JQReid's Profile
Canadian Poutine in London
My understanding (I never touched the stuff, despite a decade in Montreal, but let's get past that) is that it's again of getting cheese curds. It seems it's only in Quebec that anybody bothers to sell them, and they're only good (i.e. squeaky fresh) for a day or so. Which makes getting a hold of it even within most of Canada an expensive job at best.
Fresh Fish in Montreal
Sadly, a lot of people find themselves in this situation. I tend to point them towards Loblaws and the larger Provigos (Smaller ones don't really have a seafood counter). They tend to have wider selection and lower prices than the smaller markets in my experience, and better quality than many of them, too.
Decent seafood restaurant?
Reservoir tends to have better than average seafood, at least among bars. It's not a restaurant, sure, but that shouldn't detract from the food itself.
inexpensive places not to miss
On the Portu-chicken front, I recommend Romados above Rico. Also, if you do buy natas, there are much better ones on Pine, b/w St-Laurent and St-Denis (Bela Vista).
Croissants
After quitting my job last year, I spent a while trying to answer this very question. My favourites are from Fous Desserts (Laurier @ St-Hubert). Kouign Amann on Mont-Royal and Le Paltoquet (smaller and more dense than the first two) near Metro Outremont on Van Horne fight for a very close second. Though I hear that last one has bad days...
Montreal to California - What would you bring?
When I volunteered at a career fair a few years back, the Canadian ex-pat reps scoured the bowl clean of Coffee Crisps, which I found out they could no longer buy in the US. Maybe times have changed since then.
I know beer is a very personal choice, and people rarely if ever listen to my recommendations, but I'll try anyway. St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout (I hear they have a pumpkin beer too, but I haven't tried that yet), many of the stronger Unibroue products, and Labatt Porter are my favourites, and I know in particular that the Porter is only sold in Quebec.
Ramadan Evening meal
I don't know if they make a traditional Ramadan meal, but I do know that Sana (on Jean-Talon near de l'Acadie) is a Pakistani restaurant. I've never seen alcohol there, so I assume that they follow Muslim rules on dining, which means they should be able to serve something for a Ramadan dinner.
Two-days plan for Montreal
Nothing wrong with the sausage (unless it contains rusk), but the bun and the crepe both contain wheat, which contains gluten which, for people with celiac disease, is off the menu.
Two-days plan for Montreal
You might want to hold back on the merguez on a bun, or at least, on the bun. Crepes too. Of course, you don't need me to tell you that. However, while you're there (if you're there), you can replace either of those with an ice cream from Havre aux Glaces, assuming the heat holds up till then.
Favorite en vrac/ bluk store
Only obvious in our geometry. Seriously, I had a professor who was always going on about parallel lines intersecting "at infinity." But that's another story.
I do agree with you on Provigo, though. During any times the JTM is not a viable option, it's a surprisingly good sub. My main beef is with their packaging. Not as bad as Metro, but still, you don't have to wrap and styro-pack sweet potatoes. So I prefer Loblaws. Either way, it's at least consistent for quality, and for imported items they do get first dibs. Too many people underestimate the buying power of big money.
Favorite en vrac/ bluk store
Prince-Arthur and Pine? You sure about that intersection, or is it St-Laurent (or some other street) between the two?
filipino products
I can't recommend anything specific, but I think there's a Filipino community near the Cote-Ste-Catherine metro station, on the orange line. At the very least, there's a park nearby with some kind of memorial to that effect. I would imagine that a few local shops here would carry Filipino groceries. I know it's vague, but it's been a while since I was around there.
Duck question
You could check the nutritional information on containers on duck fat, next time you're in a supermarket or other shop that has some on hand. I think it's something like 30% saturated (which is the main indication of how unhealthy it is), which is less than lard (40%) or butter (60-70%) (also from nutritional labels), or tallow (50% according to Wikipedia). But it is more than nut or vegetable-based oils, which are usually in the 10% range. I couldn't find the figure for fish oils, but I would expect these to be 15-20%, based on their almost-liquid state at room temperature. A good rule to remember is that, between two fats at the same temperature, the more solid one has more saturated fat.
Duck question
A bit of advice based on the first time I roasted duck. Be overprepared. Have as much space for scraps and leftover juices you can find. I was a bit underprepared for my excursion, and while the result was good, it was a bit overwhelming.
Montreal Smoked Meat sub at Subway? [moved from Quebec board]
Which gets me thinking. Do you think they bother offering their Steak & Cheese in Philadelphia?
Montreal Smoked Meat sub at Subway? [moved from Quebec board]
Thanks, but no thanks. I have reservations about it too, so I'm not about to be the first guinea pig. Only, as I noted, my chief reservations concerned the meat itself. Personally, I too am of the opinion that hands should not be a viable option when talking about a smoked meat sandwich. But others might say different; maybe Subway is taking them into consideration.
