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| Ile Flottante |
Since as far back as the 14th century, France has been renowned for its cuisine. Then it was a collection of European influences, heavily driven by Italian flavours but blended in new ways…and by the 17th century, French cuisine had developed its own indigenous and recognisable style. As the haute cuisine of the early twentieth century was woven back in with local regional culinary styles, French food developed into the heady mix of rich bourgeois and rural peasant blends which today sees it as the pinnacle of modern culinary experiences. In November 2010, French gastronomy was even added by the UNESCO to its lists of the world's “intangible cultural heritage.”
But if you prefer something other than another trip to Paris, you’ll love that Eastern Canada continues to embrace its French heritage, and when it comes to food, nowhere does it better than Montreal. The city’s growing diversity has always made its cross-cultural creativity a unique and fascinating place, but at its heart it has always danced to a very Gallic beat.
Here are some top picks for decadently delightful French cuisine in the bustling city of Montreal…
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| Le Blumenthal |
Le Blumenthal
If you are looking for a restaurant which blends great food based around reconfigured French classics and an altruistic nature towards the entertainment district in which it resides, then this is the place for you. As well as being one of the cities newest kitchens, Blumenthal, funnels much of its profits towards supporting open air arts events including the city’s renowned Jazz Festival and is the perfect place to dine whilst over looking the summer madness that surrounds such happenings.
Recommendations are the braised rabbit leg with mustard sauce and polenta but also away from the purely French flavours, salmon tartare with bagel chips tips its hat to the city’s Jewish population and for dessert creme brule sweetened with candy cane mushrooms mixes the traditional and the quirky.
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| Ile Flottante |
When Les Deux Singes, one of Montreal’s top rated restaurants closed last year there was much distress amongst the cities foodies, but it soon rebranded and reopened as Ile Flotantte. Remaining co-owners, chef Sean Murray Smith and Nada Abou Younes on front of house duties, follow a similar format as before. Tasting menus of three, five and seven courses offer the freshest of that day.
The menu is local and seasonal, with entrées such as beet carpaccio with goat cheese butter, horseradish and miso, and a bison tartare. Mains include warming upscale bistro options such as Cornish hen with celeriac and cranberries, and pork-clam-potato cabbage rolls.
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Bloomfield |
Intimate, in the case of this dining room, translates to tiny, but the food on offer thinks big. This charming white-washed room is small enough that chef-owner Caroline Dumas often delivers her own plates directly to the nine tables.
Small, quirky, friendly and homely, this may not cater to those who love a sleek and polished service but Bloomfield is a wonderful blend of great food and adorable charm and Dumas is acknowledged as being one of the friendliest hosts in town. Try the braised lamb steak on a bed of orzo enhanced with tomato and pecorino shards.
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| Montreal Plaza |
Montreal Plaza
The vibe here is sleek and sophisticated, brown leather banquettes in a whitewashed and fresh dining room and even the servers are decked out in crisp blue Oxford shirts. A brasserie for the 21st century, a blend of hospitable and upmarket, the homey and the glamorous and with food to match.
The Plaza really is an extension of the personalities of its creators, two are well-known alumni of the Toqué! kitchen, Charles-Antoine Crête (the former chef de cuisine) and Cheryl Johnson (the former sous-chef), along with dining-room manager Sébastien Blanchette (formerly of Majestique) food that seems to come served with a healthy does of whimsy. You won’t see anything all that familiar on the menus, so when faced with dishes like sea snails gratinéed with miso butter, brochettes of duck hearts, or baloney cannelloni, you just have to trust this kitchen and take the plunge.
Le Vin Papillon
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Le Vin Papillon |
Le Vin Papillon
Situated in a boho stretch of the city’s Little Burgundy neighbourhood, Le Vin Papillon is the latest and final piece in the Joe Beef trinity joining its sister kitchen Liverpool House and the titular originator and all lined up along the same rejuvenated block.
Of the three, Papillon offers the freshest and most up to date bite, blends hipster fixtures with quirky trappings such as hanging baskets and mounted taxidermy, and has a no reservation policy, but be warned, lines for a table form early. It is also the most veg-centric of the three, offering more nuanced versions of Gallic cuisine. Traditional lines are often blurred, such as its famous carrot eclair, a coil of sweet brined carrots between choux pastry - is it a dessert or entree and does it really matter which? Meat eaters can revel in the likes of beef sandwiches or a plate of shaved ham in anchovy butter.
Of the three, Papillon offers the freshest and most up to date bite, blends hipster fixtures with quirky trappings such as hanging baskets and mounted taxidermy, and has a no reservation policy, but be warned, lines for a table form early. It is also the most veg-centric of the three, offering more nuanced versions of Gallic cuisine. Traditional lines are often blurred, such as its famous carrot eclair, a coil of sweet brined carrots between choux pastry - is it a dessert or entree and does it really matter which? Meat eaters can revel in the likes of beef sandwiches or a plate of shaved ham in anchovy butter.
A forth venue is in the planning, though Mon Lapin will be a wine bar with a focus on seafood and located away from its siblings down in Little Italy.
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