heliotrope's Profile
Pralus chocolate bars in Montreal
Bingo! There are two kinds available right now at Gourmet Laurier.
100% from Madagascar
75% from Cuba
9.99$ per bar
Pralus chocolate bars in Montreal
I will check out Gourmet Laurier when I'm there next and report back - they have a whole aisle of chocolate bars. mmmmm.....chocolate........
Dieu du Ciel, best microbrew in montreal area
I've heard great things about Vices & Versa (6631 boulevard St-Laurent, Montreal)
http://www.vicesetversa.com/
They make their own, it seems, but with ***33 beers on tap*** they also carry a long list of other Quebec micros.
...including LE TROU DU DIABLE located in Shawinigan. I had a chance to try several of Trou's beers at the Mondial Bière the other day.
Fell in love with their SMaSH IPA (http://www.troududiable.com/spip.php?article442)
Sadly, this doesn't seem to be offered at Vices & Versa. Anyone seen the SMaSH being served elsewhere in Montreal?
Finding Farm-Fresh Eggs
Hi tgs - Thanks again for this recommendation. Thought I'd report back. I finally had my taste of these Stairsholme Farm duck eggs - WOW - hopefully others will give them a try too!
I got them specifically for poaching - my favourite way to eat an egg. I found them to be an absolute dream - EASIER than poaching chicken eggs.
I was initially wondering if maybe the heavier size would make them harder to poach....no! Not only did I get a beautifully gigantic runny yellow yolk, the white was less viscous, it could withstand more handling; there was practically no egg white loss in the water - still very tender and ribbony to eat, but I didn't get the foaming that tends to happen with the chicken eggs.
Absolutely beautiful poached eggs, and so easy! They have a milder taste, maybe? I haven't tried it side by side, so I'm not 100% sure.
For anyone wanting to do a special brunch with poached eggs, try out these Stairsholme duck eggs.
Thanks again for this great suggestion, I will definitely be getting these again. As you said, 1 is usually enough - I usually will have 2 poached chicken eggs, but 1 poached duck egg was just right.
p.s. Maybe this might help others too: I found the egg whites took more time to slide out of the shell, they needed a little extra coaxing. So if you're going to poach them, it might be worth considering cracking them into ramekins or some small bowl first, before slipping them into the water.
Tea in Japanese Gardens?
vval: Did you go with your friend to the botanical gardens Japanese tea ceremony? If so, you would be the only poster so-far who could recollect the experience for us. I too have been curious about it. Thanks so much if you are able to share your experience (or your friend's experience).
ISO Amaranth
Lagatta - Hmmm. I did not have your post when I replied, must have been some kind of computer glitch, or my own mistake. Sorry for the redundancy.
Sounds tasty, I will buy some once I'm finished the kale from "kale et cie", who have a booth at Marché Fermier.
*Which reminds me* - HungryAnn, I seem to recall that the lady at "Kale et Cie" said they sell Amaranth. Unfortunately it is not consistently sold, I suppose it depends on the growing cycles, a lot of varieties they normally sell were "resting" last week, for example. You could email them to check before going, though.
What I've tried from them has been really great. They specialize in dark green leafy vegetables that are sold extremely fresh (my kale was picked that morning), high quality, organic, and best of all, tasty!
Info about them on marché fermier site:
http://marchefermier.ca/site/2010/06/17/jardin-biologique-kale-et-cie/
Their blog (with an email address):
http://kaleetcie.wordpress.com/
ISO Amaranth
Supermarché PA (at least the ave. du parc location I can attest to), I see it there often. Coincidentally, it's on special this week, 99 cents a bunch.
http://www.supermarchepa.com/eng/specials/page6.html
Has anyone tried Crazy For Cupcakes (www.montrealcupcakes.com)?
I realize this is too late, but I just came across this local cupcake person, so thought to add it to the list for anyone else looking for ideas in the future. I don't have any personal experience with "Bake Sale Girl". I think I might have seen them at a past craft sale at the church on St. Viateur, though. Cupcakes are very pretty looking!
http://www.wix.com/tastytreats/bake-sale-girl
Finding Farm-Fresh Eggs
oooh, I love poached/soft-boiled eggs. Sounds lovely, will get some next time, Thanks!
Finding Farm-Fresh Eggs
How do duck eggs compare to chicken eggs (apologies for my ignorance!) I was at Marché Fermier yesterday and noticed the Stairsholme table.
Green Mountain Coffee in Montreal?
I know, I saw those too, in the wall-mounted chutes. My only guess is that they are just for display? In any case, the guy working there was clear about not selling beans at 150 grams.
Green Mountain Coffee in Montreal?
Went to Caffè in Gamba this morning to buy beans. Wow, what a great selection. But it was an unfortunate disappointment because they weren't selling anything in bulk, as you said. Maybe they had at one point? Anyway, the smallest bag was 8 oz. However, the guy at the counter was willing to make an exception by selling what he had already opened. I got some Ethiopia Yergacheffe, very light roast, by Vermont Artisan Coffee. Since the bag was opened a couple days ago, he gave it to me for a deal. Have already tried it at home, and am enjoying it. The flavours are very interesting - lemon, black tea - a nice new experience.
