Lola Rosa Place-des-Arts — Restaurant in Montreal

• FEBRUARY CHEF'S COMPETITION AT LOLA ROSA *

This month's key ingredient: Parsnip!

So sorry Milton, but this month Place des Arts has beaten you hands-down 😬👏😁...

MILTON: The Parsnip Latkes reminded me of a starter at an Indian restaurant, almost like parsnip pakoras. It's a small portion, so it will only really work as an appetizer. They were a little overcooked and a bit basic, but the dipping sauce was delicious (if you have leftovers then be sure to apply them to the excellent Eggplant Bharta, which is scrumptious enough on its own and a comforting hearty dish available at both locations).

In my opinion, these battered parsnips would work better as a trio of fried root vegetable varieties - perhaps combined with a pair of zucchini or sweet potato to go along with the parsnips - with ideally a choice of a creamy dipping sauce like they did (quite good, but could use a tad more garlic) and some type of green sauce (chutney, chimichurri, or something in between?). Some kind of fusion between a tempura vegetable plate and a pakora sampler would be interesting, and is worth workshopping.

Paired with: Eggplant Bharta (a new comfort food no doubt), affogato (exclusive at Milton apparently) and rosemary lemonade (house specialty).

Lovely attentive service by Agathe.

Then braving the biggest snowstorm in recent years to walk down the street to the next reservation at...

PLACE DES ARTS:

At first bite, my friend Vanessa and I immediately said "Ok, this one wins" and we wondered if we should order a second dish. Their Latke Burger is like a delicious, flavourful, gourmet, fresh-tasting healthier Whopper... In fact, the distant memory of what used to be my favourite fast food burger in my pre-plant-based life (12 years ago!) is wiped out completely with this homemade whopper of a special... And I request it be added to the regular menu because I need to know in my heart I can have it again when the cravings inevitably surface soon enough...

Last competition I tasted, in December, involving two seitan sandwiches, it was a Goldilocks-style dilemma between the two kitchens... Milton's donair sandwich was over stuffed with not enough garnish but the pita was a better packet, yet PDA's BLT had more ingredients and flare but a soggy bottom slice, and not enough "meat"... Something in the middle would have been perfect... call me Goldilocks.

I feel that PDA took the proportions of a perfect sandwich or burger to heart this month, and really struck the right balance between the perfect-texture patty, condiments, veg and the bun which holds its own (no soggy bottom this time!). A really great burger I think I already miss... And I just left the restaurant. Bravo.

I wanted the special in its default form, but the consistent strategy should always be an upsell to a chickpea fry or Caesar salad substitution - both are excellent PDA staples (the former side limited to this location) and they really put the standard house French fries to shame.

Paired with: The Pomme d'Or (hot toddy enjoyed by Vanessa), the grapefruit tonic (me... Loved that it wasn't too sweet and just the right amount of bitter for balance), and the chocolate caramel tart (it might have had a fancier name, but it's so reliably a good showpiece... Hence why it's the cover photo here).

Friendly prompt service by Arthur and hostesses.

These specials are available until February 28, so once this storm blows over then go try them both back-to-back and vote on the Lola...

