Foie Gras Heaven in Montreal

In the past 10+ years, I have the pleasure to travel to Montreal at least once a quarter on business. I love this city, I love the people, it’s like my second home. Montreal is a multicultural city with a deep food culture – from smoke meat (Schwartz’s Deli, Dunn’s, Rueben’s), poutine (Poutineville, practically everywhere even at McDonald’s) to bagels (St-Viateur Bagel Shop, Fairmount).

The creativity of Montreal’s chefs continues to shine in restaurants around town.  But my all time favorite, it has to be Au Pied de Cochon, till this day, still my favorite restaurant. 

Here is how I would order every time, even with a group of people. I first go for the boldest wine on the menu, then I place an order for the Cromesquis (foie gras croqette) – you can’t just take a small bite, you need to put the whole damn thing into your mouth and let it explode. This little bite size croquette is incredibly delish. Then my main dish has to be the Plague a Champlain – this is a generous piece of seared foie gras sitting on top of flavorful bacon ham on top of pancake with melted cheese, where they drizzle maple syrup with vinaigrette all over. THIS IS THE TASTE OF HEAVEN!

My dream dinner is really to have dinner at the Sugar Shack by Martin Picard (also a buddy to Anthony Bourdain).  This is not any Sugar Shack, it’s the Au pied de Cochon Sugar Shack.

Driving an hr away from the city, this is a celebration to spring, every dish has maple syrup, also has the Au pied de Cochon trademark – which is pork + maple Sytrup + foie gras. They would also drizzle/pour the maple syrup on the snow and you roll it up with a wooden stick and eat like a lollipop.

You have heard enough of me talking about maple syrup, so how about maple syrup whiskey from the magnificent Quebec Sugar Maple. I have been introducing this bottle of fine Sortilege to countless friends of mine and this is quite extraordinary. Ever since I discover Sortilege over 10 years ago, I never run out of a bottle in my fridge. You can drink it straight up, on the rock, or drizzle it over ice-cream. Best place to pick it up is at the duty-free at the YUL airport as you leave the country, and it’s only $35. Most tasty liquor ever!

I love Au Pied de Cochon so much that I bought their culinary book as my coffee table book! It is witty, quirky, yet tasteful.