MikeCohen.ca

End of an era: Nautilus Plus in Côte Saint-Luc to close

It is sadly official. Nautilus Plus, located at the Cavendish  Club in Côte Saint-Luc is closing its doors. The move affects hundreds of longtime members.

This location has been in operation for several decades, offering personal training, fitness and nutrition programs. There is a nice swimming pool, where many youngsters have learned how to swim, racquetball and squash courts and of course a large room of nautilus equipment where  people can enjoy socializing and getting into shape.

The club officially close for business on  February 29.  When I dropped by to find out why it is shutting down, I was told that the lease was up and the company wanted to go in a new direction. Members will be given rebates or offered  to use one of the other Nautilus Plus facilities,

There is no question that the opening of our magnificient Aquatic and Community Centre has had an impact on other local health and exercise centres.  The swimming programs at our two fabulous pools are going strong. We have a modest workout room overlooking the pool, a room for dance clases, a mini library and soon a café. There is place for youth to congregate, large meeting rooms, headquarters for our seniors and Legion group and a large gymnasium attached to the facility.

Former Solly's on Westminster becomes Nosherz

For months Robert J. (RJ) Vineberg (pictured below) had everyone guessing. He had pulled down the sign of Solly the Baker outside of his store at the corner of Westminster Avenue and Mackle Road in Côte Saint-Luc and told customers that a new name was coming.

On July 13 customers arrived to find a large new sign saying Nosherz Bakery-Deli-Catering. Inside, RJ and his staff were all wearing new Nosherz attitre.

Originally it seemed that RJ's association with Mitch Kadanoff at Solly the Caterer on Robert Burns was going well. But when RJ started  bringing in brand items from the likes of the Dirty Bakery in Chomedey, the relationship took some uneasy steps. In the end,  they decided to part company.

Over the years RJ has done attractive renovations to the interior and brings in a wide variety of homemade ready to microwave meals with all of the fixings on the side. There's chopped liver, schnitzels,  soups,  salads, desserts and so much more I usually go in for a loaf of bread and walk out with much more.

What exactly does a nosher mean?  It stands for a snack or a light meal. For example: I "noshed" on a bagel.

Vineberg told me it took months to get the name approved. "The Quebec government had no idea what a nosher is," he sad. "And we added the letter z at the end."

You can find out more at www.nosherz.com or by calling 5140484-0445.

A snack or light meal.

intr.v. noshed, nosh·ing, nosh·es

To eat a snack or light meal: noshed on a bagel between classes.

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Rosie O'Donnell's Furry Montreal Appearance

It  has been more than 30 years since Dubarry Furs Inc. began operating in Montreal. Owner Ivan Katz manufactures superior quality garments and provides personalized service at his Old Montreal location. 

Dubarry offers a wide selection to choose from. This includes fine and sheared furs, reversibles, cashmere and alpaca capes with fur trim, shearlings, soft leather, hats, scarves, purses, headbands and muffs. There are hundreds of accessories in stock.

As Mr. Katz, a  Côte Saint-Luc resident,  points out,  Dubarry strives to provide their customers with the latest styles of the finest quality fur garments. In fact, the extensive inventory available enables Dubarry to cater to a variety of tastes, sizes and styles.  Custom made material is also available.

Shearling coats and jackets are available for both women and men. “They are made from the finest quality skins, are lightweight yet warm and designed for the fashion conscious and discriminating customer,” says Mr. Katz, whose father originally started the business in Europe prior to WWII. “We also have ultra soft leathers which are made in Montreal. They come in various colours and styles.”

Among the company’s services are cleaning, repairs, remodelling, trade-ins and storage.  Mr. Katz welcomes customers to come in for a complimentary consultation. Remodelling is a nice option. With their years of experience, Dubarry can work magic on your old, heavy fur garment and turn it into a lightweight, sheared, reversible coat!  A testament to their success is seen in the letters of thanks on display in the store.

Dubarry offers generous trade-in allowances towards the purchase of new items. Meanwhile, a lot of people do take advantage of storing their valuable furs during the off-season in their secure, fully insured climate-controlled vault.

