Montreal Eats (May)

Montreal Eats (May Edition)

Returning for a short trip to MTL, we revisited a few favourites (sorry for no revisit posts for most of these). We have another fabulous meal at Les 400 Coups, delicious arepas at Arepera du Plateau, late night smoked meat at The Main and La Banquise (we were loving the "La Taquise" poutine featured below) and of course Fairmount Bagels. Also featured below are some snacks from the Jean Talon Market, which had an abundance of vendors selling fruits, veg, cheese, meats, breads etc. 

Schwartz

We ordered the classic: Medium fat sandwiches, fries, pickle, cole slaw and black cherry cola!

Patisserie Au Kouign Amann vs. Fous Desserts (Montreal)

Having been spoiled in Paris, it has been difficult to find a croissant of equal or similar value since coming home. I visited the most well known patisseries for croissants in Montreal, Kouign Amann and Fous Desserts (which I had last time). The croissant at Fous Desserts won, hands down. It has to be eaten at time of purchase, incredibly flakey exterior with a soft but buttery interior. The croissant from Kouign Amann was good, but my heart (and tummy) stay loyal to Fous Dessert. The almond croissant is also extremely decadent but incredible. I did really enjoy the Kouign Amann from Kouign Amann, beautifully caramelized with many buttery layers. 

Kouign Amann 

Left to right: Kouign Amann, croissant and almond croissant 

Fous Dessert 

Jean Talon Market 

Lunch at Jean Talon Market 

We shopped at Hamel Fromagerie for terrine (liver and dates, to die for) and this insanely delicious triple cream brie (Chateau de Bourgogne), an unpateurized goats milk cheese (stand alone vendor), baguette from Premiere Moisson and meats from Balkani and Cochons Tout Ronds (my favourite was the "Figatelli" - 50% pork, 50% offal .. heart/liver/kidney). Sorry for the lack of names/photos, I was so hungry! 

Havres Aux Glaces

Incredibly well known for their ice cream, I had to try it out. I had the dulce to leche flavour which was a base of vanilla, with a beautiful caramel flavour and gooey caramel layered throughout. I also tried the mango which was fresh and juicy. Great ice cream, I highly recommend! 

  At home charcuterie board with leftovers from lunch!

La Banquise 

This was our favourite poutine variation, "La Taquise," which had fries, gravy, cheese curds, sour cream, tomatoes and guacamole. We got this almost every night and it was mighty delicious at 3am. 

Photo: http://ayating.com/eblog/montreal/resto-la-banquise.html

 

Le Comptoir Charcuteries et Vins

Le Comptoir Charcuteries Et Vins (4807 St Laurent, Montreal)

Located on St Laurent in the Plateau Mont Royal area, this spot has been known for their amazing charcuterie boards, share plates and  natural wines. We made a reservation for the bar and what a show it was! The precision, speed and care the chefs take in making the food is quite enthralling and the passion really shines through in both the presentation and taste of the food. I would definately return the next time I am in Montreal! 

Menu 

The chef in action!

House Made Charcuterie Platter 

I cannot remember everything we had (should have brought a notebook!) but it included two terrines, two sausages (one with cumin, which was my favourite) and headcheese located in the middle. The housemade mustard was simply divine! A very delicious charcuterie board.

Nordic Shrimp Ceviche + Lardon Ravioli + Shallot Confit & Pine Nuts + Squash Ricotta Puree + Sage 

This was another delicious dish. Loved the rawness of the shrimp ceviche (no lemon or lime added in this one) and it also had an interesting crunchy texture. The ravioli was fatty, nutty which went well with the sweet squash ricotta puree. So many flavours happening. 

White wine braised octopus + potato + chorizo + creme fraiche tartlet

Our favourite dish of the night. The octopus was perfectly cooked, which paired beautifully with the buttery tart, creamy creme fraiche, salty and flavourful chorizo and the soft potato. Absolute flavour explosion, the flavours are very Spanish derived. 

Crispy Pork Belly + Lemon Foam + Apples + Radish + Cilantro 

Well cooked, tender pork belly but overall I thought the dish was good (not great). I wasn't as crazy about the BBQ sauce on the plate nor the foam but the apple and radish was a nice addition. 

Carrot Cake + White Chocolate and Cinnamon Mousse + Carrot Peel Marmalade + Nougat Pine Nut Brittle 

Absolutely incredible! Luscious and moist carrot cake with a perfectly balanced cinnamon mousse (reminded me of icing). The carrot peel marmalade was sweet and bitter and the spongey cake had bits of chewy nougat brittle dispersed throughout. Heaven!

Downstairs Prep Kitchen and Drying Room 

The Cupcake Shoppe

The Cupcake Shoppe (2417 Yonge Street, Toronto)

Some of my favourite cupcakes in Toronto are from the Cupcake Shoppe. I enjoy the dense but moist cupcakes and the buttercream is more often than not, a good balance of sweet. This was an unexpected treat and evidently I could not wait to eat one, hence one is missing from the photos!

