Restaurant guide * Meredith Erickson * Arkells * Roads in February * Céline Bureau - FREE - Cult MTL
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FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • CULTMTL.COM
FREE
* Restaurant guide * Meredith Erickson * Arkells * Roads in February * Céline Bureau
JOIN US EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY FOR Upcoming shows at the Phi Centre
AN AUTHENTIC SUGAR SHACK EXPERIENCE IN THE CITY Feb. Feb.
STARTING MARCH 2ND
21
23
Ohm Hourani:
Jazz of the Machine
Launch show for the concept album
produced at the Phi Centre
Mar.
6
SUGAR SHACK
Eli Keszler presents STADIUM
First North American show
With Radwan Ghazi Moumneh, Alexei Perry Cox
and Jacob Wren
Kamaal Williams
+ Lexis
+ Jitwam (live)
Mar. Mar. Mar.
EST 2019
7 8 15
FIKA(S) Festival Vito Ricci
3 SEATINGS PER DAY CALL TO RESERVE
Performance by the composer
Emilie Kahn Opening Night and prominent figure of New York’s
Launch of her new album, Outro with special guest Kroy 80s electro scene
3619 St Laurent, Montreal, Quebec, H2X 2V5
RESERVATIONS 514-564-8666 Tickets: phi-centre.com @phicentre
WWW.DIABLOSBBQ.COM AND FACEBOOK.COM/DIABLOSBBQ/
table of Cult Mtl
mIle end
librairie drawn & Quarterly
visit us at 176 & 211 Bernard
contents is...
Monarque's grilled octopus
Lorraine Carpenter
with potato, chorizo and
editor-in-chief
romesco sauce.
lorraine.carpenter@cultmontreal.com
Photo by Alison Slattery.
Alex Rose
film editor
alex.rose@cultmontreal.com
Dave Jaffer
Editor at large
dave.jaffer@cultmontreal.com
Clayton Sandhu
to-do list 6 Contributing editor (food)
Rob Jennings
city 7 editorial assistant
:rant line™ 7
:persona mtl 7
Chris Tucker
:Inspectah Dep 10 Art Director
Advertising
ads@cultmontreal.com
food & drink 11
Restauraunt guide 11
all events 7–9 pm at 176 Bernard Ouest Contributors:
2019
( unless otherwise noted ) Joe Beef 20 Johnson Cummins
Ryan Diduck
Pastel Rita 21 Amy German
readIngs and BOOk launches Brandon Kaufman
Erik Leijon
Fri 15 Buffy Sainte-Marie in conversation with Nora Rosenthal
Mira Silvers
Andrea Warner, Rialto Hall, 5711 Av du Parc, Tickets $5
Al South
Sat 16 Angel Heart Music + Storybook launch Mr. Wavvy
with Matt Haimovitz and Uccello music 22
March 5 Marlon James launches Black Leopard, Pottery 22 General inquiries + feedback
Red Wolf, Rialto Hall, 5711 Av du Parc, Tickets $10 Jaymie Silk 24 info@cultmontreal.com
March 8 Julie Delporte launches The Arkells 25
This Woman’s Work Album reviews 26
VOTE!
:hammer of the mods 27
kIds actIvIty mOrnIngs
every saturday (11am–12pm)
special guests:
film 28
Arctic 28
Sun 10 Rainbow Story Hour - Valentine Special! Cult MTL is a daily music, arts, culture
Roads in February 30 and city life site. Visit us at
Sun 17 Lancement: Un camion? Quel camion? (14h)
On Screen 32
Sat 23 Story time with Sara O’Leary launching
Owls are Good at Keeping Secrets
cultmtl.com
Cult MTL is published by Cult MTL Media Inc.
Sun 24 Big Dreamers: Black History
IN OUR ANNUAL READERS POLL!
and printed by Hebdo Litho.
Colouring Book Reading + Activity culture 34 Entire contents are © Cult MTL Media Inc.
Geordie 34
BOOk cluBs
Céline Bureau Residency 36
EvEry WEDnESDay Kids doodle Club (4PM) :play recent 38
MOn 11 True reads (NoN-fiCTioN)
Educated by Tara Westover
Fri 15 youNg readers (ages 10-12, 6PM)
Superfudge by Judy Blume
WED 20 GRAPhiC Novel
CULTMTL.COM/VOTEBESTOFMTL
the Lie and how We told it by Tommi Parrish
WED 27 New reaDS
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
March 1 TeeN (ages 13-16, 6PM)
Dumplin’ by Julie Murphy
mt l . d r aw na n d Q ua rt e r ly. c Om
4 FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM 5
to-do list
: rant line
baby-boomer show Boom), Rick Miller recounts major moments Charmaine Nelson, Hanna Che and many others. There will
:persona
in music, politics and culture of the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. also be a Black Market featuring products by women-led
companies.
≥ Segal Centre (5170 Côte-Ste-Catherine), various times, $67/$64
™
seniors/$40 under 30/$32 seniors ≥ 407 St-Pierre, 12 p.m., $14.88/$11.16 students
mtl
For the daily To-Do List, visit cultmontreal.com
Feb. 15 Feb. 24
Legendary Canadian First Nations singer-songwriter Buffy L.A. art pop chanteuse Julia Holter released her fifth album
Sainte-Marie will appear in conversation with her biographer Aviary in the fall, and she’s coming to town to play la Sala
Andrea Warner. The event, happening at the Rialto, is the local Rossa with opener Jessica Moss (also a must-see).
launch of Warner’s book Buffy Sainte-Marie: The Authorized THIS WEEK: Pottery, cop body cams, Maxime Bernier, Kyle Chandler!
Biography. ≥ 4848 St-Laurent, 8 p.m., $20
PLUS: No dreadlocks legislation could lead to improved music,
≥ 5711 Parc, 7 p.m., $5 or free with book purchase at Drawn & Quarterly
woman theorizes!!
Feb. 28
(211 Bernard, $36.95)
Montreal alt/psych band Anemone launch their new album
Beat My Distance at la Sala Rossa. From a little town called Compton, rapper/actor Vince
Staples plays MTelus as part of his Smile You’re on Camera
≥ 4848 St-Laurent, 9 p.m., $13/$15 tour, featuring openers Buddy and Armani White. His latest
radio-show-themed album FM! came out in November to rave
reviews. “edited” by AL SOUTH M Well, my rant is about MARIJUANA
An Anti-Valentine’s Day party is happening at Diving Bell LEGALIZATION. It’s turning out to be a real crock
Social Club, with DJs playing ’80s darkwave and seven local F Hello Rant Line™. I just wanted to say that I of shit, eh? There’s going to be two types of
≥ 59 Ste-Catherine E., 8:30 p.m., $43.75 all-in
acts performing live, namely Tranna Wintour, the Leanover, consider myself a fairly tolerant liberal type of marijuana citizens in the province of Quebec. The
NOVEMBER, Kid Lucifer, Seaborne, Owen Hooper (Mouth person, left-wing-leaning, I support all the right first will be the poor who rent, and have fucking
Breather) and the Diving Bell House Band. Critics are losing it over Assume Form, the latest LP by British asshole landlords who say, “Well, you can’t smoke
things — I mean right as in decent, good, not
singer, songwriter, musician and producer James Blake marijuana in your apartment.” I already got THE
right-wing things — but even I was a bit SHOCKED
≥ 3956 St-Laurent (3rd floor), 9 p.m., $12 (including our own Mira Silvers — see her review on p. 26). Get LETTER, it was dated Nov. 22, telling me I could
to hear that some coop café at UQAM stopped a
in on the hype at his show at Olympia this month. not possess marijuana, I could not grow it because
comedian from performing at a show because he
Philly rock bro Kurt Vile and his band the Violators are playing had DREADLOCKS! First somebody told me about it’s illegal in my apartment — not that I’m going
≥ 1004 Ste-Catherine E., 7:30 p.m., $59.75 all-in Christopher Lockhart
it, and said that it was at the SNOWFLAKE CAFÉ, to — that I can’t smoke it on the balcony, I can’t go
MTelus with Canadian alt-country kings the Sadies opening.
