There are many reasons to love this city. Organically stylish, hipster, and creative city, Montreal is hard to miss on the international radar of coolness. If there’s such a thing. This is not a travel guide, this is not a Top 10 list, this is a slice of local perspective on why Montreal is so amazing!

J’aime Montreal for… the (many) ways I could spend a Sunday morning

The streets are always dead quiet on Sundays, since everyone is still hungover from last night’s partying. Brunch seems to be the only plausible explanation for being up before noon on a Sunday. Whenever I’m feeling indulgent, I’d hop onto the 55 bus and head straight to Sparrow, a bar turned Best Brunch Spot Ever come weekend. My favourite is the Red Velvet Waffles with crème frache, maple syrup and seasonal fruits—a beloved dish so popular that it is here to stay from the summer menu. Neptune (Eggs Benedict with salted cod cakes), the first dish I had at Sparrow, has made a comeback this winter!

I’d always imagine myself being the chic girls sipping on Mimosas but I can never pass up Sparrow’s house blend coffee. It is a bottomless cup, so I never shy away for seconds. To get to Sparrow, take bus 55 and get off at Boulevard Saint-Laurent/Fairmont intersection.

Then there was that crazy time when I faked the whole health buff thing and hiked up Mont-Royal, the namesake of this city—in French pronunciation, the ‘t’ in Montréal is silent. Mont-Royal is gi-normous and spans over several neighbourhoods, but I took the Peel entrance which was the easiest one and finally made it up to… the Kondiaronk Belvedere. A wide, grand, Classical-style lookout, the view of the city was stunning. Nope, I did not make it up to the summit. Next time round, I’d be sure to take the 11 bus to cover places I missed, like Beaver’s Lake and St. Joseph’s Oratory.

Sparrow
5322 Boulevard Saint-Laurent,
Montreal, QC H2T 1A5, Canada
Tel:+1 514 507 1642
Weekend Brunch: 10am – 3pm

J’aime Montreal for… its Continentalism

Due to Montreal’s French-Canadian heritage, it is more Continental than its North American counterparts— which I absolutely love, because walking into Old Montreal is a bit like making a trip to Europe without an expensive air ticket.

Old Montreal is the historical and oldest part of the city, a testament to the city’s founding by early French settlers way back in the day. It is mainly a tourist site now, with lots of stunning art galleries, fancy restaurants, the inescapable souvenir shops and historical/cultural places of interest.

The Notre-Dame Basilica is a must-see with its amazing Gothic-style architecture. Trivia: Celion Dion got married there! There is no speaking of the Continent without beautiful architecture and cobblestone streets. The Old Port overlooking the St. Lawrence looked very Nice, or Monaco, or St. Tropez for that matter. Come nightfall, the streets are lit up by soft lights creating a very romantic atmosphere. It’s apparently very different in the winter, where the skates and Christmas lights are out in fall force. More on that later, once I’ve experienced it!

J’aime Montreal for… introducing me to slow-living

Living in a concrete jungle for 5 days in a week makes me want to prison break by the 6th. Occasionally, I’d have a chance to visit the Quebec countryside. A mere 2 ½ drive from Montreal is all it takes for a change in scenery.

En route to Mont-Tremblant, swaths of golden yellow and bronze red of untamed, sprawling forests made me go, “Now this is the Canada we see on postcards!” Primarily a ski holiday destination, Mont-Tremblant is also popular for maple-viewing in the fall. Quebec is also famous for its orchards and wonderful farm produce, it was no surprise how much I enjoyed an apple-picking trip to a pick-your-own orchard from almost 2 years ago. Pay a fee and apples of every variety (Mac, Spartan, Gala, etc.) are for your taking. I desperately wanted a small pumpkin in the carts outside too.

I always thought I was an urban kid at heart and would get bored to death in the country. I was proven wrong – the leisurely pace, fresh country air and breathtaking scenery all but converted me into a Nature lover! For when the weekends are short, I’d take my escapade into cafés to sit around and space out for a bit. It might be a weird place for meditative contemplation with its eclectic décor, but Chez Jose is a nice place to chill. Though, who am I kidding, really? I’m there for the chouriço sandwich Portuguese salty meat dripping in its own fat. It reminds me a whole lot of salami, but I’m not sure if that’s the right reference.

Café Santropol is where I go sometimes, for its mega-sized sandwiches with thick slabs of its specially-customed rye bread. They have the prettiest courtyard tucked away at the back, a great place for hanging out with friends. Although, I’m not about the give up my usual spot within the off-beat, wooden, vintage (it’s real vintage folks) indoors anytime soon!

Chez José
173 Avenue Duluth Est
Montreal, QC H2W 1H4, Canada
Tel: +1 514 845 0693
Mon to Sun: 9am – 5pm

Café Santropol
990 St Urbain St,
Montreal, QC H2W 1T7, Canada
Tel: +1 514-842-3110
Mon to Sun: 10.30am-11.30pm

About the writer:
Ng Jie Yu is a final-year undergraduate student at McGill University in Montréal, Québec, Canada. She is currently studying English Lit, with a minor in History (European region). Jie Yu loves writing, fashion, food and travel; she hopes to be an author someday.

