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

The post Montreal’s Best Steaks appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Dishcrawl is a genius plan hatched in California, and has recently expanded to Montreal courtesy of Dishcrawl Ambassador Jenny King. For a set price (usually around $60 per person) you get to experience four carefully curated Montreal restaurants each with a specially prepared tasting menu. Once your spot is reserved, you get an email with the first location where you will meet up with your taste-bud tour guide.

The other locations are kept secret until you’re at their door ready for another mini-meal. The Saint-Paul Dishcrawl I went on was an enormous success…

We started our evening at Chez L’Epicier, a restaurant from chef Laurent Godbout, which has carved itself a rightful place in the top tier of the Old Montreal food chain. They served a trio of tasting dishes: beef tartare on a homemade brioche bun, grilled cheese lollipop, and a Jerusalem artichoke soup shooter.

After we had our fill, we had to stay on schedule and crawl to our second secret location. Although we did less crawling and more of the patented “Montreal Penguin Shuffle” as it was 30 degrees below freezing.

Our second location turned out to be Brasero Hardi. Where upon arriving they already had a delectable cocktail awaiting our frozen fingers called “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly” which was a dizzying mix of Chartreuse, Midori, lime, green tea syrup, egg white, and garnished with dried seaweed. Brasero Hardi, a relatively new player on the Saint-Paul food circuit, served us two dishes with our cocktail: Marinated spare beef ribs on top of lardon pork mashed potatoes and house smoked salmon on horseradish panna cotta.

Everyone still had space for the three slices of pizza we were served at our third location: Dolcetto & Co, which has a welcoming decor of nautical whimsy. We were left to salivate while waiting for our pizzas: one with foie gras and fig, a margharita with barrata, and one with sharp pear, gorgonzola and pine nuts.

Our forth and final restaurant was Old-Port hotspot Santos, where we got some Spanish tapas action of paella, salmon tartar and churros with chocolate for dessert! Our group of thirty strong left with our bellies full of new friendships, an expanded yet exhausted palate, and a love for the great foodie adventure now known as Dishcrawl.

The next Montreal Dishcrawl is again taking place in Old Montreal (with a new roster of restaurants) on February 26. You can follow Dishcrawl on Facebook or check their website for upcoming Dishcrawl dates.

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THE DETAILS

Chez L’Epicier, 311 Rue Saint Paul East, (514) 878-2232

Santos, 191 Rue Saint Paul West, (514) 849-8881

Brasero Hardi, 139 rue Saint-Paul West, (514) 507-4558

Dolcetto & Co, ‪151 Rue Saint Paul West, (514) 419-8522

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Molecular cuisine at Pullman: Chef Alejandro Digillo of La Vinería de Gualterio Bolívar in Buenos Aires has worked with the godfather of cutting-edge contemporary cuisine Ferran Adria. Chef Digillo has received several honours for his trendy yet unpretentious local and seasonal cuisine that focuses on applying new techniques in the kitchen. Expect some showmanship and a little bit of the theatrical when he takes over the Pullman kitchen during this year’s fest. February 26-27, 2013, Pullman, 3424 Parc, (514) 288-7779

Lunch around the world: What better way to spend your lunch hour then to travel around the world in search of exotic flavours? From February 25 to March 1, take your taste buds – and your coworkers – on a whirlwind culinary trip. All 6 of these restaurants will be offering 3-course lunch menus for $14.95. Any of these spots would be wonderful but my personal favourites are Byblos and Rumi. February 25 to March 1, 2013, Various locations

Festival of Quebec cheeses: This free activity is a must for all cheese lovers. It’s a great opportunity to discover more than 60 Quebec-made cheeses and meet some of the cheesemakers who will all be gathered at Complexe Desjardins for a 4-day cheese extravaganza. Quebec cheeses have come a long way in the past 20 years and they now rival some of the best imported cheeses. Go on the hunt for your new favourite cheese, learn how to distinguish regional qualities and discover everything you always wanted to know about the intricate process of cheese making from the masters themselves. February 20-23, 2013, Complexe Desjardins, 150 Sainte-Catherine West, (514) 281-1870

