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| - My partner and I have a strategy now when we go to the Atwater market for our almost weekly grocery run: divide and conquer. Otherwise, we risk losing the better part of the afternoon to wandering this foodie paradise.
Regular stops include the bulk store (Le Vrac du Marché) for organic soups, healthy crackers, grains, nuts, dried fruit, etc; Fromagerie Hamel for some amazing cheese; various butcher shops for organic chicken or guinea fowl or Cornish hen, Brûlerie Aux Quatre Vents for coffee beans; Poissonnerie du Marché for a great selection of fish and seafood (I'm partial to the New Brunswick smoked salmon for a taste of home); Première Moisson for bread; Les Douceurs du Marché for speciality items such as vinegars, olive oils, and teas; and then, last but not least, all kinds of fresh fruits and vegetables from a variety of local farmers. There's also one of the biggest SAQ outlets across the street. The nearby canal makes it a great place for a picnic.
I also really like the Jean-Talon market, but I find Atwater a lot more manageable. This summer the market has expanded at the end closest to the Atwater metro, with more stands selling ready-to-eat food (lobster rolls, mmm!). I always leave spending more than planned, but I taste the difference when using fresh, local ingredients at home all week.
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