Vive Le Montreal!

I knew the trip was destined to be a fun one when on the first leg of our flight the man behind us sang "Stand by Me" nonstop, and the lady across from us and up one giggled and laughed nonstop while she watched something on her phone.?Her laugh was not annoying, it was tinkling and delightful.?The man sang in tune.?Good beginnings.

Nope, this isn't dessert to the left.?This is a BREAKFAST option from Le Passe Compose in Montreal.?While I chose a magnificent Avocado Toast for my breakfast, we all agreed that we had to share THIS (what they CALL) a "Crumble Key Lime Pie" ... a bit of an under-statement, wouldn't you say (this is a 10 inch bowl)??Meringues and berries and edible flowers and sweet lemon ricotta and the best SHORTBREAD you've ever let melt in your mouth.?THIS is Montreal.?A ridiculously fantastic melting pot of NICE people and culture and food.?A subway that does not smell of urine.?A subway, by the way, that sells the most fantastic Lebanese savory (and sweet) pastries, amongst many other things!

We met friends (you've seen our traveling companions Joe and Joanna before, perhaps with a roasted pig's head in front of us?) and rented an apartment for the week near Old Montreal.?We spaad in Himalayan Sea Salt Caves (Spa William Gray).?We drank alcohol made of maple.?We chocolated, we bageled, we smoked meated, we creped, we fondued our way through the neighborhoods and BECAUSE it is a great walking city we did not gain an ounce.?Very French, I might say.?But NOT!?How about....very....international?!???The Jambon Iberica at our Portuguese Restaurant?Ferriera Cafe was every bit as perfect as what was sliced for me at a bar (every bar and restaurant pretty much) in Portugal.??

We ate Pupusa (a two sided masa?galette stuffed with ground pork, beans and cheeses, with 3 types of pickled chiles and veggies on the side to mix and match).?This was at a fabulous Salvadoran hole in the wall called Resto Las Planos near the famous Jean Talon Market,?where we toured with our fabulous guide Rodrigo.??At Garage Beirut Joe and I enjoyed a shot of Arak before my Rakakat Jebneh arrived (similar to Tyropita, but Greek restaraunts don't seem to care about indulging me with?my favorite Greek food).??The Indian Lamb Rogan Josh at Wolf and Workman had the flakiest puff pastry EVER.??We ate Wild Sea Spinach (Epinards de mer sauvage) from the St. Lawrence River.?We ate FABULOUS sorbet?made of a heretofore (I am not ashamed to admit) unknown berry called Sea Buckthorn.

We did a bunch of other stuff too...don't miss the Biodome, where one of my FAVORITE things, INSECTS, has its own museum (along with a Planetarium, and a Tropical Rain Forest, ETCETERA), and there are LOADS of museums - we spent some time at the Montreal Museum of Art (see pic below), and Joe and I went on an absolutely SOAKING thrilling rapids ride on the St. Lawrence River (you will NOT see a picture of THIS), while Joanna and Gordon shopped and imbibed.?We talked, we laughed, we relaxed.?What we did NOT do was ride the ferris wheel, so, we'll be BACK!

DANGER WILL ROBINSON!?THE HOLIDAYS ARE COMING!

It seems ridiculous in these dog days but Lula's Holidays are booking up.?If you want to party with Lula this season - better get on it!?Lula would LOVE to party with you!

Please enjoy this picture of our Pistachio Mint Cake.?It's green inside. Click here to visit our website!

About Chef Lori

Chef Lori Pierce, owner of Lula's, creates unique, boutique cuisine to impress your guests and clients in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area.?Our custom recipes and menus delight an intimate gathering of 10, a celebration for 100, and anything in between.

At Lula's, Love is ALWAYS our first ingredient!

Click here to visit our website