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Orange Rouge Has Got Its Mojo Back, Writes Critic

And Réservoir gets an odd pre-renovation visit.

Orange Rouge

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 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]

— 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]

Le Super Qualité

1211 Rue Bélanger, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC H2S 1H7 (514) 398-0184 Visit Website

Orchidée de Chine

2017 rue Peel, Montréal, QC H3A 1T6

Yïsst

901 Rue Saint-Zotique Est, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC H2S 1M9 (514) 439-0992 Visit Website

Montréal Plaza

6230 Rue Saint-Hubert, Rosemont—La Petite-Patrie, QC H2S 2M2 (514) 903-6230 Visit Website

Orange Rouge

106 rue de la Gauchetière Ouest, Montreal, Quebec H2Z 1L1 (514) 861-1116

Pâtisserie Bicyclette

1256 St-Zotique Est, Montreal, Quebec H2S 1N7 (438) 386-7177 Visit Website

Candide Café

6293 Saint-Hubert, Montréal, QC H2S 2L9 (514) 560-4223 Visit Website

Réservoir

9 Avenue Duluth Est, Le Plateau-Mont-Royal, QC H2W 1G7 (514) 849-7779 Visit Website