Mikes RestoNotes: The new Randy’s Bistro in Montreal West; Billy K’s expands

For Ryan Silkey, opening a new restaurant on the main drag of the town he grew up in is special for many reasons.

Randy’s Bistro debuted last September on Westminster Avenue in Montreal West in the space that formerly housed Pasteizza. Owner Ryan Silkey, who grew up in the area, named the establishment after his late dad. His friend Tyler Casey serves as the head chef. Both men are restaurant veterans.

The silk-fil-a chicken sandwich at Randy’s

The spot is open from Noon to 10 pm Tuesday and Wednesday, and Noon to 11 pm Thursday to Saturday. Everything here is made from fresh ingredients. I dropped by for lunch and I also took an order to go for home later on. Ryan started me off with a piping hot bowl of tomato soup. It was delicious. I then sunk my teeth into their already trademark grilled cheese and bacon sandwich. For dessert, the warm beignets with chocolate and strawberry dipping sauces, was oh so fine. The latter was enough for three people to share.

Later on, we enjoyed a steak bavette with fries and a plain thick crust pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil. I have never had a pizza categorized as “plain” so tasty! There is plenty to choose from on the menu. Besides a weekly table d’hôte, as well as oyster and themed nights, you can enjoy  a variety of salads, their popular fish cakes, nachos, the Silk-fil-A fried chicken sandwich, popcorn chicken, chicken wings, chili and whistle dogs, fish and chips, nachos, mussels, short ribs, pastas,  some other flavored pizzas and more. The MTL pizza,  with grainy mustard bechamel, smoked meat, pickles, mozzarella and red onion, will be one of my future selections.

Randy’s Bistro is located at 45 Westminster North. Delivery is available via Uber Eats and DoorDash. For more information call (514) 481-7731 or log on to https://randysbistro.wixsite.com/my-site

Billy K’s expands:  Readers should recall my article last May about the evolution of Billy K’s Burgers. Tom Bountis, the founder and creator of the Allô! Mon Coco chain (which he sold to the MTY Group in 2019) also heads Mr. Puffs and Shawarmaz. He and some partners purchased the original Billy K’s in Cornwall. Last year they began expanding to Vaudreuil, St. Léonard and downtown near UQAM. At the end of March, they debuted on the West Island at 46-C Brunswick Blvd. Billy’s specializes in AAA Angus beef burgers, hand cut fries, poutines, subs wraps and other comfort food. Info: https://www.billyks.com/en/menu