PANORAMITALIA
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36 72
GASTRONOMIA
Gastronomie
Gastronomy
Publireportage
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www.panoramitalia.com
Advertorial
A Rare-ing Good Time By Shauna Hardy
An acquaintance of mine in the restaurant business once told me that while food is definitely central to a positive dining experience, ambiance and service trumped it in importance. Good food and good service create an enjoyable evening, but when good food mixes with bad service, the only thing you remember in the morning is the shabby way that the waiter treated you. After a night at Rare Bar & Grill, I can guarantee that you’ll only be waking up with a smile on your face. ocated in the heart of Little Italy, just a few blocks from St-Laurent’s main drag, Rare ingeniously combines a fun neighbourhood vibe with the glitz and glamour of an upscale restaurant. With a maximum seating capacity of only 42 people in the winter, the restaurant has been able to nearly double its size to accommodate 80 people during the summer months thanks to a dynamic terrace situated at the back of the restaurant. Opened in February 2008, co-owners Pino Nicosia and Lino Pino Nicosia, co-owner of Rare Restaurant Lieto were familiar with Little Italy and wanted to capitalize on the warmth and charm of the area while offering something that was a little more posh. When you walk into the chic corner space, located on St-Dominique and Belanger the first thing that hits you is the décor. Wanting to combine an Old World feel with an edgy modern twist, the restaurant is a combination of metal, wood and cantaloupe-coloured suede. The theme is brilliantly interpreted at the tables, where Philippe Starck’s transparent Louis Ghost chairs are mixed with a table made from wood taken from a 110-year-old barn. That same wood has been used to create an eyecatching wine rack that dominates one of the restaurant’s walls. That same tension of opposites has been incorporated into the menu which blends local elements with Italian cuisine. While some items only appear on Chef Tino Morgante’s menu for a period of two to three weeks, there are other staples that have become house specialities. Take the inventive Gnocchi Poutine. French fries have been substituted with slightly crispy gnocchis which have been covered in St-Guillaume cheese curds and a sauce. While I admit that I was a bit sceptical about the dish, I found myself hungrily scraping up the last bit of sauce with a piece of bread. My appetizer was followed with another house favourite: Chilean Sea Bass with a Sweet and Sour sauce. Finished with a blow torch and accompanied by grilled asparagus and a wild celery purée, the fish melted in my mouth and featured a slightly sweet flavour thanks to the maple syrup that was used in the reduction. The desserts, which include Tiramisu, Crème Brulée and a Bread Pudding, were perfectly executed. The Crème Brulée’s delicate crust gave way to a custard of the perfect temperature, making it an absolute pleasure to eat. We commenced our evening with another house specialty – the mohito cocktail. Rimmed with sugar and boasting a fresh, minty flavour, it was the perfect way to start the night. Rare’s wine list is eclectic and extensive. Along with a healthy smattering of champagnes for special occasions, there are a variety of selections from Italy, France and the United States. Nicosia is a wine aficionado and regularly updates the list based upon new wines that he has discovered. While the dining is definitely delicious at Rare, it’s the atmosphere that keeps clients coming back for more. Rare is perfect for people-watching and spying on the chefs in the open kitchen provides plenty of distraction if there is a lull in conversation. We entered the restaurant early on a Saturday night when only a handful of people were already enjoying dinner. But as the hours rolled on, Rare soon became a hive of ultra-fashionable activity. A large table celebrated a birthday while couples settled in for a romantic evening, girlfriends gossiped over a bottled of wine while wave after wave of new clients rushed through the doors, eager for their part of the action. Those who had to wait for tables contentedly sipped drinks at the bar or on the front patio, happy to drink in the atmosphere and enjoy the lively music that pulsed throughout the restaurant. With its five-star service it’s no wonder that Rare has become an instantaneous hit. Along with being able to confidently recommend dishes that suited each client’s taste, the waiters were constantly moving from table to table ensuring that guests were enjoying their experience to the fullest. Their outgoing personalities and attention to every detail brought the dinner to a whole new level. Rare Bar & Grill is located at 6896 St-Dominique Street • Tél.: 514 906-0765. Make sure to call for reservations and be prepared to smile! v
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