Last week I was a guest on two local radio shows with the other members of the Montreal Gazette's new team of food writers. CBC Radio Noon invited Isa Tousignant (who's writing lists), Joanna Fox (who's writing reviews) and myself (I'm writing food features) to be part of … [Read more...] about Talking Food and Restaurants on the Radio with the Montreal Gazette’s New Food Writers
Everything Else
Montreal’s Best Terrasses
Just in time for summer, I did a segment on Global Mornings on Montreal's best terrasses (or patios, for the anglophones out there). Whether you're looking for Haitian rum cocktails in a back courtyard, New Orleans-inspired brunch in a West Island garden or downtown … [Read more...] about Montreal’s Best Terrasses
Namazake Throwdown: Unpasteurized Sake in Cans
Yes, sake comes in cans. Yes, it's pretty affordable. And yes, occasionally it's even good. Sometimes, it's very good. Because, like beer, keeping unpasteurized or half-pasteurized sake in a dark, airtight container helps it stay fresher. The trick is to find a bunch of … [Read more...] about Namazake Throwdown: Unpasteurized Sake in Cans
Cocktail Invasion 2019, May 20-31 in Montreal
Cocktail Invasion is back starting Monday, with as many zombies as the Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but more delicious. I've been covering this festival since 2015 and I'm happy to see that's it's still growing. Montrealers download the cocktail passport for free from the … [Read more...] about Cocktail Invasion 2019, May 20-31 in Montreal
The Montreal Food Truck Industry Six Years In, Changes for 2019, and a Taste Test
Food trucks are back (despite the cold weather) in Montreal and doing things a little differently this year in the hopes of making a bit more money. I recently did a segment on Global Mornings Montreal talking about the changes you can expect this season after a lot of … [Read more...] about The Montreal Food Truck Industry Six Years In, Changes for 2019, and a Taste Test
How to Throw a Five Course Sake-Pairing Dinner: Nama, Junmai Daiginjo, Nigori and Aged
I get a little excited about sake (jump to the Photo Gallery below to see exactly how excited). Now that I'm a grown-up, I made my first private import order of sake from Sébastien Langlois of Bacchus76. He's recently started bringing in a bunch of nama, unpasteurized sakes that … [Read more...] about How to Throw a Five Course Sake-Pairing Dinner: Nama, Junmai Daiginjo, Nigori and Aged
Adventures in Whole Duck Cooking (Aka How Not to Roast a Duck)
Don't let your eyes fool you. This was not an awesome roasted duck. It was my first one (see #2 below) and while it looks awfully pretty, what you don't see is the thick layer of un-melted fat under the crispy-skinned exterior. So when you crunch into it, instead of getting a … [Read more...] about Adventures in Whole Duck Cooking (Aka How Not to Roast a Duck)
Where to Eat at Montreal en Lumières 2019: Dinners, Lunches, Brunches, Drinks, Food Talks and Free Samples
Montreal en Lumière, aka the Montreal Highlights Festival, can be a bit overwhelming. A Nordic style lunch, a Haitian brunch, an ice bar and some $300 three-Michelin Star cuisine? With so many dinners, invited chefs and special events, it's hard to know where to make a … [Read more...] about Where to Eat at Montreal en Lumières 2019: Dinners, Lunches, Brunches, Drinks, Food Talks and Free Samples
Portuguese Sour Cherry Booze, Gluten Intolerance and Cultural Heritage
I saw the hundreds of shooter glasses lined up on trays when I got the restaurant. the press event was just starting and servers were laying out the platters of creamy Portuguese cheese, baguette, silken and juicy Medjool dates and thick-cut fruit pâté. So I figured there were … [Read more...] about Portuguese Sour Cherry Booze, Gluten Intolerance and Cultural Heritage
Bourbon Whiskey + Mangoes, Peaches and Lime = The Sweet Life: Newcomer Kevin Cacho of Coldroom Takes on Made With Love
Is he going to have a splash pool in the Société des Arts Technologiques? I half wondered, as I read Kevin Cacho's email about what he's planning cocktail-wise for Montreal's Made With Love Regional Finals on Dec. 10. Cacho's only been working in the bar/restaurant industry … [Read more...] about Bourbon Whiskey + Mangoes, Peaches and Lime = The Sweet Life: Newcomer Kevin Cacho of Coldroom Takes on Made With Love