Places to check out: La Porte Rouge

I love to frequent bars which are somewhat unknown to the general public. La Porte Rouge (or Red Door as I call it) is fairly unheard of. From the location (far east on Mount-Royal) to the of lack of a sign or marking outside, La Porte Rouge isn’t to most advertised watering hole in Montreal.

The way to find this place is to look for the big red door or like most Montréal bars the group of smokers huddled outside (corner Mount-Royal & Papineau). Once inside La Porte Rouge looks like an old tavern turned trendy. Dark shades with splashes of hot red give the hot/cold rustic look many bars have adapted in recent history. The crowd is a mix of the typical Mount-Royal/Plateau, trendy, relaxed francophones with a touch of the sophisticated 5 à 7 gang. It’s not all “Oui’s” and “Merci’s” as the location might suggest while manovering through the crowd you’ll catch an English conversation here and there.

Every once and a while a new place becomes the happening “5 à 7” spot in Montreal, right now it’s La Porte Rouge. Swing by on a Thursday evening after work, have a pint, meet new people.

• The Place: La Porte Rouge (1834 Mont-Royal Est) - http://www.barsalonporterouge.com/
• Type of food/establishment: Bar-Lounge

Places to check out: Dans La Bouche

     Walking on Mount-Royal during the sidewalk sale I spotted a trendy looking lounge. Decided I’d have to come back to check it out.

     There are 2 things you should know about me. I’m the type of person who likes to try new things and I love to eat. This Tapas restaurant allows me to satisfy both those urges.

     For those of you who don’t know what “tapas restaurants” are: “Tapas” is the name associated to a wide variety of Spanish appetizers. “Tapas restaurants” offer a wide variety of appetizers which patrons combine to make a meal. Tapas (North America) has evolved from Spanish dishes to all genres of cuisine.

     Dans La Bouche offers plenty of creative little dishes; their menu is actually so appealing that I wasn’t able to order all tempting dishes. That problem was easily solved by revisiting the chic restaurant. From asparagus in a wine & goat cheese sauce to plain old chicken wings, their menu should please most palates.

     I find that Tapas restaurants are best experienced with a nice bottle of vino. Luckily dans la bouche offers bottles at half price between 4 and 9pm. The downside of this is after 9pm bottles are a little over-priced.

     Visible red brick throughout the restaurant with modern furniture and art work give dans la bouche that cold/warm trendy feel. I should also mention there is a large screen (which shows habs games) making this the ideal date spot when you don’t want to miss a game.

Montréal’s dans la bouche tapas restaurant/lounge bar definitely worth a visit. Chic atmosphere, funky foods well priced wines. Take your girlfriend(s)… I did.

• The Place: Dans La Bouche (2000 Mount-Royal east.) – http://www.danslabouche.ca
• Type of food/establishment: Tapas/Bar-RestoLounge