Fantasia 2018: Becky’s Montreal Hit List Involving Lots of Food
My favorite aspect of travel is uncovering the unusual fascinations that form the underlying nature of a city. With its French flair and stunning skyline wrapped around the Saint Lawrence River, Montreal is an ideal setting for cultural exploration and artistic revelry (ya’ know, like the Fantasia International Film Festival). Plus, Montreal has the second highest number of restaurants per capita out of any city in North America. This ties into my other beloved travel hobby: eating my way to Overweight American Tourist status. From food to oddities, here’s my optimistic Montreal to-do list in between Fantasia screenings.
Indulge in Sleazy History at Cinema L’Amour
Originally founded in 1914, this theatre eventually morphed into an adult-only cinema in the year 1969 (yes, it’s ok…I laughed too). There’s a 50/50 chance of me actually being brave enough to venture inside this historic landmark of sex entertainment, but hey, women are FREE on “Fun Freaky Fridays.”
Shop for Weirdness at Eva B
This vintage thrift shop features 3 stories eclectic goods. Randomness hangs from the ceiling. Curiosities hide behind rows of retro clothing. Unique jewelry awaits a fateful tryst with a new owner. Eva B also houses a cafe that reportedly serves fantastic cookies. This place had me at cookies.
Eat Delicious Bagels Everyday
Apparently, the best bagels on the planet exist in Canada. The traditional Montreal bagel is hand-rolled, boiled in honey-water, and baked in a wood-fired oven. Okay, internet, you convinced me. I suppose I’ll just have to eat my bodyweight in carbs while visiting this Canadian metropolis of comfort food. With a bagel-making history of nearly a century, Fairmount Bagel is legit. In fact, the famous bagels were the first of their kind to be consumed in space by astronaut Greg Chamitoff in 2008. Space bagels, I’m coming for you.
Devour a Smoked Meat Sandwich
Farmer Vincent would be jealous of Montreal’s abundant offering of smoked meats. The city’s signature sandwich is formulated from layers of spiced and cured brisket stacked between two slices of bread. Meat on meat on meat. Schwartz is the most well-known place to grab smoked meat, but I also have my eyes on Chenoy’s, Smoked Meat Pete, and Lester’s Deli.
Stroll Along the Colorful Homes of Saint-Louis Square
Elegant Victorian homes, decorated like a box of crayons, grace the streets of Plateau Mont Royal. I love walking. I love architecture. I love crayons. And I can’t think of a better way to work off all the food I’m gonna’ eat than a long jaunt beside brightly-colored row houses.
Try Some Crack…Chicken
Romados deals out chicken so out-of-your-mind awesome that it’s been dubbed “crack chicken.” The greasy (I say this with love) Portuguese rotisserie meat is a special combination of crispy and juicy, often paired with roast potatoes, french fries, or a pastry tart. I can’t wait to get addicted.
Appreciate Street Art on Boulevard Saint-Laurent
While some artwork is done at random, much of the stunning wall murals are generated from street art festivals that attract painters from all over the globe. The largest of these is MURAL Festival, which takes place in June, but the finished works are left up all year.
Get Magical at The Lockhart
This bar and restaurant has an undoubtedly magical theme, riffing on names suspiciously close to those coined by J.K. Rowling in a series about a certain boy wizard. While I can’t say that I’m a wizarding fan, I can say that I am down for The Lockhart’s “Better Beer” concoction made with Butterscotch Liqueur, Whipped Cream, and Roasted Marshmallow.
Dine in Pure Darkness at Dans Le Noir
Ever wondered what it would be like to eat a fine meal while staring into the endless abyss of darkness that lies before you? Dans Le Noir serves patrons in complete darkness. The idea is to focus the sensory experience on the taste of the food by eliminating all visual distractions. I can’t decide if this is the ultimate sensory journey or a ticket to an existential crisis, but I expect Richard B. Riddick to be taking my order.
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