the spork. I found my notes and this is what I had as my selection of 5 pintxos:
Vieras con su TXapela
Lightly seared scallop on a small pool of herbed oil topped with tobiko.
Crocantes de morcilla de burgos
The only pintxo I saw that involved bread; the bread was formed into a small cone and the bits of morcilla were placed into the cone.
Pintxo de pulpo a la gallega
Small pieces of octopus served atop slices of potato drizzled with olive oil. This was actually the best of the 5.
TXampis rellenos como me enseno Arzak
Two white mushroom caps served with a duck confit.
Crujiente de TXipirones a la pelago
Small squid hoods stuffed with rice that had a mildness that didn’t quite do anything for me. This was a replacement choice - I had originally ordered “Mondatido de bacalao con su pil-pil y tocino” but they ran out of cod.
If you want their salad pintxo, it's a big bowl and a steal at $3.
Since I've only been once, it is much too early to comment again on Pintxo but I definitely think that tapas bars where pricing isn’t exorbitant could work in Montreal. Bu Wine Bar is proof that the city can support a place where people can have a glass (or several or bottles) and small plates to go with it. Once they iron out the kinks, Pintxo should be a good addition for the neighborhood.
As for the clientele when I arrived that one time, there were slightly more people at the bar than sitting at tables but there was no one at the bar about 40 minutes into my visit. For that population it was literally one drink, no food and out the door.
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First , there seemd to be a bit of problem with the service. Maybe it was due to the fact that they had to served everybody at once , maybe not , but the first 3 courses arrived at the same time...
I have been to APDC 7 times in the last 2-3 years; 3 times when I thought the food was quite good, and the last four just felt like a continuing downward slide. My last meal was a considerable disappointment.
Regardless of the food, service has been a habitual problem at the restaurant and it's irrespective of how busy the place is. I'll be letting others report on improvements before electing to go back again.
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what a waste of energy to feel threatened because someone else is cooking something well that you also cook well...
Usually happens because said individual knows that your version is as good or more likely (considerably) better than his/hers.
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Pesce.
I heard it was more than just sushi. I even think I looked at the menu. Funny. Can't remember a thing.
Pesce? I thought that was the Italian seafood place. No sushi that I was aware of from briefly glancing at the menu, but definitely a couple of big-ticket lobster items.
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I do it all the time. W?BIC!
It's an even stronger urge when I'm forced to participate in potlucks.
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Now, what on earth am i going to do with all that leftover duck fat?
Potatoes. They'll have a wonderful taste.
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Is the name actually all caps or is jamiemaw just yelling at us?
I think it is all-caps (passed by a couple of days ago); it occupies the space formerly known as Tsirco. No clue as to the origins of the name.
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As a side note, the price per leg is now up to $11.99. Ouch!
Your point being?
So… wasn't that first one good? I'm pretty sure that your inner child is reminding you of that right now, so just suck it up and stop buying so many potatoes. Besides, the confit's also pretty good (and a bit less wintry) on a nice arugula salad.
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I have found the 2004 Crawford in Pierrefonds of all places (4777 St John's); all other outlets I've checked thus far carry the 2003. So, I now have a bottle on hand to do a side-by-side comparison between the two vintages.
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Pinxto
256 Roy East
514-844-0222
For those interested, a new Spanish concept has opened in the Plateau.
The room seats about 40-odd and is divided into two sections: the left hand one houses the bar and three tables, while the right-hand one carries the remaining seating and is somewhat more quiet. Straightforward bistro stuff with a lot of brick, lot of wood, gas fireplace and three really big paintings.
The menu consists of 14 pintxos running between $3 (9 selections) to $5 (that for a foie gras pintxo), 4 mains ($15 to $17) and two desserts. Jamón serrano is on the menu as is morcilla de Burgos. There is a tasting menu available for $28, which consists of 5 pintxos (they pick) and a main (whatever one of the four that piques your interest); I didn't pay attention so I don't know if dessert is part of that (I think it is though).
