Rôtisserie Panama — Restaurant in Montreal

Context. This is one two locations (the other in the West Island).

This place appears to be clean and organized. When you walk in I was greeted by multiple black flies buzzing around and throughout the time not one staff member made any noticeable effort to rid the establishment of these unwanted guests.

Staff were friendly and helpful.

Cooking is open kitchen style and immediately on your left at the street windows when you walk in.

Atmosphere is typical old style Greek restaurant decor and not a place one would think to get all dressed up for - but you can.

Food seemed fresh.

Green house salad. Simple house dressing, chopped lettuce and a few shreds of carrot. $10.00. Rip off. Nothing more to say as a salad it was nearly useless and non competitive with the marketplace.

Tzatziki Runny, lacked flavour and overall was not worth consuming. Small portion $3.50 *without any bread or pita included.

Grille while chicken. Completely lacked flavour. Way overcooked. White meat was dry. Seasoning was so poor that even adding the typical spritz of lemon didn’t make much of a difference. I could have been eating this chicken at any type of (cuisine) restaurant.

Roasted potatoes. We were told that there was to be seasoning of a typical Greek style with fresh lemon S and P garlic, perhaps some herbs like oregano etc.

Potatoes were lacking flavour and even with salt added and dab of pepper it was just bland. The potatoes lacked much texture as most Greek style roasted potatoes have some browning on the exterior creating a much more enjoyable texture and as well flavour. These potatoes were not treated with love, the were cut up and tossed on a pan with some ingredients and shuffled about and placed in the over and left to cook. I care and you can easily taste it and see the result as well as they looked greyish and with one potato with a large blemish. This is not Yaya’s cooking at all.

Bottom line from a food perspective alone, not worth the time, the stomach space nor the high price for food I can easily cook superior chez moi. You go to a restaurant to eat joy food and hope it’s at least as good as what you can make yourself. It’s a let down when it’s not even as good as you yourself can make it. This place has been around for a while and I don’t understand how and why unless they have reduced their attention to quality and detail but this is not a repeat restaurant to visit. If they can’t make the basics well, how can I believe that can cook the more complex dishes such as seafood and fish as well as lamb to perfection let alone my own standard.

No. Not again and no I will not refer this restaurant as it’s a waste given the completion. I mean, go to Yia Sou Greek Grill on queen Mary road and see what these dishes are and you’ll see what I mean it’s like...

After a long day trying Montreal's delicious staples , my cousins and I stopped in for some appetizers and Greek beer and we were not disappointed.

We ordered the green salad, which tasted just like my grandmother's used to, probably even better. The ingredients couldn't have been any fresher.

The dips and the pita on the large pikilia appetizer plate were spot on. Garlicky skordalia and a nice spicy tirokafteri were my faves.

The Greek loukaniko (sausage) was so good that we had to order an extra plate. It didn't have an overpowering flavour like some loukanika. With these, you could taste the smoke or wood fired grill they use. Drizzle some lemon on them. My god. I'm salivating thinking about them...

Enjoy your meal with a refreshing FIX lager.

Last but not least, the service from Mary was wonderful. She was very friendly and she was on the ball, not just with us, but with her other tables as well. She sold me on the lavrakia, for next time.

I'll definitely be back when I'm in...

A friend recommended this place and I was very happy with my meal. The server Dionisi was super friendly, quick and made great recommendations.

I ordered the grilled octopus and fried calamari. I’m always nervous ordering octopus especially grilled but Dionisi said it was solid and he was absolutely correct. Great recommendation nice char and no rubbery taste. Highly recommend.

The fried calamari was good but a bit too battery for me. Considering how good the grilled octopus was I’d go for grilled calamari next time.

Tzatziki is amazing. Served with nice lightly toasted bread.

My friend ordered the sea bass (pictured). He enjoyed it and the fish is certainly fresh.

Due to some minor confusion around reservation (which I highly recommend making) we got a free desert and a table quickly regardless. Very kind and it was very busy on a summer Saturday night.

I highly recommend this place and I eat out a lot and all over the world.

Well done Panama!...