Discoveries. There are few things to arouse the senses in winter-worn Montreal. As you would expect, it’s cold. But despite its international reputation, there’s really not much here that can’t be found in upstate New York, except on a smaller scale.
However, if one approaches the city with no expectations, there are discoveries to be found. One of the few bright lights in an otherwise hazy town is Paryse, the self-proclaimed snack bar. In layman’s terms, Paryse is more of a haut grunge diner. It was there that we first tried poutine, the pride of Quebec.
Poutine is Quebecois for “cheese fries with gravy”. It’s all too easy for an American to criticise poutine because the fries are soggy, and we all know fries must never be soggy. But as with your general approach to Montreal in regard to holiday destinations, you would be doing yourself a disservice to view poutine in comparison to french fries. Poutine is poutine, a delicately balanced palate of fried potato stewed in an intense chicken-based sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese curds.
But the gem of Paryse is not its poutine. It’s the namesake Paryse sandwich. The Paryse seamlessly combines toasted dark bread with fried egg, sliced tomato, romaine lettuce, sauteed mushrooms, the mysterious melted cheese curds, pickles, and plenty of mayonnaise. It’s difficult to describe the flavor, and I’m sure it’s almost impossible to replicate. So there is a reason to go to Montreal.
i am sincerely glad your trip isnt all misery and suffering, and that you are making such efforts to appreciate the place. But, your previous posts seemed much more sincere. this one is suspicious even in it’s brevity. perhaps you should give in to that which you truly find pleasurable, hairy moles et al. don’t feel guilty that your joy is mixed with disgust, it’s all the richer for it.
Wow. More please
come on dan.. 99% of the fun is imagining being the waiter doomed to serve Amos and Nina.