Most people don’t realize how international the West Island has become. If you get off  the Boul. des Sources North Exit #55 on the Transcanadienne Highway 40, you can have a smorgasbord of worldly tastes:

Italian, Chinese, Greek, Japanese, Lebanese, Brazilian, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Pakastani, Afghani, Iraqi, Portuguese, Kosher, BBQ, Steak, Mideastern, Jamaican, Phillipino, Rotisserie chicken, Good burgers, Vegetarian, French bakery and ice cream

Here is the list of the restaurants you will find:

On right (EAST side) when you get off (addresses on Boul. des Sources, Dollard des Ormeaux):

On outside of Galeries des Sources Mall:
Jack Astor’s (Grille and Bar) #3051 Tel: 514-685-5225 – chicken, burgers, salads, Italian, ribs www.jackastors.com/locations/16/dorval-restaurants.html
Elixor, # 3237 Tel: 514-683-7778 – Like cheesecake factory in US. Beautiful decor, good cooking, varied menu, large portions, cheesecakes for dessert www.elixor.com/home.html
Del Frisco #3237 Tel: 683-4444 – Nice sit-down Italian www.delfriscos.ca/en-Home.inc
Marathon Souvlaki # 3313 Tel:514- 421-5825 – Well known, around a long time, Greek food
http://marathonsouvlaki.ca/en/index.html

Across the street on the WEST side:
Bar-B-Barn (yellow building) – BBQ ribs and chicken, around 35 years or so www.barbbarn.ca
40 Westt Steakhouse 2305 Transcanada Highway (In mall facing Boul des Sources) Tel: 514-428-9378 – very fancy expensive steak house www.40westt.com

Back on the EAST side is a long long strip mall called Centennial Plaza. Here the restaurants are very casual, fast food or one step up from that:

Basha 3339A – Mideastern www.westislandmenus.com/restaurant/arabic/basha.php?restID=7
Rotisserie Mom’s 3339B – Chicken (newish)
Maiko Sushi 3339D www.westislandmenus.com/restaurant/sushi/maikosushi.php?restID=12
Fulum Buffet, Wok and Grill 3339E – Chinese menu or buffet
O Burger 3339G www.oburger.ca/en/menu.aspx
Thai Express 3339G
Dairy Queen 3339 H – soft ice cream
Subway 3339K – subs

Next section of this strip mall:
Baskin Robbins 3343 – hard ice cream
Pasta Tutti Giorni 3343A – Inexpensive sit-down Italian, fabulous rose sauce www.ptg.ca
Miranda’s Mashaw 3343C – (newish) Mideastern
Kojax 3343D – Greek, souvlaki www.kojaxsouflaki.com/en/restaurant_centennial-plaza.php
Sushi Shop 3343F – Less expensive sushi to go http://sushishop.com/en/menu/
Teriyaki 3343E
Amir 3343G – Lebanese www.restoamir.com
Dagwoods 3343 – Subs www.dagwoods.ca/home
Yummis 3343K – bakery, café
McBay – small diner, around over 30 years
Rockaberry #33361 – pies
Second Cup # – Canada’s Starbucks for coffee
A&W (in parking lot) – fast food burgers and root beer

Across the street on the WEST side facing this mall:

On you will see Starbucks, then next to it, perpendicular to Boul des Sources (on Boul. Salaberry), there’s a strip of casual restaurants leading in to a mini Farmer’s Market:

Pasta Bella #3 510, mostly take out pasta
Wok Café # 3510 Tel 514-683-8883-Asian Fusion.Good General Tao chicken www.wokcafe.ca/eng
Five Guys #3530 – better burgers
Panama 11,604 Salaberry Tel: 514-676-1096 – Greek www.restaurantpanama.ca/
Paradise Kosher – Tel: 514-421-0421 Mostly grocery, some take out, one table
Thai Noodles and Sushi Tel: 514- 421-1008 11,612 Salaberry
Ben & Florentine 11618 Salaberry – breakfast mostly, then lunch
Bulk Barn – 514-822-0897 by the pound store with every kind of candy, nuts, snacks for the car
Juke Box Burgers – 514-542-3222 plus milkshakes, hot dogs www.jukeboxburgers.com

Madison’s New York Grill 11590 Salaberry, – sit down, free standing bdlg.,steak, burgers, chicken, 2 for $22 specials www.madisonsnyc.com/?lang=en
La Verita 116,80 Salaberry Tel: 514-684-4999- Tablecloth Italian, free standing building in lot
www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g983914-d1381103-Reviews-Restaurant_La_Verita-Dollard_des_Ormeaux_Quebec.html

