Food

New kosher deli and food emporium opens on The Avenue

A brand new kosher deli, Fin Gourmet sur l’Avenue, held its grand opening this week on The Avenue in Côte Saint-Luc District 2, which I represent.

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The ribbon cutting.

 


When the apartment building on The Avenue opened seven years ago, the ground floor was zoned commercial. Last year an orthodontist opened shop and now we have a  fabulous spot offering a wide array of kosher cuisine. It should help fill part of the void left by the closure of the J &R Kosher deli.

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My Bialik High School Local Commerce interns share in the celebration.

 

The husband and wife team of Edmond and Veronique Abecassis are the owners. Their son Brandon, a general contractor for Jackson Construction, built the interior. Bhavik Patel and Chelsea Delena are the chefs.

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Some of the goods for sale.

 

I was delighted to attend the grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony in the company of Mount Royal Liberal MP Anthony Housefather and five members of my Local Commerce Student Committee, Avery Hannon, Noah Galambos, Jeremy Nashen, Alexa Omer and Liana Levary from Bialik High School. Bravo to landlord Emile Badea for choosing an excellent tenant.  Here you can explore an exciting array of offerings that are sure to delight your palate and satisfy your cravings. From in-house meals crafted with love to convenient grab-and-go options,  they have something for everyone.

Here’s what you can look forward to:

  •      Packaged Grab & Go Meals: Perfectly portioned and ready to enjoy wherever you are.
  •      Cold Cuts & Exclusive Meat Cuts: A curated selection of fine kosher meats, including artisanal cold cuts and exclusive cuts you won’t find anywhere else.
  •      Frozen Packaged Food: Stock up on high-quality, frozen delights that are perfect for quick and easy meals.
  •      Baked Goods & Big Cakes: From everyday treats to special occasion cakes, our bakery will satisfy your sweet tooth.
  •      Charcuterie & Pâté: Gourmet selections for your charcuterie boards or sophisticated snacks.
  •      Spices & Nuts: Enhance your culinary creations with our diverse range of spices and premium nuts.
  •      Packaged Olives: A variety of olives, perfectly packed to complement your meals or as a savory snack.

“We’re passionate about offering only the finest ingredients and products to our community,” said Veronique.

There was a such a superb selection of ready to eat and freshly made items,  including chicken shawarma,  bbq wings, roasted potatoes, green beans, chicken wings, chicken fingers, chicken schnitzel, chicken burgers, general tao chicken, sweet and sour meatballs, fried rice, noodles, spring rolls, fish balls, quiche, sandwiches and spring rolls.  They had fresh challahs and rolls and some delicious chocolates. In addition, there was kosher chicken, minced meat, lamb rack and more.

For more information call 514-369-2522. Their website will be online soon.

 


A Côte Saint-Luc family are making some of the best ice cream in the city

In the bustling streets of Buenos Aires, there lived a young girl named Veronica. She was a spirited soul with a passion for flavours and a heart deeply rooted in her Argentinian heritage. But her true love lay in the sweet art of making ice cream, a skill she learned from her beloved Italian grandfather, Nonno Luigi. 

Nonno  was a master ice cream maker, renowned in their family for his delectable creations. From the creamy richness of dulce de leche to the zesty tang of lemon sorbet, he could whip up flavours that danced on the taste buds. And Veronica, with her eager eyes and nimble fingers, soaked up every secret he shared, every technique he taught. Together, they spent countless afternoons in Nonno Luigi’s quaint kitchen, surrounded by the comforting scent of freshly churned ice cream. Veronica would listen intently as he regaled her with tales of their family's Italian roots, intertwining their heritage with the artistry of ice cream-making.

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Veronica and her two daughters

 

As Veronica grew older, she was encouraged by her friends, who insisted that no matter where they went, they could never quite find a taste quite like her and her grandfather’s ice cream, to begin to sell her delicious flavours. She always politely declined, however, and decided instead on pursuing graphic design as a career. She was able to translate her knack for all things creative from the kitchen onto beautiful logos, posters, and book covers. 

