The best meal of my life!
I was visiting Montreal from my mostly vegetarian existence in Vancouver and my friend took me to one of his favourite restaurants. I was truly blown away.
Although I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about wine, their wine list was full of exotic bottles I had never heard of. We were skilfully guided through our various options and when we narrowed what we were looking for we were charmingly told the background of the particular vineyard.
We went for a series of different dishes that we split. The first course (which I thought was the entire meal) was a spread of 3 quite different dishes. The crostini with the marscapone, proscuitto, and peaches was unlike anything I had eaten before. The salty sweetness combined with creaminess was incredible.
It was my first time eating rabbit ever and the rabbit canneloni dispelled any preconception I had. It had a savoury meatiness with a tomato sauce that was incredibly fresh tasting. A lovely fresh buratta with tiny perfectly cooked chantrelles completed the course.
Second course consisted of two pork sausages on creamy polenta and a stuffed veal roll. The sausages were flecked with fennel (anise?) , which I normally dislike but brought out depths to the meat I had never tasted before. The veal roll was a wonderful meaty melange with a quails egg in the centre.
Great atmosphere with a great playlist and a cozy vibe. The service was the kind of crazily informed professionalism that can only come from people who love what they do and take pride in it.
I honestly think my palate has been increased from the unique flavours I tried that night.
Thanks for a great meal and I hope to visit next time I am in town!