Strawberry Season

Early summer is strawberry season, and these parfaits were the logical conclusion when Nourse Farm had their fresh strawberries ready to go! They were some of the sweetest, reddest strawberries I have had in a long time.

Marche Jean-Talon

While in Montreal, we visited one of the city's famous markets, Marche Jean-Talon.

We didn't have breakfast before going here, and I had a little bit of beast in me as I bit into my much anticipated date bar from a patisserie in the market. Before this I devoured the maple syrup tart before Ben could even get out the camera.

Mmmmm roasting meat on a spit. This place had roasted lamb, chicken, beef, and Merguez sausage.

I order the special of the day, 2 for 1 Merguez sausages. This dog also wants the sausages.

I am less beast-like after my sweets and sausages.

Au Pied de Cochon

Near the corner of Chateaubriand and Duluth in Montreal, you find Au Pied de Cochon.

Au Pied de Cochon is the reason I went to Montreal. I saw it on an episode of No Reservations and I HAD to go. When I realized it's only a 5 hour drive from Boston, I was there the next weekend. This is what we had:

Foie Gras Cromesquis: these were completely unbelievable. Really, words fail me. Basically, this is a cube of foie gras terrine, which has been breaded and deep fried. These are one bite affairs, you pop it in your mouth, bite down, and the molten center fills your mouth with sublime pleasure. I could eat way too many of these.

Pickled tongue: so tender, so good.

My main course, Plogue a Champlain: this is a buckwheat pancake topped with cured ham, brie cheese, and a large piece of foie gras which has been sauteed in a maple syrup glaze. This was amazing, one of the best things I have ever eaten.

Ben's main, the foie gras and boudin tart: housemade blood sausage and foie gras on top of a buttery flaky tart crust, awesome, and as you can see, it was huge.

Apparently we forgot to take a picture of dessert, which was the dark chocolate pot de creme. I think by that time we were both so completely satiated it didn't cross our minds. The whole meal was thoroughly awesome, I'd do it again anytime. Just a 5 hour drive...