At the age of 32, Veronica  set off with her husband Juan for Canada, drawn by the promise of new beginnings and delicious frozen treats. At gatherings with her new Canadian friends, the whispers of her old friends resurfaced urging her to unveil her cherished ice creams to the world. Now, with a stable career in Canada and two daughters (Emma, 16 and Ursula, 13), she accepted and il Vero Spirito was born.

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Just last year, she and her family began expanding their ice cream repertoire. It now contains unique flavours such as beer and wine, panettone, and matcha! Since she wants her ice cream to be enjoyed by everyone, no matter their dietary restrictions, Il Vero Spirito ice cream is also available in vegan and lactose-free options. The newest addition to this plentiful line up are frozen treats for pets!

Last week, Veronica’s   surprised me and colleagues at my office with some small tastings. I am lactose intolerant  (although lactaid pills do the trick) so I appreciated the fact they cater to folks like me. I particularly loved the caramel, mint chocolate and cookie dough flavors.

Il Vero Spirito will cater your event or party.  Just send an e-mail to : [email protected] or text 438-345-9453

Follow them on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ilverospirito/


 Moishes Restaurant to return with a brand new location at Meadowbrook Golf Course (April Fool's)

In a dramatic announcement Groupe Grandio will revive the iconic Moishes Restaurant with a brand new building at Meadowbrook Golf Course in Côte Saint-Luc.

Groupe Grandio, headed by Jean Bedard, owns Le Cage Brasserie Sportive chain. Then known as Groupe Sportscene, Groupe Grandio  purchased Moishes  on St. Laurent Blvd. from the Lighter family in December of 2018. Two years later Moishes shut its doors at the start of the pandemic as the building and parking lot were sold. Original plans called for Moishes to resurface in a downtown location.

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The new Moishes.

 

Last summer Bedard joined friends for a game of golf at Meadowbrook. He had never been there before. When he saw all of the available parking spaces and the large clubhouse space that has not been abandoned for years, the light bulb went off in his head.

Since zoning is already in place for a commercial building, Bedard’s team will be submitting architectural plans to the city imminently so renovations can commence and the revived Moishes can be back in business by the fall.

Mayor Mitchell Brownstein met with Bedard and pledged to have the portion of Côte St. Luc Road closest to Meadowbrook completely repaved. “Who has not loved Moishes Restaurant?” Brownstein asked. “I have so many fabulous memories from family dinners there. What a  dream it is to bring this famous institution to our community.”

Bedard said that during golf season, Moishes will be open for lunch with a more modest menu. He said discussions with Meadowbrook Groupe Pacifique, owners of the course, went very well. In fact, he is not dismissing the possibility of Groupe Grandio purchasing the entire Meadowbrook property.

“I must admit,” said Bedard, “one of my bucket list items has always been to have my own golf course. I see this becoming a Golf and Country Club.”

Bedard is extremely well connected. He is already talking to the Montreal Canadiens to hold their charity golf tournament there.

With new owners, a new location, and new clientele, what  will make the new Moishes Moishes?

“What we're trying to do is to keep the iconic items of Moishes there,”  Bedard said. “I think that we’re keeping the DNA of the past, but we’re bringing Moishes into the future which is a very delicate operation.

The menu will evolve too, he told CTV. “The winners will stay there,” he said. “You know, the pickles, the famous coleslaw, the steaks, obviously, but I think we can go a little bit further, maybe in terms of a fish” option, he said. “People are eating very differently.”

Oh yes, while this would be an absolutely remarkable development, it is appearing on this blog on April 1. So April Fool’s Day to all!

AND  I have it on good authority that a formal announcement of a new Moishes location will be announced soon. 