Wines are moderately priced and consist of 19 selections (18 Spanish): 2 sparklers (a cava and a crémant), 5 whites, 11 reds and a stickie (moscatel). 11 of the 19 are available by the glass, and two are available as half bottles. I didn't bother to check what was available at the bar, but I did see someone with a pink martini (cosmo?) and the staff asked if I wanted a glass of fino.
Went for a quick look around Thursday night and picked 5 pintxos to go with my glass of Casa de la Ermita (Jumilla) just to see what they were up to. Of the 5, I liked the polpo a la gallega best: small little chunks of octopus served with confit onions on a slice of potato.
Teething problems? Yes there were but then again, I was there on Pintxo's seventh day of operation/existence (they apparently opened on April 29). Let's see what happens once they have a bit of time to work out the kinks.
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And don't forget to ensure that they're thoroughly cooked, unless you've a lot of time available to sit and read.
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If you want to see sushi bar doing exiting new things, go see the Chef at Japon sushi in ville- St- Laurent, make sure you talk to the chef and tell him what you like.
I have been to Japon and I have done that; let's just say that our opinions diverge.
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I'm guessing your saying that I need to taste them over several years I have to admit I was lucky and ended up with a good year of Cos D'estournel but cant say that on a chefs budget I'll ever be able to afford a vertical tasting, as for pricing from my experience all I'm saying is that a mediocre year off a good American/Australia is about the same or more than a fantastic 2nd class wine, though got to admit still very new to the whole wine industry, I'd agree with your terroir i was just trying to give a general idea as those areas seemed to come up with single starred status according to the book I'm using
I'm saying that you / I / we should keep tasting. Cos is a very nice St-Estephe; it does it for you, but it doesn't really turn my crank. The best wines are the ones that we like.
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Another one ?!!
Another sushi/asian mix'n'match replaced Ginza ...
Could be. This essentially makes Raza the only non-fish-centric opening on the south side of Laurier. Italian seafood, Nuevo Latino, Japanese.
Oh - if you're interested, I think Pesce has a main that goes for about the same price as Raza and Jun-I's tasting menus.
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Out of the ashes of the "Club Des Pins" location ...
I just passed in front of it ... without warning, a new restaurant is nearly openned as far as I could see.
any more info ?
3 new restaurant nearly on the same corner, Raza, Pesce and this new one ...
Well, it's a sushi bar for one thing and I think they've been open for a week of so. I had a quick look at the posted menu, and it appears to be sushi by the piece (I think $4 to $9 apiece?) and two tasting menus (featuring amberjack) for something like $40 and $55. Not sure what else is on the menu nor what they have on their wine list.
The room looks to be all creams (very soft colors). Guess it'll go on the "to visit" list.
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As for Pinot Noir, you must try to get your hands on the following (Tasmania's up and coming but Victoria is the spiritual heart of Aussie Pinot Noir):
Main Ridge Estate, Mornington Peninsula
Stonier, Mornington
Bannockburn, Geelong
By Farr, Geelong
I'll search and see if any of them ship overseas direct from the cellar door. I know Main Ridge does (they're a lovely couple who own the place) and well worth it. Maybe some tasting notes to come too!
I will look into Main Ridge immediately and check if my favorite shops in Calgary carry any of the others. Stefano Lubiana is the Tasmanian Pinot Noir I've been trying to source but all New World PNs have suddenly become hard to come by thanks to Sideways.
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One to avoid is Yellow Tail. We were at a party and the cabernet was the red and the chardonay the white. Can't really say which was worse. The cabernet was so sweet....even thinking about it gives me the shudders
Yellow Tail appears to be the new party wine in Canada, and it's very popular with the people I know who don't drink wine. I've only tasted the Cab, and I'm very sorry for doing so.
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I'm only going to give you two stars and above but please remember just because a vineyard produces a great wine doesn't mean all are great
Nice dig, but somewhat patronizing, don't you think?
But in comparison I've been lucky enough to try a Bottle of Penfold Grange, yes it was a fantastic wine but just like the Great American Wines I find them over priced if you want to spend £180 on Grange I'd personally rather 2/3 bottles of Cos de Estournel[snip!]
