It has been almost 33 years since the first Baton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar location opened at Carrefour Laval. Fast forward to today and there are now 30 across Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes. I remain a huge fan of this brand, so it was with great enthusiasm that I got to experience the new Lasalle location at Carrefour Angrignon. This marks the first Baton Rouge spot in the Sud Ouest. There is plenty of free parking and the spacious venue seats 269, including a seasonal terrasse. It opened last July, following a nine-month construction project. Owned by the MTY Group, the Baton Rouge team always seems to be in expansion or full renovation mode. I have written stories over the past two years on the magnificent makeovers at the Decarie and Complexe Desjardins facilities.

The Baton Rouge menu features many tempting choices such as the trademark BBQ baby back ribs, chicken, the finest AAA and Certified Angus Beef steaks, craveable appetizers, crisp salads, signature burgers and sandwiches, seasonal vegetables, premium seafood, lobster in season and decadent desserts. In Lasalle, the team is headed by general manager Tom Sabatino. He is a veteran in the restaurant business. At our table we were taken care of by a trio of servers: Lena, Natalie and Ricardo, nicknamed “Flash.”  We started off with some soups, chicken noodle for me and Classic Maine chowder. The latter comes with clams, potatoes, celery and onions, served with traditional oyster crackers. While my usual go-to meal here are the chicken and ribs, I decided to try the Baton Rouge prime rib for the very first time. On the side I had wild rice pilaf and their trademark crispy fries. My friend went for one of the house favorites, rib steak, with seasonal vegetables and a side and some black tiger shrimp and scallops. For dessert we had chocolate dipped key lime pie and white chocolate raspberry cheesecake. This new Baton Rouge Grillhouse & Bar is located at 7077 Boulevard Newman. You can call 514- 223-0713. Log on to www.batonrouge.ca

Jordan and Bernie Biberkraut.

Jordan and Bernie Biberkraut.

Bernies Pizza Martini Bar: There is a new sensation on the West Island. Bernies Pizza Martini Bar opened on Sources Blvd. in Dollard des Ormeaux just a few short months ago. Business is booming. The brainchild of notable restaurateur Jonathan Dresner and his partners Jordan Biberkraut and Steve Murray, this place serves up some of the best thin-crust pizza I have tasted in a long time. Ditto for the sliders and the assortment of martinis. Best of all, I got to dine with Bernie and Shirley Biberkraut. Yep, the place is named after Bernie and vintage photos of him from his younger years grace the walls. Like Shirley told me, “Close your eyes and you are transported from Dollard to a trendy place in Griffintown.” It is open Wednesday to Sunday from 5 pm to 11 pm T 3627 Sources Blvd, DDO.  Reservations are recommended. Call 514-225-9655.

Westwood Wednesdays: There is presently an excellent promotion being offered on Wednesday evenings at The Westwood Bar & Grill next to Place Bell. For only $30, the steak and frites combo is a fantastic deal. Seated in cozy booth, my excellent server Thamelie had started me off with a cocktail, a Casanova St. Germain, pamplemousse and prosecco. I also had a choice of appetizers and went for the salmon tartare, which was really terrific. For dessert I opted in favor of the Tres Leches milk cake, topped with coco whipped cream and coconut crumble.  The Westwood Bar & Grill is located at 1950 Rue Claude-Gagné. It is open Wednesdays to Saturdays from 6pm. For more information call 438-542-9552 or log on to www.westwood-restaurant.com