best burger in montreal
I’ve been researching the best Montreal Burger for a year, eating at a variety of diners and restos, including one that specializes in hamburgers. And while much of it was good, nothing completely satisfied me.
Then, a few weeks ago, I went to Café Griffintown to meet a friend and listen to live jazz. I liked the ambiance - a long, narrow space with brick walls, wooden floors, and lots of regulars - but I didn’t expect much, foodwise, until my friend told me the menu was based on ingredients from Atwater Market.
I ordered the Griffintown Burger - 50% beef, 25% lamb and 25% duck, charbroiled in the open kitchen at the back of the café. The combination of ingredients raised my spirits - which then fell when I wasn’t asked how I wanted my burger cooked (rare is my default position).
Fearing the worst, I sipped my Argentinean malbec and mentally tweeted the gods of fairness: Please, not another flat, dry disappointment.
They must have been listening.
The burger was cooked through, with no pink that I could see in the dim light. But it was plump - a good sign - and surprisingly, wonderfully, tender. The flavor was primarily beef - not bland factory farmed beef, but closer to the round, fresh flavor of grass fed Scottish Highland - enhanced by the earthy sweetness of the lamb and duck. The lightly toasted eggy bun complemented the meat perfectly.
Lettuce, onion and a slice of tomato served with the burger were substantial, though not so much that they made holding it unwieldy. A red condiment I thought was ketchup turned out to be a smoky concoction that overwhelmed the bite I put it on.
Of the soup, salad and chips w/salsa offered with the burger, I chose the salad, a tidy pile of mixed greens with lots of mustard on the dressing. The meal was delicious and filling, and at $14, a good value.
Then came the value-add: live jazz.
The One Two Trio that plays standards on Thursday nights is actually a quintet, composed of Griffintown owner Mark Peetsma (bass), artist Cheryl Braganza (piano), and Roger Walls, formally a member of the Duke Ellington orchestra (trumpet). Eloi Bertholet and Oscar Kalderone play the regular drum kit and djimbe respectively.
I stayed into the second set, swaying in my seat as the musicians riffed and swung, showing obvious joy in delivering familiar music in their own way.
My search for the best burger in Montreal continues. But, all things considered, Griffintown is at the top of my list.
1378 Notre Dame Ouest @ rue de la Montagne
orchestre philharmonia mundi de montréal holds benefit concert
I love not-for-profits, where folks are bound by a common interest, complementary skills, and an itch to make the world a better place.
The Orchestre Philharmonia Mundi de Montréal, incorporated a year ago - a whirling dervish of energy, talent and good intentions - is a great example.
By day, 50 dedicated musicians, ranging in age from 20 to 81, work as hair stylists, doctors, lawyers, students and chefs.
They share their passion for classical music at weekly rehearsals, and perform winter and spring symphony concerts under the direction of Jean-Pascal Hamelin - who also serves as principal conductor of Orchestre Symphonique des Jeunes de Sherbrooke, and is a co-founder and artistic director of the recording label PALEXA.
This Saturday, Aug 29, OPMM is holding a summer benefit concert at The Playhouse, in Mile End.
“All members pay fees in order to participate in the orchestra, but this is not enough to pay for our conductor, our practice space, or our sheet music,” says violinist Andrea Feder, a twenty-something producer within Montreal’s indy film scene.
“An orchestra is not cheap to keep up. All the work is done by a volunteer committee, but there are still hard costs to manage, and dreams of buying our own percussion equipment.”
This weekend’s concert is an addition to the orchestra’s regular program. It’s also a way to experience the talented group on more intimate terms.
Small ensembles will play chamber music, including violin solos and wind quintets - as well as Scottish traditional music, Tango (a contribution from the orchestra’s Argentinean players), and even an excerpt from Fiddler on the Roof.
“It’s our way of keeping in shape for the season to come,” says Feder.
And about making the world a better place?
Aside from the benefits of beautiful music, the group subscribes to the “one person at a time” theory. Among the musicians is an oncologist who uses the orchestra as therapy for a stressful job; a retired ballet dancer, who took up the violin later in life; a school teacher who recently arrived in Canada to live with her mother; an engineer who moved to Montreal to work on the Olympic stadium and decided to stay.
And one more note: The Playhouse is known for booking bands before anyone has heard of them. Support the orchestra now, and you’ll not only be part of the In crowd - years from now, you can say you knew them when…
Have you seen OPMM perform? Do you know someone in the orchestra? Let us know what you think!
If you go: OPMM at The Playhouse, 5656 ave du Parc, Saturday, August 29, 2009, 7:00pm - 10:00pm. Tickets are $8.
montreal update - jazz, sales, and bikes
July is in full swing with special events - so slather on sun block (yes, the sun will return), grab a bottle of water, and head out into the streets to wander and partake.
The Jazz Festival has Rue St Catherine closed to traffic from St Laurent east, and the fun is not reserved for the weekends or big concert venues. Walking toward Place des Arts from St Laurent midweek, I found the street filled with people.
Bands played on both sides of the street, and I could hear three different free concerts at any one time. Stages were small, medium and - where 4 young men played guitar and harmonica with a cap upturned on the concrete in front of them - nonexistent.
Fans slouched on benches, perched in camping chairs, sat on striped blankets laid over the curb. Body language registered above the music: everyone was loose, relaxed.
Folks ambled by, stopping to hear a few bars and decide whether to stay put or walk on. Street performers set up for a high wire routine.
A cotton candy vendor crisscrossed the pavement, with a stack of pink poufs over one shoulder, and grilling sausages perfumed the air.