At Dubarry, you never know which celebrity will walk through the door.  Such was the case just over a week ago when actress and talk show host Rosie O’Donnell dropped by unannounced to look for a fur coat. She reportedly came to town with her own film crew to do some research on a very recent finding that she may have some French Canadian ancestors. “My husband called and said that she was in the store,” noted Elizabeth Katz. “At that point Rosie took the phone and started to talk to me. She was charming.”

Dubarry Furs is located at 206 St. Paul Street West in Old Montreal at the corner of St. Francois-Xavier and near the Place D’Armes Metro. For more information call 514-844, 7483 or 514-816-7483. You can also email info@dubarryfurs.com or log on to www.dubarryfurs.com.

 

Famous Delly Boys Restaurant in good hands

The Famous Delly Boys Restaurant has been attracting satisfying diners for 48 years at a small strip shopping centre at the corner of Westminster Avenue and Côte Saint-Luc Road. Originally established in 1962 by brothers Guido (Chico) and Sonny Broccoli, the business was sold three years ago and changed hands again last January  when brothers Tahir and Kharson  Lifanov,  with their mom Fatima, stepped in to oversee operations. They are pictured below.

Regular customers have greeted the charismatic Lifanovs with a big thumbs up and they have the place humming.

 People still come from across the island to enjoy their extensive menu, which contains such   items as smoked meat and other deli delights, club rolls, their famous party sandwiches, pizza, pizza burgers, chicken, veal, fish, steak, ribs, pasta, salads and desserts. Whether dining in, taking out or ordering a catered meal, you will never be disappointed.

Tahir and Kharson are putting in long shifts these days. They have gotten to know their regulars, some of whom come there virtually every day of the week, on a first-name basis.  The place has been modernized, with an attractive glass dessert display case, a large flat screen television, the Interac payment option and a new glossy takeout menu. There is even a website (www.famousdellyboys.com) in its infancy stages.

Tahir says he appreciates the history the restaurant has. He’s already noticed how many ex-Montrealers, when in town for a visit, stop by and make large orders to take back with them. “We are working on introducing some new dishes to the menu and promoting our different breakfast specials,” he notes.

“We know this place has a reputation for excellent customer service and it is our goal to make sure that never changes,” Kharson adds.

It is also great to see Sonny Broccoli coming by often and getting behind the counter, much to the delight of customers. Chico has been spotted back there as well. These men are icons in the community and the Lifanov's recognize that.

Tahir, incidentally, just became a dad recently. His wife gave birth to baby boy Ilyas.

The Famous Delly Boys is open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.  The address is 5509 Westminster Avenue. For more information or to make an order call 514-484-8555.

 

 

 

 

  

New owners again for the Delly Boys

The Famous Delly Boys Restaurant has changed ownership for the second time in three years. In the spring of 2007 original owners Guido (Chico ) and Sonny Broccoli sold the business to Sam Koniaris, and two partners. The Broccoli brothers stayed on for a while to ease the transition while Sam in particular made a special effort to get to know the clientele and maintain the tradition of Cöte Saint-Luc’s oldest restaurant. It is the same age as me – 47 – established in 1962.

Sam and company made some visible changes, adding a delicious-looking glass dessert display case, large flat screen television, the Interac payment option and a new glossy takeout menu. . All of the items we have grown to love remained: smoked meat and other deli delights, club rolls, their famous party sandwiches, pizza burgers, chicken, veal, fish, steak, ribs, pasta and salads.

As of January, the Famous Delly Boys are in new hands. Tahir Lifanov, his brother Kharson and their mother Fatima have purchased the restaurant. Tahir is the front man, having begun working there himself only a few months ago. He is personable and already familiar with their regulars. Of course many of the folks who have been dining at this spot for decades are enjoying their winter in Florida and will only be back in late March.

Many years ago, when the Cavendish Mall was looking for a anchor restaurant to replace Pumperniks, there were talks to move the Delly Boys from their Westminster Avenue strip mall location. It seems that someone in the Mall ownership group was not in favor of this (clearly not a good decision). Instead, Chilis, Sternz Rhapsody and then Jakes set up shop and failed. The Mall has not had an established restaurant since then. There is no telling if they ever will, given the fact they will soon demolish at least 40 percent of the property in order to make way for a housing development. The Delly Boys would have been an excellent fit.

As for Chico and Sonny, I am told they have resurfaced at another restaurant in the West End.

Famous Delly Boys is located at 5509 Westminster. The phone number is 514-484-8555.