Perfect pasta placement

With so many pasta places around the West Island, it took some time to select the three finalists to be tested by our five judges from the many nominations sent in by <@Ri>Chronicle<@$p readers for Best of the West.

Placing third overall for Best Pasta dish, with its gnocchi, is Pastamore at the Marché de l’Ouest in Dollard des Ormeaux, with 342 points out of 500. “I enjoyed the touch of spinach in the (rosé) sauce,” wrote judge Raffy Boudjikanian. “Perfect texture, not too heavy,’ added judge Marie-Claude Simard.

It was a tight race for the top two spots, with just two points separating the eateries and the judges split 3-2.

The runner up, with 409 points, was the prima vera from Del Friscos at Galeries des Sources in Dollard. “Their ample seasoning, full of fresh vegetables and sauce, is delicious,” Boudjikanian said.

Judge Lynn Brown-Poole added; “A great amount of veggies.” “Well cooked,” stated judge Martin Deslauriers, who also gave the sauce full marks.

The winner of the Best Pasta is Masi on St. Charles Boulevard in Kirkland with 411 points. “Excellent,” declared judge Mari-Ève Hébert. “Very good taste, a little creamy and smoked. The sauce was really delicious.”

Deslauriers added the linguini was al dente and the white-wine sauce was a classic, lightly smoked. Overall, he said it’s a perfect smash hit. The Chronicle wants to shine a light on some of the West Island’s finest and the key to the success of this project is community participation, so tell us about your favourite bagels (Aug. 5), breakfast ( Aug. 12), sandwich (Aug. 19) and readers' choice (you pick the topic) (Aug. 26)

Phone in or e-mail your suggestions – with a short explanation behind your choice – to 514-685-4690, ext. 243, or marc.lalonde@transcontinental.ca. <@Cp>Chronicle, Raffy Boudjikanian<@$p>