and I said, no, no, that has got to be satire, that into the back area, which by the way is just a paved
≥ 59 Ste-Catherine E., 8 p.m., $38.75 all-in By Amy German itself is French comedy! But then I went and read parking lot, I can’t smoke it there, I can’t smoke it
up on it and yes it was true! They said he could not on any of the asphalt of their property, I have to
Local hip hop/R&B duo Heartstreets host a release party for Feb. 28–March 3 Giving back to the community he join the show because he had dreadlocks! Because
it was… cultural appropriation! Oppression! Okay,
go on the sidewalk. Great! Now our fucking great
Premier, Legault, wants to make a law saying you
their new record Why Make Sense at NOMAD.
The third annual Not Your Babe Fest is “a feminist festival came from, Tyndale St-Georges look, whoever decided this, your heart may be in can’t SMOKE OUTSIDE. So again the fucking poor,
promoting a safe space for women, non-binary/genderqueer the right place, but your head needs to give itself a like myself, who don’t own a fucking house, or have
≥ 129 Van Horne, 5–7 p.m.
and trans people in the counterculture scene. Local and
Community Centre executive director shake! It is just hair. But then I also thought, oh boy, a landlord who is not neutral on marijuana, where
touring bands will play Katacombes over the course of four Christopher Lockhart is in his if this catches on, then well maybe it will also get the fuck am I supposed to smoke? Maybe I should
days, and the venue will also host a series of workshops and a rid of an awful lot of BAD BANDS. Especially some go smoke outside, get goddam arrested and go to
element. of those bands from the ‘90s that are still kicking court and make a BIG MOCKERY of this whole thing.
Feb. 20–March 2 flash tattoo day.
around, if they still have hair. So I guess that would Anyway, that’s my rant, and it really sucks because
≥ 1635 St-Laurent, festival pass $46.16/Thursday and Sunday shows be the silver lining. [BLEEP!] obviously if you’re rich, you’re going to be able to
Les Rendez-vous Québec Cinéma premieres new feature and Amy German: Why did you choose this field of work? smoke all the dope you want in your house and no
$11.14/Friday and Saturday shows $21.14 F Hi. I just wanted to call to give my comments
short films made in this province and screens some of the one’s going to bother you. I guess my other problem
best from the past year at the Cinémathèque québécoise and Christopher Lockhart: I always liked working with on the best music of 2018 by Johnson Cummins. is that if I wasn’t a TOKER, I’d probably own my own
Quartier Latin, with the opening film at Place des Arts. people and I liked giving back to the community. I think he needs to actually go to good shows and property, but because I’m a toker I’ve never had the
Spencer Edwards
I’ve always spent my free time doing this because it not the boring ass stuff he goes to. Best show:
March 2 made me feel good. Pottery. I just want to say, fuck those guys! Don’t
money to put aside for it. Oh and by the way, the pot
store, that’s a fucking joke in itself. I went there and
support that bullshit, seriously. What the hell, whatever I bought was all overpriced garbage. Like,
Kallitechnis
Feb. 21–March 3 Among the many Nuit Blanche events happening tonight, the
Phi Centre (in conjunction with us) present 2040: Year/After, “a
I was born in Little Burgundy so my roots go back to
that. I go to church at Union United and I have always
Johnson Cummins? [BLEEP!] [Ed.’s note: Johnson
Cummins’ top show of 2018 was Low. Brandon
you know, I get seven grams for $40 from my own
guy and the stuff that you get at the SDQ? It is all
multi-sensorial experience” featuring music, food and art for had family and friends in this neighbourhood. Kaufman chose Pottery. Enjoy the Pottery article in crap. [BLEEP!]
The 20th edition of Montreal en Lumiere
connoisseurs and party people alike. this issue!]
offers the usual hivernal hibernation bail-out, connecting the
AG: So going for this job seemed organic to you?
Feb. 8 dots between the culinary arts, outdoor winter fun and, with
Nuit Blanche on March 2, most of the visual and performing art ≥ 407 St-Pierre, 9 p.m., free, 18+ M Hello. So I see the Montreal cops have given
F Yeah so I was bored and I was watching Bloodline
on Netflix and I noticed that KYLE CHANDLER is
disciplines, craft practices and nightlife activities you can think CL: Yes, definitely. I’ve been here for six years but THUMBS DOWN to them wearing BODY CAMS. like REALLY, REALLY HOT and SWEATY in the movie
Local R&B/soul artist Kallitechnis plays a headlining show at of. (Look for our annual Nuit Blanche guide at cultmtl.com later Also as part of Nuit Blanche, CCA hosts a day/night event I started out in a coordinator position. I remember How come I am not surprised? I will tell you why: and you can tell that the producers are trying to
le Ministère with opener IAMNOTMYHISTORY. this month.) (copresented by n10.as online radio station) called taking the metro here and as I was walking through I have seen our cops in action at protests HIDING make it in a way that’s not sexy, like he’s sweating
Questioning the Future: Come and Forget and Draw and Dance, the neighbourhood, it just felt right. I’ve felt THEIR BADGES. I have asked cops to show me their through those collared shirts but like it doesn’t
≥ 4521 St-Laurent, 8 p.m., $13.50/$15, all ages featuring a live set by CFCF and DJ sets by Ambien Baby and confident in other job interviews but I never felt that badge and they refuse. No doubt they don’t want work because, like, he’s FUCKING HOT anyways!
Ouri. confident before. This neighbourhood just means so body cams — they don’t want anyone to see them Like I dunno, it’s really weird that they would put,
Feb. 22 much to me. The history of the black community is
my own family history so this all resonates with me.
when they get going like the ROGUE FORCE they
really are. Their excuse is that the cameras make
like, that much effort into it. [BLEEP!]
