The popular Montréal en lumière festival will take place from February 16 to March 5. There is no shortage of activities to keep busy: the long-awaited return of Nuit Blanche on February 25; many free activities on the outdoor site (skating path, Ferris wheel, light works, slides, street trucks), shows and, of course, the gourmet program.
In addition to the Quartier gourmand, which is settling in Place des Arts this year with workshops on different themes, the public can take advantage of some forty proposals, each more enticing than the next, to discover at the Bonnes tables Air France in several establishments in mainland France.
Among them, Lloyd arouses curiosity, while pastry chef Sylvain Vier offers a chic appetizers and champagne menu for happy hours. Savory and sweet hors d’oeuvres will be served, accompanied by two glasses of Deutz champagne (several dates, $57). For its part, the Auberge Saint-Gabriel will put twice rather than one of the local wines in the spotlight with four-course menus. The place will first host Les Trois Moineaux, a wine merchant project launched by three Quebecers wanting to showcase the terroirs of the Niagara Peninsula (February 21, $125), then the esteemed Domaine du Nival (February 23 , $125).
At Rosélys, two events attract attention. First, chef Edgard Trudeau-Ferrin welcomes the Butterblume brigade with a menu inspired by seasonal cuisine (February 18, $135; add $75 for wine pairings); then the art of mixology will be in the spotlight for a special evening in collaboration with the Distillerie de la Chaufferie and its talented mixologist in residence Claudia Doyon, for a promising 4-course menu (February 25, $165, cocktail pairings Understood). For a change of scenery without leaving the city, head for lunch at the Japanese restaurant Okeya Kyujiro, which will serve an omakase menu, accompanied by a wine from the Grace Wine estate, located in Yamanashi prefecture, Japan (18 , February 25 and March 4, $180 or $200 with wine pairing).
These are just a few suggestions drawn from this abundant program. One piece of advice: don’t delay in booking your tickets to take advantage of it!