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| - Nora Gray is a delightful little spot and a nice addition to the Griffintown neighbourhood. Recently ranked among the best new restaurants in Canada by enRoute magazine, Nora Gray harkens back to another era with its decor and food selections. The wood panelling and black leather-coated banquets create an inviting spot where one can enjoy the delightful Italian nosh of this Montreal bistro.
This place is definitely a hipster hotspot. The bartenders are clad in workman's wear with sleeves of tattoos and military-style crew cuts, perhaps a familiar scene for a certain sub-set of Montrealais. The waitstaff were extremely attentive--taking our coats, fetching us some much needed vino blanco and checking in with us throughout the meal. The crowd was young on Friday night with a smattering of thirtysomethings and in-the-know foodies.
As for the food, I had the deep-fried ricotta meatballs to start and they were divine. While the portions are on the small size, the three balls are about the size of a bouncy ball, they're jam-packed with flavour. My partner had the tripe and, while not for everyone, he wolfed it down and said it was top-notch. Tripe is beef intestines, so not necessarily for the faint of heart.
My main--the walnut-stuffed rabbit--was delicious, although a bit gamey in taste for my liking. But it was melt in your mouth soft and well-seasoned. The walnut puree in the centre was a nice addition as was the accompanying vegetable puree (I think potato?) that was underneath the rabbit itself. Another diner in our party had the chicken and he was more than impressed with the large-in-size chicken breast and accompanying tomato-based sauce. All of our plates were practically licked clean.
The cocktail menu is also an attraction at this cave-like spot. The bartenders are busy pouring stiff drinks for all to enjoy. They have a large selection of liquors and liqueurs so you could indulge in a post-dinner aperitif if you're so inclined. The dessert selection looked underwhelming so we passed.
It is advisable to make reservations for this hotspot. With the recent enRoute ranking, the restaurant has only seen its popularity soar. A warning to all large parties: this place is best suited for groups of four or less. There is not a lot of seating--the place can probably sit a maximum of 30 guests at one time--so your party will not fit comfortably into this space. But do not let this dissuade you as it is part of its intimate charm.
If you're in the mood for some locally-sourced deliciousness in a funky and hip environment than Nora Gray will certainly fit the bill. Be prepared to drop around $60-70 per person including wine, appetizers and main course but it's worth it.
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