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Da Emma

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Cantin2
Cantin2
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
1
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1
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Editor Pick

Da Emma

  • May 21, 2008
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Cantin2 from Quogue, New York
Da Emma

A rainy night in Montreal, but we do have a car....Da Emma is at the the southern tip of Old Montreal with a large parking lot. Reviews were mostly very good - the setting was perfect for this type of night.

De Emma is located in a building that was formerly a women's prison - a dreary night added to the mood. We enter through a heavy metal door and descend a few steps into a "cellar" - very dark - the bar is candlelit - we had no reservations so we were asked to sit at the bar, but before we could order a drink, we were shown to a table. Nice atmosphere - wine glasses twinkling from the candlelit reflection, animated diners of all ages - young couple, small groups of friends, after work crowd and seemingly retired people - all very comfortable with dining out in a restaurant of this type.

Everyone is served bruschetta on a large thick piece of toasted bread - very flavorful tomatoes, lots of oil and garlic - Just what is needed while having a cocktail or sipping wine, while deciding what to order.

The menu is presented on a chalk board by waiters dressed in black pants and white shirts - guess what - it's totally in Italian - a la carte and no special pricing. They are happy to explain each and every item or if you are able to decipher some of it - they will make suggestions or answer questions that you may have. One of the specialty dishes is pasta with portabello mushrooms. It was served to a nearby diner in a large bowl - She did offer tastings to her tablemates and by the reactions - it met with their approval.

We chose pasta to be served with our slow oven roasted pork instead of grilled vegetables. the waiter assured me that I had made a good choice with the pork dish. The presentation was certainly not what I had envisioned!! A whole pig is roastd for hours and then cut into serving portions. My plate held two large ribs covered with skin....the aroma....wonderful - the taste.....delicious. Very tender with pork juices. I even ate the skin and I hate to say - the fat too!! What little that I didn't finish, I had on a baguette the next day. They offer three meats slow roasted.....beef, pork and lamb. I'd certainly order it again.

Although this was a former prison, it had lots of atmosphere - dark wood, heavy stone posts and lots of candlelight to make it very romantic.

From journal Summertime in Montreal

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