Our picks for Montréal en Lumière 2017

Montréal en Lumière is back for its 18th edition, this time shining the spotlight on the French city of Lyon - one of the world’s premier culinary destinations. A slew of gastronomic events satisfying all tastes, occasions and budgets is slated to kick off on February 23rd. If you feel overwhelmed by the multitude of choices, our curated list is here to help you out. Hurry, some events have already sold out. [Image: iStock]

LE RENOIR

1
1155 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal, QC H3A 2N3

When it comes to hotel restaurants, the good ones are few and far between. Renoir, however, is one that stands out. Clear French influences with a focus on fresh, local ingredients results in a marriage that attracts locals and tourists alike. Chef Olivier Perret is welcoming Michelin-starred Christian Lherm from Lyon’s Les Trois Dômes for a spectacular four-course meal showcasing the flavours of France’s third-largest city. - $90 before wine

Les 400 Coups

2
400, rue Notre-Dame E, Montréal, QC H2Y 1C8

Following several shake-ups in the kitchen, Les 400 Coups is still dishing out sophisticated cuisine made with 100% local ingredients. During Montréal en Lumière, this Old Montreal standout invites you to sample a four-course menu making use of local products but revisiting Lyon’s classic plates. - $75 before wine

Restaurant Mercuri

3
645, rue Wellington, Montréal, QC H3C 1T2

Renowned and respected chef Joe Mercuri is joining the festivities by concocting table d’hôte lunches available on weekdays at his buzzing, eponymous Old Montreal restaurant. Be prepared for a market-driven menu using the freshest ingredients, à la Lyonnaise, naturally. - $19 before wine

Laurie Raphaël

4
2050, rue Mansfield, Montréal, QC H3A 1Y9

Celebrity chef Daniel Vezina’s Montreal outpost – set up in the posh Hotel Le Germain – boasts creativity on the plate in a modern setting. The star chef will be teaming up with French colleague Jérémy Galvan to offer a gourmet escapade, Lyon-style bien sûr. - $49-$125 before wine

Restaurant Beaver Hall

5
1073, cote du Beaver Hall, Montréal, QC H2Z 1S5

The ever-expanding Europea group is not one to shy away from the festival circuit. Beaver Hall – its Old Montreal bistronomie outlet – will be showcasing the classic dishes of Lyon’s bouchons. Chef Patrice de Felice – a “maître cuisinier de France” – will whip up a three-course menu that will transport you to France’s third-largest city. - $39.50 before wine

Alexandre et fils

6
1454, rue Peel, Montréal, QC H3A 1S8

Downtown Montreal’s longstanding French brasserie par excellence will be hosting “meilleur ouvrier de France” Bernard Leprince, who brings with him a distinctly Lyonnaise experience. The seasoned chef is proposing a five-course feast that is bound to impress – with wine pairings from renowned sommelier and author Jessica Harnois. - $60 before wine

Restaurant Hambar

7
355, rue McGill, Montréal, QC H2Y 2E8

Step into this trendy Old Montreal temple of cured meats for an evening of charcuterie and wine pairings. Lyon-inspired platters will be married with Beaujolais wines from the same area, creating the perfect destination for an afternoon snack, happy hour or pre-dinner stop.- $32 before wine

Every passing year confirms the death of fine dining as we once knew it.  Small, affordable, made-to-share plates have cut across all cuisines and eased their way into the upper echelon of Montreal’s newcomers for 2017.  Fall may be creeping in on us soon, but there’s still plenty of time to try one of our suggestions below – the places that caught our attention, for better or for worse. (Added suggestions by Kelsey Rolfe)
It comes as no surprise that Montreal’s local food movement is a force to be reckoned with. As a result, scores of chefs have jumped on the bandwagon; some do it out of an ideological drive, others to satisfy an increasingly demanding and scrutinizing clientele. The following list of restaurants place an emphasis on sourcing locally, relying heavily on nearby farms, game and fishing. [Image credit: iStock]
Montreal’s rich and complex dining scene goes through its fair share of fads and trends every couple years. Of late, we’ve witnessed an explosion in Japanese izakayas, which were followed by Neapolitan pizzerias and more recently taquerias. The following list showcases our city’s various takes on the Mexican staple, from its most traditional form to experimental renditions that are bound to amaze. [Image credit: iStock]
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