Saul Ettinger: The man who brought us Briskets and Il Etait Un Fois has left us

I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Saul Ettinger, a constituent of mine in District 2 for the past 17 years and an iconic figure on the Montreal restaurant scene.

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Saul and Farla in this 2012 photo.

Saul and his wife Farla have always been tireless supporters of mine

Saul was a well-known respected restaurateur and real estate magnate, having brought us the Briskets smoked meat chain and the Il Etait Une Fois burger spot. More than 40 years ago, Saul opened his first Briskets deli on Bishop Street. Twelve franchises in Montreal and Ottawa soon followed.  

As Saul told me just a few years ago, people who remember dining at Briskets described the smoked meat sandwiches as "addictive."  He went on to say: “Briskets smoked meat was not only homemade, but it was never pumped.  Most smoked meat in Montreal and elsewhere were and still are prepared with briskets that are pumped with phosphates and a preponderance of nitrates and sodium. This pumping technique is used in order to increase profit margins by making the briskets heavier. Strange, isn't it---the government bans the use of phosphates in your dishwasher and laundry detergent, but allows it in food? Briskets' smoked meat was made with unpumped briskets using a tightly-held secret recipe. They were dry-cured the truly old-fashioned way over a period of two to three weeks, producing superior smoked meat---smoked meat that was mouth-watering, and truly addictive.”

Briskets smoked meat sandwiches were just about everywhere, be it the Olympic Stadium concession stands or catered at private parties.   As for Il Etait Un Fois, the classic hamburger spot was located in a standalone building in heart of Old Montreal at a time when it was a relative ghost town, Saul recalled pioneering a new phenomenon. While McDonald's was selling burgers for as little as 60 cents, he decided it was time to introduce Montreal to a gourmet half-pound burger at $5. In those days, the thought of a burger for $5 was ludicrous. Yet, within a short few weeks, Il Etait Un Fois attracted huge line-ups and rave reviews. Saul's burgers were made through a rarely used secret process that turned out the juiciest and most scrumptious burgers in Montreal. And along with mouth-watering burgers and incredible fries, the menu included specialities such as homemade beer-battered onion rings and fish n' chips as well as fried mushrooms and foot-long dogs.

Another of Saul's visions was launched on the Trans Canada, Linguini, an Italian restaurant situated in a rustic log cabin built by Saul on the south side of the 40 just west of Morgan.  

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Here was Saul cutting the brisket he made for me in his condo.

Long retired from the restaurant business, Saul still hosted dinners and parties where he served his amazing smoked meat.  When I saw him at an event about three years ago  I jokingly asked if he planned to make any briskets. Two days later I got a call to come to his condo. My brisket was ready. When I arrived Farla presented me with a special fork which Saul used to demonstrate how to carve the huge piece of meat. It was absolutely delicious.  

In 2012 Saul made a comeback and opened a new restaurant in LaSalle called Ettingers Deli. It was to be a mix between Briskets and Il Etait Un Fois. I was at the opening and did this video interview.

 

I ate there a number of time and enjoyed it, but the location off the beat and path of Newman Blvd. did not resonate with customers and it closed.  He had partnered with his stepson Warren Kleiner, and Warren's best friend, Charles Benedek.

Saul was a good man. My deepest sympathies to his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.


Solly the Caterer relocating from Côte Saint-Luc to Lachine

After being based in the small shopping complex on Robert Burns Avenue in Côte Saint-Luc for 25 years, Solly the Caterer  is relocating to Lachine.

“They are building condos so we have to move,” owner Mitchell Kadanoff told me. “ So we are moving to a brand new kitchen in Lachine where customers will be welcome again once COVID-19 somehow ends. Our CSL kitchen used to accept
customers pre COVID, but now we do deliveries directly to homes and will continue to do so from Lachine.”

The new address is  130 St. Joseph Blvd. Their final day in CSL  will be October 30. “We have a large parking lot for customers to eventually come visit us in Lachine,” he says.

Home  delivery service will be temporarily stopped between October 28 and and November 6.