Sweet Sucre at Auberge Saint-Gabriel: Sucre is one of the hottest restaurants in Buenos Aires right now and we are lucky to have its chef Hugo Macchia at Montreal en lumière this year. Chef Macchia has worked in some of the world’s best kitchens, including 3-Michelin starred Mugaritz in Spain. He will be a guest chef at Auberge Saint Gabriel where he should be in his element thanks to the similarities between his native and adoptive restaurants, mainly the large cellar and roaster set in a welcoming, hip ambiance. February 21-22, 2013, Auberge Le Saint-Gabriel, 426 Saint-Gabriel, (514) 878-3561

Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean at the Jean-Talon Market: The Jean-Talon market mezzanine will play host to a makeshift bazaar that will welcome 12 producers and food processors from the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region. Discover these welcoming producers, exchange recipes and ideas and discuss their unique products, from dairy products and meats to spices, preserves, jams and regional specialties. February 23-24, 2013, Jean-Talon Market (Mezzanine level, 2^nd floor), 7070 Henri-Julien, (514) 277-1588

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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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Montreal’s Gay Village is centered roughly between Berri-Uqam and Papineau metro, bordered by Sherbrooke Street on the northern edge, and René-Levesque on the south. Smack dab in the center on Saint-Catherine is Beaudry metro, easily identified by the rainbow bars above the main entrance. The best way to discover the Village is to explore the streets and meet the people. However if you need a little assistance, here are some notable Village hotspots…

Notable restaurants in the Gay Village include the highly-rated Mezcla, a “nuevo latino” restaurant that combines South American flavours with European style cooking. Mezcla has an extensive seafood menu, with private import wines from Latin America. Miyako Sushi is one of best Japanese restaurants in the area with good service and prices that won’t make you squirm. Other higher-end restaurants in the area include the amazing BYOB O’Thyme, mediterranean-style Ella Grill, and the open-kitchen Kitchenette.

If you’re looking for something a little more on the casual side try Quebec classic St-Hubert, the always tasty Resto Pub St. André, La Piazzetta, Mozza (BYOB) or village favorite Saloon (complete with cute waiters.) You can dine your way across the globe in the Gay Village, with some international cuisine like Couscoussiere d’Ali Baba, the Korean rice bar Be Bap (BYOB), and the insanely yummy NosThés Bistro which offers up great value Taiwanese with an impressive selection of exotic tea.

During the summer Montreal’s patios bloom to life. Restaurants with great open air seating include Bistro Florin graced by a large poplar tree, or Sky with huge pitchers of Sangria on the rooftop. One of the highest rated restaurants in Montreal on TripAdvisor (coming in at #8) is located a block east of the Gay Village called Le Grain de Sel. It has a neighbourhood vibe with some exquisite French cuisine. Want a sleazy one night stand with a burger? Five Guys Burgers on Saint Catherine is all the meat you’ll need.

Finding a fun, local watering hole in Montreal’s Gay Village is probably the easiest thing you’ll do all week. Every block has at least some sort of bar/lounge that will satisfy your thirst and preference. Starting with the always lovely Gotha Lounge, it’s intimate with a fireplace and a big beautiful bar. Try not to be deceived by initial appearances, Bar Relaxe on Sainte-Catherine is a solid place to grab a quick drink and chit chat with a friend. One of the hidden gems near the Gay Village is a little door and staircase right outside Berri-Uqam metro called l’Escalier. Escalier is filled with chill people, cheap beer, with nooks and chairs to get lost in.
Drinking with a purpose always feels more productive, so flipping through the extensive song list (and settling on any Celine Dion) at the Village karaoke bars Club Date and Cocktail will be an easily achievable goal. If you’re a man’s man looking for other men, Bar Le Stud and l’Aigle Noir cater to a slightly more beefy demographic. Grabbing a drink while taking in one of Mado’s famous Drag Shows is particularly popular with students on Tuesday nights, due to the cheaper cover. The deadliest cocktail list in the Village is at Saloon, I suggest trying the “Bangkok.” I’m sure there was no pun intended when the owners named it.

