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As is tradition at Eater, we close the year with a survey of food critics, writers, and bloggers. This year we posed eight questions, from meal of the year, to top restaurant newcomers. All will be revealed by the time we turn off the lights at the end of 2016. Responses are unedited, for the most part. Readers, please do add your survey answers in the comments.
Q: What were your top restaurant standbys of 2016?
Lesley Chesterman, The Gazette fine dining critic:
I ended up going to Leméac and L’Express more than any other restaurants this year on my own dime, and every time I went it was a treat. Both are at an all-time high food-wise and as I love good wine, I always drank well there too.
Marie-Claude Lortie, La Presse restaurant critic:
Foxy, Vin Papillon, Bouillon Bilk, Hôtel Herman
Ian Harrison, Ricardo magazine; Eater Montreal founding editor:
I hit up Agrikol and Otto four times each in 2016, so that should tell you something. I live in Mile End and Larrys has become like a second home-slash-office. I’m there a lot. Other go-tos close to home: Dinette Triple Crown, Dépanneur Le Pick-Up, Lawrence, Leméac, La Matraca, Magpie, Maïs, Hof Kelsten, Pho Tay Ho, Ta Chido, La Tamalera, Wilensky’s and wherever Jesse “Chak Wow” Mulder pops up (Jesse, if you can hear me, pretty please open a brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2017). I love the Joe Beef three, Maison Publique, Nora Gray and L’Express, even if I don’t get to them as often as I’d like. And, drumroll, my favourite restaurant in Montreal remains Hôtel Herman. There’s nothing I don’t like about that place.
Iris Paradis-Gagnon, La Presse restaurant reporter:
Tiradito: the perfect casual place to grab a drink apero style or to eat with friends or both. The space is amazing, the overall concept — only one giant bar, and staff that cook and serve at the same time — is a big win. The cocktails are just dope and the péruvian inspired dishes (the ceviche is just perfect) are the kind of food that everybody loves at first bite.
In 2016, I also liked to go to: Bon Vivant, Cul-Sec, Jatoba, Escondite, Venice MTL, Butterblume, Arthurs, Ma'tine [closed this year], Santa Barbara.
Joanna Fox, Ricardo magazine associate editor:
Vin Papillon, Nora Gray, Montreal Plaza, L’Express, Le Filet.
Élise Tastet, Tastet blog:
For date nights or nights with friends: Le Serpent, Vin Papillon, Maison Publique, Mile-Ex, Montreal Plaza, and L'Express
Everyday restos: Restaurant Hà, Chez Tousignant, Kazu, Cafeden, and Sumac
And Loïc, Brasserie Harricana and Bar Henrietta for drinks.
Mélanie Boudreau, La Pique-Assiette blog:
Satay Brothers, Pastaga, Garde-Manger, Magpie, and brunch at Bishop & Bagg.