Feb. 13–Jan. 5, 2020
≥ 1920 Baile, 3 p.m.–1 a.m., free
Burgundy is just a place that makes me happy. citizens uncomfortable. I’ll tell you what makes me CHILD Oh my God. So my friends are super
Montreal electro-pop artist Radiant Baby launches a new uncomfortable: you shoving me up against the cop
record called Restless at Bar le Ritz, with openers AWWFUL sensitive and getting mad at me because I am
A Bowie Celebration: The David Bowie Alumni Tour brings AG: What is your favourite part of this job? car, you hitting me with your baton, you denying me
Pointe-à-Callière’s Into the Wonder Room is a collection and Mutually Feeling. (See our review of the record on p. 26.) making JOKES and they are not even OFFENSIVE.
together some of the music legend’s closest associates my rights. The other excuse they’re using — some
of over 1,000 “unusual, curious and above all magnificent” They know I’m joking and yet they still bite my head
(including Mike Garson, Earl Slick and Charlie Sexton) for a of them tried the cams for a year — is that the
objects from around the globe. greatest hits show in his memory.
CL: It’s all about the people. I love interacting with off! Out of nowhere I make the simplest joke and
≥ 179 Jean-Talon W., 9:30 p.m., $10/$13
seniors, adults, kids, it doesn’t matter who it is. I like cameras were too complicated to work properly. they just bit my head off and I even talked to them
seeing the people who are benefitting from what I’m Well, sure, maybe if you’re an idiot! Why don’t you and they know to tell me if they get offended by
≥ 350 Place Royale, 10 a.m.– 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 11 a.m.–5 ≥ MTelus (59 Ste-Catherine E.), 8 p.m., $59–$198 go on the Internet, go see all the body cam videos,
Atlanta indie rockers Deerhunter are playing le National with doing. That’s what makes me enjoy the work I do. this stuff, but they just chew me out! They didn’t
p.m. Saturday/Sunday, $22/$20 seniors/$15 13–30/$8 kids 5–12 opener Mary Lattimore. go see all the people being arrested all over the even tell me they were offended by it, and it just
U.S., captured live on body cams. You would think pisses me off! [BLEEP!]
As the executive director, I look over everything but
≥ 1220 Ste-Catherine E., 9 p.m., $30/$35 that if the redneck cops in the South can make the
I also get to see everyone. I get to go talk to the kids,
March 2–April 21 body cams work, you guys can figure them out. And
Feb. 14 go to the adult centre and I see the people in the
job training programs and talk to them. I get to talk
I think it’s pretty obvious that if a cop is arresting
someone and the whole thing is being filmed, the
The Concordia Co-op Bookstore’s recurring Alternative Media Feb. 23 BBQ restaurant Diablo hosts a sugar shack every Saturday and
Sunday, with three seatings per day. Call to reserve.
to my staff and I also get to go out and talk to other
community leaders in Greater Montreal.
rule of law is more likely to be followed? It just
makes common sense. [BLEEP!]
GOT AN OPINION ON THE LOCAL SCENE?
Fairs (which have been happening monthly throughout the WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! CALL
school year) provide a space for publishers, writers, zinesters, Jamaican author Marlon James will appear at the Rialto in ≥ 3619 St-Laurent, 514-564-8666 Working with the kids is really great — they’re one
F Hello, just calling to say that I could really do
artists and activists to do their thing and sell their stuff. conversation with Dimitri Nasrallah as part of the book tour
for Black Leopard, Red Wolf.
of the main purposes for the centre. For me, nothing
beats that moment when a kid comes into my office
without seeing MAXIME BERNIER’S hideous face 514-271-RANT (7268)
plastered all over the Plateau. I thought we got
≥ 1515 Ste-Catherine W. (EV atrium), 10 a.m.–6 p.m. and says, “What do you do?”
≥ 5711 Parc, 7 p.m., $10 or free with book purchase at Drawn & Quarterly March 5 rid of him for awhile, that he would crawl back
under his ROCK, but nope, I got to look at him every Follow the RANT LINE™ at
I usually just tell them that I type emails and talk
(211 Bernard, $36.95)
Rapper/celebrity Travis Scott brings his Astroworld/Wish You to people. This is something that I always love, to
day all over again. There should be some kind of
MORATORIUM on this type of thing. [BLEEP!]
www.rantline.com
Feb. 14–March 10 Phi Centre hosts Black Conversations, a day of lectures Were Here tour to the Bell Centre, with opener Sheck Wes. be able to talk to these kids and have an impact on
them. This is the biggest motivating factor for me.
featuring special guest Trey Anthony (a playwright, actress
In his one-man-show Boom X (the Generation X sequel to his and producer) as well as Nantalie Indongo, Robyn Maynard, ≥ 1909 Avenue des Canadiens de Montréal, 8 p.m., $58.95–$230.70
6 FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM 7
02.03.2019
3pm to 1am
cca.qc.ca
Questioning
the Future
Come and Forget,
and Draw, and Dance
with n10.as
Ambien Baby (D. Tiffany + NAP) (DJ set), CFCF (Live set) and Ouri (DJ set)
8 FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM 9
:Inspectah Dep Restaurant Guide
By the Depset go way beyond the typical
McCain’s pizzas, Mr. Freeze
In honour of the February food issue, confections and Hungry
Man dinners of late-night
this month we look at a store that dépanneur desperation.
There’s a basket with
straddles the line between two Première Moisson baguettes
Montreal archetypes: the dépanneur by the cash, delivered fresh
daily, and a large assortment
and the fruiterie. Fruiteries are, of of cut flowers and house
course, Montreal’s version of the plants by the front window.
This last feature spills onto
greengrocer: small retail food markets the sidewalk in the summer.
that sell mainly fruits and vegetables,
We spoke to manager Weng
bigger than a convenience store Yi about why they have opted
but smaller than a supermarket. for this hybrid format:
Dépanneurs are — well, if you’re «Having a lot of stuff is
reading this column, you already know. better for the neighbours. It’s more than a dépanneur. We Of course, you could say it’s just not a dépanneur — it’s
a fruiterie. The reason it’s both is that it sells items that
know that people need it. Many customers come every day for
the organic products or the flowers. I think the boss wanted fruiteries often don’t (cigarettes, beer), and also physically
to open a supermarket rather than a dépanneur. Some of our resembles a dep.
Fruiterie YM looks like a dep. It’s a small piece of real
estate that sits on a corner (Bernard and Esplanade) customers buy everything here!»
and sells cigarettes, beer, wine and lottery tickets. Perhaps it’s the neighbourhood that makes it necessary
It diverges from the dépanneur category by offering The owner and staff, all immigrants from China, can be seen to have a more full-service convenience store. Near the
substantially more food options. These include a daily pruning and arranging flowers in the window. northern edge of Mile End, with its back to the rail line,
full, aisle-length open fridge with leeks, jalapenos, residents living off of Bernard have to walk several long
avocados and other veggies that go beyond the basics. Deps, of course, vary in their level of variety. Some do offer blocks down Parc to get to the nearest supermarket.
