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Le Filet: Le Filet is on the pricier end of this list but it is also one of the best dining experiences Montreal has to offer with its edgy decor and refined, delicate food. Try the fluke with Japanese plum, wasabi and cucumber, a most delicate dish that you will not soon forget! Le Filet, 219 Mont-Royal Avenue West, (514) 360-6060

Park: Park is where you want to be if you are craving some of the best sushi in the city. The fish is as fresh as can be and chef Antonio Park’s knowledge, mastery and passion is a joy to watch. Take a seat at the bar and enjoy the show! Park, 378 Victoria Avenue, (514) 750-7534

Globe: Restaurant Globe’s raw bar has become legendary. Oysters, shrimp, lobster, crab and every seafood in season is piled high on a bed of crushed ice along the front end of the bar. This is definitely the place to be for the freshest catch of the day. And if you’re an oyster fan, then their Golden Thursdays and the 1$ East Coast oysters will become your favourite day of the week. Globe 3455 Saint-Laurent Boulevard, (514) 284-3823

 Le Garde-Manger: Le Garde-Manger is celebrity chef and Food Network star Chuck Hughes’ first restaurant.  Located in the heart of Old Montreal, it is THE place to see and be seen and the perfect spot for seafood lovers. If you’re a seafood lover, start with the famous bloody Caesar with fresh seafood, then move to the oversized seafood platter and end your dinner with the decadent lobster poutine. Garde Manger 408 Saint-François-Xavier 514-678-5044

Comptoir 21: If you fancy a comforting plate of good old fish and chips, Comptoir 21 is where you’ll find some of the best in town. The crispy batter, the juicy fish and the delicious golden fries will seduce every discernable palate. Comptoir 21, 21 St Viateur West, 514 507 3474 and  1117 Sainte-Catherine East, (514) 750-3473

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There is no talking about steakhouses in Montreal without mentioning downtown’s La Queue de Cheval. One of, if not the, most prestigious fine dining spots in Montreal, “The Q” is on par with the caliber of any of New York’s swankiest steakhouses.

Featuring signature cuts of in-house dried aged USDA PRIME steaks, La Queue de Cheval also proudly serves Australian Wagyu beef famous for its marbling and luscious fat content. Nothing this amazing comes chea, but in the end you absolutely get what you pay for and for the experience you’ll get at The Q (dining room, whiskey bar or cigar lounge) is worth every penny. La Queue de Cheval, 1234 De La Montagne (514) 390-0091

A Montreal institution known for their reputation of menu quality is Moishe’s Steakhouse. Located on Saint-Laurent, this local hot spot recently celebrated its 75^thanniversary. Voted by Forbes Magazine as one of the top 10 steakhouses in the world, Moishe’s old world charm and rich heritage shines through their dishes and service. From their Kobe beef burger or signature bone-in filet mignon, Moishe’s steakhouse offers not only classic cuts of meat charcoal broiled to perfection, but also offer some of them on a late night menu (after 9pm) which sees these mains paired with an appetizer and coffee or tea for a preferred price of $25. Moishe’s Steakhouse, 3961 St-Laurent, (514) 845-3509

The newest player in the Montreal steak scene is L’Atelier d’Argentine, headed by executive chef Natalia Machado and located in the Old Port. Her masterful touch oversees the authentic Argentinian asado and traditional presentations of beef whose signature highlight cuts are the rib eye, short ribs and skirt steak. Chef Machado’s culinary philosophy and deft hand of experience is evident in the preparation of each cut of meat appropriating different techniques down to seasoning to showcase the subtle intricacies of the meat. L’Atelier d’Argentine prides themselves on using the freshest products, having meat that is butchered daily is a necessity in order to have it speak for itself to be prepared and served on a plate with nothing more than chimichurri, criolla and lots of love. L’Atelier d’Argentine, 355 Rue Marguerite D’Youville, (514) 287-3362

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Honourable mentions:

Gibby’s, 298 Place D’youville, (514) 282-1837

Méchant Bœuf, 124 Saint-Paul West, (514) 788-4020

Rib ‘N Reef Steakhouse & Cigar Lounge, 8105 Décarie, (514) 735-1601

Magnan Restaurant et Taverne, 2602 Saint-Patrick, (514) 935-9647

Vieux-Port Steakhouse, 39 Saint-Paul East, (514) 866-3175

The Keg, Various Locations

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Avenue 65 is basically OpenTable but done in Montréal style, ergo prettier and slicker. It’s pretty straightforward: pick your date, time and party size and scroll through Montreal’s best restaurants with space. Some times even have special deals like “15% off” or special menus.