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Mitchell Kadanoff


“Our new kitchen will  now all be on one floor as compared to two in CSL and built with expansion in mind,” Kadanoff says. “The process to find a new kitchen and to  build it was about two years.There were and still are many obstacles in doing such a move and we are hoping to only be shut down for a couple of days in terms of our wholesale business and delivery to our retail customers such as Nosherz, REAL Bagel, and many others.”

The new locale is only a few minutes away from the best steamed hotdog in town at Lafleurs.

A brand new website for online ordering being  is developed, for a November launch. There will also be new business division set for January.

 "All of our great customers have been extremely understanding during the process,” Kadanoff says. “Davcon Construction was hired as general contractors for the move and their owner David Fine has been fabulous to work with.  COVID-19 has made it very difficult for us to get the new kitchen done in time, but even with the pandemic causing havoc to our schedule we somehow managed.”


 


Here’s a big hand for 12 year old cookie entrepreneur Matthew Liebman

Twelve year old Matthew Liebman is one of three sons to Howard Liebman, a longtime political strategist to the likes of Irwin Cotler and Denis Coderre and current government relations director for Air Transat and Willingdon Elementary School  Grade 4 English teacher Heather Leckner. I have known his grandparents, Rick and Gloria Leckner, for most of my life. Rick, of course, was the legendary traffic  reporter on CJAD and for many years an investor relations and PR guru to corporate giants.

Given his lineage, it was not surprising to hear that young Matthew has decided to put his baking skills to good use during these times of confinement. The Côte Saint-Luc resident and District 2 constituent of mine is impressive.

After his full day of remote learning is done as a Grade 6 graduating student at JPPS,  Matthew dons his apron to bake dozens of fresh cookies for his growing client list.

Helping to keep track of orders and behind  the beautiful packaging is mom Heather. Swift local drop off deliveries (free in CSL, Hampstead, NDG and Montreal West) have been entrusted to dad, Howard, to allow the baker to focus on his creations in the kitchen.

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Matthew Liebman gets down to business.

To start, a simple menu of fresh-baked classic chocolate chip cookies or sugar cookies are being offered, attractively priced at $10 per dozen or $18 for two dozen. Different varieties are in development in the test kitchen. The cookies make an excellent dessert or snack at home or are the ideal gift for others.

Matthew’s Bakery invites clients to get their Father’s Day orders in early!

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Some of the finished product.

"As we are all in this together, Matthew’s Bakery will generously donate 10 percent of sales to MADA and The Depot,"  mom Heather says of the  organization formerly known as the NDG Food Bank.

You may place orders for these delicious cookies at [email protected].

Now chocolate chip cookies happen to be my weakness so I was more than happy to take a container home and try. The verdict is already in and everyone at our dinner table gave a big thumbs up to the decadent dessert. I highly recommend this purchase!

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Volunteers step up to ensure that our seniors can get their groceries

One of the greatest concerns for isolated seniors during this COVID-19 pandemic has been  the need for groceries. There are many individuals who do not have any family or friends to help them get the basic necessities to fill their fridge.

That is where some extraordinary volunteers stepped in.

Councillor Mitchell  Kujavsky, whose  wife Jordana just recently gave birth to their third child, has been one of the leaders of this  initiative with The Nellie Philanthropy Foundation, headed by noted community activist David Lisbona.  They have been going to IGA at the Côte St. Luc Shopping Centre on a daily basis between 6:30 am  to 8 am (prior to the store opening) and in the evening from 8 pm to  10 pm (after closing) to shop for local seniors. “We use the evening time to pack dry goods and non-perishables in preparation for the next morning's completion of the day's orders,” he said. “To be clear, this initiative is only for CSL seniors who do not have any help from family or friends in and around Montreal!”

