Enoteca Monza Pizzeria Moderna: It has been six years since Montreal-based restaurant franchisor Foodtastic acquired the Enoteca Monza Pizzeria Moderna chain.  We recently went for a lovely dinner at the Laval spot, which is undergoing extensive renovations through the month of October to mark its 15th anniversary.

Joe is a veteran server at Enoteca Monza Laval

Joe is a veteran server at Enoteca Monza Laval

The restaurants take pride in serving quality meat and fish prepared with fresh, simple ingredients without compromising flavor. Their lunch menu offers a variety of options from fresh salads and fire grilled never pressed paninis.  We started off with glasses of wine and shared the focaccia quattro formaggi appetizer and a fabulous burrata. For the main courses, our table chose the Margherita pizza, the vitello alla parmigiano and tortellini rosé. After sharing some glasses of limoncello, we ordered cups of cappuccino and tea and waited for the decadent desserts to arrive: a piece of key lime pie and the dulce chocolate cake. The menu also includes sandwiches, burgers, steak and more. Brand leader Daniel Harvey notes that the Monza menu has remained very much the same since the purchase by Foodtastic. For more information log on to www.restaurantmonza.com/en/

Lillo’s Place In Laval: I love pizza and Italian food, so it was a nice first-time experience for me and a friend at Li n’ Lo in Laval. Located on Boulevard des Laurentides in the Auteil District, the name is derived from the owner’s name Lillo. This is a pizzeria that has a menu that is heavily inspired by Lillo’s Italian roots. The fast casual restaurant opened its doors two years ago. Their delicious menu consists of Neapolitan pizzas, grilled chicken, pastas, Italian staples such as homemade tiramisu and so much more. The trendy interior includes an open kitchen concept where patrons can see their pizzas cooked in their imported pizza oven. Li n’ Lo is located at 5200 Boulevard des Laurentides, You can call 450-622-1000 and see their menu at www.li-n-lo.com/menu. It is open every day except Tuesday.

Le Burger Week: Once again my MtlRestoRap.com partner Tony Medeiros and I enjoyed experiencing Le Burger Week in early September. We visited Jack’s Saloon in Vaudreuil, Billy K’s on Ste. Catherine Street East. Jack’s Saloon has six locations: Vaudreuil, Crescent Street downtown, Dix30, Trois-Rivieres and St. Jerome. The new menu focuses on cuisine inspired by Nashville and the American South, with greater emphasis on Tex Mex ingredients. We sampled two standout burgers during our visit, and both truly lived up to the restaurant’s growing reputation for creativity and flavor. Check out the “Lady Jane Classic” burger, a culinary masterpiece.

Billy K’s, the growing chain headed by noted restaurateur Tom Bountis, offered up the signature Billy Burger, made with two AAA Angus patties, three buns, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and their famous Billy K’s sauce. www.billyks.com/en/menu

At the Time Out Market Montreal at Eaton Centre we sampled the Zestee Big Marthy! by Chez Simon Cantine Urbaine and the Bossa X Dilallo Chopped Cheese by Bossa.