- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Au Coin Berbere
3 reviews for Au Coin Berbere
3 reviews in English
-
Review from Genre S.
Calgary, AB
11/30/2011
My kind of shack. Carpet stains to scare away the obnoxious 'foodmeisters' or whatever the new tag for douche is, but hey! is that cris' white cloth nappies, on matching tablecloth? Something tells me the owner knows the difference between the function of a floor and the function of a table. I hit places in Calgary you could eat off of the floors and walls, but you'd have to bring your own from home 'cause the food is so damn dull, it's overpricing makes it taste bad! The place was dead, Guy sits us -- turns out he owns the place. We order various animal bits with plants, all set to flame in a few different ways. Waited. Scratch cooking, and then BLAM! the locals show up. Place gets packed, mostly by one boisterous group and university students making out with drinks and snacks. Guy was on the ball with everyone -- he got our foodbits to us after he got all the new orders set up. Good pacing through and through. Apps came quick, gave time to snack and talk. When the mains came, all was freshhot, couscous was lighter than Bic, veggies had perfect texture (IE leafies had bouncebackability, roots could be bit-chewed but still had surface resilience). The lamb was trying to jump off the bone, and succeeded at throwing itself into my face. Portions? Get out of town. I couldn't sleep at first I ate so much lamb with plant-bit stew. Gahhh, a top recommendation if you're spinning around little portugal. Do it do it do it do it....
-
Review from Luca M.
Montréal, QC
7/4/2010
My girlfriend described this place best: it feels like someone's lounge.
The owner is also host, waiter, cashier and, I think, helps out in the kitchen. When a family hedges its bets on a business so intensely, you know they'll do their best.
Well, it was fantastic. The vegetable couscous base was very balanced taste-wise and the stewing juices were very helpful in making my own lamb shank - couscous - vegetable mix a masterpiece.
I would have devoured the lamb shank alone and left everything else. It was perfect, giving in to the slightest fork pressure and melting in my mouth.
Dessert-wise, go for the stuffed dates. First and foremost because dates are a typical regional fruit and because this dessert will have you begging for more (don't be tempted, or your blood sugar won't thank you). Mint tea was brewed excellently, with fresh and tasty mint and served in pretty glassware.
Service is family-style: polite, involved and lively. The owner joked with a large group of Francophones sitting at another table and being a little bit loud.
It is a place I will be back to, for its delicious treats and the quaint, relaxed atmosphere I love so much. That feeling of the extra dedication, the extra passion for the food you're eating and, not to be forgotten, the really great prices. -
Review from Alexander J.
8/25/2008
If only I had the words to adequately describe this place and do it justice. Going to Au Coin Berbere is like going home. This is in no small part because my girlfriend lives in Montreal and introduced it to me. Since then it's kind of been "our place". Au Coin Berbere's a quiet, cozy little bring-your-own-wine, Algerian Berber restaurant on the Plateau, a stone's throw from the hustle and bussle of Saint Laurent. It appears to be a family-run business and the host and hostess are very chill and welcoming. The menu is extensive but I would really recommend the table d'hote which consists of a starter, a main course and dessert and tea. As a starter the chorba soup is absolutely delicious; it's spicy and robust but has a delicate flavor with hints of cilantro and citrus. The main course generally consists of couscous, a delicious vegetable tagine and choice of lamb, chicken or rabbit. You can order spicy merghez sausages on the side as well. I invariably order the lamb, which is TO DIE FOR!!! The meat is delicate, flavorful and literally falls off the bone. The meal is polished off with a choice of dessert (tuareg or baklava) and delicious mint tea which the hosts skillfully pours into your cup from about 2 feet away. Overall this place is an absolute gem and I can't recommend it more highly!