The middle aisle contains canned and dried goods, prepared food options like samosas or sandwiches, and there Having access to fresh food within a short walking
many of which are organic, locally produced and vegan. are often apples, onions or other emergency pantry items distance is a real plus, especially if you don’t have a car or
The back fridge, like most dépanneurs, has a selection available (freshness varying), but few deps can claim to meet want to grab breakfast fixings in your pyjamas.
of beers and soft drinks, but space is made for a row all of your daily kitchen needs to the degree that Fruiterie YM
of freezers with (mostly organic) prepared foods that does. ≥ 186 Bernard W.
Learn a new
language
ENGLISH & FRENCH Henri burger at Henri Brasserie Française
Beginner IELTS & TEFAQ By Food Team
fun snacks and appetizers like farrotto and homemade last month, playing hostess and server, always with a smile,
Intermediate preparation Lorraine Carpenter, Rob Jennings, Erik Leijon and Clayton
Sandhu pretzel with “baseball mustard” (ie. the basic bright yellow lending a personal feel to proceedings that made the whole
Advanced course kind). As a bonus, the cocktails (we’ve tried most of them) are experience a little warmer. (LC)
absolutely killer, from the Oaxaca Penicillin (tequila, egg white,
Mon & Wed 6–8pm Tue & Thu 6–8pm In a city as famous for its food as it is for its honey, lemon topped with mezcal and candied ginger) to the ≥ 174-176 St-Viateur W.
nightlife, festivals and relatively cheap rent restaurant’s eponymous drink made with apple brandy, sherry, restaurantileflottante.com
2019 EVENING SESSIONS 2019 TEFAQ/IELTS SESSIONS and real estate, it’s possible to dine fine at lime, egg white and carrot juice with hazelnut butter, and a
lovely butterfly design on top. (LC)
Jan 14 – Feb 20 Jan 15 – Feb 21 any price. Here’s our third annual guide to Henri Brasserie Française
Mar 4 – Apr 10 Mar 5 – Apr 11 some of the mainstays and the hot young ≥ 406 St-Jacques W.
things in Montreal’s restaurant scene: Restaurantmonarque.ca The “brasserie française” that opened up in the new Hotel
Apr 22 – May 29 Apr 23 – May 29
Birks in November took over nearly half of the venerable
Jun 3 – Jul 10 Jun 3 – Jul 11 jewellery store on the ground floor to spectacular effect. Bar
Jul 17 – Sep 4 (WED ONLY) Jul 18 – Sep 5 (TUE ONLY) Monarque Île Flottante seating, tables and banquettes are arranged beautifully amid
Sep 16 – Oct 23 Sep 17 – Oct 24 restored 19th century mouldings, marble, glass and gold, and
Leméac’s Richard Bastien and his son Jérémie (the head Formerly les Deux Singes de Montarvie, Île Flottante has French chef Romain Abrivard has put together an equally
Oct 28 – Dec 4 Oct 29 – Dec 5 carried over the tasting menu format, detailed presentation beautiful menu combining French classics with contemporary
chef) opened this long-gestating Old Montreal project in the
fall, offering an elegant two-tiered experience for diners and deluxe flavours of its previous incarnation in a space foodie fare. Seafood is prominent across Henri’s menu, but
(and drinkers): the narrow, block-long space is divided in that’s twice the size and far more sleek, with pale wood floors, so is beef — à la rib steak, bavette, tournedo and one of the
two, with a bar and adjacent banquette and tables at the glassed-in kitchen and bar and black tables, chairs and walls. best burgers in town. A short and sweet cocktail list includes
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFO: front and a white-tablecloth dining room at the back, with Three ($45), five ($65) or seven ($85) courses are served, classics like the tropical, tiki-esque Jungle Bird and signature
separate menus. The latter is a little out of our budget, but the each dish a work of art both visually and in flavour — dotting concoctions such as the Mogetau, a delicious blend of gin,
T: 514.876.4572 E: ContinuingEducation@ilsc.com berries, basil, bubbly and black pepper. (LC)
“brasserie” section offers more than your average bar menu, plates with fresh herbs, flowers and sauces is a signature
ILSC Continuing Education with a full range of mains such as rib eye, strip loin or butcher’s touch established by chef Sean Murray Smith. Front-of-house
410 Rue Saint Nicolas, Suite 300, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2P5 cut steaks (made from dry aged PEI beef), a fish and seafood staple Nada Abou Younes (who co-owns the place with Smith) ≥ 1240 Phillips Square
METRO: PLACE-D’ARMES AND SQUARE-VICTORIA-OACI CONTINUING-EDUCATION.ILSC.COM/MONTREAL bouillabaisse and a “naturally raised” pork chop, along with was doing triple duty when we dropped in on a frigid night restauranthenri.com
10 FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM 11
side of the place and couples and singles packing the marble
bar on the other. The Diavolo (pepperoni) and M. Fun-Guy
(mushroom) pizzas were fit for devouring — the toppings
were delicious and well-balanced, and the tomato sauce,
mozzas di bufala and affumato (respectively) and thin, strong
crust provided the perfect support. Given that the place is
named after natural wine pioneer Elena Pantaleoni, there are
some fun options to pair with your pizza (or pasta), including
orange wine. (LC)
≥ 5090 Notre-Dame W.
coffeepizzawine.com/elena-2019
McKiernan
Tucked away in an office building and looking like the rec
room of some start-up, McKiernan offers an accessible
point of entry into the famed Joe Beef/Maison Publique
culinary world without the same time or money investment.
Sure, downing a jambon beurre wrapped in paper on a picnic
table isn’t the same as indulging in the whole nine yards
Buffet Maharani
at Liverpool House, but there’s still a level of quality and
preparation going on in McKiernan’s rotating feel-good menu
that reminds you this isn’t some mere grab-and-go Timmy’s
run. Although initially just a lunch spot, they’ve now expanded
to walk-in only dinner on Thursday and Friday, with their fave
natural wines, ciders and beers. Welcome to the family. (EL)
Spaghetti olio-aglio-granchio at Mon Lapin
≥ 5524 St-Patrick #200
mckiernanmtl.com
Larrys
The one-stop-shop. It’s 8 a.m. and you want coffee and
donuts? Larrys is open. Meeting a date for a glass of wine?
Larrys has one of the best lists in the city. It’s midnight and
you get a craving for scrambled eggs? Larrys has your back.
Open from 8 a.m. to 1 a.m., non-stop — seven days a week.
