Ikanos

Je suis allée à Ikanos ce midi, avec 2 collègues, et nous avons tous été emballés par la nourriture. La table d’hôte du midi est à 22 $, comprenant entrée, plat et mignardises, et je peux vous assurer que tout a l’air excellent et il y a un choix vraiment intéressant!
Nous avons pris la salade en entrée, et comme plats, calamars frits, filet de porc et pieuvre grillée. Je dois avouer que la pieuvre grillée est à tomber par terre, un véritable régal, cuisinée dans une petite sauce à l’huile et aux câpres vraiment succulente!
A essayer à tout prix! :)

Went to Ikanos for a business lunch. This is a beautiful restaurant located on McGil Stl in the Old Port.
The service was excellent. Prompt and courteous, no complaints there.
The food was excellent as well. I took the salmon tartare as the first course, and the fish parmentier as the main course. Everything was well executed and seasoned.
My only complaint is the size of the portions. At this price level, I would expect slightly bigger portions. The tartare was done in two bites, and the parmentier was not even a half-​inch thick. I was definitely still hungry after lunch, and I’m not the hungriest eater in general.
I would still go back because the food is great, but I’m certainly hoping that they will re-​adjust the portions a little bit. Leaving your patrons hungry is not a good thing!

Went there for MTL à table. The service was very nice. My friend and I enjoyed eating there and the food was designed for sharing, which was very nice. We added $ 8 for each of us to enjoy the see bass I think. The fish was nice but I felt it’s a little too oily, and I personally don’t like Greek salad. My friend did not Greek salad either, but he said the Greek salad at Ikanos was better than those in other restaurants. Overall it was a great experience, we wanted to try the dessert but we were too full. Nice environment also, very Mediterranean.

food ⁴⁄₅ décor ⁵⁄₅ staff&service ⁴⁄₅
This restaurant had been on my radar for a while so we jumped on the ocasion when we saw they came back with a MTL à Table menu: 41 $ per person for tapas style dishes and an extra 8 $ per person for the full sea bass. The kitchen is located right under the dining area so when walking in you can see the chefs doing their work. Our reservations were ay 8:30PM on a friday and we were seated immediately. All cocktails are 13 $ and an extensive wine list, but with limited ‘per glass’ options. The presentation and flavours of the tapas were exquisite and very fresh. The sea bass, unfortunately, was slightly disappointing. The fish was soaked in olive oil and the presentation wasn’t as beautiful as the tapas (see pictures included).
Fig smash cocktail: 13 $
Hella Cobbler cocktail: 13 $
MTL à Table menu: 2×41 $
extra for full sea bass option: 2×8 $
Total bill including tip and tax was 164 $.The service for the food was quick, despite the full-​house they had but we found to have waited a long time for our drinks and for grabbing the check. I noticed they have a 22 $ fixed price 3-​course menu for lunch so I intend on coming back.

Tout simplement une classe supérieure! Cuisine précise, inventive, gouteuse. Oui c’est cher, mais comme tous les restos à Montréal. Ici au moins la qualité est au rendez-​vous!
On y retourne, souvent.

I visited Ikanos for the first time last night. I was the first one in the door for the dinner service so I had the pleasure of having the staff focusing all of their attention on me. The service was impeccable. The staff is knowledgeable and made fabulous suggestions. We ordered the seafood plate (1 tier), the saganaki (fried cheese), greek salad, dessert, cocktails, bottle of wine and a greek digestive called skinnos (mastiha spirit). The bill was roughly $ 180 each with taxes and 20% tip included. Everything was very tasty however we had to send the clams from the seafood plate back because I got a bad one (ack! yuck!). I don’t know if you’ve ever had a bad clam, but there is no mistaking it. It is utterly disgusting. blech. It is like an assault on your whole face. They were out of calamari so the seafood plate was lacking — but the price didn’t waiver from the original price of $ 78. The seafood plate consisted of 3 scallops, 4 shrimp, grilled octopus and some steamed clams. For $ 78 I felt ripped off. I know you don’t go to Ikanos if you’re picky about spending because it’s known for being expensive — and you don’t know me so I should explain that I have no problem spending (and I’m amazing at it. It’s like a gd talent), however, I am a firm believer in «you get what you pay for» and this just wasn’t the case with the seafood platter. Value for money was a fail with this platter last night. We could have ordered the items separately from the tapas menu and had more food for less money. The Greek salad was a win, although it really needs more pepperoncini. The saganaki was the best thing I’ve put in my mouth all week. Seriously — SO so good. So good. The desserts were off the charts. Save room for dessert. Their homemade donuts were out of control good. They are served scalding hot and over an orange and almond crusted pannacotta. The contrast between the delicate pannacotta and fried donuts just worked. I want more of that. Like, now. And everyday. If you go to Ikanos, and you should, my recommendation is to stick to the mezzes, avoid the seafood plates and definitely save room for dessert. Oh, and their wine selection is a win! I tried 3 different greek wines — all of which I would order again. Trust the waiter’s advice, they know what they’re doing.

