Chow Time
Best Cheap Eats
1. Soup and Noodles (1871 Ste-Catherine W., 933-0531)
2. McDonald's (various locations)
3. Al-Taib (2125 Guy, 931-1999)
4. La Belle Province (various locations)
5. 99 Cent Pizza (all over the place)
Caribbean heat
 Ma's, L Corridor credit spicy cooking and homey feelings for popularity
by KRISTIAN GRAVENOR
Debbie Grant, 38, finds it strange that people call her Ma, even though she's got five kids. "It's relating to an older person," she says, explaining that she and her husband, former electrician Eric "Loves to Cook" Blagrove, merely inherited the Ma's monicker when they took over their now familiar spot on Sherbrooke West six years back. She has no explanation for her strong second showing in the Caribbean eats category and - true to the vibe of the island she left for this one at age 11 - the Jamaican-born Grant is laid back in victory. "I heard about it last year as well and I think it's great."
 She credits her restaurant's popularity to its spicy jerk chicken, which has such a following that three years ago they opened a second branch on Décarie, although don't expect them to launch a chain. "Two restaurants is enough work," she says.
Meanwhile, climbing from fifth last year all the way to the top is L Corridor, named for the shape it inhabits in a building on the Main near Prince Arthur. The woman behind that operation, former fashion-designer Genevieve Gould, waited for a succession of restaurants to come and go in the lobby of the building she lives in before pouncing on a chance to take it over. Romance brought Gould here from Antigua 16 years ago; patties and shakes "to die for" are what bring her faithful, largely student clientele back to her eatery. "We're small but we give good service and food and everything is homey here," she explains.
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Best Pricey Eats
1. Gibby's (298 Place d'Youville, 282-1837)
2. Chu Chai (4088 St-Denis, 843-4194)
3. La Queue De Cheval (1221 René-Lévesque W., 390-0090)
4. Globe (3455 St-Laurent, 284-3823)
5. Moishe's Steakhouse (3961 St-Laurent, 845-3509)
Best Late-Night Eats
1. Picasso Serre (6810 St-Jaques W., 484-2832)
2. The Main (3864 St-Laurent, 843-8126)
3. Boustan (2020A Crescent, 843-3576)
4. Euro Deli (3619 St-Laurent, 843-7853)
5. Al-Taib (2125 Guy, 931-1999)
Best Breakfast
1. Chez Cora (various locations)
2. Eggspectations (various locations)
3. Cosmos (5843 Sherbrooke W., 486-3814)
4. Tutti Frutti Déjeuner (various locations)
5. Beauty's/Dusty's (tie) (93 Mont-Royal W., 849-8883 / 4510 du Parc, 276-8525)
Best Buffet
1. Buffet Maharaja (1481 René-Lévesque W., 934-0655)
2. Buffet Vichy (various locations)
3. Buffet La Stanza (various locations)
4. Le Commensal (various locations)
5. Casa Corfu/Bombay Palace (tie) (3177 Masson, 727-5250 / 2201 Ste-Catherine W., 932-7141)
Best African
1. Le Nil Bleu (3706 St-Denis, 285-4628)
2. Abiata (3435 St-Denis, 281-0111)
3. Au Messob D'Or (5690 Monkland, 488-8260)
4. Les Délices de l'Île Maurice (272 Hickson, Verdun, 768-6023)
5. Keur Fatou (66 St-Viateur W., 277-2221)
Best Caribbean
1. L Corridor (3655 St-Laurent, 350-5320)
2. Ma's Place (5889 Sherbrooke W., 487-7488)
3. Caribbean Curry House (6892 Victoria, 733-0828)
4. Mango Bay (1202 Bishop, 875-7082)
5. Jardin du Cari (21 St-Viateur W., 495-0565)
Best Chinese
1. Maison VIP (1077 Clark, 861-1943)
2. Hot & Spicy (7373 Décarie, 731-1818)
3. Dragon Dynasty (8630 Sherbrooke E., 353-0909)
4. Soup and Noodles (1871 Ste-Catherine W., 933-0531)
5. Kam Shing (various locations)
Best French
1. L'Express (3927 St-Denis, 845-5333)
2. Toqué (3842 St-Denis, 499-2084)
3. Le Paris (1812 Ste-Catherine W., 937-4898)
4. L'Académie (4051 St-Denis, 849-2249)
5. Au Petit Extra (1690 Ontario E., 527-5552)
Note to readers: La Belle Province does not count in this category!