If I could give 100 stars for service, I'd do so. I just left, after my second dinner there in less than 48 hours. And, I was tearing up. On Thursday--late--I was starving, and had to accommodate my weird gallbladder diet. I'd noticed Lola Rosa around the corner, and I'd already saved them during my pre-trip search. Rachel waited on me, and she was not only a simple delight, but she checked on things without hesitation and came back with kitchen--offered alternatives! I had Eggplant Bharta and the Rosa salad. So. Unbelievably. Delicious. And filling. The glass of scrummy orange wine didn't hurt. So, tonight, I tried to push myself to venture further afield. But, I was intrigued by the idea of the vegan burger, and kind of NEEDED something substantial. No Rachel, but Esme was also incredibly attentive, concerned, helpfully wary and OFFERED to keep the fries away from me. My belly is happy. But, more importantly, my soul is beyond rejuvenated by these folks. They are so simply, innately warm and kind and welcoming. They certainly present to love what they do. And, I don't think the ease with which they can gift their generosity of spirit can be faked. I cried because people don't necessarily know what's going on in a person's life. Natural, sincere, emotional embraces can go a long way. I've had a great few days in Montreal--the only misstep was the hotel--but Lola Rosa, man... my appreciation of how these folks are...well, it literally brought tears to my eyes. UPDATE: Was just back at my "local" and met the lovely Kathleen at the door, who treated me and my barely-conscious and skewed sense of time like she had nothing else on her plate! She seated me ages before my reservation, and I was served by her amazing sister, Rae-Lee! By the end of the evening, I was sitting at Esme's bar, when good ole Rachel happened to pop in! My belly, my heart. NO ONE gives them sustenance like this team! And, while I was sitting at the table, waiting for that so-damn-good veggie burger, I noticed the ENTIRE staff seem to really appreciate one another. A lovely thing to see! So, Lola Rosa is still da bomb-diggity and Kathleen needs to listen to Josh Ritter's song. Thanks, Lola Rosa, for consistently being absolute PERFECTION. Where else can your soul and heart get the same flawless refuel as your belly? So. Much. Love. UPDATE: approximately 54 weeks since my first visit...of the people I love--Rachel, Esme, Rae-Lee, all but Esme were present at my return! Just as warm, just as welcoming. I need to add that I met Antonio and Mathieu, this time. Had THREE homemade lemonades over the weekend. Cuz it's so good. And ANOTHER veggie burger. Next trip, I promise to try some specials. This staff doesn't get better, we just add more names of great servers/gorgeous humans to the list. The consistency of quality staff and shockingly delish food are undermined only by my satisfaction that the same great staff members are always there. Even the ones whose names I don't know yet. This level of employment consistency is one of my deciding factors when I choose to continue patronage. All of the people I've named have already been at Lola Rosa for a good chunk of time. And I'm impressed with one year...

After reading the reviews and the menu, I was excited to go here. My mom and I were visiting from Toronto last week and saw that the menu and the reviews looked considerate to people with food allergies.

We called and made a reservation quickly. When we arrived, we saw how beautiful the patio seating was and asked to be seated outdoors. There was a 10 minute wait.

We ordered, and while waiting noticed that other people were getting restless waiting for their food. We made the waitress aware of our food allergies (sesame seeds and nut allergies for my mom) and she said everything would be taken care of.

It took about 30 minutes for our appetizer to come out. We had the nachos and they were delicious. My mom had only a few when she mentioned that her mouth was feeling itchy so I told her just to be safe, don't eat anymore.

It took over an hour for our main dishes to come out - we understood because they were so busy but this was far too long and we decided to pack the food to take the food back to the hotel.

The waitress also apologized that there were sesame seeds in my mom's meal when she told them she was allergic - thankfully she didn't eat it.

As we were walking back to the hotel, my mom started sneezing and coughing non-stop. She took some allergy meds but it was getting far worse. Her throat was closing up, her face was swelling and she was scared. We went to a nearby fire station, who called the paramedics and they quickly got her to the hospital, administered an epi pen, more allergy meds and muscle relaxants into her thighs. I was really scared as her entire face was swollen, eyes were bloodshot red and she couldn't speak properly. We were in the hospital until 4:30 a.m., and ate this meal at 9:30 p.m.

I'm giving this restaurant a 2/5 because their staff were so kind, and it's in a great location with a beautiful patio. If you have food allergies, especially severe ones, PLEASE consider going somewhere else. Most restaurants we go to, when we mention food allergies, the chef or manager will come out and speak to us for a few minutes. I understood they were busy but they proceeded to put sesame seeds in her meal which means they may not have taken her other allergy into consideration for...