Episode 49: Taverne Square Dominion Square Tavern & Mr. Steer

Episode 49: Taverne Square Dominion Square Tavern & Mr. Steer[11:39]
(Download: MP3 17MB / FLAC 122MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)
(or play it here)
[Audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100331/MBR_49.mp3]

In today's episode Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Waren 'Soylent' Wilansky explain how they like their hamburgers cooked. Our heroes rave about the bathrooms at the Dominion Square Tavern, discuss the nature of perception and memory and how it affects hamburgers, get the bill and walk to the Legendary Montreal Hamburger Emporium; Mr. Steer.

Taverne Square Dominion Square Tavern
Address: 1243 Metcalfe
Phone: (514) 564-5056

Mr. Steer
Address: 1198 Saint Catherine W
Phone: (514) 866-3233

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.503174,-73.571062&spn=0.005264,0.00912&z=16&iwloc=0004828a5a1c6c912372e&output=embed]

Episode 48: Taverne Square Dominion Square Tavern

Episode 48: Taverne Square Dominion Square Tavern [12:08]
(Download: MP3 17MB / FLAC 126MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)
(or play it here)
[Audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100324/MBR_48.mp3]

In today's episode everyone gets introduced to the new guy Warren 'Soylent' Wilansky. Before, during and after the introductions our heroes are hanging out at the New Taverne Square Dominion Square Tavern. The New Taverne Square Dominion Square Tavern had been recently sold and the new owners eviscerated all of it's history and soul via renovation. Zeke points out that they serve their beers in the wrong type of glass. But despite the incorrect glassware Soylent and Zeke are able to compare notes on what makes a perfect burger. And Soylent explains why he thinks hamburgers are the new 'in' thing.

Taverne Square Dominion Square Tavern
Address: 1243 Metcalfe
Phone: (514) 564-5056

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.503174,-73.571062&spn=0.005264,0.00912&z=16&iwloc=0004828a5a1c6c912372e&output=embed]

Montreal Burger Report Episode 47: Restaurant Philippe

Episode 47: Restaurant Philippe (5/5) [14:32]
(Download: MP3 21MB / FLAC 155MB / Ogg Vorbis 11MB / Stream)
(or play it here)[Audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100317/MBR_47.mp3]

This week Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed Hawco (also known as Blork) are joined by one of Montreal's best chefs Julie Rondeau at the Montreal Hamburger Institution, Restaurant Philippe.

[caption id="attachment_1072" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The Restaurant Philippe Double Cheeseburger. Notice the crust formed by the Maillard Reaction."][/caption]

Zeke starts out by pointing out what he would do if he had Resto Zeke. Blork and Julie talk about the smashburger technique which produces a Maillard reaction and how it relates to the cooking and eating of hamburgers in great depth. Everyone discusses the ethical concerns of accepting free food and Zeke makes the executive decision to avoid any and all potential conflicts of interest by paying for everything. The general consensus is that they make great burgers at Restaurant Philippe, and everyone is in agreement that they should return often and soon.

Zeke's Verdict

I gotta give major props to Jack Ruttan for suggesting Restaurant Philippe (aka Resto Phil, Pataterie Chez Philippe and Chez Phil as well) and then to John, his dad and his daughter for making kick-ass hamburgers and cheeseburgers. I could ramble on using a variety of multi-syllabic words to elucidate on the exquisite appearance and how terrificly toothsome their repasts are. But I won't, and just simply state that they make really good hamburgers and cheeseburgers at Restaurant Philippe.

Ed's Verdict

The burgers at Chez Philippe are not sophisticated, but they are almost magically delicious. Whereas many burger places try to wow you with exotic sounding ingredients, and a lot of corner casse-croutes have traded in their souls for convenience and low-rent ingredients, Chez Philippe knocks me out with its modest menu of burgers that carry more than 40 years of uncompromising experience. The folks there still do it Phil's way, and the difference comes through in the flavour. They're one of the few places around (maybe the only one) using the "smash" burger technique, and the result is a gorgeous caramelized sear on the meat that amps up the beefiness to a heavenly level. It ain't fancy, but damn, is it good!

[caption id="attachment_1073" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The Restaurant Philippe Double Cheeseburger after one bite."][/caption]

Restaurant Philippe
Address: 1877 Amherst
Phone: (514) 528-5957

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.519474,-73.563552&spn=0.005262,0.00912&z=16&output=embed]

[Previous Episodes:
Episode 43: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (1/5),
Episode 44: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (2/5),
Episode 45: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (3/5),
Episode 46: Restaurant Philippe (4/5)]

Montreal Burger Report Episode 46: Restaurant Philippe

Episode 46: Restaurant Philippe (4/5) [11:25]
(Download: MP3 12MB / FLAC 104MB / Ogg Vorbis 8MB / Stream)
(or play it here)[Audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100310/MBR_46_vbr.mp3]

This week Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed Hawco (also known as Blork) are quiet and don't say a word. The entire show is spent listening to John Hachez talk about Restaurant Philippe's history, methods, recipes and love.

[caption id="attachment_1069" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The Big Phil burger at Restaurant Philippe"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1070" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="The French fries at Restaurant Philippe"][/caption]

Restaurant Philippe
Address: 1877 Amherst
Phone: (514) 528-5957

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.519474,-73.563552&spn=0.005262,0.00912&z=16&output=embed]

[Previous Episodes:
Episode 43: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (1/5),
Episode 44: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (2/5),
Episode 45: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (3/5)]

Episode 45: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (3/5) [12:04]
(Download: MP3 17MB / FLAC 130MB / Ogg Vorbis 10MB / Stream)
(or play it here)[Audio http://www.archive.org/download/20100303/MBR_45_vbr.mp3]

Chris 'Zeke' Hand and Ed Hawco (also known as Blork) are preparing to leave Le Cheval Blanc so that they can eat some hamburgers at the Legendary Montreal Institution Restaurant Philippe. Julie Rondeau, one of the best chefs in town has joined them because she has been making changes to the menu at Le Cheval Blanc.

[caption id="attachment_1066" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Restaurant Philippe in Google Street View."][/caption]

In today's episode, while thay are walking down the street Zeke explains what a smashburger is, Blork gets all misty eyed and poetic about how wonderful and great the hamburgers at Restaurant Philippe are. And our heroes recognize it will be a momentous occasion because the previous time they had visited they had brought the restaurant reviewer from the Montreal Gazette with them and it was good.

[caption id="attachment_1067" align="aligncenter" width="500" caption="Restaurant Philippe interior view"][/caption]

Le Cheval Blanc
Address: 809 Ontario E.
Phone: (514) 522-0211

Restaurant Philippe
Address: 1877 Amherst
Phone: (514) 528-5957

[googlemaps http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&source=embed&msa=0&msid=101337671826617990441.0004725bfe498f2b4a89e&ll=45.519474,-73.563552&spn=0.005262,0.00912&z=16&output=embed]

[Previous Episodes:
Episode 43: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (1/5),
Episode 44: Le Cheval Blanc & Restaurant Philippe (2/5)]