Best Greek
1. Arahova (various locations)
2. Marathon Souvlaki (824 Curé-Labelle, Chomedy, 450-681-9449)
3. Casa Grecque (various locations)
4. Le Jardin de Panos (521 Duluth E., 521-4206)
5. Ouzeri (4690 St-Denis, 845-1336)
Best Indian
1. Bombay Palace (2202 Ste-Catherine W., 932-7141)
2. Buffet Maharaja (1481 René-Lévesque W., 934-0655)
3. Pushap (4781 des Sources, 683-0105)
4. Ganges (6079 Sherbrooke W., 488-8850)
5. Mysore (4216 St-Laurent, 844-4733)
Best Italian
1. Eduardo's (404 Duluth E., 843-3330)
2. Casa Napoli (6728 St-Laurent, 274-4531)
3. Lombardi (411 Duluth E., 844-9419)
4. La Popessa (3801 St-Denis, 982-1717)
5. Il Piatto Della Nonna (176 Saint-Viateur, 278-6066)
Best Japanese
1. Kaizen Sushi Bar (4120 Ste-Catherine W., 932-5654)
2. Soto (3527 St-Laurent, 842-1150)
3. Mikado (various locations)
4. Katsura (2170 de la Montagne, 849-1172)
5. Tokyo (115 St-Paul W.)
Best Korean
1. Korea House (4950 Queen-Mary, 733-7823)
2. Hwang Kum (5908 Sherbrooke W., 487-1712)
3. Man-Na (1421 Bishop, 288-1703)
4. Seoul (5030 Sherbrooke W., 489-3686)
5. Koko (1809 Ste-Catherine W., 935-1388)
Best Mexican
1. 3 Amigos (1657 Ste-Catherine W., 939-3329)
2. Carlos & Pepes (1420 Peel, 288-3090)
3. Mexicali Rosa's (1425 Bishop, 284-0344 and various locations)
4. Casa de Mateo (440 St-Francois Xavier, 844-7448)
5. El Zaziummm (various locations)
The ubiquitous TV ad should win a prize in it's own right. Even stood-up sad sacks love the 3 Amigos!
Best Middle-Eastern
1. Boustan (2020A Crescent, 843-3756)
2. Amir (various locations)
3. Basha (various locations)
4. Daou (2373 Marcel-Laurin, St-Laurent, 334-1199)
5. Al-Taib (2125 Guy, 931-1999)
Best Portuguese
1. Chez Doval (150 Marie-Anne E., 843-3390)
2. Jano (3883 St-Laurent, 849-0646)
3. Le Roi Du Plateau (51 Rachel W., 844-8393)
4. Rotisserie Portugalia (34 Rachel W., 282-1519)
5. Casa Maison Minhota (3959 St-Laurent, 842-2661)
Best Spanish
1. La Sala Rosa (4848 St-Laurent, 844-4227)
2. Casa Tapas (266 Rachel E., 848-1063)
3. El Gitano (3507 du Parc, 843-8212)
4. Spanish Social Club (4388 St-Laurent, 849-1737)
5. La Bodega (3456 du Parc, 849-2030)
A haunt for seasoned Spaniards and the artists who fill the upstairs venue alike, La Sala Rosa rises to the top for the first time this year, and well deserved for its lively atmosphere (if you aren't serenaded by flamenco musicians, there just might be a sound check shaking the ceiling above) and delicious food.
Best Thai
1. Chu Chai (4088 St-Denis, 843-4194)
2. Thai Grill (5101 St-Laurent, 270-5566)
3. Thai Express (3710 St-Laurent, 287-9957)
4. Chao Phraya (50 Laurier W., 272-5339)
5. Restaurant Cuisine Bangkok (In the Faubourg, 1616 Ste-Catherine W., 935-2178)
Best Vietnamese
1. Pho Bang New York (970 St-Laurent, 954-2032)
2. Chez Lien (various locations)
3. Pho Lien (5703 Côte des Neiges, 735-6949)
4. Pho Bac (5473 Victoria, 341-1265; 1016 St-Laurent, 393-8116)
5. Merveille Du Vietnam (4526 St-Denis, 844-9884)
Best Bagel
1. St-Viateur (263 St-Viateur W., 276-8044)
2. Fairmount (74 Fairmount W., 272-0067)
3. R.E.A.L Bagel (various locations)
4. Faubourg's The Bagel Place (1616 Ste-Catherine W., 931-2827)
5. DADs Bagel (5732 Sherbrooke W., 487-2454)
Best Barbecued Chicken
1. St-Hubert (various locations; delivery 385-5555)
2. Coco Rico (3907 St-Laurent, 849-5554)
3. Chalet BBQ (5456 Sherbrooke W., 489-7253; 6825 Décarie, 739-3226)
4. Côte-St-Luc BBQ (5403 Côte-St-Luc, 488-4011 and other locations)
5. Scores (various locations)
Best Burger
1. Harvey's (various locations)
2. Mister Steer (1198 Ste-Catherine W., 866-3233)
3. La Paryse (302 Ontario E., 842-2040)
4. Burger King (various locations)
5. Patati Patata (4177 St-Laurent, 844-0216)
Best Falafel
1. Amir (various locations)
2. Sara (1 Mont-Royal W., 845-7575)
3. Boustan (2020-A Crescent, 843-3576)
4. Monsieur Falafel (various locations)
5. Basha (various locations)
Best Fries
1. McDonald's (various locations)
2. Frites Alors (various locations)
3. Mondo Fritz (3899 St-Laurent, 281-6521