Generally the consensus among frequent nightlife patrons is the Gay Village has some of the best dancing in town. Big open floors, flashy light shows, and people who, you know, actually dance. Club Unity is big on Friday nights filled with a young college crowd grinding to Top 40, while Saturday brings a slightly more mature crowd and House music. Apollon sits inside a stunning building (a former post office) and is worth going any night between Thursday and Sunday. The crowd is mixed, the bartenders are shirtless, and the space is a fun place to explore. Especially the basement level called Katakombs. Complex Sky has several dance floors, a gentle crowd, and music that fluctuates in quality depending on the room you find yourself in.
Even after the regular clubs close, if you’re still itching to move, the Gay Village has two afterhours clubs you can hit. Stereo is renowned for its sound system and weekly lineup of world-class DJ’s, and Circus does its name honour after the clubs close. Don’t forget to grab breakfast on your way home at Chez Cora, L’Oeufrier or Resto du Village!

While wining, dining, and dancing is always a good time for a Friday night, it’s those Sunday afternoons in a coffee shop reminiscing about that wild night out that are often the most enjoyable. There are a bundle of cozy cafés for your latté sipping pleasure in the Gay Village. Autour d’un pain is the best-smelling café because it also doubles as a bakery.

There are the chain coffee shops like Starbucks, Second Cup, Java U, Tim Hortons and Presse Cafe, but why would you bother when you could support local small business by going to places like Le Pouce Gourmand, De Farine et d’Eau Fraiche, Pourquoi Pas, and 1000 grammes (formally known as Kilo). La Mie Matinale is filled with handsome men, sandwiches, coffee, treats, and pictures of singer/actress Dalida, so naturally it’s worth every minute and dollar spent there.

Starting with White Party Week (March 28-April 1) there will be lots happening in the Village during these busy few days. Also in March, ARTSIDA and the Edgy Women’s Festival will be taking place throughout Montreal. The real festivals begin in the summer though, when the Village transforms into a pedestrian boulevard with patios, performers, and people watching. Divers/Cité will take place July 30-August 4, followed by Fierté Montreal Pride, August 12-18. Fierté Montreal Pride week will see Community Day, Dyke March, and free concerts draw huge crowds to the Village. Check out some highlights from the full summer festival season in Montreal:

While not all festivals happen in the Gay Village, all of them are LGBT-friendly. All of January and into February, Montreal will be spending hours outdoors dancing at Igloofest, the coolest electronic music festival ever. Following in February is Montreal en Lumiere with Nuit Blanche, a celebration of culture in the Plateau, Old Port and Downtown. The summer season includes Jazz Fest, Just for Laughs, and Completement Cirque!

There are two primary shopping arteries in the Gay Village. Saint-Catherine that runs west-east and Amherst going north-south. Amherst is filled with many antique shops and stores that specialize in home decor like Cité Deco, Montréal Moderne, Spoutnik, and Second Chance. If you’re strolling down Saint-Catherine and hunting for something a little kinky, Priape and Fetish Armada are both high-quality stores with all the leather and rubber you could shake a stick at. For men’s clothing check out Evolution, Podium, Ernest, or the very cool Boutique Osez just off Saint-Catherine on Wolfe.
If you’re in the market for art, stop by the galleries in the area: Galerie Dentaire (yes, doubles as a dentist’s office), Galerie Hermine, Galerie Nowhere, and Zephyr. All can be found dotted along Amherst. Last but not least, if you’re looking to buy something for a little furry friend, Doggy Style on Amherst is stocked with bones and toys!

The post WHAT TO DO IN MONTREAL’S GAY VILLAGE IN 2013 appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

A Quebec traditional comfort food, the shepherd’s pie from restaurant Mâche (pictured above) in the Latin Quarter is definitely a hit for people avoiding the cold. With six different variations of the original classic of ground beef, corn and mashed potatoes, this spot is offering variations that include pulled pork, merguez sausage and veal.

Restaurant Biarritz on the Main offers up a seasonal menu that changes weekly. Reflecting what’s available at the market, the winter season sees its share of soul soothing menu options such as the pork belly confit with cauliflower puree, romanesco, currants and capers.

Baxo, located in the Old Port, serves up modern terroir inspired dishes in an atmosphere as rustic that is able to charm the snowpants off of winter. Not to be missed is the entrecote for two – served on their signature butcher block with seasonal root vegetables, this dish will help you hibernate well into the night.

