Montreal doesn't lack for wine bars, but when you're looking for a (couple) glass(es) of biodynamic, private import, natural, low-yield or organic wine from small-scale wineries, you could be looking at $10-$15 a glass. Pre-tax and pre-tip. At Loïc in St-Henri – a rare exception … [Read more...] about Le Rouge Gorge: Montreal’s Most Affordable Wine Bar?
Chipotle & Jalapeño: 2 for 1 Margaritas and a Killer Lunch Table D’Hôte
There are three things that Montrealers love: 1. Happy Hour 2. Tacos 3. Terrasses Not necessarily in that order. You could also argue that they love tartare, but I feel that's more about nostalgia than dopamine. If you put those three things together, you get Chipotle & … [Read more...] about Chipotle & Jalapeño: 2 for 1 Margaritas and a Killer Lunch Table D’Hôte
Masters Sunday Masterpieces and What to Cook for a Potluck
My dad has an annual tradition of inviting all of his golf friends and their partners over to watch the last day of the Masters, the annual golf tournament that ends with someone wearing a green jacket. It's the only time of the year my dad orders catering – he usually gets a … [Read more...] about Masters Sunday Masterpieces and What to Cook for a Potluck
Copper Branch: Indulgent Vegetarian Restaurants in Montreal
Copper Branch = Where you eat if you're craving poutine or a burger...and you're gluten free or vegan – because what you're left with when you get rid of the bun, the cheese, the gravy and the burger at a regular snackbar is, essentially, a piece of lettuce. And that's awfully … [Read more...] about Copper Branch: Indulgent Vegetarian Restaurants in Montreal
Baby it’s Cold Outside: The Best Soups, Stews and Slow Cooker Recipes
This should be illegal, this cold weather. My nose thought it was done almost freezing off for the year. But it got a nasty surprise the other day when the cold snap came. Now my nose hates me. And all it wants is soup. Fortunately, that's something I can get into. Homemade … [Read more...] about Baby it’s Cold Outside: The Best Soups, Stews and Slow Cooker Recipes
Valdez Latin Street Food: South and Central American Inspired Small Plates in Downtown Toronto
I've been twice now to Valdez Latin Street Food restaurant in Toronto, and I love it. Because: 1. The menu changes just enough so that each time that I go I can always find new dishes. 2. A lot of the new dishes are variations on a theme, e.g. passionfruit sauce instead of … [Read more...] about Valdez Latin Street Food: South and Central American Inspired Small Plates in Downtown Toronto
La Coupole: Revamped Fine Dining in Downtown Montreal
At La Coupole, lunch is happening. Sun fills the vaulted room and efficient servers place plates of salmon tartare and skinny frites in frot of heels and suits with somewhat longer-than-rushed and somewhat shorter-than-leisurely lunch breaks. Fortunately, the menu promises that … [Read more...] about La Coupole: Revamped Fine Dining in Downtown Montreal
The Adelaide Oyster House: Defining Cool Dining in St. John’s, Newfoundland
St. John's has a lack of cool restaurants - I mean the kind of place where The Arcade Fire segues into James Blake over the course of a small-plates filled evening. There's usually some kind of exposed brick wall, a welcoming bar with small-batch booze, comfortable banquettes, … [Read more...] about The Adelaide Oyster House: Defining Cool Dining in St. John’s, Newfoundland
The Toronto Saké Hunt: Part 2
One of the really nice things about sakés is that, unlike wine, even the best sakés we can buy in Canada really aren't that expensive. I'm sure that in Japan you could spend an arm and a leg on a ridiculously high quality bottle at a fancy restaurant or factory, but not … [Read more...] about The Toronto Saké Hunt: Part 2
Part 1 of the Toronto Saké Hunt: Canned, Unpasteurized Nama Saké
Have you ever wondered where to find the best saké in Toronto? Compared with New York and many US cities, Toronto's selection isn't amazing, but compared with Toronto, Montreal's selection is junk. So every time I visit TO, I pick up a couple bottles you can't find in Montreal. … [Read more...] about Part 1 of the Toronto Saké Hunt: Canned, Unpasteurized Nama Saké