2015 has been a fruitful trying out restaurant year for zuuchini.com. I was able to check off various restaurants off from my wishlist and also try out some incredible eateries outside of Montreal. I compiled a top 5 list for 2015 hoping it’ll ease your 2016 outing choices!

1. Ikanos

Without much expectation going in, Ikanos blew me away. Their MTL a Table menu was purely brilliant and had me talking months after. Their knowledge on seafood is profound. To try for seafood lovers.

2. Regine

Regine offered a very memorable brunch. Even though there is always a long waiting line, I don’t think it ever affects people. With their sublime customer service, warm and tasty bread are distributed to the line! Every item ordered was spectacular, not one felt ordinary. That was when I understood and greatly agreed with their waiting line. Worth every second waiting for! I can’t wait to bring my mom!

3. Kinka Izakaya

Kinka Izakaya has opened for a little bit more than a year and it already had attracted a huge crowd. It is expected as the owners have already successful izakayas in Toronto and it only made sense to bring the craze to Montreal! I am indefinitely glad that they did! Their dishes are fantastic. And their sashimi are sumptuous, tasting like Vancouver’s!

4. Basak

I was never bought into the fried chicken wagon because I had been deceived by KFC too many times. Basak totally changed this. Their fried chicken is everything I imagined a perfect fried chicken should be: crispy but moist. Basak achieved this perfection without much struggle. I actually crave for fried chicken nowadays, and when I do, I think of Basak.

5. Kouign Amann

Kouign Amann was one of the last tasting destination of 2015 and it climbed up effortlessly to my favorite spot for pastries. Their signature pastry, Kouign Amann (just like their name), is really a must. You are really missing out if you don’t have it at least once in your lifetime. As for me, I felt I missed out so much the fact that I only discovered Kouign Amann just now.

For some honorary mentions…(they are actually from Vancouver)

Chef Hung Taiwanese Beef Noodle

If you like noodles as much as I do, Chef Hung Taiwanese Beef Noodle is a go-to destination. Their famous beef noodles are so elastic. Their other dishes are just as good, but if there is only one thing you can order, their beef noodle has to be it (the large noodles especially).

Rajio

True to its Izakaya core, Rajio offers a great value and delicious menu. Every one of their dishes was soulful. Ordering the wrong dish is not a possibility. To fight the heat at Rajio, their pina colado drink (served in an actual pineapple!) is a must!

What are your top 5 for 2015?

Zuuchini