Lola Rosa Vegetarian Restaurant Review

Montreal has so many restaurants that even if you ate each of your three meals a day at a different one, it would take you over four years to eat in every restaurant in the city. With that crazy tidbit in mind, the fact that vegetarian (and vegan friendly) restaurant, Lola Rosa, is ranked in the top 20 on Trip Advisor is a pretty telling sign of how good the food is. 

Originally I wanted to save this review for a 'Top 5 Vegetarian Eateries In Montreal' post or something similar but a) that could take an age to test and compile and b) I just wanted to share it already. I may still do the aforementioned post but a bit of repetition never hurt anyone - am I right? OK, back to the review - Lewis and I actually visited Lola Rosa twice in the space of six days back in October because we had already planned to take my mum and stepdad there when they were visiting and then decided we should "test it out" a few days before and treat ourselves to a "pat on the back" meal for having painted and decorated our new flat. Anyway, it was certainly good enough to eat at twice in six days is basically what I'm saying so let's get on and review our second visit as A LOT more food was consumed that time round. 

Lola Rosa's menu is mexican influenced so to start, the four of us shared what was almost quite literally a mountain of nachos. I mean, just look at the size of it! Piled on top of homemade nachos and melted cheese (vegan option also available) were the usual lashings of refried beans, sour cream and guacamole as well as chopped tomato, sweetcorn and a deliciously warm tomato sauce. This is actually a main course which we ordered as a starter and there is no way that you would want to share this between just two people, let alone have it, well, alone! Definitely up there with the best nachos I have ever had so grab your mates and head down to Lola Rosa.

The first time Lewis and I went to Lola Rosa we shared two different main meals. Normally I bloody hate agreeing to share meals or even puddings because I get the fear that I will like one more than the other and then begrudgingly have to trade. I agreed that time because I could tell Lewis also wanted the grilled tempeh and vegetable green curry that I had chosen but we thought it was silly to order two of the same thing from such an excellent menu. So we ordered that and the black bean, mozzarella and 5 veg burrito and this is exactly what we did on our second visit.  

The black bean burrito is a delicious take on a classic, jam packed with vegetables, mushed sweet potato and black beans. I warn you now that it is quite spicy but if Lewis (AKA biggest spice wimp) can handle it then I am sure you can too! The burrito is served with the same warm tomato sauce that was on the nachos, some wild rice and a side salad drizzled with an amazing strawberry dressing! So if you like flavours, I would highly recommend this taste explosion - it's got everything going on.

The vegetable green curry is a nice, mild compliment to the spicy black bean burrito which is why sharing these two dishes worked so well for us. The Thai-style curry comes with a bed of wild rice and it topped with two pieces of tempeh. As a Quorn lover through and through, I am not mad about tempeh but Lola Rosa do it the best I have ever had it - marinated in a rich maple and tamari sauce, which goes perfectly with the curry. 

Having post-nachos binge guilt and growing food babies, we decided to just order two puddings. Lewis and I shared a gooey chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce - a classic but for good reason, it was delicious. Mum ordered a ginger and basil crème brûlée, which gave me serious food envy because ginger and basil are both my ultimate smells and tastes. Luckily she let me have some as she's generous like that and also the food coma was imminent. 

Lola Rosa prides itself on being "the favourite vegetarian restaurant for non vegetarians" so I would definitely recommend trying it out even if you are a meat eater! What "lacks" in meat is made up for in the gorgeous flavours, which is something vegetarian food should be recognised for so thank you Lola Rosa for leading the way! I cannot wait to go back and try something new - although I am a creature of habit so no promises there! Happy eating!

LOLA ROSA | 4581 Avenue du Parc, Montreal

Other location | 545 rue Milton, Montreal

Izzie x
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I Love Bristol | Flour And Ash Restaurant Review

Flour And Ash, a pizza and ice cream restaurant ideally situated where Bristol's famous Gloucester Road meets Cheltenham Road, is a firm family favourite of ours so I just knew that this had to be the next stop on my culinary tour of Bristol. In fact, we like it so much that since I took the first batch of photos for this blog restaurant review, I have been again! I tried a different (and much better pizza) the second time this month so I am going to talk about both experiences in this one post.