Streetfood MTL - All hail the mighty food truck, because food trucks are so in right now. Food trucks combine my two favorite things: standing in line outside and gourmet food. Now with this handy app you’ll have no problem hunting down the best food trucks in Montréal.

RestoMontreal – Not the most beautiful app on the block, but definitely the most complete listing of Montréal restaurants. It includes info, ratings, menus, maps, and more. Last app update was 2010 so fingers crossed we’ll get a more user-friendly version soon!

Korean Food Montreal - Just when you thought all your culinary app dreams have come true, here is one that is dedicated solely to Korean food in Montréal. All eleven of them. Includes list and map views.

Deville Dinner Bar - The app itself doesn’t do much except show a map and some photos. Oh, and allow you to control the Jukebox when you’re connected to their wifi, no quarters needed. (1425 Stanley, (514) 281-6556)

Time Supperclub - Definitely one of the most feature complete apps for a club in Montreal. Make reservations, upload photos, see events and check-in to unlock special deals among other things. Definitely a must-download if you plan on hitting Time during your night out. (997 St Jacques West, (514) 392-9292)

St-Hubert - Just downloading this app will make your glands salivate. I personally start sweating their super secret sauce. Find the closest St-Hubert restaurant, or order something delicious. One flaw is when you order via the app, you can only pay with cash at the door, no credit cards accepted.

Wenite - Check out what’s going on in the Montréal nightlife scene live from this app. Users can vote a place up or down depending what the ambiance is like. In other words, decide what parties are worthy of your presence before you even do your hair!

Wildcard - Consider Wildcard your passport to Montréal’s nightlife. You can claim benefits at clubs, bars and lounges around the city. The roster of partner venues is a bit weak at the moment, but I expect more will be added soon.

Have any other apps that we missed? Add them in the comments section below to help travelers and locals get even more connected with Montreal. And check out our list of Best Culture Apps to see the range of museums, attractions and events that have also hopped on the digital bandwagon!

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Saint-Denis is one of the major arteries that bisect the city, from Old Montreal to the south to just beyond the 40 to the north. A few of my old haunts are now gone, but if you ever find yourself nearby these are some of my favourite spots to grab a bite…

L’Artisan Piadineria: A piadina is a typical Italian street food; it’s a flatbread sandwich stuffed with a variety of cold cuts, veggies and/or cheese. Stop by for a snack at this recently opened spot and watch owner Enzo Salvati work the dough by passing it through the roller machine. Your piadina is then cooked on the flattop while you wait and stuffed with whatever delights you may desire from the vast array of high quality Italian salumi, imported cheeses or marinated vegetables. L’Artisan Piadineria, 3421 St-Denis, (514) 508-1433

La Fabrique: La Fabrique’s open kitchen takes up center stage in the middle of the restaurant and is the main attraction. Watching the dynamic kitchen team do its thing is part of what makes this spot fun. The neighbourhood bistro serves up hearty market food in a vintage industrial ambiance that’s always festive. Stop by for brunch and enjoy some of the tasty reinvented classics on the menu. La Fabrique, 3609 St-Denis Street, (514) 544-5038

ITHQ: The Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec is where young minds come to acquire the skills needed to be in the hospitality and tourism industry. These same young minds, specifically those striving to become chefs or excel in the service industry are at the helm of the two Institute restaurants. The Salle Paul-Émile-Lévesque is the ITHQ’s teaching restaurant where students prepare and serve their creations as part of their curriculum under their teachers’ supervision. A 2-course table d’hôte menu will run you anywhere from $10.50 to $15.50, perfect for a casual lunch. The more sophisticated Restaurant de l’Institut is a fully functional 60-seat restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner in a beautiful space overlooking St-Denis. Restaurant de l’Institut, 3535 St-Denis Street, (514) 282-5120, Salle Paul-Émile-Lévesque, 401 rue de Rigaud, (514) 282-5120 Au cinquième péché: Originally from the North of France, the Lenglet brothers are the owners of this small St-Denis bistro, serving their own take on classic French dishes using local and seasonal produce. The restaurant is most famous for serving seal meat and has been featured in many local and international media including Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern and the New York Times. However, don’t get caught up in the hype and give their many succulent dishes and natural wines a try. Au cinquième péché, 4475 St-Denis, (514) 286-0123

