Montreal – Circus of the Sun | P2

Vietnamese Version

Read Part 1 here

Not only is Montreal’s culture influenced by the influx of immigration from Britain and France, after World War II, those from Asia, Europe, and Africa also came to this city, bringing along the diversity in their cuisine as well as culture to Montreal.

Cuisines from all over the world

Following Darren’s suggestions, I wandered off to a restaurant named “Modavie” to try their French onion soup and poutine – Montreal specialty. Seeing that I was solo-dining, the kind waiter came over from time to time to make sure I feel accompanied. He didn’t know that I did not feel lonely at all. Instead, I was busy enjoying the hearty broth infused with onion, somewhat resembling pho broth ⁽¹⁾, with the addition of a condensed cheese layer on top and a generous amount of chewy onion pieces at the bottom. On the other side of the room, the band was playing classical jazz under the cozy light. I was warm and content, regardless of how it was pouring outside.

However, the poutine let me down a little bit. This dish is about meat and cheese served with gravy and fries on the side. I ordered some more lamb to fill up, but could not finish half of the dish. The saving grace of the dish might have been how well the lamb pair with my lemon-peach cocktail, but that was it.

Another local favorite is the humble bagel. For American, bagel is a breakfast stapled along with cream cheese, jam or butter. I myself got tired of eating bagels during college, but still, I went head to try Montreal version of this snack.

St. Viateur is a bakery famous for their hand-kneaded bagels baked in a wood-fueled oven. Stepping in the warm tiny shop, I found a wall filled with news articles about the bakery, alongside photos of the owner with different popular public figures. Digging in the famous bagels there, I completely forgot how any other bagels taste like before St. Viateur. Their bagels were the perfect combination of crunchy and fluffy textures, completed with a touch of roasted sesame on top, unlike anything else I have tasted before and specially smoky from their wood-fueled oven. I was standing along other patrons, happily enjoying my bagels until completely full!

Having heard about the Italian population of Montreal, I made my plan to include a visit to the Jean-Talon market in the Italian town. In the summer, merchants flooded the market to sell food, fresh produce, and souvenirs. Shops were filled with freshly-caught mussels, meat, fruit and diverse offer of farm produce such as ripened tomatoes, juicy strawberries, and bright yellow mangoes. My favorite was flowers, with all kinds of beautiful colors adorning the site. If only I had some space to bring them all home!

The last stop of my food tour is a brewery called “Dieu du Ceil!” (“Thank God!”). They offer about 17 varieties of beer, all in a small cozy shop. Following the owner’s recommendation, I ordered a glass of “Rosie D’Hibicus” (infused with hibiscus), which had such a pungent and aromatic flavor. I was blushing after just a few sips, secretly wishing for a side of bacon and cheese for a perfect touch!

The Saint’s Festival of Light

The majority of the Montreal population are Roman Catholic so the city is famous for a lot of churches. Mark Twain once said, “You cannot throw a brick without hitting a church window in Montreal.” I have to admit that Notre-Dame Basilica is one of the most impressive cathedrals I’ve ever witnessed, only second to Saint Peter Basilica in Vatican City. Built in the era of Gothic Revival, this place also held the 1994 wedding of “Canadian sweetheart” Celine Dion.

I booked a light show named “Aura,” which was absolutely private and allowed no photography. It was indeed a unique experience. As the lights went off, a scene like in “Night at the Museum” ⁽²⁾  was unveiled. I held my breath. All the saints came alive. Beams and rays of light danced to the music, an ambiance that could not get any more sacred. The main altar was always well-adorned, but then got even more magical in the magnificent show of light.

In a split second, I thought I was a fairy-tale princess. Sitting on a wooden bench but my mind wandered off into the air and couldn’t come down.

Montreal – Circus of the Sun | P3

Notes:

⁽¹⁾ Pho is a traditional Vietnamese dish – a bowl of noodles, vegetables, and thin-sliced beef or chicken soaked in deeply savory broth. In order to achieve that rich flavor, a cook has to simmer beef knuckles and different spices (ginger, onions, star aniseed…) for up to 5 hours.

⁽²⁾ A movie by Shawn Levy. Started with Larry, a security guard who witnesses abnormal activities in the museum where he works. As night comes, all the exhibits come alive and start talking, moving and living like real humans.