Turmeric monkfish at Denise
Expect the kind of simple, high-quality ingredients you get
EXHIBITION
Tomato + ? at Montréal Plaza
Mussels at Cordova
Mon Lapin razor clams with coriander, peanuts and yuzu sauce ($20) Hélicoptère
and tomato burgers (where a sliced tomato is the bun) with
The Joe Beef empire’s brand of casual dining and culinary various fillings ($20) — on my last visit, it was tuna and fresh Opened in June 2018, Hélicoptère (and its sister café Hélico)
finesse stepped into Little Italy last spring with this cozy wine herbs, easily the most refined tuna salad sandwich I’ve ever might be one of the best arguments for taking the metro out
bar, headed by chef Marc-Olivier Frappier, former Candide tasted. east to Hochelaga. David Ollu, Natacha Lehmann, and Youri
chef Jessica Noël and sommelier Vanya Filipovic. Just over a Boussièrs Fournel, all formerly of Bouillon Bilk, came together
dozen small plates are available daily — “farm fresh” dishes ≥ 6230 St-Hubert (LC) to open one of the most talked about restaurants of the year.
ranging from carbonara with smoked eel and veal tongue with montrealplaza.com The 18+ item menu is designed for you to compose your meal
trout caviar to grilled cauliflower with calamari and beet (yes, as you like it, with a focus on vegetable-forward cooking. More
beet) tartare — along with an impressive list of natural wines casual than the ultra-finessed Bouillon Bilk, you can expect
that’ll set you back anywhere from $46 to $188. Mon Lapin Caffè Un Po’ Di Più the same expert sensibilities in Hélicoptère’s food, just less
does not take reservations, but arriving at 5 p.m. on a weekday gussied-up. (CS)
is a fairly safe bet. (LC) Un Po’ Di Più is another new arrival to the scene offering a day- AT POINTE-À-CALLIÈRE
to-night restaurant experience, but it’s no doubt one of the ≥ 4255 Ontario E.
≥ 150 St-Zotique best. Cheffed by Nick Giambattisto (formerly of Joe Beef) with helicopteremtl.com
From February 13, 2019
Illustrations: Josée Bisaillon
vinmonlapin.com support from Jess Malette (formerly of Lawrence and Larrys),
the menu is distinctly Italian but with the smart, ingredient-
forward cooking that these two chefs do best. Come for a Elena
Montreal Plaza cappuccino and olive oil cake for breakfast, or a spritz (they
offer five variations) and a plate of prosciutto after work. For In deepest St-Henri, Nora Gray’s Emma Cardarelli and
Ex-Toqué! chefs Charles-Antoine Crête and Cheryl Johnson dinner take advantage of the exclusively Italian wine list, and Ryan Gray (along with Loïc co-founder Marley Sniatowsky)
have been holding down their Plaza St-Hubert digs since pick a bottle to go alongside your gnocchi and buratta. Still established a pizzeria that’s been serving some of the best
2015, and the place hasn’t come close to losing its lustre. hungry? No sweat. The menu is all small plates so don’t be pizza in the city for the past year. Elena was jumping when An exhibition by Pointe-à-Callière, based on an original concept
Montréal Archaeology An exhibition by Pointe-à-Callière, based on an original concept by the Muséeby the
des Musée desinConfluences
Confluences Lyon (France).in Lyon (France).
Montreal Plaza is an easy go-to for festive occasions or dates, afraid to order a little bit more — it’s written right there in the we visited one Saturday night in November, with small groups Montréal Archaeology
and
and History
History Complex
Complex
serving fun and adventurous sharing plates like Chinatown name. (CS) occupying the long, velvety banquette and tables on one
pacmusee.qc.ca/en
pacmusee.qc.ca/en
12 FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM 13
from its big sister Lawrence but in a small-plates format.
The mackerel spaghetti is a crowd favourite, but you can’t go
wrong with some crispy beef-fat fried potatoes and a classic
beef tartare. Come early, come late, come often, and bring
some friends to split a bottle of something funky. (CS)
≥ 9 Fairmount E.
lawrencemtl.com/larrys/
Nouveau Palais (Papineau)
Many of you will be familiar with Mile End casse-croûte
turned hipster diner Nouveau Palais, but you may have missed
the opening, last fall, of their second location on Papineau.
What makes this so great is not just the perfect late-night
burgers, fried chicken and waffles and surprisingly good wine
list, but that it brings much needed variety to a somewhat
homogenous corner of the Plateau. In the past few months,
(Nouveau) Nouveau Palais has also organized pop-up events:
two with chef Erin Mahoney of la Bête à Pain (who served
Georgian dumplings) and one featuring locally raised organ
meats. They seem thoroughly invested in these new digs. Let’s
hope the formula works as well here as in Mile End! (RJ)
≥ 4764 Papineau
514-379-6026
FREAKIN'
Marusan Comptoir Japonais
The explosion of Japanese cuisine in this city has come with
its fair share of innovators and imitators, and Marusan in Old
Montreal fits in the former. Neither a bustling izakaya nor a
cramped ramen cubby-hole, it’s really more of a casual lunch
COOL
and dinner spot with small plates galore, as well as warm
and filling don and udon bowls. In one sitting, udon noodles,
damn fine karaage, yakiniku marinated beef and fresh sashimi
grace the table, all umami’d to the max, so the menu can really
run the gamut of Japanese favourites. Even better, the sake
on draft – yes, on draft – was as drinkable as water and not
crushing on the wallet, either. (EL)
≥ 401 Notre-Dame W.
marusan.ca
Denise
On a quiet corner in Parc Ex, this nuvo-Vietnamese restaurant
founded by three filmmakers started out as a café in late
Ian Moussesu
2017, open for breakfast, lunch and (later on) dinner. Now it’s
dinner-only, Wednesdays through Fridays, so while you won’t
be able to get your daytime bahn mi fix, Denise’s nighttime Un Po’ Di Più
From Amour is Love by Joanna Chevalier and Harold Junior Julmice
bites are well worth the trip: miso- and sake-braised eggplant
is as decadent as a technically vegan dish can get, while the
turmeric monkfish, Dong go (braised) pork and Sweet mama
ALLURE EYE ON JULIET SUMMER OF '84 VENUS
squash poached in tom yum and coconut will all amaze your
by Carlos & Jason Sanchez by Kim Nguyen by François Simard, Anouk, Whissell by Eisha Marjara Full program
tastebuds. Sealing the deal on Denise is a small but well- February 26, 8:45 pm March 2, 8:45 pm and Yoann-Karl Whissell February 25, 6:15 pm
chosen list of wines and excellent service. (LC) Cineplex Odeon Cineplex Odeon March 2, 9:30 pm Cineplex Odeon and tickets
≥ 386 Beaumont
Quartier Latin Quartier Latin Cinémathèque québécoise Quartier Latin QUEBECCINEMA.CA
cafedenise.ca
Presented by
Cordova
The welcoming interior, unique cocktails and social club
feel makes it easy to melt away the hours at this warm St-
Henri neighbourhood haunt. Walk in and immediately turn
left, where you’ll come face to face with a wall of conservas
straight from the Iberian Peninsula. If squid in ink from a tin 300 FILMS | 80 PREMIERES | 30 EVENTS | FEBRUARY 20 2
with a short espresso doesn’t float your boat, there’s a weekly
menu of small and slightly bigger tapas to munch on, many
with a strong seafood and charcuterie bend. Although perhaps
more of a bar and café with grub/hangout sort of place than a
full-on restaurant, the food and drink make it easy to make an
evening of it nonetheless. (EL)
≥ 4606 Notre-Dame W.
