Venusia's Profile
R.I.P. Sgt. Pepperoni - where next for West Island pizza???
No, no, you can find decent (if not amazing), pizza on the WI. But then, Domino's was not particularly amazing. It starting having trouble when all the speciality frozen pizzas appeared in the supermarkets.
I recommend Gigi's on Cartier in Pointe-Claire Village. Some others (not me) like Cheevs in the Beaconsfield Tennis Club, and lately I've been hearing about a pizza spot in Kirkland north of the 40 (cannot remember the name, but you can probably find it in the phone book).
Finding Farm-Fresh Eggs
I am rather dubious about the veracity of the claims in that Gazette piece on Le Capitaine. It's rather suspicious how he can sell his "pastured" eggs at 2.90$, which is barely above the price of supermarket Omega-3 battery eggs. The latter simply roll through the legs of the caged hens and onto the conveyor belt, they are not "hand-picked by workers strolling through the fields". Secondly, if he really was organic, he'd have a big poster either by Ecocert or Quebec Vrai or whatever, prominently displayed, boasting of his certification
Best bet is through a CSA or other farmer who sells direct to consumers.
lunch? Dinner? Hidden treats??
Also check out this thread: Montreal Locals, what do you consider the best hole in the wall resto? http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/411132
Thanks Chowhound, from a Bostonian
I've done it at Ferreira and other places; just made sure I showed up past 10pm so as not to take a table. You could also go to Pop, a wine bar where the desserts are front and center.
Quincaillerie Hogg...surprises
I think the beauty of owning one of these little hardware stores is that you can stock whatever you feel like getting wholesale for yourself. I've never been to Hogg, but there are 2 of these little stores near my house that have pretty much turned into old style general stores.
When are the "good" tomatoes coming?
Don't tomatoes and corn usually arrive at about the same time? Now is the time to enjoy melons! I usually buy my tomatoes at Birri but last year I heard (on CH) about a mythical heirloom producer called Plante(?) whom I was unable to locate. Any producers to watch out for?
ISO Liberté Méditerranée Frozen Yogurt
My father says that if you put a serving of Liberté Méditerranée Vanilla yogurt in the freezer for 45 minutes, it tastes just like soft serve ice cream. Never have the foresight or patience t to try it myself, but he goes through 2 or 3 containers a week. I tend to just use the yogurt on fruits, tricks the kids into thinking they are eating a sinful calorie rich dessert.
U-Pik I Can Bike 2
Got this email:
STRAWBERRIES!
Local, organic!
La Ferme du Fort Senneville invites you to come with your family and pick your own, on the Farm, 165 Senneville Road
Saturdays 10 – 4 (except June 21)
Sundays 10 – 4
Weekdays, by appointment
514 457 3606
514 246 4503
Please leave your pets at home
Again, in this case you can take the train to Roxboro and bike the rest of the way to Senneville.
That time of year: Alphonso mangos?
Okay, finally had a chance to try my Kesars! My husband sliced a couple up, we started digging in and immediately thought: Pina Colada! They taste very tropical and extremely sweet, and are also very juicy, with hardly any fibers.
My husband prefers the Kesars for their juiciness, sweetness and tropical taste, but I find them almost sirupy in their sweetness. But then, I'm not much of a juice drinker, I always dilute it with mineral water.
Can I be the lone dissenter and say that I prefer the Ataulfos? I prefer their firmer texture and less sweet taste and I love their creaminess.
Jean-Talon market area - 2008
There may be a few that take it, but as a whole I really doubt the merchants accept foreign currency. Your easiest option is to withdraw local currency from an ATM.
Looking for Carrot Cake - Homemade style
Okay, I'll have to try the Homestyle carrot cake then! Perhaps the oil that is so annoying in the pastries makes the cakes worthwhile.
Looking for Carrot Cake - Homemade style
moh, you really impress me. You go everywhere! You are doing all these awesome food runs and making me insanely jealous. Homestyle is literally around the corner from my house, and I could never imagine anyone going out of their way to go there, to me it's a place to grab a coffee (terrible) and catch up with friends but no more than that. I'm not a fan of their baked goods (they use oil in their croissants), but when you run out of bread, it's convenient. The Black Lion Pub, though, has an good selection of beers on tap.
I believe that Cafe Via Crescent and Pasticceria San Marco share the same owners.
Best Steak Place In Montreal
But why would we want it? The Alberta beef industry is majority owned and controlled by American meatpackers, fattened in the same type of unsanitary feedlots and processed at a too-fast pace in the same huge plants.
Actually, I'd like to know if there are any steakhouses here that do not offer Cargill or Tyson beef, or that know exactly where the meat comes from and how it was raised. I know high end restaurants (not steakhouses) like Laloux and Lemeac list the farm their meat comes from on their menus; APDC doesn't even offer beef b/c of the issues associated with its production.
That time of year: Alphonso mangos?
