Joining the league of extraordinary North American cities like New York, San Francisco and Vancouver who also host respective restaurant weeks, it came as no surprise when Montreal announced one of our own. For 11 days, November 1-11, TASTE MTL becomes Montreal’s inaugural restaurant week. Close to 100 restaurants scattered around the city are offering table d’hôte menus at $19, $29 or $39, showcasing Montreal’s finest talent, luring local foodies and visiting epicurean enthusiasts.

I visited Ferreira Café in the Downtown core – a popular upscale Portuguese restaurant.  Serving inspired and refined Portuguese cuisine; their “ocean-fresh” ideology resonates through all their signature dishes. If you’ve ever seen a restaurant menu that you’ve wanted one of everything, go with a friend and you’ll be able to tackle Ferreira Café’s Restaurant Week menu. Chef Tavares and team are offering a choice of two appetizers and two main courses as a part of their 11-day showcase.

Warm mushroom salad, truffle oil and Parmesan tuile. Served on a square of puff pastry, this dish is earthy and aromatic.  Toothsome bites of warm sautéed cremini and oyster mushrooms in a simple pan sauce. The mysterious notes of truffle linger long enough to be highlighted by the sharp Parmesan chip and its crunch.

Cured Mediterranean sea bass, yuzu and fresh coriander – thin slices of fresh sea bass topped with strips of next-to-candied yuzu.  The Japanese citrus awakens your palate as it intermingles with the bitters of diced radish and shaved celery tops.  The fish was sweet standing alone – a true testament to the quality and freshness of the fish.

Ferreira Café’s famous pork and clams. Slow-roasted and seared, the pork was fork tender and delicate as you make your way through the slightly crisp pan-sear. Briny little morsels of clams took on the richness of the braising liquid as did the potatoes did the rosemary from the roasted pork.

Pan seared fresh cod, “new potatoes”, roasted red pepper marmalade and a bouillabaisse broth. A thick cut steak of cod, the meat was supple and sweet. The savory marmalade balanced the broth whose spicy notes were reminiscent of Portuguese piri piri sauce. You could smell this dish coming.

For dessert, caramel and Ferreira white port flan.  The tartness of the berries were able to take away what we thought was an overly sweet flan.  However a great way to round out the back and end a great meal.

The Montreal Restaurant week – Taste MTL initiative is an amazing opportunity to explore Montreal’s culinary landscape featuring some of our city’s finest and most talented chefs and Ferreira Café’s refined menu is no doubt a great way to start a week of culinary hedonism.

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La lumière du Mile End (vegetarian): La lumière’s colourful and eclectic decor, sunny terrasse and delicious daily specials make this spot a favourite. This cute spot is also best known for its veggie and gluten-free brunches and fair trade coffee. 214 Bernard, (514) 658-4949Aux Vivres (vegan): Aux Vivres is surely the most popular vegan restaurant in Montreal, so popular in fact that it is equally loved by omnivores looking for creative, flavourful, vegetarian fare. Their classic “Dragon Bowl” is one of my favourites and their vegetarian burgers will satisfy just as much as their meaty counterparts. 4631 Saint-Laurent, (514) 842-3479

Su Shian Yuang (vegetarian): If you’re looking for something more exotic and a bit more complex than your usual vegetarian restaurant, Su Shian Yuang is it. Specializing in Taiwanese, MSG-free, vegetarian food, the well-executed cuisine here is guaranteed to take you on a culinary trip. 420 Rachel East, (438) 380-2829

Crudessence (vegan): Smack in the heart of downtown Montreal, Crudessence is an oasis for those seeking some vegan fare. It is the spot par excellence for raw cuisine in Montreal, whether you’re looking for a “living food” lunch or a workshop to learn more about the concept. 2157 Mackay Street, (514) 664-5188 & 105 Rachel West, (514) 510 9299

Chu Chai (vegetarian): Chu Chai is the place to bring those friends of yours who are true carnivores. The imitation meats served here look and taste so much like the real thing that they won’t miss it, especially when all the contemporary Thai cuisine dishes taste so delicious. 4088 rue St Denis, (514) 843 4194

Here are also some omnivore restaurants that are favourites among my vegetarian friends: Olive and Gourmando for their Viva Las Vegas sandwich and other daily vegetarian options, Dépanneur le Pick Up for their veggie “pulled pork” sandwich and Les 400 coups for the inventive high-end vegetarian dishes that chef Marc-André Jetté can create upon request.

Big in Japan, Rumi and Chao Phrya are three other great restaurant choices where omnivores and vegetarians alike will enjoy their meal.

(A big thanks to my two favourite vegetarians, Elise Desaulniers and Vanessa Muri, for their invaluable input on this article.)

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