Mangez Montreal
FEBRUARY 26TH, 2009
Mangez Montreal
When it's too chilly to shop, we say, let's eat!
dinner
Victoria, B.C. Chef Derek Dammann's DNA in Old Montreal only sounds like molecular gastronomy. Instead, honest and innovative Italian fare (perhaps influenced by cooking with Jamie Oliver at London's Fifteen) is served in an open room with retro-Eighties blown glass. Go for the BBQ octopus with chickpeas and watercress ($13) and the porchetta with radish and mustard leaves ($10) and order lots of little things to share. 355 Rue Marguerite D'Youvile, Montreal, 514-287-3362, www.dnarestaurant.com
cocktails
Montreal's Opus Hotel has a prime St Laurent location and the gorgeous restaurant Koko (pictured) that opens into a big tented courtyard—once again destined to be a hot summer cocktailing spot. Opus Hotel, 10 Sherbrooke Ouest, Montreal, 514-843-6000, www.opushotel.com
lunch
At L'Express, the steak melts in your mouth, the chicken and mustard sauce is sublime and the grilled salmon comes simply prepared with a sprinkling of grey sea salt. Some things are best because they never change. L'Express, 3927 Rue St. Denis, Montreal, 514-845-5333.
plane picnic
With 13 locations, Le Pain D'Oré is no secret, but it's simply the best place to pick up a "Parisian" ham and cheese baguette to ease the pain of your Tango flight home. Le Pain D'Oré, 3611 Boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, 514-982-2520.