Eating Out – Café Ferreira, Montreal

An outstanding meal at my favorite restaurant in Montreal.

Last night, 7 of us had dinner at what continues to be my very favorite restaurant in Montreal, Café Ferreira. I can’t say I’m hung-over this morning but there is a thin veil of discomfort over my head that is receding all too slowly.
My friend chef Marino Tavares was in splendid form and we knew we were in for a treat when no menus were proffered. “Hope you’re hungry this evening!” is always music to my ears coming from the chef. The restaurant was buzzing and Mario, the maitre d’ was juggling tables at the speed of sound. Elton John was in town and the pre-show diners were just settling their tabs as we were being seated.
Interesting place, Café Ferreira. It’s not often you find a restaurant that maintains such high standards for so long. Now more than a decade old, Café Ferreira is still as HOT as it was when it opened no doubt because of the outstanding dedication of owner Carlos Ferreira and chef/owner Marino Tavares. This dynamic duo has managed to stay ahead of the mediocrity curve that inevitably affects most other eateries sooner or later. Proud of their Portuguese heritage, everything in the restaurant from the salt and the olive oil to the tableware comes from the Iberian Peninsula. The service is friendly but always professional and efficient. The décor is spectacular and includes the restaurant’s trademark wall of colorful broken porcelain.
The food and wine of course never disappoint. Marino’s dishes are solidly based in the rich gastronomic tradition of Portugal with judicious daubs borrowed from the pallets of France, Italy and Asia. The wine list is a cornucopia of Portuguese treasures and may well be the largest collection of its kind in North America.
Here is my recollection of what we ate (salvaged from a crumpled piece of paper I found in my jacket pocket this morning). Unfortunately, no camera last night so no photos. Read on and drool:

• Cappuccino of lobster and butternut squash with crab mousse
• Black cod and scampi’s in an Asian sweet and sour sauce with crispy vegetables
• Seared tuna in pepper crust, fois gras potatoes in red wine and truffle sauce
• Black chouriço and onion in chicken broth with apple/lemon oil
• Slow roasted suckling pig and chouriço with paprika and cumin
• Cheese: Portuguese Monte Vinho, figs, nuts and dried berries
• Almond tart with figs and caramel

Wines:
• Redoma 2004 Douro (white)
• Quinta do Vallado Reserve 2000 magnum (red)
• Quinta do Vale Meão 2000 (port)
• Muscatel

Total eating time: 4 hours. Cost: priceless.

Joseph Froncioni

Comments

[Marc Morabito]

Joseph, What a neat site ! I agree with you wholeheartedly on your assessment of Cafe Ferreira,
my favourite restaurant in North America !
Thank you for the test-ride in your sporty Smart Car !
Marc

[Brother Mikey]

Bro

That is probably the most accurate recollection of the wonderful dinner we had that night.

I have not eaten that well in a long , long time.

Hats-off to marino! Great Meal!

[Andy]

It was an amzing meal with the best food and wonderful company! Your review is spot-on, Joe...