CCCRT – Day Three

Tuesday involved no driving…weeeeeeee! :)  I was able to spend an extra whole day in Montreal, so brother Jeremy took me out for a walk around the city.

First, he let me sleep in then brewed us up some coffee (Kicking Horse again…a BC theme me thinks!) and provided me with a bakery fresh almond croissant…

Then we hit the town for a LONG walk.  For the most part I will let the photos speak for themselves.

We crossed the Canal to head for downtown…

Bixi Bikes!  These cool little bike kiosks are all over the city.  You can pick up a public bike at Point A and return it at Point B.  Just plug in your credit card and away you go.  So cool!

  

Apparently 1:30 is beer o’clock in Montreal…

No, we didn’t go in… :)

French Starbucks! :)  I only went in to buy a souvenir mug.

French lululemon!

Lunch was to be Montreal Smoked Meat, but we were hungry and stopped at this pub before we found the deli…

Bacon and Cream Cheese on the burger. Nom!! With poutine…because I couldn’t go to Montreal and not have poutine!

After Jer’s gf Sarah joined us, we stopped for a refreshing pick me up. 

As the sun was setting in Old Montreal we finally remembered to get some pictures of ourselves.  This random modern art seemed as good a place as any.  :)

 

Twas a lot of walking but it really is a beautiful city.  Mark that one as a place I’ll have to fly back and visit once my bank account recovers from this journey.   

We never did bother with dinner (lunch was pretty late) but after chilling at home for the evening Jer put together a midnight snack for us.  Only at his place would a midnight snack entail a duck confit salad sammich on baguette with smoked cheddar…

I know, right?!!

Personal Feast

So… bet you guys didn’t know I have a brother. Also bet you didn’t know he’s a chef… and that he took a few days off from work to hang out with me.  He lives in Montreal and we haven’t seen each other in about three years…so when I planned my road trip I informed him he would be accommodating me on my way through. :)

About a week before I left Halifax he emailed and said that he wanted to use my visit as an excuse to cook up a storm.  Um, OK!!  Secretly I had been hoping he would say that.

People!  What you are about to see is truly fan-freaking-tastic!  Prepare yourselves.  I mean it.

Twas a timely process so a small cheese plate and a refreshing beer were placed in front of me…

Three year old Quebec cheddar, Quebec chevre, Brisse Bleu, Parmesano Regiano, fresh fig, cherries, and blackberries…with vanilla infused black peppercorn honey.

Main course prepared in advance: Bone In Prime Rib

Drool-worthy prep:  Asparagus wrapped with crab, wrapped in a prawn (jumbo shrimp).  Just wait and see what he does with this!

According to Chef Jeremy all good meals start with a pasta course.  Palate cleanser.  Garganelli Pomodoro…tomato basil sauce with fresh peeled parmesan.  (garganelli is hand rolled penne…)

Don’t worry…this is a serving platter…not a portion.  :)

Second course:  Petite marmite of Bouillabaisse

AKA:  French fish stew in a cute little dish  :)

Third course: here’s where that crab/shrimp skewer re-appears…it has now been tempura battered.  Brilliant!

Alongside a seared scallop with crispy balsamic prosciutto vinaigrette…

And the sneaky bugger managed to get me to enjoy eggplant by not telling me what I was eating.  Eggplant Caviar (a puree of roasted eggplant).

Fourth course:  Just because he felt like we needed a French item on the menu…Duck Confit on Warm Five Ingredient Potato Salad.

 

I honestly thought I didn’t like duck but apparently I was wrong. :)

Blue potatoes mixed simply with olive oil, salt, fresh parsley and cherry tomatoes.

By this point we could barely move, but we still had the main course to get to!  I should note that each course was not large, but mostly rich foods.  We had many leftovers which Jeremy will turn into meals for himself and his girlfriend all week.

He seared the Prime Rib and then roasted it on the barbecue.  Served with an Asian inspired sauce and a variety of roasted vegetables.

Roasted spring onions, asparagus, broccolini, and heirloom carrots.

After dinner we all took time to just chat, relax and digest.  Actually, Jeremy finally got to eat!  Sarah and I ate each course as it came but Jer kept working along and didn’t eat until he had everything done. 

A little while later he informed us there was still dessert!  Not wanting to miss out on a course of this delicious feast I was determined to fit it in.  :) 

Local cappuccino gelato topped with hand-whipped cream…

Yes folks…I have definitely died and gone to food heaven.  Well, if food heaven is located in my brother’s kitchen.  :)