My Montreal
This famously bilingual city is often dubbed the ‘Paris of Canada’, and its cosmopolitan, multicultural influences and scenic backdrop make it a must-visit for any travelling foodie, as Marie-Hélène Boisvert reports
There is no denying the eclectic vibe of Montreal. Vast cultural diversity has greatly influenced the flair and innovation of our gastronomic creations – one of Montreal’s greatest strengths. You can dine somewhere new every night of the year, never visiting the same place twice. In the last decade, Montreal has become one of the most renowned gastronomic destinations in the world, due in part to its famous chefs – names such as Normand Laprise, Martin Picard, Marie-Fleur St-Pierre and Charles-Antoine Crête.
Montreal is a mecca for poutine: a Quebecois dish made of fresh-cut french fries topped with cheese curds and gravy that first appeared in 1950s rural Quebec and is now widely popularised across Canada. But there’s much more to discover beyond this delicious Canadian specialty. This island city has multiple facets to be explored. To best achieve this, you’ll need to avoid those most renowned spots that have made Montreal such a famous food destination.
From a wine perspective – as in New York – Montreal is experiencing a notable eagerness for natural wines. Never have sommeliers been so curious, aware and forward-thinking as with this current wine craze.
Famous for the spectacular autumn colours of its maple trees, an autumn visit to the province of Quebec is a winning choice. Autumn is also the season of most wine fairs (see p54) – beginning in October with Raw Wine, an independent wine fair created by Isabelle Legeron MW with a focus on natural wine. The Salon VIP (private import wines) follows at the end of October with more than 1,000 selections from the portfolios of 100 winemakers. Lastly, La Grande Dégustation de Montréal in early November is the largest of the three.
Also in November, MTL à Table brings together some of the city’s finest restaurants – an opportunity to sample an appetising array of options to suit even the most adventurous eaters.
While here, make sure to visit any SAQ shop, the government-owned retail alcohol network, selling wine and liquor. There are few other cities in the world where you can find such a variety of wines, representing so many different countries. Little wonder the best sommeliers in the world come here to train rigorously for competitions.