There is a new kosher Chinese restaurant in Côte Saint-Luc, located at Decarie Square. It is called Red Chopstix. I spoke to the owners, William Dahan and Heidi Chenoy, as well as longtime Mall tenant Warren Perley of Ponctuation Grafix who was very pleased with his first dining experience there. The restaurant website is: https://chopstixmtl.com/en

The Côte Saint-Luc Local Commerce Committee is proud to spotlight on the Mount Sinai Hospital Auxiliary Coffee and Gift Shops as the Business of the Month for December 2024.

Councillor Mike Cohen, responsible for Local Commerce, was joined by Mayor Mitchell Brownstein to make the presentation, tour the premises and talk to Auxiliary officials, staff and volunteers. Afterwards Mike sat down to do a podcast with Volunteer Coordinator Isadora De Lima Branco, Auxiliary President Debbie Giser, Auxiliary staffe Barbara Schneider and volunteers Jack Trottenberg (coffee shop) and Ilana Novak (art therapy). If you would like to volunteer contact Isadora at [email protected] or Tel : (514) 488-5552 poste 51206.

Back in the height of the pandemic, Jessica Yaffe ended up developing a bit of an unhealthy online shopping habit. After all, what else was there to do? Each package was delivered, and she had nowhere to wear the items she had purchased. With a lot of time on her hands she started to research the origins of “fast fashion” and the things she learned were astounding, surprising, and disturbing. Jessica promised herself that she wasn’t going to buy anything new for a year and wear what she had in her own closet, and try to buy secondhand pieces if necessary. What she discovered in the secondhand market was incredible. The quality and craftsmanship of things that already existed were second to none and she enjoyed having original and interesting pieces.

Jessica’s best friend Jen Lassner witnessed her transformation and slowly got on board. The two Hampstead residents started collecting interesting pieces and hosted their first pop-up sale for friends and family in 2022. The response was encouraging and they felt amazing about providing friends and family with cool, one of a kind pieces, and doing something socially and environmentally good for the planet. Low and behold two years later, they have our own retail space at 5590 Sherbrooke Street West in NDG (next to 5 Saisons Sushi) and source every piece in the store ourselves. The only two rules that they have are that they both have to love every item and that they are size and price inclusive “ Most vintage stores that sell the kinds of things that we do don’t carry sizes for people who are bigger, or much smaller,” says Jessica. “ It feels good when somebody comes in and falls in love with an interesting piece of clothing, and feels good wearing it.”

Log on to https://relovevintage.ca/ for more details and listen to my podcast with Jessica and Jen.

There is a new sensation on the West Island restaurant scene. Bernies Pizza Martini Bar opened recently on Sources Blvd. in Dollard des Ormeaux, the brainchild of Jordan Biberkraut, Jonathan Dresner and Steve Murray. Open Wednesday to Sunday, from 5 pm to 11 pm, reservations are strongly recommended. Call 514.225.9655 or log on to https://www.berniespizzabar.com/. Listen to my chat with Jordan and his dad, the namesake of the restaurant, Bernie.

Mona Segal has been baking delicious cookies and delicous sweets for the past 25 years. During the pandemic she left her marketing job and made this her full-time endeavor, providing beautifully boxed cookies for all occasions. She gave me a selection to sample when I came to interview her, a nod to the birthday I was celebrating that day. Go to https://www.bakdbymona.com/ and listen to our talk. She is now based at 6132 Côte St. Luc Road in NDG. Customers need to make their orders online or by phone and either pick them up or ask for them to be delivered.

Dizz's Bagel & Deli has been an institution on Côte St. Luc Road for almost 30 years. Now owner Steve Dizgun has completed an extensive renovation, highlighted by a restaurant-style sandwich shop with experienced chef Anthony Lyons and Leah Quema at the helm. I went for a tasting. It was oustanding!! Of course Dizz continues to serve up its dozen plus styles of bagels, fresh cold cuts, meals to go, desserts, spreads and more. Listen to my podcast with Steve.

On Thursday, September 19 (7 pm) at the Côte Saint-Luc Aquatic and Community Centre on Parkhaven Avenue,the Knights of Pythias, a longstanding charitable organization, will present an evening of comedy headlined by Mike Paterson. Joining him on stage will be Lawrence Corber. I spoke to Paterson, along with John Derrick and Brian Blumer from the Knights of Pythias. Tickets are $15. Coffee and refreshments will be served after the show. E-mail [email protected] and you will be contacted on how to make your purchase. In the meantime please listen in.

It will be party time at TCBY On August 28 and 29 (Wednesday and Thursday) at 6142 Côte Saint Luc Road for a two day celebration for their 35th anniversary. Owner Lenny Rosenberg says they will have a balloon artist for the kids and older kids both afternoons and certain items on special. In addition they will have a raffle for door prizes. TCBY of course is in the yogurt business and besides serving their regular clientele, they also deliver to schools across the city and make tasty birthday cakes. How did this all get started for Lenny? Listen in.

Côte Saint-Luc resident Amelio Santini, 16, is an elite hockey player who is expected to begin play in the Quebec Maritimes Major Junior Hockey League in September for the Halifax Mooseheads. The young centerman played for the Lac St. Louis Midget AAA Lions. He also attended Royal Vale High School. I spoke to him after he joined my foursome in the 2024 Côte Saint-Luc Golf Invitational.

The Côte Saint-Luc Men’s Club Invitational, in conjunction with the Mayor and City Council, will take place on Tuesday, August 6 at Meadowbrook. In the event of rain, it will be held on August 13.

Longtime local sportsman and volunteer Eli “Buddy” Manis will be the special honoree. I had a chance to sit down with Buddy to talk about his 60 years of involvement in the community. To register, contact Brian Blumer at [email protected]