Food With A Point

I have a soft spot for cookbooks. Essentially, they have replaced the story books of my childhood and I love to lose myself in the cookery tales and images. It’s not uncommon to find me seated in the aisles of bookstores perusing the latest publication or the classic tome. But what I really love are old cookbooks. I see them as snapshots on the culture that was and the traditions people used to covet at the table. For example, looking at an old Jehane Benoit you’ll note a section on different dishware patterns and when to use them: for casual affairs, for family, for formal shindig, etc.

The good news for those of you who enjoy these old culinary works as much as I do is that there is a place dedicated to just these items. La Librairie Gourmande’s Anne Fortin (the cookbook store at the Jean-Talon Market) has opened L’Occasion Gourmande nearby. Filled with all sorts of treasures, it is also the home of the first formal collection of Quebec cookbooks and reference books. Here one can purchase as well as sell their books and the prices are more than reasonable. Not to mention that the stock changes all the time, so the reasons to go back are numerous. Expect to find me seated somewhere in the store, deeply engrossed...

L’Occasion Gourmande

366 de Castelnau East (corner St-Denis)

514.759.9143

As part of the activities surrounding the free museum day in Montreal (Sunday May 25th), the Pointe-à-Callière museum is hosting a showcase of cultures. In addition to music, dance and theater, there will be many foods to sample. This is truly the epitome of multi-culti.

Chefs Franck Le-Cunff from the ITHQ, Olivier de Volpi from Aix Cuisine du Terroir Restaurant, Gaëlle Touchard from Narcisse Bistro, cook and presenter Jean-Louis Thémis,  Arturo Rodriguez from caterer Los Remedios, Pierre Lavallée from L’Arrivage Restaurant and Albert Simon will all be concocting a variety of items representing a multitude of countries. And they are free for you to nibble...

I'm a big believer that we learn a lot not just from how people eat but what people eat. Doing so in an environment filled with positive energy that comes from mixing ingredients and cultural perspectives surely makes it extra tasty.

For more information, consult the press release by clicking here: A Cultural Feast

The event takes place Saturday May 24th and Sunday May 25th starting at 11am and is free admission.

They say the cheapest way to travel is by reading. So when you want to have a different experience, see a different perspective or just disappear for a while, may I suggest Nordjus: http://www.nordljus.co.uk/. While I don't think I have to explain why this site is so amazing, once you go you'll understand, I can't help but gush over Keiko Oikawa's photography, sense of finesse and refinement and ability to evoke magical gastronomic adventures via her blog. To be visited frequently...

It’s wrong to be prejudice and even more so when it comes to wine. Beaujolais gets a bad rap because of a few mediocre products in the mainstream, just like Chianti gets its bad image from fiascos (click here). So when the city’s fanciest restaurant decides to offer a tasting menu with Beaujolais, it’s probably because a shift in opinion is due.

Les Importations Rézin and Toqué propose a five-course meal, paired with six wines from some of Beaujolais’ best producers: Lapierre (Morgon) and Pacalet (Moulin à vent). Book your seats early, at $140 – this meal is sure to be a spectacular and fulfilling.

Where: Toqué Restaurant, 900, Place Jean-Paul Riopelle

Call: 514.499.2084

When: May 27^th 2008, 6:30pm

Reserve directly at the restaurant.

For more information: www.restaurant-toque.com

The Renoir Restaurant in the Sofitel Montreal, Les Vins Philippe Dandurand and Food With A Point are collaborating to support Team In Training marathoner Patrick Pressoir in his fundraising efforts benefiting The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada.

On Tuesday May 20^th and Wednesday May 21^st 2008 between 4pm-7pm , you are invited to enjoy an afternoon on the terrace of the Renoir Restaurant at the Sofitel Montreal. There, for $30 per person , cash or cheque, you will enjoy a flight of three specially selected wines represented by Les Vins Philippe Dandurand, paired with three generous tapas by Renoir Executive Chef Deff Haupt. Your entire $30 payment goes directly to Team In Training, every single penny.

In order to contribute to this fundraising effort and indulge in fabulous food and wine, simply present the completed invitation (available in my Take Away Section: FWAP_TNT_Invitation.pdf) when arriving at the terrace. All those who wish to participate must fill in an invitation, as it will also serve to contact you in order to send you a tax receipt. So once again:

• Food & Wine to raise funds For Leukemia Research
• $30, paid in cash or by cheque
• Payable to La Société de leucémie et lymphome du Canada 
• Tues. May 20^th & Wed. May 21^st 2008, from 4pm – 7pm
• Contact Elias Chakhtoura at Restaurant Renoir – 514.788.3002  - for your reservation
• Restaurant Renoir, 1155 Sherbrooke St. West (in the Sofitel Montreal) , metro Peel