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Melissa Margles, David Lisbona, Mitch Kujavsky and Pam Kujavsky.

ujavsky’s sister Pam and Melissa Margles have been coordinating the volunteers who were originally sent to them from Nellie Philanthropy (and the Kujavskys’ own outreach), as well as working with Peter Lipari, the owner of the CSL IGA.

Since IGA's online and phone ordering systems have been overwhelmed, the Kujavsky team and Nellie Philanthropy worked with the store to develop a system as follows:

  • Seniors call the special grocery line at 514-532-1277 and are instructed to leave their name, phone number and address;
  • Pam triages those messages to her "caller" volunteers;
  • Volunteers call seniors back the same day (or following day depending on timing) to take their grocery orders;
  • Every evening, orders are printed and delivered to IGA in preparation for the "packer" volunteers to shop;
  • Every morning, orders are finalized and checked out, then organized by district to dispatch to the "delivery" volunteers;
  • Once an order is delivered and they have amounts in hand, seniors are called by specific volunteers (¨Pam and Mitch primarily) to collect credit card information so that they may be charged back by the city since Côte Saint-Luc is now fronting the money for the groceries directly to IGA on a weekly basis.
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    The team fills their baskets.

For B'nai Brith House, Château B'nai Brith and Saint Patrick Square, the orders are collected directly by building management so the only steps required by the team are the packing/shopping and delivery steps. Cheques are collected by building management as well, payable to the City of Côte Saint-Luc. 

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Quite a load of groceries for volunteers to deliver.

 “Peter Lipari  has been an incredible partner in our initiative and should really be recognized for adapting to our needs and going out of his way to make sure our isolated seniors have been looked out for,” said Kujavsky.

So what do others do for groceries?

Click  on grocery and food stores with delivery on the city’s COVID-19 web link here.

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The Quartier Cavendish IGA.

The Quartier Cavendish IGA has been opening and closing like a garage door in recent weeks.  There was a legitimate concern from staff of catching COVID-19, especially when they saw snowbirds with dark tans at the cash register. In recent days they  reopened. Some constituents advised  me  that the protocol is  quite strict, but that in fact is gaining good marks.

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Qualitifruits has a lot more than just fruits.

Qualitifruits  has a good system in place. You call in advance and make your order. Let them know of your arrival and  they will bring the food to you. Delivery is also  available.  Next door at Nosherz, owner Robert Vineberg tells me he is even doing deliveries of bread products, prepared meals and other products on his own. At Caldwell Provisions call in your order (be prepared to press redial a lot) and they will deliver. Ditto for Fruiti Maruti.

The Depot, formerly the NDG Food Depot, also  serves Côte Saint-Luc and we do have residents sadly who are unable  to  put food  on their tables. This  is  where  the Depot steps in. Our Library Services  has been working as liaisons.

On their website they provide the following message:We have greatly expanded our Emergency Food Basket program while suspending other programming to allow people to stay home and respect social distancing protocols. Since March 20, 2020, we have been providing extra-large baskets of staples and fresh foods to families in financial difficulty across our territory. We have moved to a home delivery model, reaching 250-400 households weekly. Before this crisis, one in every three children in our community  lived below the poverty line. With many more people facing economic precarity, we’re seeing hundreds of new registrations for our emergency services. To meet this increased demand we are using 3-4 times as much food as normal — in our first two weeks we have sourced, portioned and distributed over 23,000 lbs of food!

Federation CJA has stepped up as they always do with a community crisis response fund in support of the vulnerable. As of this writing they have raised $942,748 towards a goal of $1 million. This includes food vouchers and kosher meals, for families and individuals in need. They took care of  Passover as well.

