Posted at 1:32am. Updated at 8:00 a.m.
The Mange-Tout grocery store
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Luka Lecavalier and Zachary Eberts from the Mange-Tout grocery store
While in recent years Montreal has seen the number of neighborhood grocery counters multiplying with Quebec ready meals and alcoholic products, the Mange-Tout grocery store is the first to include… a fishmonger and a sandwich bar!
“We just sell what I like to eat,” he says Luka Lecavalier (formerly Lucille and Arthur’s Nosh Bar).
While at a golf course, he and Zachary Eberts decided to pool their talents and co-opened Mange-Tout with Gabrielle Nasri last December. “During COVID I did home deliveries. I’d rather serve customers than grumpy chefs,” jokes Zachary.
Guaranteed decadence: the flank steak and cheese sandwich. Otherwise, be aware that Sugar Sammy is entitled to special meetings, so you might be entitled to one, too.
“My girlfriend and I love to eat sandwiches and go to Parc Girouard across the street for a little picnic,” says Sugar Sammy.
5854 Sherbrooke Street West
Jean Brillant Market
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Sugar Sammy talks to the manager of the Jean-Brillant Market.
“What I like about Queen-Mary and Côte-Sainte-Catherine is that there is perhaps no other place in Montreal that has so many shops that are open 24 hours a day,” says Sugar Sammy.
The Pharmaprix, the Second Cup Metro grocery store on Côte-des-Neiges is never closed, while the important Jean Brillant market stays open from late March to early November.
“For 42 years,” says manager Nathalie Tremblay proudly, wife of a member of the Trottier family who owns the store.
Once when he went to bed late, Sugar Sammy used to come here for overnight shopping amidst late semester students and workers from the three nearby hospitals.
“There is a brotherhood here. “It’s such a sparkling neighborhood,” says Nathalie Tremblay, who assures her market offers “the best possible prices.”
Angle Jean-Brillant and Côte-des-Neiges street
Tropical paradise
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Sugar Sammy with owner Kazim Ali and his son Asad Ali
Tropical Paradise, on the approach road to the Décarie freeway, wins by a wide margin in the category “Secret well hidden and showcase that doesn’t look like much”.
The Caribbean eatery opened nearly 25 years ago and is doing well, says owner Kazim Ali, as his son Asad punches Sugar Sammy and asks customers to pose for photos with him.
“We can’t complain. We have a loyal clientele. When people try our dishes, they come back. Our only strategy is to prepare good food. No need to advertise. »
Roti are very popular, but so are jerk chicken, curries and fish.
“Our specialty is everything on the menu,” summarizes Kazim Ali.
5208 Decarie Blvd
Solomos
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Sugar Sammy converses with Solomos’ John Giatras and George Moussis.
“I don’t know who this guy is. Mad Sammy? jokes George Moussis, manager of Solomos, when we arrive. There is no doubt that Sugar Sammy is a loyal customer of the Queen Mary Road company, which specializes in one type of fish: excellent quality New Brunswick salmon.
Fact: smoked salmon literally melts in your mouth.
“How long in the smoking room?” And the spices?
“It’s our secret,” replies co-owner John Giatras.
Sugar Sammy has eaten a lot of seafood since he spent his life with his girlfriend and adopted a pescetarian diet.
Nastassia Markiewicz, of Polish origin, would be perfect if she wasn’t from Toronto, her lover joked for almost 10 years. “I converted it to Montreal,” he says.
5453 Queen Mary Rd
So Poon
PHOTO JOSIE DESMARAIS, THE PRESS
Sugar Sammy at So Poong
“I discovered Korean food while living in Paris. As I always say, the best food in France is ethnic food. »
It’s runny, but it’s true: Sugar Sammy prefers spicy dishes to buttered ones.
Upon returning to Montreal at the onset of the pandemic, Sugar Sammy and his girlfriend embarked on a mission: find the best Korean address in Montreal. When they tasted So Poong’s dishes, they stopped looking.
“I like kitchens that are not in the foreground. And I want to find the rare pearls,” stresses Sugar Sammy.
Fans of kimchi, ramen or bibimbap are warned.
5385 Queen Mary Rd