Featured below is a mixture including (one is unidentified, blue topping):

• James Brown = chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream

• Cookie Dough = cookie dough buttercream with chocholate chip vanilla cupcake

• Spiced Cake cupcake (not sure what the official name is, they have a couple variations)

• Sticky and Sweet = vanilla cupcake topped with melted dulce de leche 

Although they were all delicious, my favourites include any cupcake variation with their spiced cake (you will love as a carrot cake fan) and the "sticky and sweet" is to die for. The simple but perfectly moist vanilla cupcake, topped with a gooey, melted dulce de leche. Great texture and the flavour is quite heavenly!

 

 

Kupfert and Kim

Kupfert and Kim (100 King Street West, Toronto)

Recently opened in the Toronto PATH, Kupfert and Kim focuses on delicious, fast and fresh foods that are vegan and gluten free. Anytime after 12pm, you will likely find yourself in a healthy line up but luckily it moves very quickly to satisfy the lunch crowd. They offer a variety of delicious breakfast, lunch and snack options. Some of my favourites include the "First Canadian bowl" which is featured below, but I also have a big love for the Oaxaca bowl (Mexican inspired with an amazing Guacamole + Cashew Cream sauce), the kale+ banana smoothie and the numerous vegan treats.

First Canadian Bowl

Quinoa + Tempeh + Rainbow Radish + Kale + Pomegranate Seeds + Carrots + Beets +

Roasted Yuca + Pea Sprouts + Sweet Yam + Alfalfa + Sunflower + Purple Cabbage + Black Sesame Seed

Dressing = Chia Tamari Maple Sauce

 

 

 

Patria

Patria (478 King Street West, Toronto)

In the recent Toronto Life edition of best new restaurants, Patria made it into the top 10 for 2012. I have been meaning to come check this place out but I am awful at making reservations in Toronto and the wait times have been very long. The restaurant itself is beautiful and modern and although the menu can be overwhelming, little was disappointing.  I got a little ahead of myself and did not get around to ordering any cured meats (I am also a bit disappointed myself) but will be back to try some Serrano or Iberico and Paella! We also did not have dessert at Patria, as we ended up having a cheese and dessert course at Buca shortly after our dinner just down the street.

NOTE: I am SO SORRY for some of the photos posted here. I accidentally mass deleted several photos that I cannot recover so some are very blurry!

Sangria
Delicious and refreshing white wine rendition with a nice touch of brandy.
 

D.O. Monte Enebro

A handmade goat's milk cheese, which was incredibly creamy with an insane stink of blue on exterior.
A very bold cheese.

12 Month D.O. Mancheo

A classic favourite, with a nutty but sweet, tangy flavor profile and the sweetness of the quince jelly was delicious.

 

Pan Con Tomate + Manchego

Brings me back to Barcelona. A beautiful classic of the pan con tomate, very simple but well executed.

 

Dates + Iberico Bacon + Manchego + Quindillas

A surprising flavor profile with the sweet date, salty iberico and tangy manchego. A warm, gooey bite but I thought the dates were a little overwhelming in the sweetness department (perhaps medjool dates?).

 

 Butter Lettuce + Avocado+ Goat Cheese + Quince Dressing + Marcona Almonds

The salad was recommended by our server and it was nice to throw in some greens.
 I enjoyed the marcona almonds but overall the salad was just good (nothing incredibly memorable).

Bikini

Although the sandwich reminded me of a tasty grilled cheese, the flavours got muddled together. I could hardly get the distinction between the cheese, iberico and the truffles were absent.

 



Garlic Shrimp (Gambas)

One of the featured specials of the night. The shrimp arrive sizzling as they are placed on the table and they are garlicky, well cooked and delicious.

 

Lamp Chop + Caramelized Onion + Olive + Romesco Sauce

Lusciously tender, juicy lamb chops with a sweet caramelised onion topping with a tasty romesco sauce. I found it a touch grisly but still loved this dish very much.

Patatas Bravas Con Huevos Fritos

Another classic Spanish dish. To be honest, it did not remind me much of potato bravas I have had in Spain but honestly it was so addictive I could care less! The potatoes were the best home fries I have ever had, with a savoury, tangy tomato sauce and the runny egg was simply delectable!

Octopus dish

Another special of the night, I loved this dish, perhaps one of my favourites of the night. The octopus was perfectly cooked, placed on top of a olive oil and paprika soaked potato.

 

Iberico Flank Steak + Piquillo Pepper Jam

The iberico flank steak was an incredible texture, melt in your mouth.  The fatty iberico paired with the acidity of the piquillo pepper jam was an excellent duo. I thought the dish was slightly overseasoned but overall this is a dish that should not be missed.

The Burger's Priest - Old Favourite

The Burger's Priest (3397 Yonge St  Toronto, ON)

 

A recent visit to the Burger's Priest made me want to post about my most favourite burger in the city. The HIGH PRIEST is similar to a rendition of the good old Big Mac. The beef is what keeps me loving BP, which is a ultra premium blend of beef and is ground multiple times daily. The rich, flavourful beef literally melts and crumbles into your mouth and is truly the start of the show. Topped with a "special sauce", pickles, American cheese, lettuce and onions, you honestly cannot go wrong. A simple classic executed to perfection!