There’s a misconception that a meal of dumplings is called “dim sum“. This is wrong. “Dim sum” is more than a meal, it’s an experience. An experience you’d get at some of the city’s various dim sum houses. It’s a meal that consists of various small dishes. Dumplings, steamed seafood, pan-fried radish cakes, pastries and desserts. Yes, you can eat dumplings AT dim sum, but it doesn’t make the meal. Like how a square is can be classified as a rectangle, but not the other way around. I visited Yin Ji Chang Fen. As their name says, a spot that specializes in a particular dish that’s served at dim sum – rice noodle rolls or “chang fun”.
Downtown
They say a sign of getting older is brunching harder then you party. Actually, I’m not really sure who “they” are or if this is a real adage, but I’m saying it now, so it’s a thing. What better way to end the weekend and mentally prepare yourself for a work week ahead than with day-drinking, because brunch without booze is just a sad sad late breakfast. I’m confident in saying that Montreal’s brunch game is on point. In any corner of the city, regardless of the neighbourhood, there will always be a local café, big box chain, or bistro du quartier serving a weekend brunch. An area that is often is overlooked is right under your nose; The Golden Square Mile, AKA, Downtown! Amidst the new wave brunch spots, sits various O.G. go-to’s that pillar the scene with brunch classics. That’s exactly what you’ll get at La Société.
What do you consider a comfort food? What is comfort food? Comfort food is a food or dish that provides the eater a sense of nostalgia that he or she may hold a sentimental value for. Something that transports you back to a specific time and place and evokes warm fuzzy feels the moment it touches your lips. I was born and raised in Montreal. I was fortunate enough to be exposed to the vast variety of different kinds of food our multicultural city has to offer. Needless to say a lot of foods that hold a special place in my heart are bagels, steamies and poutine, pho, smoked meat and Portuguese chicken. I guess I developed an emotional attachment to the former through my CEGEP and University days. A quarter chicken combo box topped off with fries and extra spicy sauce and salad set you up for a relatively healthy meal for an affordable price. I recently visited Campo, a new spot serving Portuguese chicken bidding to tug at my heartstrings.