Carrot soup at Henri Brasserie Française
cordovasthenri.com
14 FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM 15
Falafel Yoni
The sheer hype surrounding Yoni Amir’s authentic Tel Aviv
falafels among its devotees will have you questioning whether
any falafel at all is worth the fuss. Leave it to your tastebuds to
make that determination, but at the very least, the outwardly
crispy, internally moist balls are a cut above your usual fast
food falafel spot, so if you’re going to obsess over a pita
sandwich, make it this one. Counter space for eating is ample
enough if you’re not taking it to go, and the menu cuts to the
chase: falafel in pita or salad form, Israeli fave sabich (fried
eggplant and hard boiled eggs) and a hummus plate. (EL)
≥ St-Viateur W.
falafelyoni.com
Pizza Bouquet
Like many bars and venues around town, Notre Dame des
Quilles had been hosting food pop-ups. They had perogies,
Sudanese food and other one-off and recurring events until
Pizza Bouquet showed up. They are now a permanent fixture
beside the infamous bowling lanes, serving the closest
thing to New York-style ‘za in town from 5 p.m. to midnight
Tuesday to Friday. Their regular margharita and pepperoncini
variants are available by the slice and the pie can compete
with any pizza neighbouring Little Italy has to offer. There
are occasional specials with options like potato-rosemary
and white pizzas. At $3.25 a slice and around $20 for a whole
pizza, they’re delivering top quality for no more than run-of-
the-mill drunk food take-out places cost, and it’s certainly
cheaper than sit down, fork-and-knife pizzerias. (RJ)
≥ 32 Beaubien E.
facebook.com/pizzabouquet/
Diavolo pizza at Elena
Avec carte étudiante valide / with valid student ID
16 FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM 17
Alep Buffet Maharani
It’s been on your list for ages. Stop waiting and go. This Syrian- The newest kid on the strip of busy Indian restaurants has
Armenian restaurant is on par with any of the city’s best (I’m devised a great formula that sets it apart from (and above)
looking at you, Damas), serving up classics like the fattouche other buffets and often mediocre thali offerings: Each day, six
salad, labneh, muhammara and braised lamb with yogurt different dishes are available in all-you-can-eat quantities,
and almonds. In their own words “Alep is the perfect place to but one dish at a time, brought by request hot from the
discover, or simply rediscover the perfumes of olive oil, mint, kitchen rather than a self-serve buffet table. Daal, samosas,
fennel and pomegranate,” sounds good as hell to me. While salad, butter chicken and tandori chicken as well as rice and
you’re there, take the time to explore the mostly biodynamic naan are available daily to mix and match with your other
and natural wine list that includes over 300 references, and vegetarian or non-veg selections. The best news is that the
with many bottles coming in at under $50 and a few under quality is outstanding — not one bad bite in multiple visits,
$40, this might be one of the best and most affordable wine from rich paneers to three-alarm vindaloo and madras to fish
lists in town. (CS) curry, one of Maharani’s standout dishes. (LC)
nts
eal prese
l
ntr
POP Mo
o u
≥ 199 Jean-Talon E. ≥ 808 Jean-Talon W.
4 7 s + guest
restaurantalep.com/EN/ Buffetmaharani.com
POP Montreal & Blue
Skies Turn Black pres
Homeshake + Yves Jarvis
ent
Monarque and Oaxaca Penicilin cocktails at Monarque
0 2019
Serrano Bar-B-Q
Ramen 9000
M a r c h 1
TÈRE
Portuguese chicken is, by now, as Montreal as smoked
What’s the opposite of a scoop of ice cream? A bowl of soup.
M I N I S March 21 2019
LE m / Show 8pm
meat and bagels, but you may have overlooked a Mile End
This pint-sized ramen counter is Nora Gray alumni Mike Dalla classic: Serrano BBQ, which serves a Peruvian variant of the ALBUM
Libera and Nick Rosati’s reason to keep the doors of their
widely loved ice cream shop open all winter long. A secret mix
rotisserie chicken. This tiny counter-style place has a simple
chalkboard menu with whole, half and quarter chickens, as
Doors 7p MTELUS LAUNCH
Doors 6:30pm / Show
of wild mushrooms and a blend of red and white misos serve well as delicious sandwiches with slaw, lettuce and tomatoes 8pm
as the base of this flavourful yet light broth. The broth itself on them. Other options are sausage and pork sandwiches and
is vegan — but if you’re not, add an egg or some pork. Either homemade pasta salad or roasted potatoes on the side. The
way, you’re in for a damn good bowl of soup. (CS) chicken is less spicy and crispy than those common in Little
Portugal, but more tender and steamy. You can easily eat here
i n g
≥ 4609 Notre-Dame W.
d
al presents
a r
for less than $10 and the service is very fast for a quick lunch
POP Montre
H
+ guest
Aldou s
ramen9000.com
or a late-night takeout dinner. (RJ)
≥ 161 St-Viateur W.
facebook.com/R%C3%B4tisserie-Serrano-BBQ-225330711283/
April 12 2019
LA SALShAow R OSSA
9pm
POP Montreal & Blue
Skies Turn Black pres Doors 8pm /
Molly Nilsson + Bambi Lou
ent
March 16 2019
THÉÂTRE FAIRMOU
N
Doors 8pm / Show 9p
m
T
Il Popolo present
POP Montreal & Suoni Per
Sean Murray
Spencer K r u g + guest
onface)
(mem. Wolf Parade, FKA Mo
June 20 2019
LA SALA RO SSA
9pm
Doors 8:30pm / Show
t
Tickets available a
OM
P O P M O N T R E A L .C
Nous reconnaissons l’appui financier de FACTOR, du gouvernement du Canada, et des radiodiffuseurs privés du Canada. Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de
son soutien. L’an dernier, le Conseil a investi 153 millions de dollars pour mettre de l’art dans la vie des Canadiennes et des Canadiens de tout le pays.
We acknowledge the financial support of FACTOR, the government of Canada, and Canada’s private radio broadcasters.
We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, which last year invested $153 million to bring the arts to Canadians throughout the country.
Jerusalem artichoke gnocci at Île Flottante
18 FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM 19food & drink Café by design
The cookbook
as survival
guide
by Clayton Sandhu
In 2005, Joe Beef opened and Montreal was
never the same.
Dave McMillan and Fred Morin are arguably two of the most
influential restaurateurs in Montreal, if not in Canada. Six
years after their restaurant opened, longtime friend and
employee Meredith Erickson would sit down with the two bon-
vivants to pen The Art of Living According to Joe Beef. Much
like the people, place and ideology it represented, the book
was irreverent, it was grandiose and it was a giant success,
sharing the essence and importance of Joe Beef with the
world and contributing significantly to Montreal’s reputation
as a dominant North American food capital.
This was also the beginning of Erickson’s career as a cookbook
author. Since that first Joe Beef book was published in 2011,
Erickson has penned roughly a book a year, a tremendous
accomplishment. She has written about Portland’s le Pigeon,
Claridge’s Hotel in London and is beginning a book about
Frasca, the restaurant of master sommelier Bobby Stuckey
dedicated to the wines and cuisine of the Friuli region of Italy.
