Montréal: Old and new worlds merge in food and festivals

Although Montréal is a wonderful city to visit any time, consider planning an early Q4 trip to this remarkable city. After the peak of the summer tourist season, you still can enjoy Montréal’s many attractions but with an autumn twist: changing leaves, illuminated Old Montréal architecture, spectacular lights and lanterns at the Botanical Gardens.

First on any visitor’s must-do list is the food. Indeed, Montréal is an eclectic city for both veteran and newbie foodies. Several signature items stand out for any palate:

Poutine

Brace yourself. Poutine (pictured), a surreal convergence of French fries, fresh cheese curds, and brown gravy, takes you to the fatty underworld of culinary pleasures. Legend has it that this convenient mixture emerged in the 1950s to feed an on-the-go truck driver who simply needed a hot, hearty, and hasty meal. Today, you can embrace its origins as a diner staple, or you can go upscale with finely dressed poutine wherein you might discover duck confit, evolved homemade gravies, and other gourmet delights.

Montréal-style smoked meat

You might think that a brisket is a brisket. Or pastrami is pastrami.  Not in Montréal! Made from brisket and jazzed up with unique, week-soaked spices that can vary by deli, the smoked meat is served warm and cut by hand to order. Perhaps Mr. BBQ can best explain the differences and nuances of Montréal-style smoked meat vs. New York pastrami. Regardless, you can experience it yourself at any of Montréal’s many delis and restaurants, including the popular Swartz’s Montréal Hebrew Delicatessen.

Montréal-style bagels

Without a doubt, New York bagels are the undaunted standard by which to judge all other bagels. But Montréal-style bagels have taken on a life of their own. It’s a different species of the same gastronomical genus of delicious bagels. They’re smaller. They’re sweeter. And they’re denser. But they are every bit of incredible that a great bagel should be. There’s no need to get fancy by veering from black poppy seed or sesame seed varieties. The secret ingredient? Honey water. Most visitors recommend St. Viateur Bagel Shop, which now also can be spotted about town with its Food Trucks. Here’s a full list of bagel shops.

Taste of Montréal

And if you want to try a little of all foods Montréal has to offer, November is the perfect time to visit. The Taste MTL festival invites you during the first half of November to enjoy the many dining pleasures of this gourmet-centric city. Restaurant Week is incorporated into the events; it allows you to dine at restaurants with special, fix-priced and à la carte menus.  Get a visual preview of Taste MTL from National Geographic.

Discover more of Montréal’s food scene:

National Geographic’s “Foods to Eat in Quebec”
(Pictured: Shish Taouk)

National Geographic’s “Montréal Restaurants”

Zagat Montréal Dining Survey

Travel & Leisure: Montréal Restaurants

Calories in, calories out

After you’ve rightfully indulged on Montréal’s inviting food, it might be time to expend those worth-it calories. In autumn, you have several appealing options to get moving:

1. Walk through the illuminated Botanical Gardens

A major autumn attraction is The Magic of Lanterns festival at the Botanical Gardens Chinese Garden. Launched in early September for the fall season, this Montréal Botanical Gardens features over 1,000 colorful and unique Chinese lanterns. A relatively new part of this spectacle is the Gardens of Light event, which incorporates subtle yet artful lighting to the Japanese Garden, turning its pathways into another part of the Gardens well-worth strolling off the meals.

Want just to walk off your calories in Old Montréal? Get your shoes on; the city is beautifully illuminated this time of year for lively yet peaceful evening strolls. Or venture to Mount Royal, a Frederick Law Olmstead-designed part. Prepare for climbing! The city views are the reward of your effort.

2. A guided bike tour

Montréal on Wheels offers refreshing, multi-purpose (think recreational and informative) guided tours through the city’s many inviting neighborhoods. Different tours are available. Consider the architectural tour along the St. Lawrence River. Ride with an extra layer or two, and enjoy this appealing time of year to get on a bike.

3. Cirque de Soleil

Okay, if exercise is not on your agenda, then you certainly can burn some calories vicariously by watching the incredible athletes and acrobats of Cirque du Soleil, which was born in Quebec. Become awestruck at any of the Cirque’s themed shows.

Line up your Q4 plans.  From spoken word to new film to burlesque, festival themes are diverse and plentiful. Plan your fall festival options to suit your tastes. Regardless of your preferences, a Q4 visit to Montréal should be a highlight of anyone’s travel calendar!

Jetcraft Sales Engineer Nick Mossa is located in Montréal and he would be happy to recommend a good restaurant, or dine with you if you are interested in talking about the Business Aviation market. He can be contacted at [email protected] or +1 438 985 8110.