Photoless review: A Day of Meat (written in late April, posted in late June--eep!)

I feel sort of guilty that all of my entries labelled "Eating in Montreal" so far have more to do with shopping locales than eateries. So this entry, I'm going to review two!

I also feel sort of guilty that this entry will have no photos, since most food blogs that review restaurants are so full of them. (The Amateur Gourmet obviously immediately comes to mind) But if you think about it, most newspaper reviews don't have photos, or at least not one of every dish so I don't feel so guilty.

I had "A Day of Meat". I lunched with my roommate Jane at Reuben's Deli and then did dinner with a bunch of my friends from the Tribune at Le Milsa, a Brazilian Churrascaria.

Reuben's Deli (the fancy one close to Peel metro, not the one that's in a basement on the corner of McGill College) is a spot I've been to many a time. My friend Katherine (who's last name is, coincidentally, Rubin) seems to have a penchant for meeting there for lunch. Obviously Reuben's is known for its smoked meat, and even though this branch doesn't offer smoked meat pizza or smoked meat fried rice, there are still four different smoked meat sandwiches to choose from. Of course they also serve other sandwiches, salads, steak, ribs, and desserts, but despite my many visits I have yet to try them. The sandwich that I got (The Euro, I believe, they serve it with cheese and a poppyseed kaiser) was very satisfying and I left the place covered in mustard.

Le Milsa was also really cool, and I was glad that my friend (and editor) Kevin made the reservations and brought everyone out. The meal starts off timidly as the waitresses serve the sides of salad, rice, mushrooms and sweet potatoes (the latter has the same texture as my mashed variety, but it's baked and therefore probably does not have the same fat content--oh if only I had the time and patience). Then, the crazy eating starts as waiters in soccer jerseys serve up meat on giant sword-like skewers. We had turkey wrapped with bacon, sausage, chicken, pork, roast beef, sirloin and I almost had trouble keeping up! Round two came and went a bit slower, and also ended with some filet mignon. At that point, they gathered that we were ready for dessert, and so they served up some grilled pineapple coated with cinnamon. So good. At 9pm the restaurant sprung to life (as if the Carnaval video playing on the TV wasn't enough) with lights, loud music, and a Samba dancer romping around the restaurant. We sat there awkwardly, waiting for someone to give us our bill, and fortunately it came. Definitely worth the $30. Mmm meat.

Reuben's Restaurant Delicatessen
888 Rue Ste-Catherine O, Montreal QC
(514) 861-1255

Le Milsa
1445 Rue Bishop, Montreal QC
(514) 985-0777