Far from the music, on Rue Notre-Dame Ouest, Elaine Léveillé climbed in and out of the vitrine at ERA. July 1 marks the start of summer sales, and the owner of the three year old vintage shop was creating a new display - plus answering the phone, welcoming customers, and creating sales signs.
Everything in the store was on sale, and her staff was off for the holiday. Racks displayed halter dresses, short sleeved cashmere sweaters, lace and cotton skirts, cocktail dresses, jackets, wraps, and more - all sorted by color: turquoise, pink, saffron, crimson.
In the Plateau, sale signs covered the windows, and I went into shopping mode. At Retromania, I learned they no longer sell vintage - but I found a white V-neck top from Rayure (one of my favorite Paris shops) at 20% off.
Cyclists were all over the bike path - and I do believe more are wearing helmets.
For my part, I was going to rent a Bixi (no helmet, I should be ashamed) - but I soon learned that the handlebar baskets are open shells. I had umbrella, two small bags, a notebook and camera - which would not be contained without a knapsack or equivalent holding everything in check.
So I walked some more.
give peace a chance
Few things are more worthy of our imagination than world peace.
And few things require more imagination - which is why I love the exhibit, IMAGINE: The Peace Ballad of John & Yoko, at the Musée des Beaux Arts.
There is much to praise about the show, beginning with creator Yoko Ono’s intent. The conceptual artist envisioned the expo as both a celebration of the 1969 Montreal Bed-In, and yet another grass roots appeal for peace. In order for the message to reach as many people as possible, admission is free.
John and Yoko’s Bed-in for Peace was part honeymoon, part Vietnam war protest. The couple arrived at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal on May 26, and stayed for a week - appearing on radio shows, granting TV interviews, and entertaining Timothy Leary and other anti-war populists.
In footage from that week, Lennon is serious, silly, committed, and tired. He encourages alternatives to violence: “Stay in bed and grow your hair,” he says. “Less words, and more peace.” Their suite at the QE comes alive with his music.
The exhibition recreates the event and the years surrounding it through drawings, unpublished photos, videos, books and films. But nothing takes the viewer back forty years like hearing the soundtrack, with songs by Lennon.
There are several participatory elements, including the opportunity for visitors to record their own bed-in, and share the photos and videos on the museum website.
Visitors can play “Imagine” on a replica of Lennon’s white piano, stamp “Imagine Peace” on maps of the world, and read works by Nobel Peace Prize winners in the Peace Library
Free films about John and Yoko, including “Gimme Some Truth: The Making of John Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ Album,” will be shown throughout the month of May.
The message is still timely and universal, and even businesses are helping spread the word - a number have offered their services in association with the expo, free of charge.
In a press conference promoting the show, the still youthful looking Ono insisted that when it comes to creating world peace, “each person has an incredible power.” It’s ironic that in this world of viral marketing, we need to be reminded that we can each make a difference.
If you go: Montreal Musée des Beaux Arts, 1380 Sherbrooke Ouest, open T-F, 11-5 (W until 9); Sat Sun 10-5. Until June 21, 2009.
Photograph courtesy Christine Sawyer.
summer festivals celebrate jazz, fashion, comedy, cycling
Get out your calendar, and start planning your summer weekends now. Jazz, fashion, comedy and cycling festivals are all on the horizon. Here is a primer, so you’ll know what to expect and how to learn more.
MONTREAL BIKE FEST, May 31 to June 7, 2009. Montreal celebrates the bicycle for eight days, in the best cycling city in North America, according to Bicycling Magazine.
The festival kicks off with a group ride along the Châteauguay River. The Metropolitan Challenge, Sun May 31, has 75, 100, 125 and 150 km options.
Operation Bike to Work takes place June 1-5, offering workshops on and incentives for commuting by bike.
A fun way to see Montreal under the lights is Un Tour La Nuit - Fri June 5. Twenty thousand participants will ride 20km of trails, leaving from Blvd St Joseph at 8:30pm.
Join the Tour de I’lle as it celebrates its 25th anniversary on June 7, 2009. This family-oriented event is a great way to explore the city’s neighborhoods. Cirque de Soleil participates in the send-off, which takes place on Ave du Parc at 9:15am.
The Bike Fest has extra support from the city’s new green initiative, BIXI. This hop-on-hop-off bike rental program, inspired by the popular Paris Vélib, makes 3,000 bikes available at 300 stations in areas of the city served by bike lanes. Once you’re registered, you can take a bike, pedal free for the first half hour, and return it to any station. Bikes are available May - Nov (stations are removed for the winter.) Starts May 12.
Fashionistas flock to Montreal for events like the Festival de la Mode, with street activities and special
presentations that pay tribute to fashion and design, with special focus on Quebec designers. June 17 to 20, McGill College Avenue
Not sure if it’s for you? Watch a video.
June 13 kicks off the 25th anniversary of the L’International des Feux Loto-Québec - international fireworks festival. The schedule consists of ten Saturday night performances, each featuring 30 minute fireworks shows, with talent from a dozen countries - including Canada on July 25.
You’ll need tickets to watch from amusement park La Ronde, where the fireworks are launched and set to music. Or watch for free on the Jacques Cartier bridge. Festival runs through the grande finale on Aug 15.
Festival International de Jazz de Montreal – the largest jazz festival in the world - takes place July 1 to 12 at Place des Arts. There will be over 500 shows, including 350 free outdoor concerts. The program of ticketed concerts will be unveiled Tuesday, May 5th, at 11am, with the full program of free concerts to be unveiled June 8.
Just for Laughs Festival is a premier comedy event featuring gala performances, theater, club acts and outdoor shows, with galas hosted by John Cleese and Whoopi Goldberg. July 3 to 26, 2009 Quartier Latin.
Hope to see you on the streets of Montreal!
