Not only do I have a very full belly, but I'm full of pride about being a Montrealer. My husband and I just finished indulging in a great meal at BBQ Montreal, a new restaurant hotspot nestled in Old Montreal on the cobblestoned St. Paul Street, opened in February 2010.

The experience reminded me of why I love living in Montreal, surrounded by eateries that know how to make a true experience out of dining.

About BBQ Montreal

BBQ Montreal is the new little sister to Bar & Boeuf, one of the city’s finest upscale surf-n-turf restaurants that opened in 2009. The same trio at Bar&Boeuf - Chef Alexandre Gosselin, maître d’hôtel Benjamin Atlan and sommelier Jean-Francois Pettigrew - have joined forces once again.

They've created a comfortable yet chic BBQ joint that is getting all sorts of buzz. The moment I skimmed BBQ Montreal's offerings, I understood why—the creative menu is full of classic dishes with a few fun twists on tradition.

Funky Space, Delicious Food

BBQ Montreal is housed in a quaint space with exposed brick walls, industrial pipes, chalkboard menus, and fun retro seating. I was the designated driver, so I started with a Coke in a glass bottle (a classy touch). But their wide selection of cocktails and martinis was definitely tempting. For the record, if I could've indulged, I would've had sampled the Nesquick martini with vanilla vodka, Nesquik, milk and espresso ($10).

Next was homemade pea soup garnished with green peas, mint and chorizo ($9). It was the best pea soup I have ever had. My husband tried the heirloom tomato salad ($10), which came with basil, pine nuts, and a buffalo mozzarella foam. Yum. We spent that portion of the meal passing our dishes back and forth.

For the main course, I couldn’t resist ordering the signature baby back ribs ($26), made with their homemade BBQ sauce and served with coleslaw, crispy French fries, and salad that was perfectly coated in a tangy vinaigrette. Finger-lickin' amazing. While I devoured that, my husband enjoyed his hanger steak ($25) with the same delicious melange of sides.

BBQ Montreal is the epitome of what a restaurant in this city should be. Classy, comfortable, stylish, and tres delicieux. But if you plan on checking out this chic resto, I suggest calling and make reservations now—the buzz is only going to get bigger!