That's not to say I don't agree about the bread as well. I couldn't help but think "irony" upon seeing "Subway Baking Centre" on the oven I'm sure is used to do little more than thaw the rolls. That said, I'd probably take something from Subway over most other chains any day of the week.
Montreal Smoked Meat sub at Subway? [moved from Quebec board]
Aren't we being a bit close-minded here? I don't mean to upset traditionalists or get myself banned from Schwarz's, but isn't the point of this forum to try new things rather than dismiss them out of hand. Besides, all the negative energy here is focused on the bread. It's more likely the 'smoked meat' that will offend more. Lean, cold, thinly sliced, and in less quantity than the bread it's served on. At least, that's my experience with other non-deli applications of it.
The Great Montreal Bakery Hunt 2007
My apologies, then. Time to have my eyes checked.
The Great Montreal Bakery Hunt 2007
A huge qualified thanks to you all for helping me out on this. Not quite done yet (NDG in particular I have not been back to), but some great recommendations thus far. Especially de Froment et de Seve, who serve possible the most intense almond croissant in this universe. However, I did qualify my thanks. After all, how did no one think to recommend Cheskie? Man, that place is awesome!
Newyorker needs Help
2) Benelux is, I believe, a couple streets north, at Sherbrooke. The beer is good, the music is good, and it's never as busy as it should be. I don't understand why, though.
Wraps and Sandwiches in Montreal
I suppose I do. I had no idea they'd closed. The sign is still up, so maybe they reopened. In any event, it's on the other side of downtown, and I'm rarely out there, so maybe someone who's closer can resolve this question.
Wraps and Sandwiches in Montreal
I suppose there's Wrapps on Sherbrooke W, in Westmount. I've never been there personally, but they're bound to have something good, I'd hope.
Looking for Cinnamon Rolls
Besides the two more evident chains, I like the Apple-Cinnamon brioche at Olive + Gourmando, which is pretty much a cinnamon roll with apples. They also offer a to-die-for variation which replaces the above with banana and dark chocolate. Also, this one is not quite a cinnamon roll, but le Fromentier has a Friday and Sunday offering that's made with apples and cinnamon. This could fit the bill if you don't need the icing.
Looking for Cinnamon Rolls
I would say the Cinnabon is more representative of this than Saint Cinnamon (which tends to only add icing on request). However, I am an occasionally very willing consumer at either. The 'Bon if I want ludicrously soft, sweet, melt-in-your-mouth, the Saint for variety (say, chocolate).
The Great Montreal Bakery Hunt 2007
It seems I did neglect Au Kouign Amann in my original post. Consider that an oversight as it was definitely on my written list. I think La Pomme de Pain is right, as I've passed by before (or was it Pain aux Pommes?). In any event, thanks for the heads-up. I always thought that sign just referred to the grocery store under it, which I tend to avoid after seeing the produce they offer out front.
The Great Montreal Bakery Hunt 2007
Probably an exaggeration, especially if some cardiologist finds out about this. To celebrate my liberation from work (opening up some free time during the crucial weekday mornings), I've decided to indulge my taste for baked goods. What I'd like to know is: 1) Am I missing something from the following list? Especially the non-French ones, particularly Italian since I should be so much more knowledgeable in this respect. Also, distance means nothing to me. In fact, it will help me burn off the end product. 2) Does anything not deserve to be here? 3) Specialties in either the list below or for the extra recommendations. And now the list:
1) Les Co'Pains (d'abord); 2) Mr Pinchot; 3) Les Saveurs du Plateau; 5) Le Fromentier; 6) Fous Desserts; 7) Patisserie de Gascogne; 8) Patisserie Belge; 9) Duc de Lorraine; 10) Le Paltoquet; 11) Premiere Moisson; 12) Autour d'un Pain; 13) Bela Vista and 14) Samos for Portuguese; 15) Olive + Gourmando; 16) Alati-Caserta (did I get that right) for Italian; 17) Wawel for paczki; 18) Cocoa Locale; 19) Patisserie Nancy to bring me back to NDG.
So, quite a list, but I remain undaunted. Though I may need a little help avoiding massive weight gain. So, anyone wants to join a leg or two, let me know.
Monkland Village
Dang. Forgot about Cafe Orange, though I'm hardly sure you could call that part of Monkland Village, as it's on Decarie a few minutes' walk south of Monkland. I also never at e there until I moved away. More wasted opportunities.
Monkland Village
Well, I lived in the area until about a year ago, and only ate out a few times. Once at the Pizzedelic (alright), a couple of times at Olde Orchard, and a few times at the Subway (literally the only thing cheap and quick enough at the time). After I moved out, I heard the Olde Orchard has a mean seafood curry, owing to their Sri Lankan chef. But I never got the chance to try myself.
AVOID "Qui Lait Cru" Cheese Shop
The same people behind reduced fat butter. I wish I was making this up, it's advertised as having 25 % less fat than regular butter or some such ridiculous number. Or maybe it just seems bizarre to me. Are there any food scientists here who can enlighten me on how this does not boggle the mind?
