Published on November 9, 2009 - Whatever you say, poutine has established its rightful place at the top of the Québécois comfort-food hierarchy, with its fries, cheese curds and gravy a perfect trifecta of complimentary tastes. But what happens when you add a new twist on an old favourite?
The Night Owl: Good at any time but decidedly better after last call, poutine with variations such as green pepper sauce, Italian, Galvaude (with shredded turkey or chicken and green peas, similar to a hot chicken sandwich) or with beef is enjoyed by the night owl at the legendary Club Sandwich, found in the Complexe Bourbon in the Village. Similarly, twenty-or-so odd variations on the classic can be found at La Banquise, a Plateau Mont Royal institution that recently garnered international recognition after mention in Travel & Leisure Magazine.
The Snob: Foie gras, you say? Then it's none other than Au Pied du Cochon to satisfy your poutine craving, where fries cooked in duck fat and local cheese fuse ever so aristocratically with glazed foie gras. Or perhaps it will be Charlevoix poutine that features braised pork and Migneron cheese from the renowned Méchant Bœuf bar-brasserie in Old Montréal that will appease your discerning tastes?
The Herbivore: And not to be left out, the Royale poutine served on Fridays at the Aux Vivres restaurant is "veggie-talien", with fries smothered in a rich vegetable sauce and the cheese replaced by a clever mix of sweet peppers, mushrooms and onions. In other woods, veggie fast food!
The Gourmet: The name Patati et Patata, a deluxe fry joint on Saint-Laurent Boulevard, may be a play on words (patate = potato) but when it comes to poutine, they certainly don't play around! They understand the fine art of pairing wine and food; here, the sauce is laced with a good dose of red wine!
Club Sandwich
La Banquise
Au Pied de Cochon
Méchant Bœuf bar-brasserie
Aux Vivres
