Two Restaurants – Le XVI XVI – Bar Sybanne

How great is it that Canada can boast two wonderful cities so closely situated! Whether you find yourself in Montreal or Toronto, you know that you’ll be able to dine in restaurants that will be equally delightful. Case in point, these two restaurants are both oh so worth exploring — pronto:

Downtown Montreal: Le XVI XVI 1616 Sherbrooke Street West

Cédric Moindrot, Artistic Director of Le XVI XVI and the inspiration behind R1-B1, the  chatty robot bartender, greeted us, explained the tempting table d’hote, served our meal and answered all our questions with obvious pleasure. Chef and culinary artist, Joris Larigaldie, visited our table and invited us to visit the kitchen.  Joris trained in Europe and Canada in renowned Michelin star, Relais et Châteaux and Four Diamonds establishments, including Hovey Manor and Ripplecove.  

Artistic, evolutionary, terroir cooking describes his style. We loved his

Outstanding bread, made on the spot, with divine butter, spiked with dried daisy powder

Foie Gras with Cherry Reduction 

Lobster Ravioli, Bisque Emulsion and Espelette Pepper

Homemade Gnocchi, Wild Mushrooms and Duck Confit

Halibut, Sea Parsley and Root Vegetables

 

Toronto’s Ossington Village: Bar Sybanne, 229 Ossington Avenue

Former Montrealer Howard Dubrovsky, restaurateur-chef at Bar Sybanne, has done a fine job of creating a Mid-Eastern, Mediterranean, Moroccan inspired bar and restaurant. We enjoyed the:

Dip Sampler with Gozieme, freshly baked Turkish bread:

Eggplant Dip, Maple and Cipollini; Hummus, Tahini, Labneh, Pomegranate Molasses

Israeli Salad, Kibbutz Recipe, Lemon, Sumac, EVOO

Whole Grilled Fish, Romesco Sauce and Grilled Lemon

Haloumi with House Marmalade and Fresh Oregano

Spicy Harissa Meatballs Dry Aged Beef, Tomato, House-made Ricotta Cheese

Fried Brussel Leaves with Date and Almonds (Unbelievable and irresistible!)

Fried Chicken Bites with Orange Blossom Honey

Apple Cake, Moroccan Spiced Ice Cream

Chocolate Budino, salted Caramel Fig Jam and Almonds

 Final notes:

• Oy! Montreal’s culinary king crowns Toronto best food city in Canada!
• But then here are the top 21 reasons that Montreal’s better than Toronto.
• Or, conversely, the top 21 reasons that Toronto’s better than Montreal.
• In case you’re not in the mood to think about dining out in one of these fine Canadian restaurants, contemplate hanging out under this super-cool beach canopy from Neso Tents.

Our first time setup on a super windy day didn’t go too well.

 

Our second attempt was super successful.