Will Le Bifthèque rise from the ashes in Montreal?

RESTAURANT RAP

Judging by the reaction to my last two columns, it is pretty clear that readers of The Suburban like to be kept up to date on the local restaurant scene. Which dining establishments have closed? What kind of new developments can we expect? What particular restaurants would readers like to see here?

Michael Seltzer

Le Bifthèque: In my July 18 column I lamented about the closure of Le Bifthèque on Cote de Liesse in St. Laurent and the other restaurants across Quebec and Canada which carried the same name. Well, numerous sources have since told me that original owner Michael Seltzer has purchased the name and property from the trustees handling the bankruptcy. The owners of Madisons New York Bar and Grill were the last to run the popular steakhouse, but shut down operations more than a year ago. Seltzer is currently the co-owner of Gamaroff’s Bar and Grill in Hallandale, Florida.

Burger Bar Cresent: Morrie Baker, who cut his teeth in the business by operating two Ben and Jerry’s locales, has made a success of Burger Bar Crescent. Is expansion in the cards? Will we see Burger Bar Taschereau, Burger Bar Des Sources or Burger Bar Laval?

Krispy Kreme: The Greater Montreal area has only one Krispy Kreme donut shop in South Shore Greenfield Park. There were short lived experiences in Laval and at Marché Central, but I continue to receive calls from readers who wish to bring back at least one to central Montreal. I would not hold my breath on this one.

Dennys: Reader  Frances Legault is a big fan of the Denny’s Restaurant chain.  “Every year I go to Toronto and always stop in Kingston on the way to and from and go to Denny's,” she says. “A few years ago, I asked them if they thought they would be opening in Quebec, and the answer was they had no plans to do so. The closest Denny`s to Montreal is in Cornwall.”

Arby’s: I got this email from a reader named Charles. He wants Arby’s locations in Montreal, praising their curly fries, shaved beef burgers and  great sauces.  Well Charles, I just had some Arby’s roast beef in Maine and loved it. They did give it a try in Montreal many years ago and the experiment failed.

Friendly’s:  On July 25 I suggested Friendly’s set up here. Beaconsfield travel guru Stephen Pickford notes that the 76 year old  chain is under bankruptcy protection and currently shutting down franchises across the States.

More Appetizers: Just back from my holiday in Maine and New Hampshire, one chain that would be a good fit here is Chicago Uno. There were also a lot of Cold Stone Creamery locales. We have about half a dozen cohabitating with Tim Horton franchises...Reader Rosemary Warren discovered Great Harvest Bread across from what used to be the Greyhound bus terminal in Burlington, Vermont...I received lots of suggestions for TheCheescake Factory. We already have somewhat of a clone of that chain – Elixor in Laval and on the West Island... Some more to consider, include Gus’ Redshots, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Olive Garden, Applebees, Swiss Chalet, Fuddruckers, Johnny Rockets, IHOP,  The Outback, Ponderosa and The Works Burgers from Ottawa. Red Lobster left town well more than a decade ago for reasons I still do not understand, yet it continues to thrive elsewhere in Canada, including Ottawa and Toronto.

Great Harvest Bread across from what used to be the Greyhound bus terminal in Burlington, Vermont...I received lots of suggestions for the Cheescake Factory. We already have somewhat of a clone of that chain – Elixor in Laval and on the West Island... Some more to consider, include Gus’ Redshots, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Olive Garden, Applebees, Swiss Chalet, Fuddruckers, Johnny Rockets, IHOP,  The Outback, Ponderosa and The Works Burgers from Ottawa. Red Lobster left town well more than a decade ago for reasons I still do not understand, yet it continues to thrive elsewhere in Canada, including Ottawa and Toronto...