Au Pied de Cochon [Montreal - 2015]

On my recent trip to Montreal with Dad and friends, of course I have to bring them to the most popular restaurant in Montreal, Au Pied de Cochon (see my last post from 2012 here)

Yummy warm freshly made baguette, can't beat that ♥

They have one of the most extensive wine list I've seen in a restaurant of that size.

Foie Gras Cromesquis $4.00/2pcs

I still remember these from last time and it was such a yummy intense burst of goodness! I still have no idea why no other restaurants have something like this. Warning: be patient and wait for it to cool down a bit before eating it in one bite.

The Best of Campagnolo 2010-2015 ~ u-feast Event

I was lucky enough to be invited to u-feast (@u_feast) 2nd event at Campagnolo (@Campagnolo_) for their 5 year annivairsary dinner where 50 lucky diners get to eat some of Chef Craig Harding's very best dishes. With the growing list of restaurants to try, I have been meaning to come back to Campagnolo since I first came back in 2012 (see post here) but never found the time.... Recently name as one of Canada's Top 100 Best Restaurants, I was excited to be back. After 3 years since my last meal here, I still remember the dishes I had and that's a good sign since it mean I like it / very memorable given how much I eat out.

 U-Feast is a brand new event company planning off-menu dinning experience where you get to meet new people that are just as passionate about food. I have experience many interesting conversation during communal dinning event like these where you get to sit to strangers, you may make a few friends along the way.

Housemade Baguette & Gougeres

 Great start with their yummy warm freshly baked bread, just as good as I remember it and the gougeres aka cheese puffs were so light and delicious. Knowing how much I love bread,  I could have been totally satisfied munching just on these the whole night.

 

 Warm Olives

Beef Tartare

~ 60 day aged w/ truffle sauce & brioche

  

Thoroughbred Food & Drink [Canadian]

Heard so many amazing thing about Thoroughbred Food & Drink (@ThoroughbredTO)
 that I have no idea why it took me so long to pay them a visit.

Bought to us by Chef Ariel Coplan previously George & Splendido which are two of my fav restaurants, I do have high expectations and let's just say I wasn't disappointed.

With a long bar thought the first floor of the narrow space with a DJ table at the end, we were quickly escorted upstairs to a more casual dinning area.

Burrata $13

~ Ramps, Beets, Watermelon Radish

Delicious, refreshing and pretty, love the simplicity of the dish but wish there was a tad more of that burrata. 

Kung Pao Cauliflower $11

~ Cashews, Cilantro, Chili

Deep fried and coated with spicy sweet sauce topped with crunchy nuts, this was just simply AMAZING!!!

Big Crow [BBQ/Canadian]

 I finally made it to Big Crow (@bigcrowbbq) this past Sunday for brunch. Located just behind Rose and Son, it's very easy to miss. No idea what took me so long since I have been fan of Anthony Rose other 2 restaurants (here & here)

The weather was so nice and sunny, wished they had their rooftop open. Love the semi open space with the long communal picnic tables, I was surprise the kitchen was rather small and open where you can see all the meat being grilled.

Cowboy Coffee $10

Strong French Press style coffee in my fave Le Creuset color ♥

 Fried Egg Toastada $14

~ guacamole, charred mushroom & black bean salsa, pepitas & queso

When ordering, we were recommended this since the other two dishes was heavy meat one and we were told that it's a rather popular new addition to their menu. Let just say it tasted as good as it look, very light and flavorful, didn't even miss the meat here. Perfect for vegetarian at a BBQ with friends

Cafe Myriade - Dominion Square [Montreal]

You know that me and Ben always love to explore local coffee shops when travelling since we need our daily dose of coffee anyway, so why not try something new something local. Found Myriade (@cafemyriade) online and noticed they open their 3rd location inside the Club Monaco store on Rue St-Catherine.

Since we do not feel like museum and had nothing better to do, we decided to take on the busiest street in Montreal that Sunday afternoon and I thought of this place that I saw. As soon as I located the Club Monaco store, I let my nose lead me by the coffee smell to the ground floor. Seeing the café as I came down from the stairs, I can't help but wish Toronto have something like that. So cute!!!

They even have their own custom made Kees Van der Western machine with not only their name on it but also custom pressure setting in each espresso pump.

They served and sell Vancouver's 49th Parallel Roasters coffee which have always been one of my favorite. They also sell local goodies from Patisserie Rhubarbe which we have just been that morning (see post here), Hof Kelsten Bakery, Société-Original and St.Leons Maple Syrup.

Patisserie Rhubarbe [Montreal - Bakery]

Patisserie Rhubarbe  (@rhubarbe_mtl) was recommended by a Montreal friend of mine, it's a little gem tucked away on a side street with probably less than 15 seats dinning area.

When we arrive on a Sunday at Brunch hour, the place was packed and there was a line forming just to grab some goodies to go. Go thing we were only grabbing some sweets, so eating outside the store was acceptable given the sunny day it was.

Love how most of their creation came in cake size.

Wish they sell this by slice or have a mini version.

Yes, I wanted to try everything 

Megalomaniac - Spring Open House & Release Event [20 Valley Winery]

Although Megalomaniac (@megalomaniacJHC) wasn't part of the Get Fresh passport (see post here & here), I just had to drop by my fave winery for their Spring Open House & Release Event happening that same weekend (see my previous visit here & here)

We got to taste 9 wines with food pairings for $5 which you get refunded with purchase of $24.95 which basically means free since I couldn't resist buying a few bottles.

 

 

We started with the Sparkling & the drier Riesling and I like how they put the red wines in the middle with the sweeter white saved for the end.

 

Here's what we got to taste:

 

2013 Bubblehead Champenoise $28.95

Grounded Riesling Reserve $24.95

 

Groundbreaker Red $19.95

Bravado Cab Sauv $24.95

Grounded Cab Franc $39.95

Grounded Merlot $39.95

 

Narcissit Riesling $17.95

 Pink Slip Rose $19.95

Local Squeeze Riesling $13.95