Montreal - 2019: The Food Enthusiast’s Complete Restaurant Guide

By Andrew Delaplaine

There are many people who are enthusiastic about food—the cooking of it, the preparation of it, the serving of it, and let's not forget the eating of it.

But Andrew Delaplaine is the ultimate Food Enthusiast.

This is another of his books with spot-on reviews of the most exciting restaurants in town. Some will merit only a line or two, just to bring them to your attention. Others deserve a half page or more. 

"Exciting" does not necessarily mean expensive. The area's top spots get the recognition they so richly deserve (and that they so loudly demand), but there are plenty of "sensible alternatives" for those looking for good food handsomely prepared by cooks and chefs who really care what they "plate up" in the kitchen.

For those with a touch of Guy Fieri, Delaplaine ferrets out the best food for those on a budget. That dingy looking dive bar around the corner may serve up one of the juiciest burgers in town, perfect to wash down with a locally brewed craft beer.

Whatever your predilection or taste, cuisine of choice or your budget, you may rely on Andrew Delaplaine not to disappoint.

Delaplaine dines anonymously at the Publisher's expense. No restaurant listed in this series has paid a penny or given so much as a free meal to be included.

Bon Appétit!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gramercy Park Press
• Release date: Dec 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386497752

Andrew Delaplaine

Delaplaine lives on South Beach, Miami’s Billion Dollar Sandbar. He writes in widely varied fields: screenplays, novels (adult and juvenile) and journalism. He also has a series of Long Weekend Guides covering some 50 cities around the world. Email: [e-mail] He writes several series: The “JACK HOUSTON ST. CLAIR” political thriller novels. “THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES IV,” a series of novels starring the great-great-grandson of the famous consulting detective. “THE ANNALS OF SANTOPIA” series, an epic that follows a Santa born in 1900 through to his death 82 years later. The AMOS FREEMAN police thrillers. Other novels: “The Trap Door” follows a boy who is taken back in time to 1594 and Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. “The Meter Maid Murders,” a comic look at a detective trying to nab a serial killer on South Beach who only murders meter maids. Has written and directed three features (one doc, two narrative features), as well as several short films and won several awards for his film work. (See imdb.com for details).  His latest film, “Meeting Spencer,” starring Jeffrey Tambor, won the prestigious Milan International Film Festival Award for Best Screenplay.  DELAPLAINE’S “LONG WEEKEND” GUIDES These no-nonsense guides contain Delaplaine’s recommendations and advice for travelers visiting these places for 3 or 4 days. As "The Food Enthusiast," he writes a series of restaurants guides, updated annually. He has no hobbies.

Book preview

MONTREAL

2019

The Food Enthusiast’s

Complete Restaurant Guide

Andrew Delaplaine

Andrew Delaplaine is the Food Enthusiast.

When he’s not playing tennis,

he dines anonymously

at the Publisher’s (considerable) expense.

Gramercy Park Press

New York - London – Paris

Copyright © by Gramercy Park Press - All rights reserved.

Please submit corrections, additions or comments to [e-mail]

MONTREAL

The Food Enthusiast’s

Complete Restaurant Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction

The A to Z Listings

Ridiculously Extravagant

Sensible Alternatives

Quality Bargain Spots

Food Markets

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Other Books by the Food Enthusiast

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Introduction

Though Quebec has all those quaint little streets and more properly looks like it belongs in a theme park than in the real world, Montreal is really where all the action is in this mostly French-speaking Canadian province.

This location has always been an economic center, first settled by the Iroquois, and then by the French when they arrived in 1535.

Two hundred years later, the English took control when they defeated the French, giving Montreal a fascinating cultural history that is reflected in the enormous diversity we find there today.

Despite the British victory in the field, the French part of Canada couldn’t be stronger. This city has more native-born French speakers than any city in the world besides Paris.

Certain specialties you’ll want to seek out: poutine (which is basically French fries with a generous dollop of gravy-sauce with cheese curds added), deep-fried foie gras, Portuguese chicken, bagels made in the distinctive Montreal style and smoked meats.

POUTINE

This dish is served as a fast food in Canada (even in the hockey arenas and at certain McDonald’s), and can be almost as revolting as its description sounds, but when done with care and creativity, it’s a masterpiece of simple culinary joy. When it’s done right, the fries will be crispy (not leaden, thick and mealy), and the sauce-gravy will be rich and flavorful.

Good places to get it are:

Patati Patata

4177 Blvd St-Laurent, 514-844-0216

No web site

and

La Banquise

994 Rue Rachel East, 514-525-2415

http://labanquise.com/

The portions are larger here, and they’re open 24 hours.

BAGELS

Not to be confused with the New York version you’re probably more familiar with. These are boiled in water laced with honey and made with eggs and unsalted dough. They are cooked in a wood-burning oven. The holes are larger and the overall size is smaller. The surface is not as shiny as New York bagels. I like them sprinkled with sesame seeds.

Good places to get them are:

Fairmont Bagel

74 Ave. Fairmount West, 514-272-0667

www.fairmountbagel.com

and

St-Viateur Bagel

263 Ave. St-Viateur West, 514-276-8044

www.stviateurbagel.com

SMOKED MEATS

Jews from Eastern Europe are responsible for bringing this concept to Montreal decades ago. It is beef brisket marinated for days in a rich brine and spices that’s been steamed and hot-smoked and it’s very, very tasty, especially if you specify that you want the meat fatty. Your first bite causes the taste buds in your mouth to explode. Best served with any excellent mustard, pickles and cold beer. (Do not call this corned beef – it’s smoked meat.)

Good places to get it are:

The Main Deli Steakhouse

3864 Blvd St-Laurent, 514-843-8126

www.maindelisteakhouse.com

and

Schwartz’s Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen

3895 Blvd St-Laurent, 514-842-4813 / cash only

www.schwartzsdeli.com

PORTUGUESE CHICKEN

In Portugal, this dish is called African chicken, not Portuguese chicken. It’s just a simple whole chicken cooked in a rotisserie or grilled and there’s usually a chili rub or some other spices