4. La Belle Province (various locations)
5. Patati Patata (4177 St-Laurent, 844-0216)
Best Noodles
1. Just Noodles (various locations)
2. Soup and Noodles (1871 Ste-Catherine W., 933-0531)
3. Zyng (1748 St-Denis, 284-2016)
4. Noodles Express (1510 de Maisonneuve W., 939-0115)
5. U & Me (1900 Ste-Catherine W., 931-0081)
Best Pizza
1. Pizza Hut (various locations)
2. Domino's (various locations)
3. Al-Taib (2125 Guy, 931-1999)
4. Amelio's (201 Milton, 845-8396)
5. 99 Cent Pizza (everywhere)
Best Poutine
1. La Belle Province (various locations)
2. Mondo Fritz (3899 St-Laurent, 281-6521)
3. Lafleur (various locations)
4. Casse-Croûte La Banquise (994 Rachel E., 525-2415)
5. Mamma's Pizzeria (75 des Pins W., 288-1128)
Best Ribs
1. Bâton Rouge (160 Ste-Catherine W., 282-7444; other location in Carrefour Laval, Chomedey)
2. Bar-B-Barn (1201 Guy, 931-3811; 3300 des Sources, Pte-Claire, 683-0225)
3. Scores (various locations)
4. St-Hubert (various locations; delivery 385-5555)
5. Cage Aux Sports/House of Jazz (tie) (various locations / 2060 Aylmer, 842-8566)
Best Sandwich
1. Santropol (3990 St-Urbain, 842-3110)
2. Subway (various locations)
3. Dagwoods (various locations)
4. Milano (6862 St-Laurent, 273-8558)
5. Schwartz's (3895 St-Laurent, 842-4813)
Best Seafood
1. La Sirène de la Mer (1805 Sauvé W., 332-2255; 114 Dresden, TMR, 345-0345)
2. Milos (5357 du Parc, 272-3522)
3. Desjardins (1175 Mackay, 866-9741)
4. Molivos (2310 Guy, 846-8818)
5. Homard Plus (various locations)
Best Smoked Meat
1. Schwartz's (3895 St-Laurent, 842-4813)
2. Reuben's (1116 Ste-Catherine W., 866-1029)
3. The Main (3864 St-Laurent, 843-8126)
4. Ben's (990 de Maisonneuve W., 844-1000)
5. Jarry Smoked Meat (6549 Jarry E., St-Leonard, 322-3220)
Best Souvlaki
Arahova (various locations)
Marathon (824 Curé Labelle, Chomedy, 450-681-9449)
3. Souvlaki George's (6995 Monkland, 482-0040)
4. Kojax (various locations)
5. Villa du Souvlaki (5347 Sherbrooke W., 489-2039)
Best Steak
1. Gibby's (298 Place d'Youville, 282-1837)
2. La Queue de Cheval Steak House (1221 René-Lévesque W., 390-0090)
3. Moishe's Steak House (3961 St-Laurent, 845-3509)
4. Le Bifthèque (6705 Côte-de-Liesse, 739-6336)
5. Bâton Rouge (160 Ste-Catherine W., 282-7444; other location in Carrefour Laval, Chomedey)
Best Vegetarian
1. Le Commensal (various locations)
2. Aux Vivres (4631 St-Laurent, 842-3479)
3. Chu Chai (4088 St-Denis, 843-4194)
4. Pushap (5195 Paré, 737-4527; 4781 des Sources, 683-0105)
5. Spirite Lounge (1205 Ontario E., 522-5353)
Veggie buffet Le Commensal is always a favourite here, followed this year by Aux Vivres (aka Les Vivres), keeping it wholesome in their new St-Laurent locale after their condo-hungry landlord ousted them from their St-Dominique digs last fall.
Best Bakery
1. Première Moisson (various locations)
2. Au Pain Doré (various locations)
3. De Gascogne (various locations)
4. Cantors (8575 8e, 374-2700)
5. Pâtisserie Alati-Caserta (277 Dante, 271-3013)
Best Coffee
1. Tim Horton's (various locations)
2. Second Cup (various locations)
3. Starbucks (various locations)
4. Open Da Night (Café Olimpico) (124 St-Viateur W., 495-0746)
5. Java U (various locations)
In a city known for its cafés and the fine roasts they serve, Timmy's reigns supreme, proving, as anyone with a little road experience will attest, there's something in that stuff.
Best Locally Brewed Beer
1. Brutopia
2. Boréale
3. Cheval Blanc
4. Molson
5. Dieu du Ciel/St. Ambroise (tie)
Best Desserts/Sweets
1. Rockaberry (4275 St-Denis, 844-9479; 5390 Queen Mary, 481-0092)
2. Calories (4414 Ste-Catherine W., 933-8186)
3. Kilo Restaurant (various locations)
4. Première Moisson (various locations)
5. Pâtisserie de Gascogne/Le Duc de Lorraine (tie) (various locations / 5002 Côte-des-Neiges, 731-4128)
Best Ice Cream
1. Ben & Jerry's (various locations)
2. Le Bilboquet (1311 Bernard W., 276-0414)
3. Dairy Queen (various locations)
4. Ripples (3880 St-Laurent, 842-1697)
5. Baskin Robbins/Roberto's Gelateria (tie) (various locations / 2221 Bélanger, 374-9844)