Since they don't normally sell in small quantities, however, I don't think this can really be a regular stop for me, unfortunately. I like to buy 150 grams, on a weekly basis, since I'd rather make use of the store's superior coffee grinder rather than my bad blade grinder at home. So far my main choice is still Toi Moi et Café, they have a lot of choices.
Anyone out there know of other choices I should try, in the Plateau area, that would sell 150 grams?
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Toi Moi & Cafe
244 Av Laurier W, Montreal, QC H2T2N8, CA
Green Mountain Coffee in Montreal?
Do you know if they sell the beans in flexible quantities? or, basically, at smaller quantities such as 150 grams ? Thanks
Miracle Fruit (Montreal)
This was written about extensively in a book called "The Fruit Hunters" which is a fascinating book written by Adam Goliner, who, at least at one point, coincidentally, lived in Montreal. He was featured in a documentary by the CBC
I can't remember if there is information in the book about where to buy the miracle fruit, but worth looking it up at the library. At the very least, you'll learn about the whole history behind it, if that interests you.
http://www.adamgollner.com/
Montreal restaurant recommendations (vegan-friendly)
Montreal has a huge number of restaurants per capita. There are many kinds of cuisines. It's a great eating-out town. And though I'd probably argue that the quintessential Montreal food experience is unfortunately NOT vegan-friendly, likely not all that vegetarian friendly even.....there are still some vegan/vegetarian places available.
This site lists them:
http://www.happycow.net/north_america/canada/quebec/montreal/
From that list, I've been to Aux Vivres, Crudessence, Chuch, Chuchai, Casa del Popolo, Le Cagibi, Le Commensal, Lola Rosa, and Yuan.
If you still want the experience of a drink or two with a bit of a fine dining feel, I'd put Chuch as the priority out of that list. Or, for the bring your own wine experience, and it's a more casual feel, Chuchai (I tend to go for Chuchai over Chuch myself. It's just a better deal).
Other than Chuch, the places are very casual, some no alcohol available. The web site outlines the details about alcohol. Casa del popolo is more a bar that has a lot of bands playing there, a nice hang out spot, I usually go there for that rather than the food, but the food is fine and fresh, too, just a limited menu, which is understandable.
Broccoli sprouts in Montreal
There's also a sprouting supply store on the south side of Duluth, between St. laurent and St. Denis. They seem to deal with "micro" sprouting supplies (apparently even healthier - ???). I haven't tried that - has anyone? Would like to hear about their experiences.
I found broccoli sprouting seeds in that bulk food health food store on St. Laurent which is near Duluth. They didn't sprout as well as the Mumms seeds, however. But maybe my fault, hard to say. I use the 3-tiered biosnacky, bought at the Rachel-Bery store.
I really like the Mumms seeds blend with lentils. It doesn't have broccoli in it, though. I tried sprouting mung beans, but it didn't work out on the biosnacky tray. The tray seems to work better for the smaller seed types. The larger seeds, I've been told, are better off in a hemp sprouting bag.
LAURIER BARBEQUE
Almost exactly a year ago I made the same mistake and reported it here - http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/614558?tag=boards;topic-614558
A chicken sandwich that isn't a sandwich (it had a full mini chicken leg, bones and all on one slice of "wonderbread"!) was my comical ordering result. And, like you, nothing else with it! No fries, no slaw.
Other people are somewhat defending the place because they apparently have good cake, or macaroni, or lemon meringue, or salad dressing, or something else that isn't BBQ/rotisserie. I get it - it is always nice to see the good things in something rather than the bad things.
BUT.....BBQ/Rotisserie is IN THE NAME of the place, for heaven's sake!! If it's in the name, it should be what they do really well. You don't expect a new customer to walk into a pizza joint, for example, and know that it's the pizza they should avoid - they should be ordering some other unrelated menu item instead.
Fair enough if a place does great food unrelated to their name or food focus. No problem there.
Thanks Mister C for sharing your experience - I don't really like to be negative about places, but this one really got me. Every great restaurant is allowed to have a bad serve, it happens, but it seems evident to me now this was not the case here.
I'd like to see someone go in there and turn it around. The decor has a charm and history to it. Maybe some day.....?
ISO Semidry Cherry Tomatoes
(“CherryTomato Pachino Semidry” / “Tomate Cerise Pachino Demi Seche”)
In Ontario, it is sold under the brand name “Natural” which I couldn’t find any online references.
However, the product in Italy, where it is made, comes under the label Agromonte (www.agromonte.it), and there, it is called “Pomodorino Ciliegino Semisecco” - http://www.agromonte.it/index.php/prodotti/le-specialita/
It comes in a glass jar, 290 g, packed in oil.
They are really tasty - sweet, but with a nice balancing acidy. I really like that they are semi-dried, leaving some juiciness, and a nice size and round shape that is great for topping focaccia, added to spinach salads, pasta, etc.
Both times I’ve bought them while visiting Anna Olson’s little shop in Port Dalhousie, Ontario. But it would be far more convenient to find them somewhere in Montreal!
Anyone seen them, this brand, or other brands?