After a hard day of work, sometimes what you really need is not a round of drinks at a noisy pub. Instead, you would be craving for a home-style dinner with your favourite comfort food. For those of you living in the Bukit Timah area, it is time to check out Ga Ya Geum, a Korean family restaurant tucked away in the basement of Bukit Timah Shopping Centre.

Ga Ya Geum’s specialty is the Korean fried chicken that comes in 4 flavours: Sweet Soy, Garlic Soy, Spicy Soy and Sweet & Spicy. Korean fried chicken is usually quite a pricey dish, not to mention, it is often very difficult getting the authentic flavours in Singapore. However, I do feel that the prices are reasonable for the substantial portions.

There are certainly other places that sell Korean fried chicken at higher rates, but half the yummy goodness! You might be tempted to go for the Spicy Soy flavour, just like I did during my first visit. But a word of advice: hold off the spice for your first time trying the fried chicken! Trust me, Korean chilli might seem less intimidating because it tends to have a sweeter edge, but the heat will build up and in no time your tongue would be burning. Those unaccustomed to it will probably be chugging too much cold water to have a full experience of savouring the juicy and crispy flavours of the Korean fried chicken.

For those that want a healthier option, the value-for-money Ginseng Chicken Soup will be a good choice. It doesn’t have a very strong ginseng/ herby taste which would be great for folks who might not like the slightly bitter aftertaste. The Seafood Pancake, with its crispy edges and unique peppery flavour is also worth ordering. Another perennial favourite is the Kim Chi Soup, which is slightly spicier and less sour than other versions.

Fans of Korean TV shows will spot Eomukguk on the menu too – or better known as the Korean fish cake soup, a popular Korean street food. Instead of ordering it skewer by skewer like you would in a Korean street food stall, you get served a big pot of assorted Korean fish cakes on satay sticks, in a delicious anchovy broth.

Ga Ya Geum has a surprisingly wide-range and versatile menu for a cosy family-run restaurant. For adventurous eaters, try the Blood Sausage spotted on the menu. They also have Rice topped with Raw Fish and Vegetables which looks really interesting. It might not seem like a big restaurant, but larger dishes – like the Budae Chigae (also known as the ‘Army Stew’), thinly-sliced Pig Feet, Smoked Duck and even a small BBQ menu with all the essentials – make it a great place for a family meal or a dinner place with friends. There is also a lunch set menu for those who work around the area.

Be it the most familiar of Korean comfort foods, or the more uncommon Korean dishes, you will not be disappointed!

Ga Ya Geum Korean Family Restaurant
170 Upper Bukit Timah Road
#B2-14 Bukit Timah Shopping Centre
Tel: +65 6463 8011
Mon to Sat: 11.30am – 3pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Sun: 5pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Clementi

About the writer:
Ng Jie Yu is a final-year undergraduate student at McGill University in Montréal, Québec, Canada. She is currently studying English Lit, with a minor in History (European region). Jie Yu loves writing, fashion, food and travel; she hopes to be an author someday.

Montreal, cultural capital of Canada, and also the undisputed food capital of Canada. Located in the French-speaking province of Québec, Montreal has some of the most exciting gastronomical delights. Its unique food heritage is a blend of local Québécois dishes and food introduced by various immigrant communities. The great part is that the best food in Montreal are very affordable too.

You’d most likely be greeted with a “Bonjour!” before a “Hello” here, but don’t worry, because many Montrealers are bilingual. It’s only a one-hour plane ride from New York City and Toronto, or a five-hour train journey from Toronto. If you happen to already be in North America, make a short trip to Montreal and try these yummy food.

Smoked Meat Sandwich

Smoked meat sandwich to Montrealers is what Hainanese chicken rice is, to us Singaporeans. In a word: Iconic. A dish brought in by Jewish immigrants as far back as the 19th century, meat is smoked as a preservation technique, with a blend of spices and herbs.

It is traditionally served with a splash of yellow mustard, with generous portions of smoked meat sliced right before serving, practically bursting between two slices of rye bread. Smoked meat is very tender and literally falls apart when you sink your teeth into the moist layers. Albeit, it is a little salty for the Singaporean palate but it is anything but flat. If flavours come in 3-D, the smoked meat would be it.

Smoked meat sandwich is readily available in Montréal, but the most famous smoked meat deli would be Schwartz’s, which has been around since 1928, though I should warn you about the notoriously long queues (I have been assured that it’s definitely worth the wait). An alternative is Reuben’s Deli, which is cosy and welcoming in a Tony Romas-ish way, (read: yellowish lighting, comfy booths, wooden interiors and friendly waitstaff).

