Terra Mare: get on board the taste express

When you arrive on board this vessel, it's complete immersion on a most agreeable gustative cruise. Even in stormy times such as these, it's steady as she goes for Terra Mare, as it has for more than three decades. The restaurant's name combines the pleasure of the sea with those of the earth; meaning seafood lovers will find everything theyÕre looking for an more, as well as a generous selection of beef and veal specialties. The captain of this ship is Nick Bras, who has been at the helm since 1976 Ð dating back to a time when Sources Boulevard was still surrounded largely by farms and pastures. His daughter, Dora, runs the restaurant and son Archie runs the kitchen with help from brother Minos. Orginally from Greece, the family settled in the West Island and has never left. For appetizers, I went with the French onion soup, which beautifully united bread, onions, cheese and whetted my appetite nicely. For a main course, I opted for Indonesian frog legs provenales, which much to my surprise came in a generous and succulent portion. Beautifully golden, with a flavour that made them melt in my mouth. My companion enjoyed a 16 oz. rib steak ($27) that impressed him not only for the perfectly flavoured meat, but for the girth of the cut. The beef was accompanied by peppers and broccoli. The frogs' legs were served on a bed of rice and a salad, all made with care. For dessert, we enjoyed a fine, indulgent slice of cheesecake with raspberry reduction. Other dishes you might think about trying are the specialty scampi grilled in garlic butter ($29) or the famous Captain's Platter ($55) which comprises a whole lobster, scampi, scallops, grilled shrimp, oysters Rockefeller, all accompanied by rice and a generous salad bar. The Terra Mare vessel also ensures a healthy stock of Canadian lobster in its aquarium every day of the year. Meat lovers will also find something for themselves in the pepper steak flambŽ ($35). Flambe desserts and coffees are also a specialty at Terra Mare. Lunch table d'hote, with soup, a main dish, the salad bar and coffee or tea start at $11.95. The restaurant also boasts an extensive wine list of French, Italian, American, Chilean, Australian and German wines and a smaller list of private imported stock. Terra Mare is at 3633 Sources Blvd., in Dollard des Ormeaux and has plenty of free parking in front and in the rear of the building. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and evenings from 5 to 10 p.m. (11 p.m. on Fridays) and Saturday from 5 to 11 p.m. Terra Mare is closed Sundays except on holidays and for special group events. Terra Mare can accommodate up to 175 people in four dining rooms with movable walls. Diners are advised to reserve on weekends. For more information, call them at 514-683-4353 or visit online at www.terramare.com1