You'll never hear me say, "Boy, we really need more bistros in Montreal." There are already great ones (L'Express), very good ones (Café Cherrier) and scores of mediocre ones. But when I heard Le Balmoral in the Place des Festivals, smack in the middle of the high-tourist area … [Read more...] about Le Blumenthal: Go for the Wine List, Stay for the Food
Gluten Free and Dairy Free at Lili.Co in Montreal
Every seat is a good seat at Lili.Co, a small restaurant on St-Laurent on the border between the Plateau and Mile-End. Bar seats wrap around the open kitchen where you either talk to your date and/or watch Chef David Pellizari and maybe one or two others on his kitchen team sear … [Read more...] about Gluten Free and Dairy Free at Lili.Co in Montreal
Bouchées à la Reine: Alsatian Savoury Pastry Stuffed With Chicken, Veal and Mushroom Sauce Suprême
When an Alsatian man told me that the food he missed most from Alsace was Bouchées à la Reine, a buttery pastry filled with a béchamel-type sauce called a sauce suprême, I figured my chances of ever eating it were slim... ...but when his eyes filled with nostalgia and I saw … [Read more...] about Bouchées à la Reine: Alsatian Savoury Pastry Stuffed With Chicken, Veal and Mushroom Sauce Suprême
Made With Love – Montreal Regional Finals 2017: Tea, Coffee, U Frost and Other Cocktail Trends
There was a whole lot of alcohol shaken, stirred, foamed and frozen at Montreal's Made With Love 2017 regional finals last Monday evening at the SAT on St-Laurent. The event featured heaps of mixologists at kiosks on two floors, plus the outdoor winter-y terrasse (shout out to … [Read more...] about Made With Love – Montreal Regional Finals 2017: Tea, Coffee, U Frost and Other Cocktail Trends
Gluten Free Pasta Blind Taste Test: Wheat Pasta vs. Quinoa Pasta vs. Rice Pasta
In an extremely scientific experiment with one Italian-Canadian judge on a live television show, my goal was to see once and for all if gluten free pasta is as good as regular wheat pasta. The Taste Test I made two versions of three kinds of pasta: the three bowls in front are … [Read more...] about Gluten Free Pasta Blind Taste Test: Wheat Pasta vs. Quinoa Pasta vs. Rice Pasta
Local and Delicious Holiday Gifts for Foodies in Montreal
Want to gift something local and delicious this holiday season? Fortunately, Montreal has an awesome artisanal scene of jams, chocolates and other sweets – and "a ring to rule them all...and in the sweetness bind them"? (Aka an online boutique that sells all local foodie … [Read more...] about Local and Delicious Holiday Gifts for Foodies in Montreal
Wine Recommendations for the Holidays: Top Picks From the Salon de Quilles, Raspipav and La Grande Dégustation
November is wine month in Montreal, which comes at the perfect time to help you select some delicious (and maybe organic, biodynamic and natural) wines and alcohols to drink and gift over the holiday season. I drank my way through the most natural, biodynamic, organic and high … [Read more...] about Wine Recommendations for the Holidays: Top Picks From the Salon de Quilles, Raspipav and La Grande Dégustation
Jellyfish Crudo Charbon: Delicious Ceviche and Cauliflower and a Natural-Leaning Wine List
Jellyfish is one of those places that will sink or swim (no pun intended) depending on whether or not it can build and maintain a loyal following. Once the novelty of being the new restaurant in Montreal's Old Port wears off, it's the experience that will bring people back. Most … [Read more...] about Jellyfish Crudo Charbon: Delicious Ceviche and Cauliflower and a Natural-Leaning Wine List
“Casual Upscale,” “Fine Dining” and other Silly Types of Restaurants
It all started when I couldn't figure out what to call LOV. When the original location of the vegan restaurant opened in Montreal's Old Port, it was so sleek and delicious that I ignored the downscale vegan burger and poutine on the menu and focused on the exquisite roasted … [Read more...] about “Casual Upscale,” “Fine Dining” and other Silly Types of Restaurants
Inspiration and Bacheoffe: Alsatian Meat and Vegetable Stew
I don't eat a lot of pork or beef, which is why it's a bit strange that a conversation with a recently arrived Alsatian in Montreal inspired me to both buy a Le Creuset casserole (second hand...I don't have that kind of cash) and scour recipe books to get to the heart (pun … [Read more...] about Inspiration and Bacheoffe: Alsatian Meat and Vegetable Stew