During my recent culinary stroll through Old Port Montreal, I had the pleasure of dining at a charming spot that delivered a delightful blend of comfort, flavor, and ambiance. Our order consisted of the Arancino, Salame Pizza, Focaccia bread, and two craft cocktailsâa well-rounded selection for an evening out.
Let me start with the Arancinoâa golden, fried risotto ball nestled in a luscious tomato sauce. This dish is a must-try. The outer crispiness gives way to a creamy, flavorful center that immediately wakes up the palate. The sauce, vibrant and tangy, complements the richness of the risotto perfectly. Itâs the kind of starter that sets the bar high and leaves you anticipating whatâs next.
Following this strong start was the Salame Pizza, topped generously with pepperoni. What stood out here was the meticulous attention to detailâthe pepperoni was sliced to a consistent, ideal thickness, crisped just right around the edges. The dough struck a perfect balanceâthin enough to avoid any heavy, bloated feeling, yet sturdy enough to hold its structure and deliver a satisfying chew. Each bite was harmonious, and the flavor lingered pleasantly on the tongue.
Next came the Focaccia bread. While it may not have been the highlight of the meal, it was certainly enjoyableâlightly crisped on the outside, soft on the inside, and mildly seasoned. It serves as a great accompaniment, though it doesnât steal the spotlight.
Pairing all of this with two well-crafted cocktails elevated the experience. Whether youâre a fan of something refreshing or more spirit-forward, the cocktail menu is worth exploring to enhance your meal.
The location deserves its own mentionâthe restaurant is tucked away in the picturesque Old Port, offering diners a visually pleasing, almost cinematic backdrop. With cobblestone streets, old-world architecture, and a warm breeze from the water, the setting adds a unique charm to the entire dining experience. The staff were equally impressiveâwelcoming with genuine smiles and attentive throughout the evening, striking the perfect balance between friendliness and professionalism.
If thereâs one caveat to note, itâs that the kitchen can take a bit of time, so I recommend settling in, enjoying the ambiance, and perhaps ordering a drink or two while you wait. The food is worth the patience.
Final verdict: Start with the Arancino, donât skip the Salame Pizza, sip on something crafted behind the bar, and soak in the atmosphere. This spot is a delightful gem in the heart of...
   Read moreFood: 1 Stars Service: 4 Stars Ambience: 4 Stars Value: 1 Stars Sanitary: 4 Stars Overall: 2.8 Stars
We stopped by Beva Pizzeria during a day trip to Montréal from Toronto after seeing its solid reviews and reputation as a go-to spot for pizza. It's located in a busy, tourist-friendly area, so we figured it would be a safe, easy lunch option with decent quality. We were also pretty hungry, so pizza felt like the perfect pick.
Our server was friendly and welcoming, and when we asked for recommendations, he suggested their most popular pizzaâthe Cotto E Bocconciniâalong with his personal favourite, the Parma In Bianco. Both came out relatively fast, which was a plus. Service overall was efficient and the atmosphere inside was actually quite nice: bright, warm, and cozy, which gave off a good first impression. The place was also relatively clean and dust free which is a big plus.
Unfortunately, thatâs where the positives ended. Both pizzas were, to be honest, very underwhelming. The Cotto E Bocconcini and the Parma In Bianco were extremely salty, and the cheese used didnât melt properlyâit had a rubbery texture and sat on top of the crust in an unappetizing way. The overall flavour was flat, and the crust itself tasted bland and dry, especially around the edges where there was barely any sauce to bring it to life. It all came off tasting like cardboard. There was nothing satisfying or crave-worthy about either pizza, which is disappointing considering this place is literally known as a pizzeria.
We both had a hard time eating them, but since we were starving and didnât want to carry leftovers around for the rest of the day, my boyfriend ended up forcing his down. Unfortunately, he felt sick pretty much right afterâwhich says a lot.
Iâm honestly shocked at how highly rated this place is. I understand itâs in a tourist-heavy area, and sometimes those spots can ride more on location than food quality, but stillâitâs surprising how off the mark both pizzas were. We really wanted to like it, especially with the friendly service and inviting atmosphere, but at the end of the day, if the food doesnât hold up, itâs hard to justify a return visit. Not worth it for the price, and not something weâll be coming back for.
xx...
   Read moreGreat Food and Service, But Disappointing Hostess Experience
The food was excellent, and our waitress was truly wonderful â attentive, kind, and professional. Unfortunately, our overall experience was tainted by the poor welcome we received upon arrival.
We came on a Monday night, and the restaurant wasnât particularly busy. Despite this, the hostess sat us at the table right next to the door â a very uncomfortable spot. Every time someone walked in, the curtain would move, and people passed right beside us. The lighting at that table was also awful. I honestly donât understand why that table is used at all when the restaurant isnât full, let alone on a quiet weeknight.
We politely asked if we could move to a nearby table that was clearly available. The hostess refused, claiming it was reserved. Out of curiosity, I checked OpenTable and found plenty of reservation slots available. This made me feel like we were being misled.
In response, we placed a reservation online and let our waitress know weâd be back in five minutes. We returned to the hostess and explained that we now had a reservation â only then did she âmagicallyâ inform us that there had just been a cancellation and we could move to the better table. Her tone was unnecessarily passive-aggressive. Even our waitress seemed confused by the situation and couldnât understand why our simple request to switch tables had been denied in the first place.
Itâs unfortunate because hospitality and first impressions are key in the restaurant industry. We were calm and respectful the entire time, and it would have been easy for us to walk out and dine elsewhere â or to leave no tip at all, just because of that first encounter. Thankfully, the food and service made up for it.
Would I recommend this restaurant? Yes â but only if you have a reservation. It seems walk-ins,m, are not...
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