Australian Pie/Tourtiere Australienne
Their identify your pie diagram is adorable!
http://www.tourtiereaustralienne.ca/english/Identify_your_pie.html
Thanks for the review and links guys - I'd passed by this place and really had no idea what the heck it was about. Now my mouth is watering - will have to visit them soon!
Best Smoked Salmon in Montreal - where to buy
Thanks carswell!
If I can't get to New Victoria, which would you choose from the other 3?
Do you happen to know if the Leméac give you a whole fish, or one side?
Thanks!
Best Smoked Salmon in Montreal - where to buy
Thanks guys, looks like the Côte-Sainte-Catherine bus is the most direct and simple for me, if I end up being able to go to New Victoria Fish. Thanks for giving me the price, davyboy!
Best Smoked Salmon in Montreal - where to buy
I have been left with the task of buying smoked salmon for a large group of people for an event next weekend.
The problem: I don't eat smoked salmon, never bought it in my life!
Please help me smoked salmon lovers out there! I'd like to please those who will actually appreciate good smoked salmon!
Hopefully somewhere not too much of a trek, between where I live and the event - I'm near PA Supermarche on Avenue du Parc, and the event is near Musee des Beaux Arts.
If you happen to know the price, that would be handy, but it's not necessary.
I'm also getting bagels, cream cheese, drinks, etc....but that I feel more comfortable with making the decisions.
Thanks!
ISO quality fruit yoghurt
Exactly what I was going to say!
Another use for plain yoghurt - Muesli.
1/3 cup plain yogurt the following, 1/3 cup old fashioned oatmeal (uncooked), 1 small grated apple (with skin), 1 TB of dried cranberries and a small handful of almonds.
The variations are endless, of course!
Sounds super healthy - it is - but it is also VERY YUMMY, and no added sweetness needed, apart from the sugar in the fruit.
I had been cooking my oatmeal for years until I realized it was unnecessary. Just mix it in. You don't have to wait at all for it to soften. And i'm not using any instant or quick cooking oatmeal. The sturdiest, old fashioned oatmeal type. (but not the pinhead kind). I don't know why the oatmeal companies don't wildly advertise this. It is no less convenient than cereal!
Visiting Ottawa; where to eat?
Had a great lunch there this past week! Love the bowl of popcorn at the table, and very tasty cloudberry tea! Bring even your less adventurous friends - they will still find something they'll love.
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Sweetgrass
108 Murray St, Ottawa, ON K1N5M6, CA
Schwartz in Toronto, yes it happened
not to make a big point about it, but I've always been able to choose the fat content at Schwartz's, if what you are implying is that you can't.
Best Coffee on Plateau du Mont Royal
was there Sept 19 as well and enjoyed the café au lait. As I was sitting there, I was trying to picture the old JR Bike shop that it used to be...it's hard to imagine!
Pho in Montreal: 2009
Been going to Pho Cali in Chinatown for many years to eat chicken tonkinoise, and have always enjoyed it there (though they've stopped automatically putting thai bird peppers with the garnishes, but no biggie). Will likely keep going there. I like that they grill the chicken in a little something sweet, instead of just getting plain, ungrilled chicken. Haven't tried too many other pho places, though. As said earlier, Cali puts bean sprouts, basil, lime. Recently went to Pho Lam for chicken tonkinoise, and found it interesting, with carrots and broccoli, and no bean sprouts, basil, lime. Once it was served to me, I remember thinking that it was a nice change to put those extra vegetables in. Once I was eating it, though, I found that, for my tastebuds, the carrot flavour didn't quite go with the rest of the flavours. I'll very likely be going back to Pho Lam again, but probably will try something else on the menu. If anyone knows their menu well (there's a lot on it!) I'd be thrilled to get suggestions for what they do best.
Opinions on best Thai food?
Finally got to La Thailande on Bernard, and had a great time there. Really like the way the menu is laid out, too, where the different preparations are what you choose, then whether you want them with vegetables, tofu, chicken, beef, etc., (with suggestions as to what ingredients generally work with each preparation). Sorry, I'm not explaining that so well, but hopefully you understand! It beats wading through pages of a menu ordered by "protein" (ie. chicken section, seafood section, beef section....which is what Phayathai does). So La Thailand has one-up on Phayathai (I'm comparing the two, since Phayathai has been more #1 right now) for menu efficiency and making it clear that diners are free to order the dish they want!
Food-wise, I still don't know if I prefer Phayathai or this one, after one visit to La Thailande, it seems great too. But just one visit won't be enough for me to decide between the two at this point.
thanks for the recommendation!
New: The Sparrow
Went today and had a great brunch. GREAT SERVICE TOO. Very good food and very reasonable for the quality. Just wished I'd remembered to order the banana-chocolate donut for the end. My friend was very impressed with their scrambling of the eggs - moist, and the salmon that came with it (not overly smoked). I enjoyed the high quality bread used for the toast, cut nice and thick, and the tasty sausage. Could have used a second egg with the English Breakfast, but no big deal.
BYOW Laurier area
10 minute walk from Laurier and St. Urbain:
Bistro L’Entrepont
4622 Hôtel de Ville
http://www.bistrolentrepont.com