There’s nothing like a big bowl of hot soup on a cold and blistery day to keep you warm. What’s even better is if that bowl of soup is piled high with barbecue pork, saucy braised beef. Nudo in Chinatown offers a dinner and a show – the show being your noodles being made in front of your eyes.

If it’s coming in after having a snowball fight, or fighting your neighbour for a parking spot dug out in a snow-bank, warming up with a hot chocolate is synonymous with winter. Nowhere does it better than Montreal’s primere “Chocolate Bar”, Cacao 70. Close to 25 different kinds of hot chocolate ranging from 29.2% purity, all the way to 100% (with or without alcohol), a definite chocolate lover and aficionado’s fantasy destination.

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(outdoor sparkle) While the Old Port lights up to musical accompaniment every Saturday night at 8 p.m. for December’s Telus Fire on Ice fireworks show, the Noël sur l’avenue Mont-Royal brightens up a long stretch of shop-and-restaurant-rich Mont-Royal Avenue, beginning with a joyful, candle-lit parade on December 8, starting at Mont-Royal Metro at 7 p.m. and ending at Parc Lafontaine with choirs singing, music playing and fireworks too! And throughout the month, kids and adults alike can take part in all kinds of activities, including a tree decoration workshop, December 9 at Place Gérald-Godin. And over at the beautiful Montreal Botanical Gardens, the main greenhouse is decked out for the holiday season with lights, new plant life, choir performances on weekend afternoons, and a craft fair December 7-9.

(glimmering gifts) Find professionally handmade and unique gifts at Montreal’s craft and artisanal fairs this weekend. Over 400 Quebec artists and artisans offer clothing, toys, food and much more at Salon des métiers d’art, downtown at Place Bonaventure to December 22 – Santa even drops by every Saturday afternoon. Find more creative gifts at the festive Le Marché Casse Noisette, co-organized by Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, on until December 9 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. Designers, artists and other creative types set up mini-boutiques at the hip, cool Smart Design Mart, December 7-9 at 5505 Casgrain, in Mile End. Also in the neighbourhood is the Old Skool Crafts Holiday Fair, at L’Église St-Michel (105 St-Viateur W.) – it continues next weekend too, rivalling the new-skool at Puces Pop DIY & Craft Fair. And head east to Haut & Fort Noël Market at Marché St-Jacques (2nd floor, 1125 Ontario East).

(fancy food & drink) December is a time to indulge in social delights and delicious things – both are plentiful at FoodLab this month as the restaurant, located in cutting-edge multimedia centre le SAT, offers a “Grandes tablées” menu of Québécois terroir: December 10-13 try the Terrine De Gibier & Pot-Au-Feu, plus appetizers and desserts, all for $45 a person. Or warm up in nearby Chinatown with a steaming bowl of cheap and cheerful pho soup. Later, get cozy with friends and friendly Montrealers at any one of the city’s neighbourhood brew pubs.

(art & sound) Family friendly activities abound in December, including entertaining, interactive art around the city: downtown at the Quartier des Spectacles, walk through and play with musical installation Iceberg and see several large-scale projections on buildings along Sainte-Catherine and de Maisonneuve, all part of Luminothérapie. It’s also worth the trip to Maison de la Culture Maisonneuve to make your own music inside The Improbable Igloo, an igloo-shaped dome made of speakers by artist Alexis O’Hara, on until December 20. And fans of the band Sigur Ros won’t want to miss a screening of Sigur Ros: Valtari Film Experiment at the Phi Centre on December 9.

(comedy & theatre) Comedian Jeff Dunham’s show on December 9 at the Bell Centre is sure to be funny and strange and puppet-filled, just like Christmas, right? Later in the week, check out the hilarious DeAnne Smith headlining and Al Lafrance hosting “giftalicious” stand-up comedy show Let’s Do This! – it costs a mere $5 or a wrapped present if you want to be a part of a wacky gift exchange – at Mainline Theatre, December 13. Children’s theatre experts Geordie Productions add entertaining new twists to the classic tale of Robin Hood, December 7-16 at the Centaur Theatre. And for more traditional holiday theatre there’s Les Grands Ballets The Nutcracker, December 13-30 at Place des Arts.