La Distributrice: While this place is not technically on St-Denis, it is but a stone’s throw away. La Distributrice has been deemed the smallest coffee shop in the world. Located under a staircase on Mont-Royal Street just east of Saint-Denis, the tiny well-organized space consists of a counter for the espresso machine and a stool for the barista to sit on. Despite the tight quarters, La Distributrice manages to dole out a great cup of espresso or latte through its takeaway window. Don’t forget to grab a cup on your way to the Mont-Royal metro station. La Distributrice, 408 Mont Royal Avenue East, (514) 291-4825

I cannot resist adding this recommendation to the list. While this is not, per say, a place to get something to eat, it can be complementary to your next meal. Opened since 1975, Arthur Quentin is an exquisite household store carrying everything from the latest kitchen gadget to the quaintest French cookbook. Whether you’re a lover of Le Creuset crockpots or are just looking for the latest pastry molds, I dare you to walk out of this unique boutique empty handed. Arthur Quentin, 3960 St-Denis Street, (514) 843-7513

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La Cornetteria: Nothing starts a day right like a cornetto dipped in a big steaming cup of caffè latte. Cornetti are Italian-style croissants, which are lightly sweetened. At La Cornetteria, they come in several flavours, including almonds, Nutella and custard. I prefer mine plain, which makes it easier to dunk in my coffee. La Cornetteria is also the perfect place to get a slice of delicious Gluten-free chocolate or lemon cake. La Cornetteria, 6258 Boulevard Saint Laurent, 514 277 8030

Restaurant Brama: Brama is the new kid in town in this neighbourhood, having just opened its doors a few weeks ago. This modern Italian taverna is dishing out some traditional northern Italian fair with a twist. The brunch choices at Brama are all comforting and hearty and are adapted to suit our local and seasonal produce. Try the frittata valdostana with potato, escarole and fontina cheese or the equally delicious biancostato e patate or pulled braised short ribs with potato hash and egg. Delizioso! Restaurant Brama, 6701 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, (514) 270-6701

Caffé San Simeon: This is where you will find me on any given Sunday afternoon perfecting the art of the far niente. San Simeon makes the best Italian-style coffee in town, in my humble opinion of course. The crowd is a mix of regulars who have been coming here for 30 years and young hipsters. There is something very special about Caffé San Simeon that goes beyond their perfect crema or luscious lattes. It’s a certain feeling that transports you to the old country, if only for as long as it takes you to savour that cup. Caffé San Simeon, 39 Rue Dante, (514) 272-7386

Restaurant Inferno: Unfortunately, being in Little Italy doesn’t necessarily guarantee that one will have many options when it comes to excellent Italian fare. Most of the choices available are mediocre but Inferno is one restaurant that does not disappoint. Opened a couple of years ago, Inferno serves homemade Italian market food, with a modern and comforting twist. From pasta to braised meats to their famous trippa (tripe) everything here is made in-house. The portions are generous and satisfying and the neon-lit ambiance is fun and hip. Restaurant Inferno, 6850 Rue Saint-Dominique, (514) 274-0666

Café Via Dante: I have a particular soft spot for this old school, traditional Italian trattoria that has gotten a face-lift by the sons of the original mamma. Café Via Dante nondescript façade doesn’t really attract the eye so it was out of curiosity that I walked in the first time only to discover a restaurant packed with diners. The food was even more of a surprise. The robust and original flavours of Northern Italy cooked to perfection and plated with no frills. Try the homemade gnocchi with Bolognese sauce or the braised rabbit with polenta. Café Via Dante, 251 Rue Dante, (514) 270-8446

And as a bonus 6^th place, I would have to add Pasticceria Alati-Caserta, which has been located in the heart of Little Italy, across the street from the Our Lady of the Defense church since 1968. The place looks like it hasn’t changed since 1968 but I always head that way when I am craving a good, crunchy Sicilian cannolo. The cannoli are filled à la minute with a luscious ricotta cream so the shell stays crunchy. Order a dozen mini ones to bring to a dinner party and you’ll be everyone’s favourite guest. Alati-Caserta, 277 Rue Dante, (514) 271-3013

And of course, if you happen to be in Little Italy then you must visit one of the best food spots in the city: the Jean-Talon Market! Here are my suggestions to nibble your way through that food mecca.

