Nora Gray
Italian restaurant · Vieux Montréal ·
Southern Italian fare, pasta, and inspired cocktails with a buzzy bar
Southern Italian fare, pasta, and inspired cocktails with a buzzy bar
"An intimate dining room and savvy wine service set the tone for some seriously delicious Southern Italian fare at Nora Gray, a gem located at the crossroads of downtown, Little Burgundy, and Griffintown. Open since 2011 and bolstered by two acclaimed sister spots (Elena and Gia), it remains a top contender thanks to its thoughtful approach to pasta. Anolini stuffed with rutabaga in a chicken reduction; ricotta gnocchi with burnt seared leek, parsnips, and Jerusalem artichoke chips; and other dishes seamlessly intertwine tradition with seasonal twists. Venture into the antipasti for potato schiacciata and beef carpaccio, or look to the secondi for offerings like seared scallops, pork chop, and bavette." - Valerie Silva
"An intimate dining room and savvy wine service set the tone for some seriously delicious Southern Italian fare at Nora Gray, a gem located at the crossroads of downtown, Little Burgundy, and Griffintown. Open since 2011 and bolstered by two acclaimed sister spots (Elena and Gia), it remains a top contender thanks to its thoughtful approach to pasta. Agnolotti filled with koginut squash, fontina, pearl onions, and kale; porcini cavatelli paired with Brussels sprouts, king oyster mushrooms, and Baluchon cheese; and other dishes seamlessly intertwine tradition with seasonal twists. Venture into the antipasti for potato schiacciata and deer tartare, or look to the secondi for offerings such as grilled sweetbreads and rib steak." - Valerie Silva
"Nora Gray is home-away-from-home to many Montreal creatives and other restaurateurs, who love the food just as much as they love the warm bistro ambience at this cozy Griffintown spot. Inside, chefs put an inventive spin on no-nonsense Italian. Take, for example, the crispy lamb terrine starter, a pan-fried slab served with baby lettuce and anchovy vinaigrette, the duck-heart Bolognese served over asparagus ravioli, and the skirt steak served with fried bread and rapini peperonata. If you want to impress your friends with some ear-to-the-ground knowledge of the city, this beloved hole-in-the-wall will do that." - Todd Plummer, Isa Tousignant
"Since opening in 2011, Griffintown’s Nora Gray has been considered one of Montreal’s finest Italian restaurants (and one of the city’s best overall). Owners Ryan Gray, Lisa McConnell, and Emma Cardarelli propose a menu that takes an unfussy approach to intricate, innovative dishes. There are some solid sharing options, with half-servings for the less famished." - Karin Murray-Bergquist
