Elite Traveler September-October 2018

EXPLORE MONTREAL GUIDE TO MONTREAL

Known and loved for more than just hockey, poutine and maple syrup, Montreal is a little piece of Europe within the Americas, with French and British influences abounding. From the cobblestone streets to the historic buildings, this metropolis is a must-see for any global traveler. If you’re planning a trip over the summer months, don’t miss the Montreal Grand Prix (June 7-9, 2019), which takes place on the streets of downtown. Or come in winter and explore the many ski resorts (and après-ski, of course) of nearby Mont-Tremblant and the Laurentians. With a flight time of under two hours from New York, and an entirely palatable six hours from Paris, you could arrive in one of Canada’s oldest and chicest cities in no time. The locals are perpetually polite, there is an abundance of restaurants to eat your way through (the city boasts the second highest number of restaurants per capita in North America), and the wild beauty of Canada is right on the doorstep.

by Rebecca Taylor

From top: Montreal in fall; The Biosphere Museum

TOP RESTAURANTS

AU PIED DE COCHON Au Pied de Cochon serves unique haute cuisine in the heart of the city. Opened by renowned chef Martin Picard in 2001, visit to delight in classic flavors with an original spin, such as stuffed pig’s trotter with foie gras or duck in a can. With so much rich food, make sure to save room for dessert. Maple syrup from its very own cabane à sucre (sugar shack) infiltrates most of the sweet offerings, and dishes are inspired by Picard’s most recent travels. aupieddecochon.ca

GIBBY’S A meat-lover’s mecca, Gibby’s is one of the best steakhouses in the area. Housed within an 18th-century building, Gibby’s fits right in at the Old Port with its historical backdrop and exposed stone walls. Not much of a meat eater? There are plenty of seafood offerings like oven-baked clams and two-pound lobsters, but it’s worth a visit just for the innovative sides, such as grilled jalapeño sirloin sausages that are famous in their own right. gibbys.com

JOE BEEF Continually ranked as one of Canada’s best restaurants, you can’t visit Montreal without enjoying a meal here. Opened in 2005 by Frédéric Morin, David McMillan and Allison Cunningham, this spot has grown into a Canadian institution. Head here for all of your gluttonous delights, such as truffle beer-can chicken and double-down foie gras. But book early, as the waitlist can span up to two months. joebeef.ca

Photos Jennifer May, Kevin Pages, Shutterstock.com, MBAM /Michel Dubreuil.