Marche de l’Ouest – foodie mall with cheese shop, French bakery Premiere Moissan (wow), butcher, fruit, fish, cheese, muffins, pizza, sushi, pasta, sausages, bagels, gelato, Szechuan, Outside is a farm stand housing many farmer’s goods around the area
www.marchedelouest.com/en/directory.html

Further down on WEST side

Wendys (rebuilding) –
Tim Horton’s – Canadian icon, donuts and some sandwiches
Cold Stone Creamery – ice cream

Keep going past Roger Pilon and then you will find on WEST:

Cote St Luc Bar-B-Q 4360 Tel: 514-685-5000 – Rotisserie chicken, Quebec specialty www.cotestlucbarbq.com/
Bagels Ouest 4404 Few bagel sandwiches with cold cuts, Quebec special: smoked meat
Carribean Tasty Treats 4410 Tel: 514-542-4410 – Jamaican food like rotis, curried goat, jerk chicken, fried plaintains http://caribtastytreats.com

Porte GrecQue 4600 Tel: 514-683-4482 – Greek grilled food in a little house, outdoor dining, around 30+ years www.laportegrecque.com/en/index.html

Falafel Abou hanna 4660 Tel 514- 560-0777 – Lebanese Mom & Pop shop
Morgan Fish 4686 Tel: 514-685-1555 Sit down
Tandoor & Grille, 4690 Tel: 514-683-4878 – Indian, in its own building, sit down
www.restomontreal.ca/en/3165/Tandoor-et-Grille

In strip mall:

Fiesta Pilipino Market 4852 – a bit of food to go???
Anh-Tai 4858 Tel: 514-685-5092 – Vietnamese, around 30+ years, good http://anh-tai.com
Maison de Karahi La Sani 4878 buffet Indian and Pakistani http://montreal.restolinked.com/maison-de-karachi-lasani-restaurant-33364.htm
Aryana Afghane 4886 Tel: 514-683-1333 www.urbanspoon.com/r/67/1614220/restaurant/Montreal/Aryana-Dollard-Des-Ormeaux
Les 3 Maria 4886A Tel: 514-683-1333 Portuguese bbq chicken
www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g983914-d4044027-Reviews-Les_3_Maria-Dollard_des_Ormeaux_Quebec.html
Charcuterie M.D. 4894 Tel: 514-684-5760 – Polish, Central European deli, cold cuts, sweets

corner of Boul. Pierrefonds:

McDonald’s 4928 Tel: 514-684-0779
Tim Horton – Canadian icon, donuts and sandwiches
Poulet Frite a la Kentucky and Taco Bell – Kentucky Fried Chicken in french, same taste
Mory’s Pizza Takeout

Across the street on the EAST:

Chateau Kabab 4705 – Persian and Iraqi Mediterranean grill, bit fancier than others on this strip www.chateaukabab.com

Kwality 4771 Tel: 514-421-3522 – Indian food and sweets
Palais Shahi 4773 Tel: 514-685-0000 Indian, here 10 years www.yelp.ca/biz/shahi-palace-restaurent-pierrefonds
Pushap, 4777 Tel: 514-683-0105 Vegetarian inexp. Indian

Tokyo Sushi Bar, 4805 Tel: 514-685-7082 www.tresordutokyo.com-  BYOB reasonable
Kim Hoa Chinese Market 4843 Tel: 514 683-8878 – a bit of takeout Vietnamese and Chinese food

Man-Li 4991 Tel: 514-683-1110 – Oldest Chinese restaurant in area. Known for take out, tables too
Bombay Choupati 5011 Tel: 514- 421-3130 – good Indian
La Milsa 5021 Tel: 514- 542-4224 – Brazilian steakhouse

It is a “gift” for Le Panier gift store to hold a sale. Everything (gourmet food, toys, gadgets, jewelry,  kitchenware, home decor) that needs to be cleared out is being sold this Saturday from 40% to 90% off. Come early – things go fast and it’s cash and carry – no cards.

Whatever is not sold this Saturday is given to 6 West Island charities to use for volunteer gifts, resales, or raffles to benefit their organizations.

