The Honeyrose Hotel Montreal opened a year and a half ago in the Quartier des Spectacles, right near the back entrance to the Bay downtown. Recently I got to experience its French bistro-style COMMODORE Restaurant and Café (commodoremontreal.com). Inspired by French cuisine, blending culinary traditions with contemporary touches in a chic 1920s, the menu is refined and the atmosphere particularly elegant.

After some glasses of bubbly prosecco, my dining partner and I discovered a menu that is enriched with bold new additions. You can start your dinner with the new lobster bisque cappuccino, an innovative appetizer that combines sophistication and refined flavors. That is what my guest chose for her appetizer. I opted for the salmon tartare, with seaweed and yuzu mayonnaise. In addition to a starter, you can also get it as a main course with golden fries.

For the main course I had my eyes on the roasted duck breast the moment I began reviewing the menu. This was enhanced by our server Patricia’s suggestion that I add some foie gras to the order. My guest went for the eight-ounce grilled cab sirloin, served with fries, seasonal vegetables and homemade béarnaise sauce. The menu also features chicken, veal, pasta and burger dishes as well as oysters, soups, salads and  charcuterie and cheese platters. For dessert we selected the sable au pommes and the tarte au chocolat. The venue is located at 355 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West. Log on to www.commodoremontreal.com.

Server Fay at Lucille’s Aveneue des Canadiens

Server Fay at Lucille’s Aveneue des Canadiens

A New Lucille’s: Lucille Restaurant Group is in expansion mode, having opened up their sixth location recently in the strategic location downtown across the street from the Bell Centre.  This newest edition is suitably known as Lucille’s Avenue des Canadiens, adding a unique touch to the group’s signature experience, offering the perfect place for everything from business dinners to pre-game get-togethers.  There is a lively bar, with screens for sporting events, creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Meanwhile, the intimate dining area is perfect for business meetings or special evenings. The place can seat 300 people spread over two levels. There are seats at the bar, high tops and regular tables. In addition, there is a completely standalone sports bar.

A friend and I loved the lively ambiance. Their special lunch menu is served Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting at $28. With popular dishes like fried squid and cedar plank salmon, it offers the perfect balance of flavor and sophistication for any occasion. We chose to order from the regular menu. To start I opted for the tuna tartare, tuna with a mix of watermelon, avocado, ponzu, sesame sauce and a spicy rice chip to scoop it up. My friend had a salad. Turning to the main course, I went for a surf and turf combo that included a lobster roll, a rack of juicy ribs and thin cut fries. My friend had his eye on the rib steak, with the same fries.  We had just enough room for dessert. I could not resist the dark chocolate and caramel dome. My friend savored the tiramisu. The restaurant is located at 1065 Drummond.  Info:  www.canadiens.lucillesoyster.com