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Upon entering Hotel Herman, you are welcomed by the imposing U-shaped bar that extends from the open kitchen in the back all the way to the front of the dining room. It pulls you into the space and makes you want to sit down and linger.The space has been completely redone in an industrial chic style. Unfinished wood floors meet brick walls, industrial lights, tin ceilings and cement tables. All of these rough materials manage to somehow create a welcoming and warm space.

The three young owners of this handsome restaurant – chef Marc-Alexandre Mercier, Dominic Goyet and Ariane Lacombe (front of the house) – all met working in some of Montreal’s hottest kitchens, including Reservoir and La salle à manger. They are a definite contribution to the sense of welcome that this “hotel” exudes. Their enthusiasm and passion are undeniable whether they are helping you with a wine pairing from their list of biodynamic ones or dishing out some very creative and beautiful plates. Sit back, relax and let the magic begin.

The menu at Hotel Herman is comprised of several dishes listed with no apparent distinction between appetizers and main meals. Most of them are appetizer size but large enough to be shared. Some of the heartier dishes located at the end of the list are a bit more consistent. I recommend sharing a few of the dishes because you will have a hard time choosing and you will want to taste several of them.

I tasted 5 dishes while I was there and loved every single one of them. Chef Mercier’s clever pairing of flavours and textures and the perfect execution of every dish is remarkable. If I had to play favourites though, I have to say though that I fell hard for the chilled corn soup with roasted tomatoes as well as the warm king mushroom salad with sweet onion puree, snails and garlic chips. Since the menu changes often according to market availabilities, these dishes may not be available when you go but whatever will be available will surely be just as delicious.

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THE DETAILS

Hôtel Herman, 5171 St-Laurent Boulevard, (514) 278-7000

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Of the three, Appetite for Books is the most English-friendly. Chef and owner Jonathan Cheung is personal friends with all the local biggies, hosting occasional autograph nights with chefs like Chuck Hughes and Martin Picard. He also teaches classes to groups of 10 where he demoes recipes that appear in the books he sells. “Students” eat and sip wine around a counter as he cooks, and take the books home at the end. Check the site for the upcoming schedule.

Dante, a very traditional shop in Little Italy that is one of the best-stocked with cooking gadgets and utensils, owns a little cooking school for amateurs. Local restaurant stars often are called on to give a class on a specific theme (a recent example: Joe Beef’s Fred Morin built a whole class around, you guessed it, beef). On February 13, American import Nick Hodge, chef-owner of Kitchenette, will share his mom’s gumbo recipe, complete with accompanying Braised collard greens and Buttermilk biscuits. It’s always best to book by phone, finding out first what language the course will be taught in.

Les Touilleurs is a beautiful boutique for the cookery aficionado worth the detour in its own right (it’s right on Laurier Avenue, in the heart of the Plateau neighbourhood). Its workshops, always for a maximum of 12, centers around a chef, who makes three or four dishes for all to taste. They’re always in French but most chefs are bilingual and more than glad to answer questions in English. On February 11, Stéphanie Labelle, the city’s current darling of the pastry world, will reveal some of the secrets that helped turn her shop Rhubarbe into such a hit. But there’s something going on almost every other night, so be sure to download the full calendar off their site.

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THE DETAILS

Appetite for Books, 388 Victoria, (514) 369-2002

Dante – MezzaLuna, 57 Dante, (514) 272-5299

Les Touilleurs, 152 Laurier West, (514) 278-0008

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The Happening Gourmand is in its 6th edition this year and you can expect the same great restaurants and a few surprises.
Eight of Montreal’s finest restaurants (part of the storied Antonopoulos Group) await diners with a fixed price menu that includes a choice of 2 entrées, 3 choices of main meals and a choice of 2 desserts. It’s an excellent opportunity to indulge in Montreal’s world renowned gastronomy and discover a new favourite restaurant. With participating establishments like Taverne Gaspar, Vieux Port Steakhouse, Modavie, Suite 701, Restaurant Verses, Mechant Boeuf, Aix Cuisine du Terroir, Bevo Bar and Pizzeria- you have no excuse not to eat out for a night in January.

