The delicious outdoors: top four spots to dine by moonlight

The tiny Dinette Triple Crown packs a picnic basket for you to take to the park
across the street
Photo by Dan Haber
 

Summer time in the city means being outside as much as possible. For those who are loosely employed, that means going to the pool and doing “work” while working on that tan. But for those stuck in an office all day, an evening meal at a local terrasse is a warm weather luxury.

With more and more restaurants putting tables and chairs on the sidewalk in front of their establishments, the choices of so-called “terrasses” to frequent have practically doubled over the past few years. Now, there are some obvious favourites out there— idyllic summer spots with picturesque back gardens and the like—but not all terrasse fare is created equal. Here are my picks this year for great food at good prices.

Le Petit Alep
Le Petit Alep is an absolute must for fans of Middle Eastern food. Right across the street from the Jean-Talon market, it’s the more casual, less expensive sister of the original Alep next door. With tables and chairs spilling onto the street out front, there’s always a crowd of eager diners waiting to be seated. Not only is their Syrian-Armenian cuisine a cut above, but their amazing prices will keep you coming back for more of their dips, salads, meats on sticks and fantastic wine list.
191 Jean-Talon East // 514-270-9361

Tripolis
Simply put, Greek food is awesome in the summer. Whether it’s grilled octopus or a beautiful salad of fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, onions and olives, it just lends itself so well to a warm day or night. One of my favourite places to sit outside is on the street- front terrasse of Parc-Ex’s Tripolis. Seafood is this restaurant’s strength, from the heaping portion of fried calamari to the whole-fish specials, to be washed down with a refreshing Mythos beer or a very cheap, crisp Greek white wine.
679 St-Roch // 514-277-4689

Le Bremner
Montreal celeb chef Chuck Hughes opened his second restaurant, Le Bremner, rather quietly last summer. Down a barely marked staircase off St-Paul East, it’s a spot that Hughes describes as Garde Manger’s older, calmer sibling. Specializing in everything seafood with an emphasis on sharing dishes, the hidden backyard terrasse comes complete with an outdoor raw bar for open-air shucking. Although slightly more expensive than your average meal, sometimes a little summer splurge is just what you need. Try my personal favourites, the kimchi snow crab or the pork and shrimp spicy rice.
361 St-Paul East // 514-544-0446

Dinette Triple Crown
Recently opened, this small diner on the corner of Clark and St-Zotique offers convenient Southern BBQ fare for pick-up and takeout. Although there isn’t much room to eat inside yet, an expansion is in the works. In the meantime, if you would like to eat outside, Dinette Triple Crown’s staff will neatly pack your meal in a picnic basket complete with a tablecloth, candle, real plates and cutlery, so you can make your way to the park across the street and chow down on one of the many public tables there. From fried chicken to brisket, sweet potatoes and biscuits, this DIY-style dining is not only charming, but it makes for a great night out.
6704 Clark // 514-272-2617

Chairs and tables spill out onto Jean-Talon in front of Syrian-Armenian joint Le
Petit Alep
Photo by Dan Haber