| rev:text
| - Upstairs is the real deal, in the tradition of great old jazz clubs. This was our third extended (week or more) visit to Montreal and we finally made it to a show here. The space is tight, and somehow they kept finding space to accommodate more walk-ins, which gives the place a nice energy. The staff is very friendly, service is excellent, and even in the tight quarters they manage to make it all work.
We had the steak et frites, and it more than satisfied our craving. The fries were good, but the steak was the star - very tender, juicy, perfectly cooked on the grill. The onion-red wine sauce it's served with is tasty, too, and should be mopped up with bread.
We went to Dieze Onze earlier in our stay, and it was a good spot as well, but felt more hardcore divey. Which feels right sometimes. But Upstairs seems to get the bigger names, even locally, and the show we saw here was exceptional. It still has its rustic feel, but it's more spacious and inviting.
|