Just by looking at the menu, you can tell that this is no ordinary pizza restaurant. Flour And Ash certainly experiment with their pizza toppings and as their menu changes regularly, there will never be a lack new flavour combinations. On my first trip to Flour And Ash this month, I went for the Marinated Aubergine, with mozzarella, basil and ricotta, which admittedly is not the most adventurous choice but I just love ricotta on pizza. 

The pizza as a whole, was delicious. Flour And Ash pizzas unusually have a sourdough base, which makes the dough super spongey and light and the whole pizza experience just quite different. Due to my personal taste of not liking vinegar, I was a bit disappointed with my choice of Marinated Aubergine. I know, I should have asked the waiter what the aubergine was marinated in so that is my fault and not a reflection on the pizza itself. If you love vinegar and aubergine then this pizza is for you! Luckily the ricotta was lovely and creamy so that made up for it.

Round two at Flour And Ash was the highly rated taste experience that I had been yearning for, made all the more lovely by the company of two of my favourite girls. This time I got what my sister had ordered on our previous visit - Severn Project Kale, with buffalo mozzarella, garlic semi-dried tomatoes, ewe's curd and extra tomato sauce (because a pizza really is not right without it). I was extremely impressed with this pizza. The chewy and bitter kale was the perfect contrast to the creamy ewe's curd and sweet tomatoes and I would definitely order this again!

Finally, you simply cannot go to Flour And Ash without sampling one of their divine homemade ice creams. Once again, the selection does change and the flavours vary from classics such as chocolate or rum and raisin to bizarre combinations such as lavender and honey or basil! After my disappointing Marinated Aubergine pizza, I played it safe and ordered chocolate. Flour And Ash chocolate ice cream is certainly no ordinary chocolate ice cream - it is indescribably on par with the best chocolate ice cream I have ever had (the other one being at The Lido Restaurant in Bristol). As a big golden syrup fan, I just had to try their ice cream in this flavour that my mum had ordered. While feeling refreshing, you could also taste the thickness and smoothness of the golden syrup come through the ice cream - it was just excellent!

I would certainly recommend Flour And Ash if you fancy a good old fashioned pizza and ice cream binge. There is something for everyone - a simple margarita pizza and chocolate ice for you play-it-safes (Lewis I'm looking at you) or some unusual taste combinations for those of you that like to be taken out of your comfort zones. 

If you would like to got to Flour And Ash, call ahead because it gets booked up quickly, even during the week!

FLOUR & ASH | 203B Cheltenham Road, Bristol, BS6 5QX

Izzie x
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Paris Restaurant Review: Lucky Luciano

Lucky Luciano - 1 Cour des Petites Ecuries, 75010, Paris

Whilst I was in Paris last weekend for Paris Fashion Week, I could not resist going to one of my favourite pizzerias in the city – Lucky Luciano. I spent a lovely evening amongst friends eating and drinking to our heart’s desire.

Tucked away in Cour des Petites Ecuries, a little haven off the busy and gritty rue du Faubourg Saint Dennis, Lucky Luciano offers delicious pizzas in a warm and hip ambiance. It is certainly considered as one of the best places to have pizza in Paris – whenever you tell locals that you have been or are going to Lucky Luciano, they will make a ‘mmmm’ sound and say something like “c’est super bon là-bas”.

As always, I chose the ever popular Bufala pizza which is topped with melted mozzarella, raw buffalo mozzarella, rocket and cherry tomatoes. It is one of my favourite pizzas because it feels fresh and healthy (as healthy as a pizza can be) thanks to the raw ingredients. Of course, for those of you that don’t fancy a healthy feeling pizza, all the usual suspects are available from four cheese to vegetarian and meat, plus they also do special ‘sweet’ pizzas with toppings like goats cheese and honey.

I would definitely recommend checking out Lucky Luciano when you are next in Paris and are just looking for a crowd pleasing pizza. The prices are decent, the atmosphere is down to earth and who knows, you may even get a glimpse of the restaurant’s resident cat! Unfortunately for me, this time we did not.