Well okay, now I get it. I went to Marche Victoria Oriental on Sources in DDO, and there appears to be one Marche Victoria Oriental on Victoria avenue in Montreal. Is that where you went Moh? In fact, is that where everyone goes? I was impressed that so many would make the trek all the way to the West Island for these mangoes.
My mangoes don't really smell at all, I'm going to wait.
That time of year: Alphonso mangos?
??? We were there at 10:30 this morning! This doesn't make any sense, unless this 11:30 shipment was a surprise.
Are the Kesars supposed to be yellow? Because the guy said ours were ripe, but they are still green. They do have a soft give though. Should I wait until they wrinkle a bit?
That time of year: Alphonso mangos?
Finally had an opportunity to pass by Marche Victoria Oriental. Unfortunately, no Alphonsos, was told season is over for this year. About 10 cases of Kessar at 19$ left. Will finally have a chance to try these and see what it's all about.
Jean-Talon market area - 2008
LOL, really? Since I started parking indoors or on Henri-Julien, I never make it to that side of the market anymore.
Kitschy Restaurant Wanted
I find El Zaziumm pretty kitchy and fun for a group, but don't remember much about the food. One of my acquaintances celebrated her b-day at La Menara in Old Montreal (Moroccan food), and it sounded fun: lots of lanterns, pillows, booths and curtains, and they have a belly dancing show.
Jean-Talon market area - 2008
According to their website, Camellia Sinensis Tea House has opened a boutique across from JTM, at 7010 Casgrain.
Propane BBQ gas refills in Montreal
Back in April, we filled the tank for 18$ at Canadian Tire.
U-Pik I Can Bike 2
If you go to Ile Perrot, you can take your bike on the Montreal-Dorion train and get off at the Ile Perrot station. Bikes are accepted on all trains on weekends.
Chinese Restos still around
Not too many all you can eat Szechuan-Thai tuxedo restos left. The first one that comes to mind is La Perle on St-Jean (www.laperle.pj.ca). There's also Le Gourmet Hot and Spicy on Decarie. Haven't been to any of them in over 10 years though. Not authentic Chinese to be sure, but one does crave a General Tao chicken and peanut butter dumplings once in a while.
Ice Cream!
Bilboquet is also operating a mobile kiosk on the promenade at the Old Port this summer.
This Saturday: free beer and cheese expo at Jean Talon Market
It would be nice if this information (or any other information on current events at the market) were available on the official website! That redesign is just awful.
From the press release, this salon is organised by Marché des Saveurs.
Exhibitors::
1. Au Gré des Champs
2. La Table Ronde
3. La Station
4. La fromagerie de l'Ile-aux-Grues
5. Fromagerie du Presbytère
6. La Ferme Tourilli
7. La fromagerie couland
8. Du Champs à la meule
9. Brasserie Dieu du Ciel
10. Brasserie du Lièvre
11. Brasserie Shoune
12. Brasserie Bier Brier
13. Brasserie La Barberie
14. Brasserie Charlevoix
15. Grelots Bâtons et Cie
16. Slowfood les Montérégiennes
Talks :
1. Fromage de pays : 12h
2. Léa Lehmann : la fabrication... : 13h
3. Françoise Kayler et Nathalie Joannette : L'artisan, sa définition et son rôle : 14h
4. Histoire de bières avec Mathieu Perron : 15h
5. Jean-François Gravel (Dieu du ciel!), les bières et leurs saveurs : 16h
6. Jean-François Demers : les joies de la dégustation Bières et fromages : 17h
Great Food/Cooking Classes in Montreal
Probably too late for this trip, and possibly only in French, but this cooking school is opening in a few weeks: http://www.ateliersetsaveurs.com
Reference for a future trip, perhaps.
Looking for fresh cheese in Montreal (curds or other)
I find the Bergeron curds too big, but I usually buy the Bergeron Gouda brick at Costco. Fresh, it's very good; it slices with no effort. I try to grab a warm one, usually somewhere in the middle of the rack.
If anyone is interested, the fromagerie where I get fresh cheese curds in Sherbrooke is called la Fromagerie du Coin on King Est.
Looking for fresh cheese in Montreal (curds or other)
Campofiorin, thank you! I didn't know you could get fresh mozza in New York! I will definitely look out for it when I go back this fall.
Jean-Talon market area - 2008
Is that Mylène and Les jardins Mil'herbes? Oh good she's back!
Good deals for maple syrup in Montreal?
Yes, at Costco it says Canada on the jug, but they have a little sign in front of the pallet saying that the syrup is indeed Quebec syrup. It's a Kirkland Signature product.
Elsewhere, the best deal will be on the cans; if you buy glass carafes you will easily pay double what the cans cost,which is a shame, because glass as a container is generally preferable to a can, especially if it's got a liner.
Local Asparagus
I adore them too! Vive the end of July! You can get organic Charentais melons at JTM from Jardins Mil'herbes http://www.jardinsmilherbes.com/ 3-5$ per melon depending on size.