I have already drank wines from 19 of the 20 producers you list (Cape Mentelle has a really nice Zinfandel), but I like the Magill Estate and Greenock Creek bottlings better. Grange? Cos d'Estournel? Have them in verticals, but again, I like Hill of Grace and Pichon-Lalande better.
I'm not too sure about your statement that there's better value for money with European production probably because I suspect that transport and EU subsidies and trade tariffs go a long way to making non-EU production that much more costly. I can make a parallel case for the reverse, though my argument would be based more on the strength of the Euro versus the US or Canadian dollar.
I also believe that great terroir doesn't mean squat if the owners don't know what they're doing.
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I have been a fan of Australian bottlings, but resource limitations (e.g. rack space) and my preference for Pinot Noirs have resulted in my trimming down my Aussie acquisitions. Since much of the available production is still on the big wine side, I have restricted routine purchases to Penfolds Magill Estate and production from Greenock Creek (if you can find it, GC's Grenache has been very good).
Pinot Noir from Tasmania has been interesting as has been the odd Riesling I've come across; higher-end sparkling Shiraz has also been a conversation piece. Unfortunately, all three categories are difficult for me to obtain.
Speaking of blends, Shiraz/Viognier is starting to make the rounds (they're different).
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Personally, I would stay away from the Corton: at a minimum it would be an overmatch, at worst you might encounter the same problem you had with the Jaboulet. I like the rose suggestion, maybe a Tavel, but I like the NZ Sauvignon Blanc even better - in fact, I like it *because* of the citrus acidity: it will pick up the acidity of the salad, and it will cut nicely through the fatty richness of the salmon. As would the Riesling, come to think of it, but somehow I thing the slightly grassy flavor profile of the SB would be a better match. Here in Pennsylvania I've been getting Kim Crawford's 2003. I don't know what's available in your neck of the woods.
Kim Crawford is not available in Quebec; it is in Alberta, Ontario and BC (where there are cases of it because no one knows what it is). The best we can match for now is the Oyster Bay.
A top-end Sancerre if we're going along the lines of a crisp Sauvignon Blanc?
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Can anyone tell me about the price range of Maiko? A lot of people telling me that Mikado on Laurier is a good Sushi place, any comment?
You may have a peek at Maiko's price range yourself on their website; the menu (and pricing) are presented intact.
Been a while since I was last at Mikado but it had been okay.
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Hmm... I subscribe to the Courrier Vinicole (English version). Still smarting that I didn't get an invite, $300 admission fee or not.
I subscribe too, but I get all of the invites and none of the catalogs.
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I was also disappointed to learn that there was a Napa Wine tasting event at Marche Bonsecours last week. Did anyone else know about this? Was there any advertising anywhere?! You would think that events like these would be posted and promoted on this board.
I received the Napa invitation via the Courrier Vinicole, but a conflict in the schedule meant no participation. Well, that and what I recall was a $300/person entry fee.
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I will confirm that. You will have a nice time, and their lobster maki and kaki-age (crab with uni mayonnaise) are interesting warm rolls to try. Be different and have a Pinot Noir with your meal too.
Maiko on Bernard is also better than Maiko on Sources; the kitchen team is more aware/adept and the service is more fluid.
Restaurant decision ...
in Eastern Canada: Dining
Posted · Edited by wattacetti (log)
I concur that Raza is a nicer choice for Nuevo Latino (tasting menu with the empanada is a great way to go). Jolifou was a uneven for me and it's a pretty even hit/miss with the people I know who've also eaten there.
il Sole was nice the last time I ate there.
As for Ginger, the last time I was put off by the constant offerings of "smart drinks" and the video of the crabs killing one another on the beach (Discovery Channel it was not). Sushi was quite forgettable. I'm not personally so sure about Jun-I since I never liked Soto in any of its iterations.
Why not Lémeac for French? Or is it a "been there, done that" with you not having been to Le Chou?