A few of Montreal's hidden gems

     A few weeks ago, I took my annual vacation. My mother, my little sister, Jeremiah, and I visited Canada. Last year we went to Montreal, then drove to Toronto. It was a pleasant trip, but the drive from Montreal to Toronto, and the drive from Toronto back to Mass was a killer. Never the less it was well worth it, because the views that Niagara Falls has to offer are incomparable.
     This year, we opted to just visit Montreal. I felt like we didn't get to fully experience what it had to give when we visited last year. There was something that drew (if not everyone else) me to it. It made me want to dig a little bit deeper into it's surface. Now, I'm not talking about St. Catherine's St, where you either party or eat. I'm talking about the little hidden gems of Montreal- Old Port, Little Italy, The Plateau.

(Deliciously crisp radishes! They had quite the bite too!)

(Tricolored cauliflower!)

(Petite tomatoes GALORE! So ripe and sweet.)

     We stumbled upon this market in Little Italy. When we found it, the first thing that came to my mind was, "I wish I lived here." The produce was amazing. Stalls and stalls of locally and internationally harvested fruits and vegetables. Colors of carrots that are hard-pressed to come by around here. At least four different kinds of fresh radishes. If only I lived here! The things that I could do!!! The dishes that I could make! It subtly reminded me of the open air markets in Hong Kong. The markets that I so desperately yearn to visit more often.

(Purple and white eggplants alongside baskets of bell peppers)

(Baby squash)

(Mushrooms by the pound!)

(Just one of many fruit stalls!)

(Carrots in every color!)

(My new friend from the market!)

(Miniature things make me smile.) 

(My favorite!!! Mangoes!!! I could have eaten the whole pile..)

     During our visit we also popped by Fairmount Bagels, in the Plateau. We discovered this little hole in the wall last year (in recommendation of my brother). These are the most delicious, soft, dense, and scrumptious bagels I have ever had! They are open 24/7, constantly hand-making fresh bagels in their wood fired oven. They are famous for the sesame seed, which are deliciously nutty. But I prefer a warm onion bagel with cream cheese and lox.
     While in the Plateau, we also discovered a little place called Rotisserie Romados. They serve authentic Portuguese fare. It's a small setting with only a few tables. The chicken is cooked on open charcoal fires until it is perfectly tender and juicy. You can either have it hot or not. There is no "put it on the side." We got two of the half chicken dinners which come with rice, fries, and a salad (both hot of course!). One dinner serves two people, and it was MORE than enough! The fries weren't the healthiest choice, but they were oh so tasty once they soaked up the delicious sauce. After all.. When in Montreal, do as the locals do. It was simply, and effortlessly scrumptious!

     For our last night in town, we decided to have a traditional French meal. After all, we were in Montreal. So we headed into Old Port (oh how I love the energy there). During our walk down, I had every intention to eat at Chuck Hughes's resto (Garde Manger). When we got there however, I discovered that the restaurant was booked for the night! Depressing I know, but we made a recovery. 

(Kate's lobster ravioli with asparagus in a truffle bechamel)

     We settled on a place called Holder, where we were pleasantly surprised. We started with a bottle of rose from Rhone. Perfectly fitting for the warm weather. The two favorite appetizers were, a red and yellow beet carpaccio with a dill emulsion. I love beets and dill, so I thoroughly enjoyed this. We also had a baby chicory salad, with pancetta and poached egg. Every bite was bitter, salty, porky, and velvety. MMMM! For my main, I had a duck confit over new potatoes and truffle scented arugula, it was good. Not the best confit I've ever had, but all in all, it worked out.

(My duck confit over new potatoes and arugula)