(classical tunes) The sounds of Christmas are writ large when The Montreal Symphony Orchestra teams up with the Montreal Bach Festival to present Bach’s Christmas Oratorio performed by internationally renowned Collegium Vocale Gent, December 12-13. On December 8, The Orchestre Métropolitain performs Bruckner’s Symphony No. 6, while on Saturday and Sunday afternoon, Les Choralies Christmas concerts find harmony at Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours in Old Montreal. Le Choeur Gospel Célébration sings its Noël Divin program of Christmas and holiday-themed music at The Gesù on December 9. And at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts on December 9, the Cantivo Vocal Ensemble gives a performance free of charge and on December 12, soprano Hélène Guilmette sing cantatas and traditional songs.

(rock n’ roll) Friday night brings much-loved Australian multi-instrumentalist Xavier Rudd to Metropolis and Loreena McKennitt to Place des Arts, while the skyrocketing love for the indie-rock of Half Moon Run peaks at Le National, Alaclair Ensemble adds hip hop to modern art at the MACM, and Keys N Krates’ electro-hip-hop fills the dancefloor at Le Belmont. More dancing is in store with electronic music producer Jacques Greene, Doldrums and more live on Saturday night at the SAT. Sunday, December 9 sees The Faint playing their album Danse Macabre, with Trust opening, at Club Soda. Since Monday is the new Friday, why not make a night of it with NYC’s St. Lucia at Divan Orange on December 10. On Tuesday, Rock and swoon to the electro-orchestral-tinged sound of The Breezes, with Montreal’s CFCF at Sala Rossa.

The post THINGS TO DO IN MONTREAL: DECEMBER 7-13 appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

The thing is, we have the same crops here as do many cities in our latitude – mushrooms, greens, tomatoes, squash – and yet our chefs always find new and ever more appealing ways to showcase the season’s bounty. Here are five beautiful dishes that showcase the city’s harvest cuisine this fall.

Gaspesian crab cakes with creamed swiss chard and smoked cauliflower: Chef Martin Juneau at Pastaga invents unpredictable and suprising cuisine de terroir from the best local ingredients, even on a rainy Saturday brunch.

Tarte aux blettes: Speaking of chard, this tart was on offer – but not on the menu – recently at Foodlab, where chefs Michelle Marek and Seth Gabrielese honoured Provence in a one-night-only menu. It’s a classic Provencal tart (blette is slang for chard) made from the unusual combo of chard, apples, and pine nuts. Keep your eyes peeled for more upcoming special events as Foodlab celebrates their one-year anniversary.

Crabapple sorbet: Martin Picard of Pied du Cochon fame has always had a wry sense of humour in his menus, especially for dessert. This tart and delicate crabapple sorbet is part of his Cabane à sucre (Sugar Shack) fall menu, that showcases apples especially. The special menu runs weekends until the end of October, and is sold-out except for a few seats that open on Thursdays. (Photo: Alexandra Forbes)

Fried green tomatoes: Though most Quebecois cooks prefer to make Ketchup Vert with their unripened tomatoes to go with fall-favourite Tourtiere, at Kitchenette they do it Southern-style, with a crunchy breading and sweet fresh cherry tomatoes as garnish.

Agnolotti with Girolles: At Lawrence Restaurant on St-Laurent as in many restaurants in Montreal, the menu changes weekly based on what’s in season. While not groundbreaking or headline-making, this subtle and delicate agnolotti with girolle mushrooms was comforting and pitch-perfect for lunch on a crisp fall afternoon.

The post FIVE MONTREAL HARVEST PLATES appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

What started as a hobby and delicious weekly specials at his former restaurant, Chef Dylan Kier honed his favorite past time into a crowd-winning recipe. What actually turned out to be a championship-winning recipe has taken Kier and his Blackstrap team to a first place title at a local barbecue competition and then subsequently asked to represent Quebec at the Jack Daniel’s invitational in Lynchburg, Tennessee.

