Staking out the best steak

Our intrepid team of taste testers once more took one for our readers this week as they set out to find out which is the West Island's top steak.

The going was tough, but the four judges narrowed down their choices to a top three, as determined by our readers' nominations.

In third place, with 302 points out of 400, was Delibee in Pointe Claire. All four of the judges noted its garlic-flavoured beef as a stand-out. "The garlic marinade was very strong and tasty," wrote The Chronicle and Cités Nouvelles news director Marc Lalonde in his remarks. "A garlic lover's dream," said The Chronicle editor Albert Kramberger.

Pushing marginally ahead with 308 points out of 400 was Clydes, in second place. The well-known Pointe Claire Village-based steak came bathed in delicious peppercorn sauce. "I really liked the seasoning," said sales support supervisor Lindsay Robb. "Excellent, juicy steak that should be had with the hunter's (peppercorn) sauce," Kramberger agreed.

There can only be one first place, however, and that honour went to Madisons in Dollard des Ormeaux, which secured its victory with 349 out of a possible 400 points. "This steak was cooked almost to perfection," said Robb. "It was not over-seasoned, which brought out the natural flavour of the meat," she added. "Outstanding taste and quality," said Kramberger. "Juicy, perfect steak!" Lalonde gushed. "The flavouring was subtle, but strong enough to give the steak great taste. A winner!"

Judges individually ranked each steak over 100 points, awarding 25 points per category for flavour, quality of meat, tenderness and "good times." Individual results were then tallied to obtain a total over 400 points per restaurant.

Next week, our judges take on the West Island's best pasta. It is not too late to send in your nominations for the categories in weeks afterward, which are bagels (Aug. 5), breakfast ( Aug. 12), sandwich (Aug. 19), readers' choice (you pick the topic) (Aug. 26). Just send in your nominations to The Chronicle and Cités Nouvelles news director Marc Lalonde at marc.lalonde@transcontinental.ca. <@Cp>Chronicle, Raffy Boudjikanian<@$p>