Schwartz’s
3895 Boulevard Saint-Laurent
H2W 1L2, Montréal, QC
Tel: +1 514 842 4813
Sun to Thu: 8.30am – 12.30am
Fri: 8.30am – 1.30am
Sat: 8.30am – 2.30am

Reuben’s Restaurant Delicatessen
888 Saint-Catherine Ouest
H3B 1E2, Montréal, QC
Tel: +1 514-861-1255
Mon to Thu: 8am – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 8am – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 10.30pm

Poutine

Poutine is a Québécois dish unique to the region, made up of French fries, cheese curds and drizzled with brown gravy. A hugely popular snack among locals and tourists alike, even fast food companies like Burger King have poutine as part of their regular menu here!

It is a Quebec-only exclusive menu item, that is not available even in the other provinces of Canada. Quebecers have also created fancier versions of the classic poutine, by adding over-the-top toppings, so that the poutine could sometimes even be taken as a meal on its own. For me, it is the perfect late-night snack.

La Banquise is the indisputable go-to place for the best poutine. Ever. If you are there, order the most elaborate poutine on the menu, “La T-Rex”. Just imagine: ground beef, bacon, pepperoni and hot dog, on top of a mountain of yummy fries, combined to form utter heaven with slightly-peppery brown gravy.

Another place that you should consider is Au Pied de Cochon, which is well-known for its Foie Gras Poutine. It is even featured on Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations. Foie gras poutine. ‘Nuff said.

La Banquise
994 Rachel Est
H2J 2J3, Montréal, QC
Daily: 24 hours.
Tel: +1 514 525 2415

Au Pied de Cochon
536 Duluth Est
H2L 1A9, Montréal, QC
Tel: +1 514 281 1114
(Reservations are necessary)
Wed to Sun: 5pm – Midnight
Closed on Mon & Tue

Bagels

Another favourite food staple for Montrealers, also originated from the Jewish community, is the bagel. While those familiar with the New York bagel might be used to a larger, denser version of the bagel, the Montreal-style bagel has a natural sweetness with a nice springy texture.

The most common way of eating a bagel will be slathering on some cream cheese—nice and traditional. If the New York bagel is colourful and flamboyant, its Montreal counterpart is understated and classic.

Visit one of the two most famous bagel bakeries in Montreal: St-Viateur and Fairmount. They insist on traditional methods of baking bagels over a wood-fired oven. It is always quite a sight to see mountains of bagels before you. And the smell! Oh, fresh bagels smell amazing! Fairmount’s bagel flavours are more adventurous, with choices like Blueberry, Muesli, Cinnamon and Raisin, Pesto and Black Olive… etc, just to name a few.

St-Viateur Bagel Shop (main shop)
263 St. Viateur West
H2V 1Y1, Montréal, QC
Tel: 514 276 8044
Daily: 24 Hours

Fairmount Bagel
74 Fairmount West
H2T 2M2, Montréal, QC
Daily: 24 Hours

Pizza

Montreal’s pizza is comfort food, whenever you are hungry after a late-night study session, you can be sure that pizza places would stay open until at least 10pm. Or even into the wee hours of the early morning on Fridays and Saturdays, because Montrealers appreciate the beauty of good pizza after clubbing. Its thin crust has a nice slightly-crunchy texture, so its thin but not all floppy like the NY pizza.

There are two places that you can go for pizza – Chez Dany’s and McGrill Pizza. Chez Dany’s prices are really cheap. For $4.99, you get a “Trio”: 2 slices of pizza, 1 can of soft drink and a good portion of their extremely delicious fries. The shoestring fries are the best fries you will ever have. McGill Pizza, which offers free delivery, is an all-time favourite among McGill students for its delicious and freshly-made pizza.

Pizza Chez Dany
370 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest
H3A 1B5, Montréal, QC
Tel: 514 842 3842

McGill Pizza
625 Rue Milton
H3A 2A8, Montréal, QC
Mon to Fri: 7am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 11pm

Lebanese food

Middle-Eastern food in Singapore is usually pretty pricey, which you could only get at those chi-chi restaurants. However, with the large Lebanese community in Montréal (a more popular choice for Lebanese immigrants than English-speaking cities like Vancouver and Toronto, due to the common language of French), yummy Lebanese food is offered at very affordable prices.

A chicken pita sandwich from Basha costs around $4, with generous helpings of chicken shaved of the rotating rack and a variety of fresh vegetables. In part of a tiny indulgence, I got the Special Trio for an add-on combo of: a choice of salad, spiced potatoes and a fountain drink. If you like beef or lamb, check out the other stuff on the menu like the shawarma, or the merguez. Want to go for a vegetarian option? Get the falafels, which are deep-fried balls of chickpea and spices. Before you go, pick up a Baklava — a sweet, flaky dessert with finely-chopped nuts and syrup — for only a dollar!

Basha (Eaton Centre food court branch)
705 Rue Saint-Catherine Ouest
H3A 3T2, Montréal, QC
Tel: 514 284 4272
Mon to Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat: 10am – 6pm
Sun: 11am – 5pm

About the writer:
Ng Jie Yu is a final-year undergraduate student at McGill University in Montréal, Québec, Canada. She is currently studying English Lit, with a minor in History (European region). Jie Yu loves writing, fashion, food and travel; she hopes to be an author someday.