Laloux (Montréal, QC)

Laloux is tucked in a residential part of the plateau. The ambiance was très bistrot. The beat up wooden floors, white table cloths, and the old style light fixtures made the place very cozy. I went for lunch but I think that going there in the evening would be so much better.

There was an option in the menu for wine pairing, and of course I went for it. The sommelier came to our table to explain the reason why she had chosen the wines according the dishes I had chosen. Very nice!

I had 1/2 a glass of macôn boursières paired with the rillette de porc with apples, apricots, and a pine crumble as the appetizer. The wine was based on gamey grapes and it complemented perfectly the light flavors of the dish.


I had a trout marinated Nova Scotian style pizza with caviar and labneh, a middle eastern type of cheese. My pizza dough was fantastic! Too much trout for my taste but other than that, it was perfect. The sommelier gave me the option of keeping drinking a red wine (not the same I had with my appetizer) or getting a Épaulé Jeté, a white wine from the Loire valley region. I could have drank the entire bottle.

For dessert, we shared a brownie made with African chocolate, noix, and vanilla ice cream. So good!

Love eating in Montreal!

Café Vasco da Gama (Montréal, QC)

I wish Toronto had an equivalent for Café Vasco da Gama. This is a high end Portuguese café in Montreal and it is associated to the known Ferreira Café, one of the best restaurants in the city. Thé ambiance us simple, inviting, and cozy. You can find Portuguese tiles on the walls mixed with modern light fixtures. I would definitely remove the flat screen TVs but I was very happy with the music and the service.

Here is what I had:

Beef and fois gras burger (best thing I had in the last month or so) decadent, rich, delicious and perfectly executed.

Cod croquettes was good but not perfect for my standards (mind you I am extremely bias when comes to Portuguese food)

A few glasses of Quinta do Penedo 09 .... So good...

Enjoying Montreal! Santé!
Fernanda

Bruda & Gengi Sushi

Today we went to a wine tasting event at Bruda. It was nice to learn about the characteristics of the wines of Valpolicella in the Verona region. We had a blind test and I was able to distinguish a Valpolicella, a Ripasso, and an Amarone, even though the only wine I was acquainted with was Valpolicella. We nibbled on some charcuterie while having the tasting but I felt that I needed real food to have with the Amarone. It was a fun night!

Breakfast: One slice of gluten free bread with a fried egg, melted spanish fresh cheese, a brazil nut, and coffee with milk.











Lunch: I went to Genji Sushi with my coworkers and I shared the following with a friend: Spicy beef bulgogi, miso, spicy tuna and salmon roll, a small salad, and an orange.



Snack: A danActive with all bran buds

Dinner: Prosciutto, ham, cheese, chocolate, fig, duck confit, bread, and samples of Valpolicella, Ripasso, and Amarone wines.

Cheers,
Fernanda