MADA Community Services has continued to supply its  monthly food baskets. Pickups are generally arranged, but goods are delivered for those who are isolated or quarantined. The baskets include some basic necessities like diapers. “We will be starting cooking and delivering home cooked meals, several at a time,” says  Stuart Miller, their head of finance. Contact Jessica at  514-342-4969 ext. 770


Local food and pharmacy services remain open, but be respectful of others

Rumours that Caldwell Provisions is closing due to the COVID-19 pandemic are not correct. I spoke to owner George Sparagis  today and he said that a new protocol will be put into place immediately, with fewer people allowed inside at a time. People can drop off or phone in their regular Passover orders. Curbside pickup will be available and the normal delivery service still remains in place. Give your credit card over the phone (514-481-0365)  and your order will be left at the front door. They will be closed this Sunday to give the staff a well-deserved break.

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George Sparagis

 Qualitifruits and Norsherz on Westminster Avenue will also remain open, again limiting the number of people inside.

“We are allowing two customers at a time in the store and they have to use the sanitizer at the door,” says Emma Salvati of Qualifruits. “For those people who just returned from Florida, we ask that they not come in. We will deliver. Customers need to be patient.”

Robert J. Vineberg of Nosherz says he is adopting a similar policy. He will also offer delivery for a nominal  charge.  He also wished to tell me that his puzzle store in LaSalle. Jigsaw Jungle,   remains open and they ship daily right to your front door." Puzzles are a great way to pass time and keep the mind sharp," he said. "We boast one of the largest selections  in the world." You can call Nosherz at 514-484-0445 or email  [email protected].

J &R Kosher Meats at Quartier Cavendish are offering curbside pickups from their back door. You can get the order form on their website and e-mail in your request. "Specify on your order whether it’s a back door pick up or delivery," explains Susie Nemes. "List exactly the items you want,  whether they are raw or cooked. Please include your credit card information, including the security code. We will try our best to complete your order for the date that you ask."

What concerns me are the people who are not self-isolating for 14 days,   be it those who have come back from Florida or been in the company of someone who was diagnosed positive for COVID-19 and sadly we know that those numbers are rising here. Today we learned that someone who did their prayers at Beth Zion on  Hudson Avenue was diagnosed. An elderly resident of the King David Seniors Residence did too after she attended a family wedding, opening the floodgates for others to become infected.  Some who went to Beth Chabad CSL were diagnosed and we  are now asking anyone who was there self-isolate.

So please, if you fall into any of these categories please please please do not go out to shop for groceries or the pharmacy! Mayor Mitchell Brownstein will be issuing another robocall to all homes and running an advertisement on CJAD to again highlight these points.

The Quartier Cavendish has basically shut down its entire operation, save for the staples.

Danish supermarkets.
This is how social distancing is being handled at stores in Denmark

Pharmaprix  at Quartier Cavendish now has tight controls. IGA at that venue and the CSL Shopping Centre has shortened its hours. If it looks crowded either do not go inside or maintain the proper space apart. Passover shopping will be lighter for residents this year. Our state of emergency prohibits gatherings of 10 or more.   Passover seders should only be held with people who live under the same roof as you. At this moment we are all taking risks every time  we leave our homes.

Solly the Caterer prepares food for restaurants and bakeries all over the island of Montreal. They also   make over 1,100 meals daily for daycares and supply meals to veterans and seniors. During this crisis owner Mitchell Kadanoff and his team are delivering fresh meals  to your door, individually packaged or in bulk. It will be made in a safe and sanitized kitchen. “Our prices will remain the same,” says Mitch. “ We will waive all delivery fees and credit card charges. We want the community to know that Solly’s will make sure no one goes hungry at this time. It is best to email them 24 hours in advance to [email protected] as the phone lines are pretty busy (514-485-8818).

Mount Royal Liberal MP Anthony Housefather states: "Everyone must respect federal, provincial and municipal rules. Everyone who has returned to Canada must self quarantine for 14 days. This is not optional. They cannot do anything other than what is permitted by public health. Those over 70 should stay home,  except for emergencies or walking alone or with someone who lives with them. No churches or synagogues or any other religious institution should be operating no matter where they are located. People should pray at home. Nobody should be visiting other people’s homes."

I will continue to update this article with other food news people provide me with.


