estilker's Profile
What does Montreal have to offer? June 30 - July 3
Big In Japan is considered not good on these boards. Kazu is the best izakaya in the city, but tiny and long line-ups (no reservations possible).
Le P'tit Plateau is one of the better french bistro BYOW, but no terrace. I would also recommend Le Comptoir for home-made charcuterie and wine and other small plates.
Cabane a sucre Au Pied de Cochon
I emailed on April 20th. So I'll exercise some patience.
Cabane a sucre Au Pied de Cochon
I am still waiting for mine. When did you email them?
Good eats and drinks for first time visitor
I second all that has been said. It's not really a veg town. We like our salads here served with a big hunk of bone marrow :-)
For market driven cuisine, check out Le Renard in the plateau area.
Damas and Petit Alep are higher end Lebanese/Syrian places and offer a lot of very tasty vegetarian options.
making montreal smoked meat at home
That would be really appreciated porker! How do I get in touch with you?
making montreal smoked meat at home
Been following this thread for a while and thinking of doing a full DIY Smoked Meat party at the end this month(I made the pickles already), mustard, coleslaw, rye, fries. Perhaps try to make some cherry coke as well.
Porker: Has anything changed on the Pink Salt/Instacure/Ready cure situation in Montreal? Wondering if I should order online but then it will probably not get here in time.
Last-Minute Itinerary Advice
I think Olimpico and Club Social qualify as non-touristy quintessential Mile End places. It's the type of place I want to go to when I travel.
Ah, les gouts et les couleurs ...
Last-Minute Itinerary Advice
Lawrence opens at 9:30. Typically if you show up 15-20 minutes before opening you should be able to get a table right away. That is if you can manage to get up so early (especially after a late meal at APDC). Though the let you put your name on the list and will give you a call. So enough time to explore some more of Mile End.
BTW: I have found people on the NYC board friendly too ...
Last-Minute Itinerary Advice
I second SnackHappy. I recommend the buns aux pommes from Guillaume. If you do want to sit down, you could go next door to Cafe Sardine (pretty wicked donuts, though coming from NYC with Led Zeppole, probably nothing special to you). Otherwise a couple of coffee places nearby (Cafe in Gamba, not sure if this qualifies as 3rd wave, or Club Social or Olimpico on St Viateur where a lot of locals hang out). For a more extensive brunch, Lawrence (also 2 doors down from Guillaume), but be prepared to wait 30-45min. If you can't get in for dinner at Le Comptoir, try get in their Sunday brunch.
Chez Claudette is really nothing special. More a place for a drunk greasy midnight snack. Once again you're not far from Guillaume, Lawrence or Sardine.
Also Le Reservoir is a bit so so. The beer is not really great (compared to other brewpubs) and the food, though carefully prepared, has always underwhelmed me. Dieu du Ciel is nothing great foodwise (though a year ago they had bread from Guillaume prepared with one of their beers) but it is one of the finest brewpubs in the city. Depends how liquid you want your lunch to be.
EDIT: just want to clarify that you could easily bring your pastries to Olimpico. Almost everyone brings their own bagels or pastries there to enjoy with the coffee on the terrace. Nobody will flinch.
Belgian beer for Carbonnade à la Flamande
I live in Canada (Montreal) and I have been able to find it here. The German and the Dutch make something very similar (if not the same) and that's what I use here.
Belgian beer for Carbonnade à la Flamande
Allow me to chime in, as a born and bred Belgian.
There is not a single beer for Carbonnades à la flamande. It all depends on the regional differences (yes, such a tiny country but a lot of regional culinary differences). Sour ales do come from different regions in Belgium but its culinary use (or even availability in bars) is not widespread throughout the country. So the coastal regions and around the capital would typically use sour ale (gueuze, rodenbach), others will reach for a dark abbey style ale. My mom always used dark Piedboef, what we call "kids beer" (1.5% ABV). Very low in alcohol, sweet and way more healthy than HFCS soda. Except old folks, no one drinks this anymore. My dad on the other hand would not use beer at all and would only use beef/veal stock.
If you were a Chimay Trappist Monk, and you were making a beer stew, why use any other beer than the one you have on hand? Blond beers however will never be used for this. There is always a darker beer available, not matter what region.
Now my personal preference is a dark style abbey beer. Though I do find you need to dilute it to get rid of some the hoppy bitterness and higher alcohol content (so less beer, more water/beef stock). I also add some vinegar (something that would be unnecessary with a sour ale) because it tenderizes the meat (breaks down the collagen) more quickly and makes for a more balanced dish . The mustard and bread is a key component. Instead of bread, I use a Belgian spiced dark honey cake (just like my mom did). This already has nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon so no need to add these spices and extra sugar later on. I also go heavy on the fresh thyme and don't forget the garlic!
Also some regions will actually use pork instead of beef.
Another Belgian classic in the same vein is braised rabbit with dried prunes. Pretty much the same method except the sweetness here comes from the prunes.
Cooking Fries in Tallow [split from Quebec]
I don't think they use 100% beef tallow. I think it is a mix with oil. Even in Belgium most fritures have changed to oil (cheaper, doesn't need to be replaced so often).
You can use a 100% tallow. But if you mix it with oil it will last you longer. Still fries in tallow are a wonderful thing. Serve some carbonades a la flamande with it!