All of the restaurants featured are excellent, but if you’re looking for Mediterranean cuisine and live music, check out Modavie where the meals are accompanied by nightly live jazz. Generally reservations aren’t required but it’s a good idea to call ahead to book your spot if you have your heart set on a particular restaurant.
The lunch table d’hote is a new development this year. For just $15 dollars, you can delight in an afternoon nosh at Vieux Port Steakhouse, Modavie, Suite 701, Aix Cuisine and Verses Restaurant in the Hotel Nelligan. Stopping in at one of these fine restaurants is the perfect conclusion to a winters stroll in the Old Port. Discover for yourself why the world is talking about Montreal’s exciting gastronomy and thriving restaurant scene.

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THE DETAILS

Happening Gourmand, January 10 to February 3, 2013

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(New Year’s Eve) Welcome a brand-new year in true Montreal style: the Montreal Buzz Guide to New Year’s Eve in Montreal offers an array of ideas, from five-course meals to pub crawls, family-friendly outings in the Old Port to champagne-fuelled comedy shows, jazz clubs to multi-room parties, and all kinds of late-night dancing. New Year’s Eve in Montreal is a party no matter what your idea of a party is.

(festive food) Montreal has become a destination for feasting on gourmet comfort food, especially for meat eaters, from pork belly to tourtière. The SAT Foodlab throws an end-of-the-world, prix-fixe dinner, Souper Apocalyptique, on December 21. And then there’s the Christmas Day tradition, mostly among people who don’t celebrate Christmas but also among people who just want to eat a lot of good food, of going for a huge Chinese lunch or dinner: lots of duck, hot soup, fried seafood, dumplings and house specialties. Follow it up with sweetness: chocolates, truffles, freshly baked bread, croissants and more, all made in Montreal.

(last-minute shopping) Get one-of-a-kind gifts at the biggest craft and artisinal fair in Canada, Salon des métiers d’art, where over 400 Quebec artists and artisans set up booths full of professionally handmade clothing, toys, home decor, food and much more – at Place Bonaventure only until December 22. Our Holiday Gift Guide is also full of Montreal-made ideas and suggestions for stores to shop for everyone on your list. Of course, picking up a little something for yourself couldn’t hurt, right? Peruse the guides for fashion-forward women and men before hitting the shops.

(super-entertainment on stage) Let Cirque du Soleil’s Saltimbanco blow your mind with gasp-worthy acrobatics, genuinely funny clowning, and feats of strength and stamina, all in one bright, colourful, musical show. What makes this run super special is that it’s the last time Santimbanco – see it until December 30 at the Bell Centre. Also in circus happenings, Cirque Alphonse’s Timber! turns Montreal circus centre Tohu into in a Christmas-y forest populated by lumberjack acrobats, clowns and laughs, on until December 31. And the traditional, balletic holiday fare Les Grands Ballets’ The Nutcracker continues to December 30 at Place des Arts.

(outdoor fun) Even in winter, Montrealers spend time outdoors, burning off steam (and calories) with winter sports or just walking through the city – there’s plenty to see, and this time of year much of it is illuminated. On Saturday night at 8 p.m. and on New Year’s Eve at midnight, the Telus Fire on Ice fireworks explode over the picturesque Old Port, also home to a huge outdoor skating rink. Families will also want to check out Noël sur l’avenue along Mont Royal Avenue east of Mont Royal Park, and the further-east Olympic Park Winter Village, where from December 22-24 and again December 27-31, kids and adults alike can go ice skating and sledding, hang out with Rudolph and the other reindeer, sing Christmas songs and more – there are even fireworks on December 31.

(music nights) In the holiday tradition: hear the Notre-Dame Basilica organ in action on December 23-24 and 28-31 at 2 p.m., join the Arte Musica choral concert Let’s Sing Christmas! at the Montreal Fine Arts Museum on December 28-29, 2 p.m., and listen to choirs at the Montreal Botanic Gardens greenhouse on the afternoons of December 22-23. Less traditional: Party with the locals at the Third Annual Passovah Holiday Special on December 21 at Casa del Popolo, with bands, DJs and good, good people. The Objet Inusité International Summit on Audio Art is on at Eastern Bloc on December 21, with installations during the day and performances at 8 p.m., culminating December 22 with a bang at Sala Rossa with arty, fun music from Valleys, UN, Agor, Orkestar Kriminal ad DJ Matteo Grondini. On December 22, Indie Montréal throws a fab fundraiser Christmas Party at Divan Orange with David Martel , Ainsley McNeaney and Motel Raphaël. And fans of Alexisonfire either already have a ticket to their sold out shows or will be outside at Metropolis December 22 and 23 trying their luck getting one. And long-time UK punk band Snuff make it to Foufounes on December 30.

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