Erickson has become one of the most important cookbook
authors writing today. Her ability to transcend the medium
Clayton Sandhu
has reimagined the purpose of the cookbook, allowing
readers to not only cook recipes at a professional level, but
to further understand the people and ideologies behind their
favourite restaurants. Her method blends instruction with
anecdotal prose and history, and in doing so makes a book Pastel rita
as pleasurable to read as it is to cook from. In late Nov. 2018,
Joe Beef’s second book was published, Joe Beef: Surviving By Clayton Sandhu That high-minded yet playful design really resonates with or remarkable to speak of, the presentation was nice and
the Apocalypse: Another Cookbook of me as the day-to-night, café-cum-wine bar is as Milanese thoughtful without veering into over-complication, but that’s
Sorts, allowing us an opportunity to ME: Cookbooks in 2018 had their biggest ME: It’s been pretty awesome and obviously just more direct,
speak with Meredith (who is presently year sales-wise, as did books on the and there is no bridge to cross with someone else. At the same Perhaps it’s the warm coffee at my lips, as it is Montréalaise. Pastel Rita could easily be your first what you want from an avocado toast — good fruit, good
time, it hasn’t felt much different than the other books. Writing stop for an espresso in the morning, where you come for a seasoning and just enough garnish to make it pop.
in the Italian Alps) about her craft, the whole by the way, in many years. I think
we’re seeing a slight backlash in online non-fiction is a lot about asking questions: What am I trying or the cheeriness of the colour-blasted drink and a snack after work, and for your nightcap before
future of cookbooks and what makes a to convey here? How do I present this story? What are the
good meal. content. People are beginning to realize
important bits? Is this intel relevant? It is much more solitary,
interior; most likely it’s owner Gabriel heading home. The café is ambitiously attempting to branch into the wine
that being connected to your device 24/7 bar scene with a short but effective wine list and is currently
Clayton Sandhu: You’ve been working feels like shit. With books, you can take though, which can get intense. Malenfant’s warm and welcoming attitude
Design aside, I should say that, to me, this isn’t a restaurant, developing a small evening menu that aims to go alongside
like a mad-woman these last few them off the shelf, open them, enjoy
them and then close them. With Alps, I was alone a lot of the time not only at my laptop that’s dampening any sense of winter or at least not yet. Usually, I have criticisms of places your glass of Friulian orange wine. For now, there is a
years. Are you okay? typing but also in mountain refugio’s at 3,000-metre elevation
and then there was the whole driving across the four countries
cynicism I might otherwise be feeling on that try and do it all, but at Pastel Rita, they’re taking a bagna cauda-esque plate of crudité with aioli, a selection
CS: In an interview you conducted thoughtful approach. They keep the menu simple (it’s not of cured meats from Aliments Viens and a Matane shrimp
Meredith Erickson: Ha, you sound like
with Peter Meehan (author of the
aspect…I will say with alpine cooking the breadth of the a gloomy Tuesday morning. Part design a gastronome’s paradise by any means) but effective, and salad. A good start, but with Larrys just down the street
Dave from Joe Beef, who wants me to subject has been monumental. When I initially began the
take some time off in 2019. The thing Momofuku cookbook and editor of project, I was like, “How come there isn’t a comprehensive studio, part café, part natural wine bar, they focus on sourcing good products. The Viennoiseries and Boxermans just on the other side of Parc, there’s simply
is, I also say no to a lot of projects. Lucky Peach magazine), he spoke about alpine cookbook out there?” I quickly realized why. It’s a huge
Like, a lot. But within the last three the importance of actually cooking the undertaking. I was travelling four to five months a year for five Pastel Rita is a beautiful concoction that come from Guillaume, charcuteries and cold cuts from not enough to be a contender. However, Malefant recently
recipes you write in order to convey the Aliments Viens and salads from Montreal Plaza-affiliated teamed up with Charles Antoine Crète of Montreal Plaza
years there were consecutive projects
method properly and effectively. How
years. It’s audacious. And quite expensive. reminds me of that good old DIY Montreal Foodchain. Carrying work by local artisans is fitting for a and, in keeping with the Italian theme, they are offering a
that I couldn’t say no to and they all
happened simultaneously. Claridge’s important do you think it is that people CS: During your time in the Alps so far, what has been your business. space which was formerly a gallery. Although we all love special aperitivo menu on Thursday and Friday nights. In
Jennifer May
and Joe Beef are both big coups and be able to cook from the recipes you most interesting revelation in regards to Alpine cooking? a café or restaurant that makes everything 100% from the traditional Milanese style, snacks come free with the
equally very much my style. And the write?
It goes without saying that the design of this café with scratch, I personally have no problem with businesses that purchase of a libation. Now we’re talking.
Alps, that’s been my passion project ME: That isolation brings creativity and clarity.
ME: So important! When people spend restaurant ambitions is the star attraction — and with good opt to outsource. Just because you made it in house doesn’t
for seven years now. Meredith Erickson
$40 or whatever on a book of mine, I reason. The interior features an audacious and vivid colour necessarily make it good, or better than what’s available, and As a restaurant, I think Pastel Rita is still finding its groove,
CS: Besides the wonderful books you’ve written, what is a
CS: I sometimes have a hard time defining you as a writer. take that seriously. To buy the book and then spend the time cookbook you think everyone should own? scheme featuring an emerald green central bar (which I give full credit to Malenfant for recognizing that there are but it’s heading in the right direction. I for one prefer that
You’ve done all sorts of food-centric writing for big publications and money with ingredients and cooking only to have a recipe is also the kitchen), a wall in the hue of a summer-peach restaurants take it slow and try to perfect the things they offer
great artisans down the street making wonderful products;
like The New York Times, Saveur, Lucky Peach, among others, NOT work…that sucks! On all my projects I work with a tester
ME: I like Honey From a Weed by Patience Gray. It’s about a and a bubblegum pink bench that provides both seating rather than trying to best them, he embraced them and well before venturing further into new domains. And when
and of course you write cookbooks, but the way you write and extraordinaire, her name is Kendra McKnight, and she’s in
trait I think everyone needs a bit more of: resourcefulness. and a showcase for co-owner Veronique Orban’s handbag they to do expand, they should proceed with cautious and
compose cookbooks sort of defies the regular conventions of the kitchen every day working out the kinks of the recipes I made their products part of his vision. Local business that
genre, especially when it comes to your latest release (Joe Beef: publish. For Claridge’s, for Joe Beef, for Alps, Frasca and for company Bouquet, as well as Montreal knife-maker Smith supports local business — hard not to like that. purposeful vision. Here’s hoping that this team doubles down
another upcoming book about Mandy’s. I think we test over
CS: You’ve written books for chefs whose styles vary wildly,
Surviving the Apocalypse). How do you define what it is you do? but one common trait I’ve noticed is that there is an elegance and Spathis’s Japanese-style knives. Opposite the kitchen on the aperitivo angle for nights as the Milanese counterpart
300 recipes a year.
