Photos by Elena Abbandonato and Sofia Mazzamauro
The month of January plagues McGill students and Montrealers alike with its intense wave of –30-degree weather, prompting many to feel the winter blues. This January, though, Montreal’s restaurant scene gave us a good reason not to hibernate until April with Happening Gourmand, an event that showcases high-end restaurants in Old Montreal for a price that doesn’t hurt your bank account.
Echoing New York’s Restaurant Week, Happening Gourmand makes fine dining in the Old Port affordable. This year’s 5th edition of the much-anticipated event featured a range of some of the most popular restaurants in Old Montreal. For $23, you are able to enjoy a table d’haute menu at Vieux-Port Steakhouse, Modavie, Taverne Gaspar, Méchant Boeuf, and Suite 701, and for $27, you can dine in style at Verses and AIX Cuisine du Terroir.
After sampling the menus of a variety of featured restaurants this past month, here are the high (and low) lights of the event.
Suite 701
A quiet and cold Wednesday evening is quickly remedied by a hearty three-course meal at Suite 701. As I walk in, I am struck by its ‘restaurant meets lounge’ like trendy interior. Everything from the curtains, pink lighting, high ceilings, and chandeliers, to the lounging sofas is just fabulous! We are seated near the window, which is nice since Suite 701 is located on a beautiful street corner (Côte de la Place d’Armes), making the view from the window all the better. After some deliberation, it is time to order our first meal. As an appetizer, I opt for the onion soup and my dining partner decides on the beet and goat cheese salad. The onion soup is comforting on a cold day: the cheese is melted on top and the flavours are bold, however, I find myself getting a little tired of its excessive saltiness towards end. The beet salad is a stark contrast to my onion soup—refreshing, light, and flavourful until the last bite. For my main, I am excited to try the duck leg confit on a bed of Beluga lentils and chorizo. It is fall off the bone and melts in your mouth while the lentils are flavourful and pair very well with the duck. Later, we are given the choice of two mousse desserts served in small jars. We obviously decide to take one of each and share. The chocolate gourmand with maple caramel and fleur de sel and the vanilla-coffee striped panna cotta, hazelnut crisp are both the perfect way to end such a satisfying meal. Suite 701 is the place to go to with your girlfriends on a Saturday night, or for a 5 à 7 à la Sex and the City.
Taverne Gaspar
A fairly new restaurant in Old Montreal, Taverne Gaspar has been receiving lots of attention since its opening. The food is casual, and the atmosphere hip and lively. It is the perfect spot for watching the game or for a night out with friends over a beer (they’re also pretty big on bourbon). We decide to go on a Tuesday evening and the place is full of energy. The restaurant is relatively spacious and has a great ‘tavern’ vibe to it with its dimmed lights and antique feel. Our first courses are served pretty quickly after we order and they are light and delicious. My grilled asparagus and mushroom appetizer dressed with truffle vinaigrette and parmesan shavings leaves me anticipating the next course in a good way. My burger arrives shortly after. The Tavern burger, topped with manchego cheese, pork belly, and pimenton aioli, is served with onion rings and coleslaw. The pork belly adds that special something to the burger, and if the patty were not too overdone, it would have been flawless. I am excited to see that my burger comes with onion rings instead of fries because as much as I love my potatoes, I am a big fan of onion rings (c’mon, they don’t get enough love). The dessert round comes along and even though I am slightly uncomfortably full, I can never pass on dessert—and I’m glad I don’t because it does not disappoint. I make the right choice with the bread pudding served with caramel ice cream, and I can’t help but steal a bit of my friend’s dark chocolate flan topped with vanilla crème anglaise. Taverne Gaspar is a true prize among the pool of restaurants in Old Montreal. I will definitely be returning with my friends.
Vieux-Port Steakhouse
On this particular evening, my friends and I decide to make a night out of what Montreal has to offer in the winter time: a mouth-watering dinner at a steakhouse, followed by dancing (freezing) our faces off at Igloofest. When we walk into Vieux-Port Steakhouse on a Friday night, it is nearly full. Luckily we have reservations and are seated in a cozy spot near a stone wall and fireplace (in contrast to what it to come later on in the evening). To start, I order the cream of vegetable soup—nothing like soup to keep you warm and toasty during chilly winters in Montreal. The mains all sound mouth-watering. I can’t help but order the first thing that catches my eye: tenderloin medallions wrapped in bacon with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and veal reduction. The meat is cooked perfectly medium rare and it is tender, but I do wish the bacon was crispier, though. A glass of Sterling pinot noir (on the menu for an extra $8) accompanies the meat nicely as well. My friends’ dishes, ranging from rib steak to grilled shrimp, are equally satisfying. Dessert ceases to impress to my dismay. My vanilla-flavoured crème brûlée isn’t spectacular and is unfortunately served cold. Vieux-Port Steakhouse is perfect for a party or a large gathering, although I do recommend making reservations.
Versus
The last restaurant I visit before Happening Gourmand comes to an end is Versus, the chicest, and most expensive, of the bunch ($27 or $37 menu choice). Located in Hotel Nelligan, this establishment also has a cool bar lounge and in summer, the rooftop terrace opens up to the public. The restaurant is located on the main floor and is elegantly decorated with a touch of an old Europe feel and caters to a mature clientele made up of businessmen/women and tourists. For my appetizer, I finally order a beet salad, which seems to be present in most of Happening Gourmand’s menus. I am glad I waited because this one seems to be the best choice, made with caramelized nuts, goat cheese, pickled cucumber and sorrel pesto. It is an explosion of different flavours that mesh well together and is very fresh. My main, homemade ravioli stuffed with squash and aged cheddar with sautéed mushrooms and red wine reduction, is a meagre portion but every bite is delicious—I definitely could have eaten more than seven, though. I am excited to see that crème brûlée is on the menu, so I decide to try it again. Their chai tea crème brûlée topped with a Belgian spice cookie is unique and works really well. Overall, Versus is a great place to take mom and dad to, and luckily, mom and dad footed my bill!
Now that Happening Gourmand has managed to distract us from winter for a little while, I am looking forward to slightly warmer temperatures.
Suite 701
701 Côte de la Place d’Armes
Old Montreal
(514) 904-1201
www.suite701.com
Taverne Gaspar
89 rue de la Commune East
Old-Montreal
(514) 392-1649
www.tavernegaspar.com
Vieux-Port Steakhouse
39 Saint-Paul Street East
Old Montreal
(514) 866-3175
www.vpsteak.com
Versus
100 Saint-Paul Street West
Old Montreal
(514) 788-4000
www.versesrestaurant.com
Happening Gourmand takes place every January in Old Montreal. For more information, and to check out participating restaurants, visit their website.