alexthecook

Hey all! I'm looking to buy an espresso machine for Christmas, in Montreal. I can't believe at the prices listed above! Can I get something decent for say $500-$700? My knowledge is very limited, all I know is I'd want a pump... I*'m seeing the SAECO VIENNA SUPERAUTOMATICA at cafeunion for 750$, would that be any good? Thanks!

To Carswell's list, I would add: Autour d'un pain 100, avenue du Mont-Royal Est, Montréal, QC H2T 1N8 Tél. : 514-843-0728 They have a small but good selection of Quebec cheeses, not to mention the famed Retrodor baguette... I took the adress off of canada411.com but I realise it is not accurate since Autour d'un pain is right on the corner of Saint-Urbain and Mont-Royal.

Thank you Carswell! I never even knew that use mere mortals could benefit from private imports... Have you ever ordered from Rézin? Are all Puzelat wines generally good? Because although the Telquel isn't on Rézin, I see they have four wines from Clos du Tue-Boeuf and I now recall that the Telquel was associated with that house. I'm tempted, but when you have to buy 12 at a time, it's quite a risk!

I was at the Pied de Cochon last week and tried a red named "Le Telquel - Un vin au poil dur". I could see from the label that it ws from France and the picture was of a teckel dog, but not much else. The wine was one of the lowest priced at the PdC (37$ if memory serves) but it was very original. The dominant taste was peat, and could be compared to pu-erh tea. The wine was fizzy and had to be decanted. The sommelière had avised that this was a very different wine and not to everybody's liking. Well I loved it. Does anyone know where we can buy this? Or how to find out? I'm pretty sure it was a private import....

Wow, thanks for all the replies! I'll put all of this to good use.. And how about some more low-key places for lunch... best sandwich in town, things like that?

Yes, but I'm specifically looking for some very local and typical stuff, even the smaller places...

Hi, I'll be in Boston this weekend for three days. I'll be arriving late (around 11pm) on Friday and leaving Monday afternoon. This means I'll be having three breakfasts, three lunches and two (possibly three if anything's open friday night) dinners. I'll be staying in the financial district (Broad Street) but am ready to move around. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a few good places to eat at... I'm looking for quality and authenticity. Money isn't really a problem (except for truly upscale places), but I'm looking at both fancy and inexpensive places. I'd especially like to sample the best of what is typically bostonian (clams? lobster? ...baked beans?) A great sandwich place? You name it... Also, some low-key pubs to relax in with the locals would be cool... as long as the guinness isn't too expensive! Finally, I was wondering if there were any interesting outdoor markets... again, I'm thinking local, not touristy (so NOT the Quincy market). Thank you so much!

Cocoa Locale is just a few minutes from my place and I tried an olive oil lemon bundt cake last week. It was absolutely delicious. I don't think it should be considered a "first flight" place in the way Lesley describes what that should be, it's more like a homey traditionnal place that has nailed the basics, with some interesting twists. In short, my favorite kind of place. The owner is wonderful and very eager to please - she opened up the place for us even though it was supposed to be closed (she was still up preparing for the next day). It's pretty much al baked goods with no pastry whatsoever: cupcakes (small ones and huge ones), brownies, baked cakes... I recommend it wholeheartedly, it's sure to please everyone.

Just came back from Pied de Cochon, and had yet again a fantastic time. Split the PDC seafood platter (breathtaking, although I found out why some lesser known shellfish don't make it to everybody's table - some are plainly not good). My better half had the tarte de boudin (blood sausage "pie"), with loads of seafood on top, for the same price as usual... it was heaven. I had the trustee Potee du PDC (sausage, pork, meaty lard, blood sausage, with onions, mushroom and the famous mashed potatoes - a classic)... service was excellent (sat at the bar). In my book anyways, this place has never let me down. Maybe we shouldn't judge it solely on special events?