and sincerity behind all the styles. Each chef is driven not by is Orban’s studio, with inlaid arched mantles that act as a As for my experience, I had a cortado made from beans to neighbouring Cicchetti’s Venetian approach. Really making
CS: To my knowledge, there isn’t any other cookbook like this always making a statement, or being “Instagrammable,” but home for a smattering of ceramics from Pascale Girardin. roasted by Toronto’s Pilot Coffee Roasters, along with an a go of the 5 à 7 is something that we’re not doing enough of
one. It’s a restaurant book, but it’s really a practical philosophy CS: I want to ask you about your current project, alpine instead by a desire to cook good meals. Since you’re what I
cooking. You’ve been praised for your ability to adapt your Perhaps the cherry on top is an incredibly Instagrammable avocado toast that appears on both the brunch and all-day in town; we don’t really need another small-plates joint, but
guide; a tongue-in-cheek approach to roughing it like a French would call an expert on the subject, what makes a good meal
king. How did you approach writing a book like this?CS: This voice for the book you’re writing — Claridge’s sounds way pink monochrome wall and banquette. The whole vibe menu. The toast was exactly as expected: creamy, well- I for one wouldn’t mind a great spot for aperitivo. As for the
is probably a tough question to answer, but given that there is different from The Art of Living According to Joe Beef, for ME: Enjoying the people you’re with. You could be at Paul reminds me of Milan’s Bar Luce (the Wes Anderson-designed seasoned avocado generously slathered on warm and crisp day program, feel no trepidation to stop by for a good cup
so much food content available online, for free, are cookbooks example. How have you found the experience of writing a Bocuse, but if you’re not in good company nor having great bar at the Prada Institute) and Malenfant is the first to admit toast and garnished with salty and fragrant feta, tomatoes, of coffee and a simple, well-executed plate. You will not be
going to remain relevant? cookbook on a rarely covered subject in your own voice? conversation, what’s the point? that the filmmaker’s style was an inspiration for the design. radish and radish shoots. Though it was nothing really new disappointed.
20 FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM 21music
Post-punk
revisited
By Brandon Kaufman
Pottery’s status as one of the most exciting
bands in Montreal had been building for
months before they released any music.
Prior to the emergence of their debut single “Hank Williams”
THE DEVIL MAKES THREE KURT VILE AND THE VIOLATORS ARKELLS grandson
in December, the band seemed almost spectral, with whispers + THE SADIES + LORD HURON + THE BLUE STONES + JUST JOHN & DOM DIAS
FEBRUARY 8 - CORONA THEATRE
of their existence confirmed only by the odd ephemeral FEBRUARY 15 - MTELUS FEBRUARY 19 - MTELUS FEBRUARY 22 - CAFÉ CAMPUS
appearance — though even those sightings seemed dubious
Brandon Kaufman
given the hype they’d leave in their wake. I first saw them in
September during POP Montreal, an astonishingly fun show
that was equal parts unrelenting and unpretentious. The band
played a danceable, freaked-out post-punk that they later Pottery
captured on their impressive first single.
Pottery’s keyboardist, was touring Europe with drummer necessary, as they did when they opened for Parquet Courts at
Before I met up with them in January, the last time all five Paul Jacobs’ eponymous band. Tom Gould, who plays bass, Corona in December.)
members were together was shortly after that September was home in England. I learned this after the fact, but it was
show. Frontman Austin Boylan and guitarist Jacob Shepansky Pottery’s coming together in the first place is a story typical
stayed in Montreal in the ensuing months while Peter Baylis,
apparent in how excited they were to be together. (The band
has been known to perform with replacement players when of Montreal’s close-knit creative community. On Boylan’s first
ISKWE MASS APPEAL VINCE STAPLES JAMES BLAKE GAVIN JAMES
+ ANACHNID FASHAWN + STRO + EZRI + 070 PHI + CANTRELL + BUDDY + FOREST BLAKK
day in Montreal, he was introduced to Shepansky through FEBRUARY 22 - LE MINISTÈRE FEBRUARY 26 - LE BELMONT FEBRUARY 28 - MTELUS FEBRUARY 28 - OLYMPIA
MARCH 2 - FAIRMOUNT THEATRE
a mutual friend. “We liked each other so much,” Shepansky
says. The two would sit on their friends’ back porch for hours,
taking turns playing music. They immediately began writing
and jamming together, and eventually started playing with
Jacobs, for whom Baylis was playing keys. In Feb. 2017, the
band played their first show together, and by June they had
Thursday, March 7, 9:30 p.m., $10/$13
recorded their first album. After Pottery’s first bassist left the
band, Gould, then a student at McGill, was recommended by
Montreal musician ggpeach. He was added to the line-up in
Nov. 2017.
A BOWIE CELEBRATION: THE DAVID BOWIE ALUMNI TOUR THE CAT EMPIRE TOO MANY ZOOZ
“I had heard about the album before I even joined,” Gould + NEAL FRANCIS + FIVE ALARM FUNK
MARCH 2 - MTELUS MARCH 4+5 - MTELUS MARCH 7 - L’ASTRAL
told me. Pottery’s debut record remains unreleased, though
it is scheduled to finally come out in the spring. Sitting on
the album was in part a product of the complicated logistics
of a self-release, but the band also sought to create a sense
of enigma and mystery. “‘Leave people wanting more’ is the
mantra,” according to Shepansky. Jacobs adds that the staying
power of art weeks, months or years after its creation is a sign
that it’s something truly great.
That said, given its long gestation period, Pottery has become
somewhat over-familiar with their first record. Though they
love the songs, they have been energized to look to the future.
WITHIN TEMPTATION + IN FLAMES THE BARR BROTHERS TEENAGE FANCLUB
+ SMASH INTO PIECES + SPECIAL GUESTS + HANK
So energized, in fact, that they are already working on their MARCH 5 - OLYMPIA MARCH 7-8-9 - CORONA THEATRE MARCH 9 - PETIT CAMPUS
second album. This creative drive is as propulsive as their
sound, and its process was explained to me as an alchemy of
the members’ catholic interests — a combination of eclectic
styles like punk, country and world music leading to what the
band describes as a “melting pot of influences.”
The guys from Pottery say they’ll add a few of these new
cuts to their set to keep things interesting over the next few
months. Their busy year starts on March 7, when the band
headlines Bar le Ritz, then it’s on to SXSW. After that they’re
opening for Viagra Boys on their North American tour before MATTHEW GOOD MEN I TRUST LIGHT THE TORCH + ALL THEM WITCHES
playing a few festivals in Europe. Dates across Europe are + POESY + MICHAEL SEYER MARK MORTON + MOON TOOTH + POSSUM
being planned. And so, it seems, the band’s mantra has paid MARCH 15 - CORONA THEATRE MARCH 16 - CORONA THEATRE MARCH 16 - L’ASTRAL MARCH 17 - L’ASTRAL
off: people emphatically want more. Pottery, it is clear, are
ready to give it to them.
≥ Pottery performs with guests at Bar le Ritz PDB (179 Jean-Talon W.) on
/GREENLANDPROD /EVENKO
22 FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM FEBRUARY 2019 • Vol. 7 No. 5 • WWW.CULTMTL.COM 23You can also read