Our best meal in Montréal!
We spent a week in Montréal on business and ate at several restaurants, but Ikanos was our favorite. The food, service, and atmosphere were just right. We ordered several small plates and shared them. This is the way to enjoy the menu at its fullest. My favorite was the grilled octopus. You order by the gram so you can get double orders on the things you really like.
Our server was fabulous. I wish I had gotten his name. He had great suggestions about what to order and how to pair it with wine and other things on the menu. We closed down the place — it was just fabulous.

Wonderful. This is a restaurant when the kitchen truly cares about their product. Everything was first rate and the staff was engaged and attentive. Wasn’t inexpensive but worth the top dollar.

We chanced upon this place almost by luck, and what a find it was! Ikanos serves «Modern Greek Cuisine», which is to say Greek-​inspired French food. That might sound weird, but the food is fantastic. This is a perfect location for a date. The portions are small and a tad on the pricey side, but for fans of tapas, dim sum or sushi you will appreciate the quality and marvelous flavours of the dishes and the ease of sharing with someone special.
Located in Old Montréal, the place has a modern loft look and feel. Staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The wine list is weighted with quality Greek wines and may be difficult to navigate for those unfamiliar with that terroir, so don’t be afraid ask Eric for assistance. He helped us choose a terrific bottle. How terrific? We ordered a second, that’s how good it was.
The grilled octopus is fantastic — full of flavor and tender, not rubbery. The grilled shrimps are marvelous — perfectly cooked, and the creamy polenta cakes help sop up the juices. The grilled whole shrimp are (do you see a pattern here?) fabulous — juicy, falvourful, it’s hard not to lick the plate. In a night of high note after high note, it’s hard to pick the highest, but it might have been the seared scallops — nicely flavoured, perfectly seared, I must confess that I finally relented and licked the plate. I don’t care, it was that good, the heck with table manners. The snow crab salad was a gastronomic exercise in floral beauty — perfumed by the melon and light. The rabbit was expertly cooked so it retained it’s moisture and tenderness while perfectly accompanied by the morels. The olive oil cake and the chocolate cremeux verged on excess (did the second bottle of wine have anything to do with that?) but they were so good it was impossible to stop.
People looking for traditional Greek food of souvlaki and keftedes will be disappointed. Here traditional Greek food is a starting point for elevating the palate and the dining experience like the Acropolis soars above Athens.
Opa!

Had quite a few plates, I don’t recommend grilled squid here, its very bland and the chickpeas have no flavor. Shrimp, Greek salad were my favorites along with the hamachi. Overall, not amazing, but good. Just not for the price really.

Il semble que je vais me joindre au concert d’avis positifs sur Ikanos! Je né connaissais rien de ce resto avant qu’un ami m’y invite cette semaine. Un restaurant grec à la base, mais avec une influence méditerranéenne. Pas le genre d’endroit pour manger un souvlaki pita, plus haut de gamme et définitivement plus cher aussi.
Nous avons partagé un menu «empistosini» plat de «mezze» servi en paire et en quatre services (plus des amuses-​bouches et une surprise). L’accent est mis sur les produits de la mer et j’ai apprécié beaucoup plus les gravlax et huîtres (crues) que les versions cuites (mais en toute honnêteté, je n’aime pas vraiment les poissons et fruits de mers crus, mais ceux-​ci étaient trop cuits de toute façon, à mon avis). Le magret de canard était savoureux, contrairement à la pieuvre qui accompagnait ce service.
Notre serveur (très affable et attentif) nous a conseillé un accord plat-​vin qui fût apprécié et relativement judicieux, bien qu’un peu fade pour mon palais.
L’ambiance est agréable et il y est facile d’entretenir une conversation. La décoration est moderne et il est possible d’apprécier le travail de la cuisine situé à l’étage inférieur à partir de la rue. Cela résulte en une cuisine visible, mais qui n’altère pas l’ambiance une fois dans le restaurant.
En bref, de bons ingrédients qui résultent en une soirée fort agréable.

I went there for a business lunch when it had just opened. Great service and good food. It wasn’t 100% Greek, just like all Greek people who tried it are saying but you’ll still find some greek items like saganaki cheese with ouzo. The interior design is very nice. Great wine list including several Greek options –please make yourself a favor and pick a Greek wine. I tried Domaine Mercouri, it was perfect! Worth trying for lunch, not sure I would prefer this option over Mythos or Milos for dinner.

Ambiance agréable, un peu cher par contre, beaucoup de choix de fruits de mer.

Nourriture bonne mais un peu trop chère. Serveur devait être un novice car avait de la difficulté avec les commandes.

