On Thursday night of last week we were treated to a sneak peek of what will be offered during this year’s Happening Gourmand. Running from January 9th to February 2nd, we have an entire month to enjoyed featured dishes from 9 restaurants and bars in Old Montreal for a fraction of the normal cost.
During the preview we sampled dishes from restaurants such as BEVO (pictured; we started here last night and the restaurant was at capacity!) who offered a delicious antipasti. We were also served a wonderful salmon tartar from Taverne Gaspar (pictured below; one of my favorite places in the area) followed by a Bison bresaola and tangy celery root remoulade from Mechant Beouf.
Savory samples including duck rillettes from Modavie, spicy sushi from newcomer, Kyo Japanese Bar and Moroccan eggplant caviar from Verses followed before the main course arrived. We were presented with a delicious Nagano pork chop with Dijon and maple, garlic mashed potatoes and green beans from Vieux-Port Steakhouse.
To top off the night our host restaurant, Suite 701, presented us with their take on a classic dessert, the passion flakie. The pastry was perfectly sweetened and laced with fresh cream and a strawberry coulis.
Consider this your first taste of this year’s Happening Gourmand. We’ve already started our restaurant hopping marathon (we started a BEVO last night and ended up at Taverne Gaspar!) and we recommend booking tables in advance if you can. Now in its seventh year, the secret is out; tables fill up pretty quickly and from what we’ve heard, people wait for this all year.
For more information, check out their website! Have fun and let us know where your Happening Gourmand travels take you!