Where to find beef tallow/fat in Montreal?
I bought some years ago at Boucherie de Paris in CDN. Comes in big vac packed blocks. Very yummy for fries!
Pretty sure it's not grass-fed. Pure grass-fed beef is virtually non-existent here according to most of the threads on this board. Sure, some cattle is pastured in summer, but come winter corn is on the menu.
Help with Local Beers...
Though I would like to recommend Dieu du Ciel beer as well, I have seen them regularly at beer oriented bars/restaurants in the US (including California). Those in the know are probably already familiar with it. Same goes for the Unibroue products.
I would also recommend the dep next to La Porte de l'Inde (on St. Laurent at Fairmount). They have a really interesting selection of microbrews and ciders. I particularly like the Imperial Milk Stout from La Vache Folle.
Peychaud's Bitters?
I hear your pain. Ended up buying some bitters in the US while I was there a couple of weeks ago (some Peychauds and other Fee Bros). I think that's how most restaurants and bars get them as well. (Not that there are many bars/restaurants that flaunt their use of bitters).
ISO Old Bay Seasoning
Most of them were alive. They were small I think(although I can't really compare). It was a lot of fun, though quite a lot of work peeling them (but that's half the fun). At $3.80 / lb.
Ended up making my own Old Bay seasoning by combining white pepper, black pepper, celery salt, cayenne pepper, cloves, paprika, all spice, garlic and onions.
ISO Old Bay Seasoning
I've been following the threads a while about crawfish. So yesterday at Poissonnerie Antoine he had a small box of them. Perhaps 6-8 pounds. I took it all. He said it was the first time he was selling it. A bit of a try-out. He said he only sold a couple of pounds of them that day. I didn't quite look for Old Bay, but I'm not sure he stocks it. I might have more luck going to Falero up Parc.
ISO Old Bay Seasoning
Got my hands on some crawfish. Going to try to do a Louisiana style Crawfish boil. Anyone know where I can get Old Bay Seasoning (or any other similar Crab/Shrimp boil seasoning mix), preferably in the Plateau/Mile End area?
Joe Beef Reservations?
Strange, I reserved not too long ago using Open Table. Liverpool House still seems to be on Open Table and is a good alternative next door (same kitchen but more casual though easily as expensive).
Are there any good Doughnuts left in Montreal?
I stand corrected. I saw 2 things and somehow my mind connected dots where there were none. Nevertheless great donuts at Cafe Sardine and so I have yet to try Saint Donut. Their facebookpage say they will be at Phonopolis this Saturday (on Bernard)
Shop in mile end: me thinks Bond lounge might not be around that much longer. They had some issues with their liquor license a few months ago and the place looks dead most of the time. Might be too big for Saint Donuts. A small locale a la Drogheria Fine might be enough.
Are there any good Doughnuts left in Montreal?
You can get Saint Donuts at Cafe Sardine on Fairmount (just east of St Laurent). I had cinnamon, choc-chai and ginger yesterday. All super yummy, not too greasy and firm bready dough.
Montreal foodie visiting for Easter - breakfast/lunch/wine shop/EL Ideas recommendations needed
Ok, good to know. Sounds the situation is similar to Montreal where they are banned altogether from public property.
Montreal foodie visiting for Easter - breakfast/lunch/wine shop/EL Ideas recommendations needed
BTW: Also any food trucks worth sampling? MeatyBalls from EL Ideas' Foss?
Montreal foodie visiting for Easter - breakfast/lunch/wine shop/EL Ideas recommendations needed
Not sure if I want to be the cab guinea pig here. Though when I take a cab from the hotel to El Ideas, I can request to be picked up again around midnight.
Montreal foodie visiting for Easter - breakfast/lunch/wine shop/EL Ideas recommendations needed
Thanks for your feedback and tips. Dinner at Vera is not confirmed yet as they do not take reservations. So yes any other lunch and dinner options on Easter are appreciated.
Montreal foodie visiting for Easter - breakfast/lunch/wine shop/EL Ideas recommendations needed
Will be visiting this weekend. So far I have booked:
G&T Oyster for lunch, Publican for dinner, EL Ideas for dinner.
Still looking for breakfast/brunch/lunch options. Deep dish pizza seems obligatory. Any good bakeries in River North around our hotel (State/Illinois)?
EL Ideas is BYOB. Where can I pick up a couple of decent bottles of wine (preferably around our hotel)? Also any tips on getting there? We have the 2nd service at 9:30pm. Public transport (seems a bit of walking is involved, not sure how sketchy the area is)? They offer a town car service for $30. Would taking a cab on our own be a better idea?
Also most places seem closed for Easter. So far I have found Vera that is open. Menu looks great and the staff were super friendly on the phone. Any other ideas?
What does 1.75 liter bottle of Markers Mark cost in your City/State
$38 here in Montreal, QC for a 750ml bottle. You guys in the States are incredibly lucky. :-)
lol: gordon ramsay no more
In the Globe & Mail it said that there was already another court case between Mr. Lavy's company in the US and Gordon Ramsay about the manufacturing of Ramsay-branded kitchenware.I guess it doesn't make a lot of sense to sue a guy and at the same time pay him more money every month.