Qualitifruits is back in Côte Saint-Luc and thriving

Qualitifruits is back and people from all over the island of Montreal are heading to 5818 Westminster Avenue in Côte Saint-Luc (corner of Mackle Road) to shop at this one of a kind store. Pasquale, Albina, Babu, Emma, Marvin, Frank and the rest of the team are there to greet you.

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Marvin, Emma, Babu, Albina and Pasquale.

 There are so many things I love about Qualitfruits. Not only do they have an exceptional selection of fruits and vegetables, including many items you cannot find anywhere else, but the layout is a wide and easy to navigate. The fruits are cut up and placed in either plastic containers or wrapped packages making it so easy to serve at home. Not all fruit stores offer this type of service. They do it at grocery stores, but the “quality” is usual sub-par at best. If you want a large fruit platter, they will make them to order for you.

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There is good space at Qualitifruits,

Qualitifruits is best known for its array of fresh meals and side dishes, mastered by chef Frank. Let them do the cooking for you. Be it fish, chicken or meat, dinner is served. I especially appreciate the sides: potatoes, cauliflower rice, mushrooms, green beans, zucchini and much more. The refrigerated windows have a wide selection to choose from. They can also cater your private event, notably barbeques in season.

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Prepared meals and side dishes are excellent.

This is the store’s third incarnation. When they closed last time Pasquale promised they would be back. His team took the necessary time to reorganize and so far they have knocked it out of the park.

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A great selection of fresh fruit.

Qualitifruits can be reached at 514-309-0169.


Sfingy's kosher donut shop (and much more) opens at Quartier Cavendish; owners dream big

Mayor Mitchell Brownstein and I were at the Quartier Cavendish today to formally welcome Sfingy’s to our community. The new kosher donut shop officially opened on July 7, with the husband and wife team of Marvin  Fuks and Maya Lallouz working endless hours and from what we saw a loyal following has already materialized.

This is good news for the Quartier, which already  has the MK certified Café de L’Avenue. The latter has been a success since its launch two years ago.

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Mayor Brownstein and I with Marvin Fuks and Maya Lallouz. (Darryl Levine photo)

 Sfingy’s  is located  in the old mmmuffins spot. It is open Monday to Thursday from 8 am to 8 pm, Fridays from 8 am to 2 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 8 pm. That is quite a challenge for this young couple, who have three year old  Ariel Mordechai  and a nine month old Coby Abner at home. Marvin gets in by 6 am to start making the donuts. They also have, muffins, croissants,  waffles and crepes,  popular  breakfast and lunch options.

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A cookie monster donut.

While I have been on an exercise  kick and watching carefully what I eat the past week, I had no will power to resist one of these donuts. Let me tell you the one I sampled was equal if not better than Krispy Kreme, which is now  opening new stores in Montreal

Sfingy’s  has quickly become  a hit on the special events circuit, with orders coming in for weddings, bar mitzvahs, birthday parties and baby showers. On Fridays, clients pour in to purchase donuts for Shabbat dessert. “We make the donuts with different themes as well,” said Marvin. “The kids love that. We have an edible printer.”

The name “Sfingy’s” derives from the Moroccan donut Sfinge, but with an Ashkenazi twist. Hence, Sfingy’s.  They are also making mini Sfinges in ball form, mini gourmet donuts with out of this world toppings, smoothies, cookies, muffins, coffee, and much more,” Fuks explained.  “I will always be trying to develop new recipes for new products to launch in the store. Our customers will be able to choose from many different toppings and sauces to put on top of the Sfingy’s. In the beginning, we will be offering fried donuts and Sfingy’s, but I am working on a baked version, as well as a gluten free and vegan option.”

As the city councillor for District 2, which encompasses the Quartier Cavendish, I extend a warm welcome  to a new business.

Sfingy’s is on Facebook and Instagram.

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Councillor Mitch Kujavsky enjoys a donut.