Like London, Montreal is also acclaimed for its culinary diversity (minus the pricey eats) reflecting the city’s various ethnic groups. If you want proof, take a look at the Montreal Mirror’s annual Best of Montreal poll, which has 50 categories in the chow section.

Here are my additions to and comments on the results.

Some readers, most likely students, seem to really like McDonald’s and Harvey’s vaulting them to the top 5 in the best burger category. Instead, go to La Paryse or l’Anecdote if you’re not fond of fast food chains.

I’m surprised the Mirror didn’t have a people / celebrity watch category. If you’re into the glitterati scene, try Buonanotte, Cavalli, Globe, Med or Sofia. These supper clubs attract the same types who frequent Costes, Cab or Kong in Paris.

A friend took me last week to a very popular café in Old-Montreal called Olive et Gourmando. It reminded me of Baker and Spice in London. Prices are a bit steep, $9 for a sandwich compared with $3 to $5 anywhere else; fortunately the quality of the food makes up for it.

I didn’t have a chance to sample their pain au chocolat, which is apparently delicious. The way I like it: pure beurre, a bit flaky and with double chocolate sticks. I could’ve asked how they make it but it just sounds too snobby.

Continuing on with viennoiseries, the places I like are Première Moisson for its pain au chocolat amande and Kouign Amman for the pastry of the same name (very popular in France). The one in Montreal is a bit harder and stickier but tastes about the same.

Montreal is actually home to one of the best patisseries in the world (IMHO), Le Paltoquet. Their cakes, ganache or mousse based, are heavenly and light. My favourite one is le Praliné, a creamy mix of caramelised sugar, almond and hazelnuts.

Only three other places I know make a praliné that rivals it: Pierre Hermé with the 2000 millefeuilles, Ladurée with the macaron au praliné (but oddly enough the millefeuille au praliné’s a letdown), and Berthillon with the glace praliné aux pignons.

Know any other good places? Let me know so I can try them on my next trip to Mtl.

Addresses
L’Anecdote: 801 Rachel, M Sherbrooke
Buonanotte: 3518 Saint-Laurent, M St-Laurent, Web
Cavalli: 2040 rue Peel, M Peel, Web
Globe: 3455 Saint-Laurent, M St-Laurent, Web
Kouign Amman: 322 Mont-Royal Est, M Mont-royal
Med: 3500 Saint-Laurent, M St-Laurent, Web
Olive + Gourmando: 351 Saint-Paul Ouest, M Sq. Victoria, Web
Le Paltoquet: 1464 ave Van Horne, M Outremont
Première Moisson: 1490 Sherbrooke Ouest, M Guy-Concordia, Web
Sofia: 3600 Saint-Laurent, M St-Laurent, Web

Other Guides
Montreal Food: www.montrealfood.com
Le Voir: Ze Best of Montreal (catchier than le meilleur de Montréal)