“It started from a small home smoker my wife gave me as a gift and it took off from there.” Unfortunately, he out-smoked the smoker and broke it. Kier’s passion for barbecue and trying to understand every aspect of smoking meat, amalgamated to a cross boarder run with five buddies to haul home a 500-pound, Missouri’s finest industrial smoker.

“I was researching all kinds of recipes, ones from famous pit masters to celebrity chefs, tweaked and modified to find one I was happy with to call my own.”

Hitting up their eatery, I had the opportunity to taste a few items on the menu; first at bat was the Blackstrap brisket sandwich. A generous mound of beautifully smoked brisket, the meat was tender and juicy. The bark – the outer crust of caramelized dry rub – was incredibly flavorful and sweet.

The pork ribs came with a side of coleslaw and braised greens – although all menu items are dry rubbed, there is homemade spicy barbecue sauce and sweet barbecue sauce available should you desire smokey palate lube for your meat.

The secret to Blackstrap’s deliciousness is in the rub – a complex mélange of spices that highlights the meat’s natural sweetness, and draws out the deep and mysterious wisps of smoke that has embedded itself for over 12 hours. Nicely paired with tart and tangy sides, the slaw and cider braised greens, brightens up each bite of ribs.

If you are unable to decide what to order, Blackstrap has made it simple for you, get  “Le Gros” (The Big)” – a sample plate of everything on the menu enough for two people or one hungry one.  From ribs and brisket, to smoked turkey and pulled pork, Le Gros also includes a sampling of all the side, such as braised greens, smoked spicy beans, biscuits and most importantly, fried mac and cheese balls.

These bad boys are exactly what you think they are and everything you want them to be. Cheesy and lustful, these golden nuggets ooze with cheese and beg to be eaten slowly and not shared. Slow is key – no one needs molten hot cheesy lava singeing the roof of your mouth.

There is something to be said about honest people serving up honest food and nothing is more unpretentious than barbecue. Kier and his team at Blackstrap exemplify southern hospitality, while sharing their passion of barbecue and providing Montrealers another reason to use wet-towelettes.

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THE DETAILS

Blackstrap BBQ, 4436 Wellington, (514) 507-6772

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It’s not news to anyone – especially Montrealers – that our city was recently named one of the top 10 food cities to eat outside by Frommers. Still, we’re constantly finding new ways to get our eat on and TASTE MTL is just another stroke of genius in this regard. With 96 restaurants participating, it won’t be hard for every palate – and pocketbook – to find a pleasing plate at Taste Montreal – or “Montreal à table”, as it’s called in French.

Get your prix-fixe: Restaurant Week is a popular event in many other cities – including New York, Chicago and San Francisco in the U.S., and Toronto and Vancouver in Canada. The idea is to expand patronage of restaurants in a traditionally quiet time of year, by offering fixed-price menus at reasonable rates.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oURkiYEbbC0

For instance, Montreal’s event, which will occur November 1-11, will have menu prices at $19, $29 and $39. Among the establishments on the list are some of Montreal’s top restaurants   – including Toque!, Europea, Ferreira Café, Van Horne, and Chez l’Ėpicier.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WONKyTXCxfo

Food in the ‘hood: What’s also interesting is that diners – both Montrealers and tourists – will have a chance to discover eating establishments in parts of town not traditionally associated with the restaurant scene downtown and in the Plateau/Mile End– they’ll have a chance to dine in Ahuntsic at A Table, in Villeray at Tapéo, in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve at Le Valois, and at Bistro Le Répertoire in Rosemont, as well as in Griffintown, the Village. There is also a long list of restos in Old Montreal and the Old Port to choose from – anyone who’s been itching to try Les 400 Coups or Barroco, now’s your chance!

The merchants’ association of Avenue du Mont-Royal will be hosting candlelight dinners in six establishments along their storied road, as well as a 500-candle installation in the square opposite Mont-Royal metro.

Another great way to explore the city with your taste buds in tow is by participating in one of the neighbourhood Happy Hour guided walks organized by the City – whether you want to see what’s new to eat in the Quartier des spectacles, or you want to walk around the Mile End and absorb its “culinary diversity”, or feel like rediscovering the treats of the Old Port, here’s your chance to see  – and eat – it all.

THE DETAILS

Taste Montreal – Restaurant Week, November 1-11, 2012

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