To Montreal

[muckefuck]

In twelve hours, my Air Canada flight departs for Montreal (in shāʾllāh). I don't plan to spend much time online while I'm there--oh, perhaps a quick FB update or two--but I'll try to remember a few juicy stories to regale you all with when I return. I've got only the sketchiest idea where I'm going and what I'm doing; essentially, this is M³'s trip and I'm just tagging along. I've purposely avoided doing any research so that I won't fixate on experiences which may or may not come to pass. But if I come back without having tasted poutine, believe you me there'll be hell to pay!

Comments

[chipuni.livejournal.com]

If you're ever bored, try this challenge:

Try to find any place in downtown Montreal where you CAN'T see a coffee shop.

Have fun!

[embryomystic.livejournal.com]

Or an American Apparel. D:

[tisoi.livejournal.com]

Ahh, chuis jaloux!

Je viens de lire que Montréal est la 2ème ville la plus heureuse au monde.

En tout cas, amuse-toé ben hein!...

[nitouche.livejournal.com]

Poutine you will find everywhere (note that it's pronounced with a short i sound). But I forgot to say before -- you must go to Schwartz's for smoked meat!!!

also, have you read this? Useful for what to expect from joual :)

http://www.idlewords.com/2004/08/i_cannot_speak_your_crazy_moon_language.htm

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

Have no fear: Thanks to M³, I've been introduced to this:

[gasterea.livejournal.com]

Poutine, pah!
I second Schwartz's smoked meat (fatty, mind, not lean!) and don't forget the best bagels ever http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St-Viateur_Bagel and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairmount_Bagel. Worth a bit of a detour - esp. the Old World approved poppyseed version. Lox, cream-cheese, capers, red onions and other trimmings available sur place.

And glorious Belgian-style artisanal beers. And apple icewine (called cidre de glace). And chocolate shops galore on bd St.Laurent. And Jean Talon Market (esp. its flourishing Italian part).

[muckefuck.livejournal.com]

The beers and apple icewine we get here, too. (I think I've written about both.) But now I'm doubly sold on Schwartz's! (As if I weren't already pre-sold on a place with smoked meat.)

[nitouche.livejournal.com]

Our local grocery chain, Dominion (William Shatner did their ads, way back when -- "It's mainly because of the meat!") was taken over by a Quebec chain, Metro, a couple of years ago. Suddenly we can buy cretons and St Viateur bagels (but no rillettes, alas).

I love the Marché Jean Talon -- the only problem was being a tourist and therefore not being able to buy much stuff to take home and cook. Oh -- there's a cheese shop at the Jean Talon that's absolutely fabulous.

Now I want to go back to Montreal. Damn.

[gasterea.livejournal.com]

I go to our Downtown Metro every week and I managed not to notice St.Viateur bagels! I don't appreciate even Torontonian Jewish bakeries' bagels so that was probably why I was never tempted to try the supermarket ones. But I'll be on the lookout now, thanks for the tip.

The bread and cheese selection has vastly improved though. And I've tried cretons but wasn't that impressed to tell the truth.

But Jean Talon - ooooh, the sweet memories! I took home as much stuff as the Greyhound bus would carry - and I also indulged into a cooking frenzy while staying with our Montreal host.

Alas for our mutual friend and the US Customs that as far as I know don't allow any nice foods in at all, even worse than Canadian ones. Although Aussies and Kiwis have the worst deal - especially when it comes to cheese.

And oh for the cheeses of Quebec! Riopelle might be a little over-rated, but Chevalier, le Douanier and others...

[mollyc-q.livejournal.com]

I envy you, I went to Montreal last fall and was too unwell and swimming in conference matters to enjoy it.
Have fun and bring back many juicy stories....