Pendant que j’étais à Paris le weekend dernier pour Fashion Week, je ne pouvais pas résister aller à un de mes pizzerias préférés dans la ville – Lucky Luciano. J’ai passé une super soirée avec des amis geniaux autour de la bonne bouffe et du bon vin.

Lucky Luciano se situe au Cour des Petites Ecuries, un passage calme à côté de la rue du Faubourg Saint Dennis, et il nous offre des pizzas délicieux dans une ambiance chaude et hip. C’est sûr qu’on regarde Lucky Luciano comme un des meilleurs endroits pour manger du pizza. Dès que vous dites aux parisiens que vous venez d’y manger ou vous allez manger à Lucky Luciano, ils feront un son comme ‘miammmm’ et diront quelque chose genre ‘c’est trop bon là-bas’.

Comme d’habitude, j’ai choisi le pizza Bufala qui est recouvrit de la mozzarella fondue et crue, de la roquette et des tomates cerises. Il est un de mes pizzas favoris parce qu’il se sent frais et sain (si un pizza peut être sain) grâce aux ingrédients crus. Je vous assure que pour ceux qui ne veulent pas un pizza ‘sain’, il y a tous les pizzas typiques comme quatre fromages, vegetarien et de la viande. En plus, ils font les pizzas sucrés avec des garnitures comme du fromage de chèvre et du miel.  

Je vous conseille fortement d’aller chez Lucky Luciano la prochaine fois que vous etes sur Paris et vous cherchez un restaurant qui plaira à tout le monde. Les prix sont bien, l’ambiance est tranquille et peut-être vous aurez de la chance et vous verrez le petit chat qui habite au restaurant ! Malheureusement, nous ne l’avons pas vu.

Izzie x

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Restaurant Review: Chilango

Chilango - 82 rue de la Folie-Mericourt, 75011 Paris

Last night, Lewis and I went to Chilango for a lovely mexican meal with some friends. It was a very relaxed atmosphere with a 'order when you like and share with your friends' attitude, which is one of my favourite ways to dine. We started off with some homemade tortilla chips and guacamole, which was delicious. Love a good guac. And I had a (couple of) Jamaicón cocktail, which had a great original taste being made from hibiscus flower, ginger, lime and tequiiiiillaaaaa! 

Then came the tacos, which were really yummy. Again we shared and tried different ones, well as much as three vegetarians and three meat eaters can try and share food. I tasted three different kinds - grilled cheese and mushrooms; refried beans and soft cheese; and tuna and lime. I can't say which was my favourite as they were all delicious! I'm looking forward to going back to Chilango to try their quesadillas…and probably more tacos!

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Hier soir, Lewis et moi sommes allés dîner avec des potes chez Chilango, un restaurant mexicain. Il y avait une ambiance très détendue avec une attitude de 'commander quand vous voulez et partager des des amis', ce que j'aime bien. On a commencé en partageant des chips et du guacamole, qui étaient délicieux. Et j'ai bu un (ou deux!) du cocktail Jamaicón qui a un goût très original vue qu'il est fait du fleur d'hibiscus, du citron vert, du gingembre et du tequiiiilllaaa!

Puis, on a mangé des tacos - miam! Bien sûr, on a partagé et on a essayé des tacos différents, bah autant que trois végétariens et trois non-vegetariens peuvent partager et essayer de la bouffe. J'ai goûté trois tacos différents - du fromage grillé et des champignons; des haricots frits et du fromage; et du thon au citron vert. Je ne peux pas choisir mon préféré parce qu'ils étaient tous délicieux! J'ai hâte d'y aller encore pour essayer leurs quesadillas…et probablement encore de tacos!

Izzie x

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Restaurant review: La Marine

La Marine - 55 Bis Quai de Valmy, 75010 Paris

La Marine, situated on the buzzy Canal Saint Martin, is without doubt one of my favourite restaurants in Paris. It's one of the places I like to take people who are visiting me but also I love going there with friends. I went with former Paris dweller Gina while she was here for Paris Fashion Week, and some other friends.

I must admit that I order the same dish every time that I go because it is just so damn good! Filets of sea bass on a bed of grilled vegetables topped with green salsa - really healthy, refreshing and delicious! I have been assured that all the food is good from steak tartare to lamb tagine, this is good French cuisine with other interesting influences. There are two or three tasty vegetarian options too, which is always a winner in my eyes!

