A Tale of Two Cities: A Culinary Bucket List For Montreal

I'm back home with the folks this weekend, while has included much talk, a little shopping, and many, many carbs. I really don't think my parents eat anything else! I've introduced them to Greek Yoghurt, a meeting that was met with trepidation and finally begrudging acceptance. Ah, parents!
Being here on what is mostly a family visit has gotten me thinking of my culinary bucket list for a future visit to   Montreal. There is so much in the city that I haven't seen and experienced, despite having lived here for 25 years. So, here we go:

1. Cabane a Sucre (Au Pied du Cochon). I've been to the original restaurant, but who wouldn't want to go sugaring off, fine dining style? Located 45 minutes outside on Montreal and with a prix fixe menu, I'd love to try out Martin Picard's take on a Quebecois classic excursion.
2. Oreilles de Crisse. Quebecois pork rinds translate to Christ's Ears in English, and yes, they are heavenly. A lot of Quebec's culinary traditions are rooted in simpler, rustic foods, and pork and pork products are essential to any omnivore's visit to the province.
3. A Bagel Tour of the Island. With St Viateur being my fave bagel bakery in Montreal, I'm wondering, am I missing out on other, equally exciting bakeries? Doing a tour of the island to taste-test all the different varieties of Montreal bagels would be such a great way to send an afternoon.
4. La Banquise: What would a trip to Montreal be without a taste of the province's unofficial regional dish? La Banquise is located in the Plateau, and open 24 hours! I definitely need to make a pit stop there to try one of their 20 poutine varieties. Nom nom. 

Hmmm, I'm wondering if I should plan another trip for March, when the maple sap is running? What a great way to end the winter!

Will Travel for Good Food

The intrepid foodie in Toronto (or any city really) knows that in a city with urban sprawl like ours, to say that you're only eating downtown can become a little limiting after a while. If you have the time, access to a vehicle, or are in other parts of the city, it might be worth it to venture out of your comfort zone to have a meal. And if you do really love food, these can become "food adventures," and a way to while away an afternoon or an evening.
I've been told that the best place in Toronto to have dosa (South Indian crepes stuffed with potatoes or other items) is on Lawrence East. I still have to ascertain the exact location from my folks, but why would I think of going to Udupi Palace on Gerrard (or Trinity Bellwoods, *shudder*), as adequate as they are, when there might be something better a little trip away . And I've known for a while that the best places to have dim sum are in North York, Willowdale, and Richmond Hill.
A few weeks ago I was at The Mixmaster's place for a relaxing weekend. Well, relaxing in that we hussled up to Unionville, which took 2 hours each way, to see the Automatistes Revolution exhibit at the Varley Gallery. The Mixmaster was eager to take me to have Gujarati vegetarian thali at Markham and Lawrence afterwards. The place is called Govardhan Thal, it is two block north of Lawrence, and their number is 416-438-0544. For a mere $5.25 we received rice, 5 puris, 4-5 subjies (vegetable dishes), daal, churdi (a savoury, milky, yoghurty dish), and shrikund (a milk-based dessert, on this occasion with dates and pistachios). The memories that were unearthed by the food, memories of my mom's cooking, of trips to Surat, India were bittersweet and healing. And the food was good, and plentiful; the one thali served me for 3 nostalgic meals. If I hadn't opened myself up to moving about the city seeking out new food experiences, I would have missed this quintessential diasporic moment.
So, check out the suburbs, revisit the haunts of your old hood, and pack a magazine or an ipod. Most of the new immigrant communities in Toronto, I feel, live in the suburbs, so supporting these businesspeople is imperative.