274-E Bord du Lac, Pointe Claire
corner: de Lourdes
Tel: 514-695-7038
Date: Sat Aug 17:  8-2
www.thepanier.com

Every June, or thereabouts, on a Saturday from 8 am to 2 pm, Le Panier gift store holds its only sale, called The Lemon Sale. Everything (gourmet food, toys, gadgets, kitchenware, home decor) that needs to be cleared out is sold really cheaply from 50% to 90% off. Come early – things go fast and it’s cash and carry – no cards.

274-E Bord du Lac, Pointe Claire (at the back of the building)
corner: Cartier
Tel: 514-695-7038
Date: Sat June 8: 8am-2pm
www.thepanier.com

Hi smart shoppers! All of your Mom’s have to shop, so why not give them the tool to save money all year round? There is no reason to waste time shopping for price when the job has already been done by me in my book, Smart Shopping Montreal, now in its 14th edition.

Shopping local is what the book is all about – so stay green and help a Montreal family business at the same time. Those with less time for shopping will enjoy sitting in a comfy chair with the book,  calling stores to ask questions in advance.

Save time by planning instead of  cruising expensive malls or wasting earths’ resources by having online orders shipped here. By saving a minimum of 20% on most purchases, you are in effect gaining a pay raise – as you will have more disposable income.

http://www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/index.php?p=buy

The 24th annual Tibetan Cultural Fair features a handicrafts bazaar, live music and dance performances, as well as traditional cuisine.

– The handicrafts bazaar showcases traditional arts and crafts such as clothing, jewelry, carpets, dharma-ware, ritual objects, CDs, books and more great gift ideas.
– Live music and dance will be performed by the Tibetan Cultural Association of Québec, offering a unique opportunity to witness Tibetan musical instruments, songs and dances. – Dhondup the Yak – always a favourite for young children – will make a special appearance
– The Tibetan kitchen features the always popular “momos” – traditional dumplings with hot sauce.

For the past 23 years, during the two-day fair, Tibetans and Canadians have come together to celebrate the vibrant Tibetan culture. The Canada Tibet Committee (CTC) is an independent non-governmental organization promoting human rights and freedom for the Tibetan people. The CTC is funded entirely by individual donations and special events such as this annual fair.

Location: Santa Cruz Church Hall, 60 Rachel West
corner: St-Urbain
Dates and Times: Sat Nov 24: 10-6, Sun Nov 25: 11-5
Admission: $5, Seniors and students: $3, Under 12: free
For more info follow Montreal’s Tibetan Bazaar Facebook page
www.tibet.ca

Hudson is having St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 10th, starting at 1pm. Clarence & Cripps will be serving, in return for donations to a charity, their famous Irish Stew made with lamb. They also sell traditional Irish Peg Dolls, Barrys Irish Tea and delicious Steak & Ale Pies, made with – Guinness!

Clarence & Cripps is a store specializing in British food so therefore they have yummies you need to create a St. Patrick’s Day party on March 17th. When you venture in to the store, you will discover a friendly shop filled with:  Robertson’s mincemeat, Tate Lyle golden syrup, and in the freezer: 4 kinds of sausage, Melton mowbray pork pies, and their own steak and kidney pie.

Favorite snacks are there too: Walker’s chips (steak & onion, prawn cocktail), Maynard’s wine gums, Galaxy minstrels, McVities digestives and some Marks & Spencer products.

At the moment the shop is having a prize draw. Just go into the store and spend over $10 for a chance to win a pure wool Irish National Tartan scarf. It will be drawn at 5pm on Saturday March 10th. The winning ticket will go back into the draw and everyone will have a chance to win another prize at Easter – a large Cadbury Roses Easter Egg, from England.

Delivery is available, even to downtown.

Location: 71 Cameron, Hudson
Phone: 450-458-4073
Store Hours: Tues-Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4
www.clarenceandcripps.com

Anjou Quebec had been open on Laurier St.  since 1953 as the go-to place for French charcouterie and butchering. They cooked delish prepared meals every week – things like duck, Roqufort beef, halibut with leek, veal liver Lyonnais, lamb Provencal, lobster bisque, quennelles, and my favorite: potatoes Dauphinois.

After a beautiful renovation and new ownership, the store mysteriously closed. It was supposed to move to Old Montreal and I  searched for it, to no avail.

Imagine my surprise when I found Nita Urech, the chef/owner on the Notre Dame St. antique strip. The concept is more catering now but there is take-out food too, a little bistro – and a party room. There’s a weekly menu with 3 entrees, 8 mains, 4 sides and 3 desserts. And yes, she still makes my potatoes Dauphinois. Yay!

