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| - A dear friend of mine lost his mother many years ago, when he was quite young. To help his family cope with such a staggering loss, he promised to help more around the house, and even to help cook -- except that he didn't know how. So, the first night he had to make dinner, he called up his favorite restaurant and asked for a recipe. To this day, everyone who's been to Daou says his hummus tastes just like the hummus they make here.
That incredible story says several things about this gem of a restaurant. They are run by a compassionate, generous family. Their food is the best in the area (and in Arab-heavy Montreal, that's really saying something!) And dining there is an experience you will remember for a long time.
We came here with said friend, who still counts it as his favorite and took us on a tour of their menu. Since we were there during Lent, we only ate their vegetarian dishes, but I can honestly say I hardly missed the meat and dairy options; everything was absolutely delicious. Their baba ganouj was my favorite (we have a photo of another friend literally licking the plate it came on!) but we also enjoyed their hummus, sauteed chicory, fattoush, tabouli, spinach pie, falafel and even the French fries with tahini sauce. The only dish I didn't care for was the stewed beans -- the flavor just wasn't my favorite, though they were cooked well. Of course everything came with piles and piles of pita and little dishes of pickled turnips and bitter green olives. Oh, it was such a fantastic meal!
I hope to return someday: not just to Montreal, but to Daou. I don't think I can give five stars without trying their kibbeh, labneh and knafe -- three of my favorite Middle Eastern dishes. I have a feeling they will step up to the challenge!
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