First of all, we went there for Mtl a table event.
Pro: food was delicious, well prepared and good. Service was really smooth.
Cons: portions was a little bit small, so we have to fill ourself with the bread dipped in a really good olive oil… The only thing that seemed normal size was the dessert…
For the event, Ikanos prepared a special menu for montreal a table. As mentionned, don’t get tricked by the menu as the menu is for 2. Each dish has to be shared by 2, which was a bit disappointing since the portions are already small. Also, for the event as it might be too late already, but I recommand to not go there in a odd number of guests, since the portions size do not seem to accomodate the extra person.
First service: tataki tuna and fluke carpaccio. Delicious, I will come back there just for those dishes, if they are serving them outside MTL a table.
Second service: scallops and halibut. Scallops and halibut were good, but again, the halibut portion didn’t seem to get bigger to accomodate our extra guest. Tzatziki was amazing, one of the best I even tried. It was unfortunate that there was just a little dash of this on the plate…
Main dishes: duck magret with eggplant, ravioli moussaka, red snappers and shrimps (2 pieces). Duck magret was overcooked, eggplant a bit too salty. Beside those two dishes, nothing to complain about, everything was good.
Overall: food was good, portions were small, highly recommended if not really hungry and looking for high quality seafood dishes…

my mtl à table stop #2.
i was reading my twitter feed and came across a tweet about this place by a trusted food blogger. not someone who gets paid by restaurants to blog about places to eat but someone who loves food and is not afraid to write about their experience, good or bad. so after reading their review and mouth dropping the food porn, i had to RSVP for a friday night date with this place.
RSVPing is easy. its done through bookenda (not open table) and they send a «please confirm» the next day. no interaction if that’s what you want. otherwise, a simple call is the easiest of way.
extremely beautiful place on mcgill street in old montreal near the old port. as you first arrive, stop at the storefront and admire the cooks doing their magic in the basement kitchen. big windows let you look at their work from the outside. how awesome is that? once in, i was seated at the bar which i love as you can admire the barman handy work and sometimes, talk to your neighbor or barman/​waiter/​waitress and who knows, share food if you’re lucky.
first thing first, i was giving the wine/​drink list. the smoky julep was my choice. orange bitter with rye and mint. pretty good boozy cocktail. if you love classic cocktails like say old fashioned (they can do pretty much any cocktail you want), you won’t be disappointed. you can go light or strong booze here. up to your liking.
then, they explained the menu. its a 6 service menu for mtl à table if you are 2. since i was by myself, it was only 3. talk about disappointing. nonetheless, made my choice and enjoyed some bread with olive oil as snack.
first dish was the tuna tataki with cherry tomato sauce vierge and white anchovies. its a cold app. the tuna was fresh and delicious. with the anchovies and cherry tomato sauce, it was an explosion of flavor. my taste buds was titillating. it was a nice intro to what seem like a great dinner. boy, i wasn’t ready for the next one.
second dish was the seared scallops with foie gras shaving, brussel sprouts, sliced apples, hazelnut crumble and parsley root purée. i licked the plate clean! ok, i didn’t put my tongue on it but used the bread to soak up everything! perfectly seared scallops. the foie gras was buttery. the hazelnut gave it that textural crunch. the brussel sprout and its slight bitterness cut through the richness of the dish. and the apple added another layer of sweetness alongside the sweet scallops. i was in total heaven at that time. talk about mouthgasm!
third and final mtl à table dish was the seared duck breast with roasted eggplants, tahini cream and oyster mushrooms was a good way to end the evening. the shine on that duck fat and the rosé breast, you knew it was perfectly cooked. the fat was so ever melting. roasted eggplants and tahini cream were divine. and the mushroom gave the dish that oomph, that finishing touch. i’m pretty sure a good red wine here would totally killed it.
once done, i was giving a dessert menu and see what tempted me. i could have gone with the famous greek donut holes but that black forest cake screamed for me. chocolate and ice cream to end the night? always!
and then came the cake. after a couple of bites, barman asked me how i like it. one word: heaven. barman reply: like that 90s mcdonalds commercial where 2 kids slid down some slopes. one of them would ask if they were dead and the other would look up and then said «we’re in heaven!» something to that effect. and that’s how i truly felt. chocolate wasn’t as intense as i would of like but it was just perfect at that moment. with the orange ice cream, mmmhmmm
all in all, it was a sublime 90 minutes of delicious food. mouthwatering and totally a feast for the eye. my bill came to $ 80 including tips
i was looking for a wow moment, i got it. i’ll definitely be back!

Delicious food, extremely friendly staff and an overall excellent experience. We ordered many small plates to share and the only downside was we ordered too much! The Scallops with Foie Gras was delectable and the Greek Salad was phenomenal. I stuffed myself too much, but next time I would like to try desert…

What a delightful new discovery on McGill Street. Amazing food, ambience and service. For two, we were suggested to order 6 – 7 mezzes. Each dish consisted of the freshest ingredients with very original flair, some Greek and others not so Greek, more contemporary. Everything was very delicious. Check out the photos! We are going back later this week with a larger group to try more!!!

Je me promets bien d’essayer ce nouveau restaurant de mon quartier qui a l’air (marin) très sympathique. On s’en reparle… Je donnerai un nombre d’étoiles plus modéré s’il y a lieu. Laissez-​moi votre avis si vous y allez avant moi !