Location: 1638 Notre-Dame
corner: Guy
Tel: 514-272-4065
anjou@bellnet.ca

Here’s a way to de-stress for the holidays, just get someone else to bake for you.  Swiss Vienna Pastry and Delicatessen  is a 50-year-old 3rd generation bakery which can not only bake your holiday logs (even rum red velvet) $19.95 (for 6), $26.95 (for 10), $40.95 (for 16),  wreath cakes or candle cakes but they can provide you with your whole party cocktail menu. Choose from: mini quiches (cheese, spinach, ham), patty shells (mushroom or chicken), chicken bouche, shrimp boats, spinach rolls, egg rolls, sausage rolls and meat pies in 3 sizes (mini, small and large). There’s meat and vegetable platters too.

If your family has a favorite flavor cake, they probably make it: strawberry shortcake, fruit shortcake, chocolate praline crunch, millefeuille cake, cortina, Black Forest, strawberry or chocolate mousse, red velvet, cheese cake, Charlotte Russe and the St-Honore of course. Mini French pastries are only $12 a dozen (boxed) with a minimum of 2 dozen.

Perhaps you would prefer French pastries – they’re here too: eclairs, mille feuilles (the best in the city – save one for me!), fruit tarts, mousses, chocolate pretzels, rumballs, baba au rum, cream turnovers, gaufrettes, meringues, moka boats and more. And you can add some of their homemade chocolates too.

If you didn’t see what you wanted on that list there’s triple chocolate mousse cake, hazelnut cake, butter danish, apple strudel and 24 daily breads.

For special occasions, their new cake boss can create theme design cakes (Chanel purse, soccer shirt, makeup kit) and you can choose whatever flavor cake you like for the inside: red velvet, black forest, chocolate ganache, praline crunch, etc.

The store also has a selection of international groceries (Hungarian paprika, Marmite, Werner’s potato dumplings), imported chocolate bars, sausages (debreciner, kielbasa) and a hot and cold salad bar with ethnic snacks (Caribbean patties, samosa, calzones, chicken pot pie, potato knishes, cabbage rolls, panini). Wash it all down with an espresso or latte.

Location: Pointe Claire Shopping Centre, 297 boul. St-Jean
corner: Highway 2-20
Tel: 514-697-2280
Hours: Mon-Wed 8:30-6, Thurs & Fri 8:30-8, Sat & sun 8:30-5

The first ever ‘Hudson Main Street Christmas Market‘ will be held on November 25th. It will be held in conjunction with the annual Hudson Festival of lights which is when the Christmas tree lights outside of our town hall are officially lit which is followed by  the ‘official’ switching on of all the Christmas lights in Hudson.

Clarence and Cripps, a store for all things British will have a table at the market from 3-9. Their our store will also be open that day from 10 – 7 and we will have lots of tasters such as Filo mince pies, chocolates and sweets at both locations.

At Clarence and Cripps you will find: Robertson’s mincemeat, Tate Lyle golden syrup, and in the freezer: 4 kinds of sausage, Melton mowbray pork pies, and their own steak and kidney pie. Favorite snacks are there too: Walker’s chips (steak & onion, prawn cocktail), Maynard’s wine gums, Galaxy minstrels, McVities digestives and some Marks & Spencer products. If you’re lucky you’ll be able to scoop up some real Devonshire double cream for your scones. Delivery is available, even to downtown.  www.clarenceandcripps.com

Location: Stephen F. Shaar Community Center, 394 Main St, Hudson, J0P 1H0
Tel: 450-458-6699
Date: Nov 25
Time: 3 – 9

Pastamore, a fixture in the Marche de l’Ouest since the opening of the mall is celebrating 30 yummy years of serving the West Island.  The brothers Curro make the traditional  handmade fresh pasta, sauces and take-out meals. To help you join in the party, they are offering 500g of pasta if you buy a litre of any sauce.

Their pasta is made fresh daily (white, green, tomato or whole wheat) with 100% durem semolina and eggs. To top them off, you can choose from rotating home-made sauces, such as alfredo, arrabiata, cardinale, Erica, Marisa, Romanoff, spinacella and 4 cheeses.

Take-out specialties include lasagna, canelloni, manicotti or eggplant, chicken and veal parmagiana. Party portions and catering are also available.

Gift cards are available in any denomination.  On their website you can sign up to find out their Monday to Friday specials.

Location:11644 boul. de Salaberry, Marche de l’Ouest
corner:boul. des Sources
Phone:514-683-0006
HoursRegular plus Sun 9-6
www.pastamore.ca