The DeLish Bite

Montreal is one of my all time favorite cities and I have been lucky enough to spend a great deal of time there as my sister Danielle, along with a few other friends, attended McGill University. This was during my early 20's, and as such, I was used to a Montreal that included cramped quarters in the McGill Ghetto, late night drinking, greasy spoon diners and shopping along trendy St. Laurent. I had not yet experienced Montreal as a real adult or as a grown up foodie and Simon (being from England) had not yet experienced Montreal at all. Therefore, we decided to celebrate our 5-year wedding anniversary last September with a trip to Montreal. The city that Simon and I experienced was very different from the one that I became familiar with during my 20's. It was chic, stylish, very European and much to my pleasure, it was a city with a superb food scene. We strayed from my usual hood and booked into Hotel Gault, a trendy and hip boutique hotel located in the heart of Old Montreal (the lovely historical region situated by the port). We were immediately captured by the quaint cobblestone streets (very reminiscent of Europe), the romantic architecture and the many trendy boutiques, cafes, restaurants and wine bars that dotted the winding and narrow streets. Although we did venture to other parts of Montreal we spent the vast majority of time eating and drinking our way around, and enjoying the endless pleasures of Old Montreal. Some of our favorites included: Garde Manger, 408 St. Francoise - Xavier, Old Montreal Often referred to as the hippest restaurant in Montreal, this small resto / lounge is a must for foodies and trendsetters alike. Knowledgeable staff, exceptional service and a well thought out wine list and daily changing menu are just a few of the attractive qualities that keep regulars coming back for more. Olive + Gourmando, 351 Rue St.-Paul, Old Montreal This cozy neighborhood café (notorious for long lineups) has a warm and inviting atmosphere. Its daily chalkboard menu is geared towards breakfast and lunch and it boasts a lengthy selection of gourmet, homemade and locally driven menu items (think gourmet pannini's, superb café latte's and cappuccinos and sublime cakes and sweets). For out of town visitors, Olive + Gourmando also offers an impressive selection of gourmet take-away foods including interesting jams, homemade crunchy granola, and freshly baked cookies and cakes. Le Cartet, 106 rue McGill, Old Montreal This self proclaimed 'boutique alimentaire' is a cool and chic restaurant / cafe that celebrates local, organic and gourmet food in more ways than one. It not only offers exceptional and affordable sit down meals (for breakfast, lunch and dinner), its walls are lined floor to celing with an impressive selection of gourmet and pre-prepared take away foods including fruity olive oils, sea salts from all over the world, a wide variety of interesting vinegars, healthy salads and flavor packed sandwiches. We also loved the large communal tables, perfect for lounging over a café latte and croissant and reading the newspaper. Suite 701, Hotel Place D'Armes, 55 St. Jacques Street West, Old Montreal We found ourselves coming back to Suite 701, the chic and stylish wine bar and lounge located in the ground level of the Hotel Place D'Arms, almost every afternoon. We loved the open and contemporary feel, the impeccable waiters and bartenders who were able to suggest the perfect glass of wine or aperitif for any occasion or time of day, and the out of this world cheese boards, showcasing local and organic cheeses. A definite must. The Garden Café, The Saint Sulpice Hotel, 414 Rue St.-Sulpice, Old Montreal My sister recommended that we drop into the garden restaurant / café located in the rear of the Saint-Sulpice Hotel and boy were we happy we did! We spent a lovely few hours lounging in this beautiful and romantic oasis (which is available rain or shine) sipping a beautiful Canadian and organic wines and listening to the birds chirp and the fountains gurgle. The delectable menu offered a range of top quality and locally driven salads, seafood and main courses and the service was exemplary. It truly was the ideal place for a special afternoon lunch. Stay tuned on Wednesday for a recipe inspired by our jaunt around Montreal!