Orange Rouge Has Got Its Mojo Back, Writes Critic

— Three years ago, La Presse critic Marie-Claude Lortie found Chinatown fusion spot Orange Rouge to be a promising disappointment: a good team just not working out. No more — with the addition of chef Minh Phat (Le Club Chasse et Peche), she writes that it has hit its full potential. A charming space sets the scene, she writes, right down to the large decorative neon crab, and plates like rare beef with shiitake, bok choy and crispy fried onions melt in one’s mouth. The desserts, including a crispy black rice pudding with peanut praline, aren’t to be overlooked either. [La Presse]

Réservoir

— Over at Le Journal, Thierry Daraize visits Plateau brewpub Réservoir with quite odd timing. The microbrewery was recently taken over by Hôtel Herman’s three partners. And while some of the menus have changed, they haven’t finished their overhaul yet: Réservoir is set to close briefly this winter for renovations and new brews (amongst other changes). While it might not have given the resto-bar the full opportunity to shine, Daraize’s review is fortunately positive: “simple, well-made, original” small plates, including Jerusalem artichoke with porcini dust and sour cream, and chicken heart and skin with polenta, are well-received with only a few minor foibles. But it has to be frustrating for Réservoir to see Daraize comment that “Rien n’a vraiment changé,” given their incomplete takeover. Three and a half stars. [Le Journal de Montréal]

Le Super Qualité/David Dworkind

— Le Devoir’s Jean-Philippe Tastet keeps it casual as he visits Indian snack bar Le Super Qualité, which opened on Bélanger last summer. The ambiance is on-point with Bollywoodian touches, and Tastet recommends the wrap-like masala dosa, and thalis (combo plates) with tamarind-based rasam soup, lentil-based sambar, and chicken or vegetarian options. He’s hoping they can add a lassi one day to make a very nice experience into an excellent one. Three stars. [Le Devoir]

Randall Brodeur/Eater Montreal

— Week in Reviews bonus segment: the New York Times’ Ingrid K. Williams wrote up Montreal’s prom dress capital, the St-Hubert Plaza (and surrounds), and has a few recommendations — “laid-back” cafe with rose-scented syrup Candide, local brew focused bar Yïsst, wee Pâtisserie Bicyclette with its apple-caramel hand pies, and (of course) former Toqué! chef Charles-Antoine Crête’s Montréal Plaza. [NYTimes]

— Reviews are taking another week off at the Gazette, but Lesley Chesterman has a Q&A with the owners of the city’s only upscale Chinese eatery, L’Orchidée de Chine, home to what she declares is the best General Tao’s chicken she’s ever ingested. [Montreal Gazette]

• Orange Rouge: enfin à son plein potentiel [La Presse]
• Reviews for Orange Rouge, Moteur and More [EMTL]
• Réservoir: original et décontracté [Le Journal de Montréal]
• Hôtel Herman to Take Over Brewpub Réservoir [EMTL]
• Le Super Qualité, de l'exotisme rue Bélanger [Le Devoir]
• Le Super Qualité Supplies Indian Snacks and Fun Cocktails [EMTL]
• Five Places to Go in Montreal [NYTimes]
• L'Orchidée de Chine – 30 years and counting [Montreal Gazette]