REFRESCANTE FOODS CO.: Montreal - A City Still Undiscovered

As I mentioned in my previous blog, I have just moved back home to beautiful Montreal from Toronto. I found myself smiling more and more each day that passes that I live here. The beauty, the fresh air, the European flare, and where Bilingualism is a necessity... it feels like I'm on vacation in my own city. There aren't many places where you can live, and still be able to venture and discover and feel like you're not at home, when you really are. I never thought I'd say this, but it's really nice to hear French again.

A lot of people know about Montreal's great food areas such as Le Plateau, and the Old Port, but the commoner who is not a foodie, still wouldn't know about another undiscovered jewel in the city.

I had a little journey to a constantly developing part of Montreal - Little Burgundy. Situated between Atwater Market and Griffintown, and not far from the Old Port of Montreal, this area was introduced as a new trendy food jem, thanks to one of Montreal's great Chefs Frederic Morin. Chef Frederic Morin is known for his restaurant Joe Beef and other establishments in the area.

Not only is Little Burgundy getting a little bit more acquainted with the locals, but it is now mentioned on TV channels such as the Food Network. Restaurant "Le Boucan", a Pittmaster inspired restaurant with smokey ribs, brisket and other Southern innovative food on the menu has made its appearance on the Food Network's "The Opener" with Chef and Host David Adjey.

Little Burgundy is such a great area for food, since it is situation right beside Atwater Market, and close to its other great food treasure Old Montreal. There are other great places you can dine and hang out. I recommend Limon for some authentic and innovative Mexican dishes (fresh and not your typical Tex-Mex, Carlos & Pepes feel). I also recommend Burgundy Lion; great drinks, great atmosphere, great crowd and great gastro-pub food!

Buying Spaghetti Squash

Montreal has not just one market, but many fresh markets in all parts of Montreal and its suburbs. One of my favourite places to go to is Atwater Market, especially in the summer time. Ever since I've returned to Montreal, I've been doing most of grocery shopping here. I've purchased things like Spaghetti Squash, great Quebec mushrooms, gorgeous gooseberries and other berries, great french pastries, game meats like Bison & Venison, terrines, sausages and cheeses. Quebec produce is some of the freshest and finest I've seen in Canada.

Here are some more great pics of Quebec produce:

The veggie you see in my hand is called a "Spaghetti Squash". I saw it on one episode of Chuck's Day Off when he made a vegetarian Sheppard's Pie! I'm going to try and make something out of it too :)

Asian produce... this guy loves the camera!

And now for one of my favourite bakeries in the city...Premiere Moisson! My mom used to bring home desserts from this place all the time when I was a kid, and I loved it. Take a look at the quality of the desserts and breads. It's just so fresh and delicious, made with lots of love and wonderful technique!

Yum...! These are only some of them.

Another area I love in Montreal is called Griffintown, which is right between Little Burgundy and Old Montreal. Not a real big area in size, but has great potential for more restaurant business. There are already some great cafes and restaurants, and one of my favourites is called Griffintown Cafe Dining. When I first came to this place, I tried their pulled pork sandwich, and probably the lightest and freshest tasting I've ever had. I've had an amazing tasting pulled pork sandwich too at Prohibition Gastrohouse in Toronto, but just the freshness that Griffintown dining had to offer was great. Everything in the restaurant is home made, from smoking their meats, to preparing everything day of. This place has so much character as well, with its old school, yet hipster-ish flare. On Friday nights, you can experience great live jazz music and chill out with a drink, and some snacks. My friend Lisa and I stopped here while we walked through Little Burgundy to Griffintown. We had the pulled pork Tacos from the bar menu, since we went in the afternoon. I also ordered Prosecco with Creme De Cassis and Lisa had a Strawberry Daquiri.

Bar Menu

Yummy fresh Pulled Pork Tacos!

Water in a Whisky bottle :)

On the patio chatting

The Drinks ;)

Well, I don't want to give too much away, but let me say this: the cuisine at this place is just absolutely wonderful. Everything local, fresh, home-made and affordable/well-priced; what else can you ask for? Their Brunch menu is spectacularly good, the Lunch and Dinner as well, and their Wine menu changes often, since they support local small producers. Really interesting and trendy, so go check them out!

Griffintown Cafe

http://www.griffintowncafe.com/

Address:

1378 Notre Dame West

Montreal, QC

H3C 1K8

Phone:

514-931-5299

E-mail:

info@griffintowncafe.com

Other mentions in this blog:

Burgundy Lion: