What a week, eh? I don’t know about you, but by the time Friday rolls around after 5 days of work-related stress (aren’t I supposed to be all zen now?) and insomnia, I just want to have a beer and enjoy a no-fuss meal with good friends at a “no makeup required” restaurant. So, when the eternal question – where do we go for dinner Friday? – popped up this week, I was glad to suggest Turkish eatery Avesta. As Pat pointed out: “it’s definitely more of a lunch place”, but if you want something different and are going out with a “bring your own ambiance” group, then this is an interesting option. Plus, it’s cheap as chips!
Not quite "fine cuisine" but great for lunch or something different with a group.
So how the heck did I stumble upon this place? I used to work right in front of it and got really tired of the MSG-infused options at Soupe Bol. Instead, I would get three mezes (appetizers and spreads) and some warm flatbread made on-site. In fact, the lady sitting at the front of the restaurant flattening balls of dough or making manti (tiny ravioli) is one of the main attractions. You can see her from the restaurant window outside, and that is often what gets people to come in.
Making bread at the front of the restaurant
And what attracted me to Turkish food, you ask? Well, in high school, I spent my fair share of weekends at a Turkish home in Pointe-Claire and the food was awesome! My best friend at the time was Turkish and I got a great peak into the beautiful and rich culture. So much so, that I spent two weeks in the Western part of the country, including 5 days in Istanbul last summer. I highly recommend it!
Back to the food. This is a rundown of what we shared among the 6 of us:
3 borek (filo pastries with spinach and feta or potatoes and spiced ground meat)
6 mezzes (stuffed vine leaves, yogurt and cucumber dip, hummus, mouhammara, stuffed zucchini and red-pepper dip)
1 gozleme (what Mat likes to call a Turkish quesadilla)
1 sautéed lamb dish with mixed vegetables
1 order of manti (tiny ravioli in yogurt with spicy oil) – I thought they were even better than the ones I tasted in Turkey :-S
5 baklava
Spinach and feta borek
Sautéed lamb and veggie dish and manti
All this, plus 5 beers (they have imports!) and 1 bottle of wine came to $27,58 + tax each. Not bad!
Avesta Restaurant
2077, Sainte-Catherine St. West (corner Fort, in front of Collège Lasalle)
www.restoavesta.ca
Güle güle!
After 10 years of writing corporate speak as a communications specialist for large companies in Montreal, I’ve finally given into my self-indulgent desire to write my way and share my love for food. Writing and cooking are my creative outlets. When I do them right, they help me relax and comfort me...
Yummy!! Definitely trying this the next time I am in Montreal. Thanks for the insight into Turkish cuisine…Just letting you know that this is torture for a pregnant girl!
Lol! Come up with any ideas for your “contributor’s post”?
good for the price but Pat was right, more of a lunch place. Love that Tibo’s purple t-shirt made it in the blog
Great spot indeed! Very authentic eatery. would have been cheaper per person if Ben paid his share. Just saying…