The atmosphere is great. It's pretty much always full in the evenings so book in advance and you will not regret it!

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La Marine, qui se situe au Canal Saint Martin animé, est sans doute un de mes restaurants préférés dans Paris. Il est un des endroits où j'aime bien amener des gens qui me rendent visite mais aussi pour dîner avec des potes de Paris. La dernière fois que j'y suis allée était quand Gina, ma copine anglaise et ex-habitant de Paris, était à Paris pour Fashion Week. 

Je vous avoue que je commande le même plat chaque fois parce qu'il est tellement bon! Des filets de dorade sur une confiture de légumes grillés avec un salsa vert - très sain, frais et délicieux! On m'a dit que toute la bouffe est bonne (pas seulement la dorade!) et il y a plein de choix comme du tartare de boeuf et une tagine d'agneau - c'est la bonne cuisine française avec des influences intéressantes. Il y a aussi deux ou trois options végétariennes qui est super dans mes yeux!

L'ambiance est geniale. Le restaurant est presque toujours complet le soir alors réservez une table en avance - vous ne regretteriez pas!

Izzie x

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Restaurant Review: Grazie

Grazie - 91 Boulevard Beaumarchais, 75003 Paris

It's pretty great to have the chic and atmospheric pizzeria, Grazie, just round the corner from my flat in Paris, so I thought it was about time I shared it with you. I last went a couple of weeks ago when my mum and sister were visiting and once again we were not disappointed. We kicked off the night with cocktails, a must-do in my eyes as they have such an interesting selection. I had the "Scottish Ginto", which is gin, tonic, cucumber and white peppercorns served in a cute teacup and saucer. Perfect.

Our pizzas came very quickly, which is always a winner in my book. I had the "Crudaiola" pizza topped with their deliciously smokey tomato sauce, mozzarella and a mountain of rocket. Yum. My mum and I shared a lovely bottle of red wine during the meal so by the time dessert arrived I completely forgot to take a photo so you will have to use your imagination! It was a warm chocolate cake with mascarpone cream and it was delicious!

 I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. The food is divine, the atmosphere is relaxed/stylish/classy all at the same time and the prices aren't bad either. Pizzas range from between 10 and 20 euros, drinks are a bit more expensive with a glass of wine starting at 7 euros and a cocktail at 10 euros but it's worth it. I hope you have enjoyed my first restaurant review and I'll be writing about Grazie's sister cafe and shop, Merci, very soon!

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C'est génial que le pizzeria chic et d'ambiance qui s'appelle Grazie est à deux pas de chez moi à Paris. J'y suis allée il y a deux semaines quand ma mère et ma soeur me rendaient visite et encore une fois, on n'était pas déçu. On a commencé la soirée avec des cocktails, vraiment impératif selon moi car il y a une bonne sélection intéressante. J'ai eu le "Scottish Ginto" qui était fait du gin, tonic, concombre et des graines de poivre blancs, servi dans une tasse et une soucoupe mignons. Parfait.

Nos pizzas sont arrivés très vite qui me fait toujours très contente! J'ai eu le pizza "Crudaiola" avec leur sauce de tomate qui a un goût de fumé, du mozzarella et une montagne de roquette. Miam! Ma mère et moi avons partagé une bouteille de vin rouge super pendant le dîner alors quand mon dessert est arrivé j'ai complètement oublié de le prendre en photo, alors utilisez votre imagination! C'était un gâteaux de chocolat avec la crème de mascarpone et c'était délicieux! 

Je vous conseille trop d'aller à ce restaurant. La bouffe est divine, l'ambiance est relax/stylé/classe tout en même temps et les prix ne sont pas terribles aussi. Un pizza vous coût entre 10 and 20 euros, les boissons sont un peu plus chères; un verre de vin est à partir de 7 euros et un cocktail à 10 euros mais il vaut le coup. J'espère que vous aimez ma première revue de restaurant et j'écrirais bientôt un article sur Merci, un café et magasin dans la même groupe que Grazie!

Izzie x

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