DRAWING MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
“Many Portuguese came in the 1970s and 1980s for a better life. But now there are almost no Portuguese coming. They are there! And immigration is not easy. It’s a long time for paperwork. They get tired and leave again. » — Carlos Moleirinho, 62, co-owner
DRAWING MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
“The clientele is starting to change. We are starting to see a lot of Quebecers. They went to visit Portugal, they come here, they say: “Wow! It’s like in Portugal!” There are also more women. It used to be like a tavern. Now it’s a 5 star tavern! » — Carlos Moleirinho, 62, co-owner
DRAWING MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
“For sueca, you need four players. It could last thirty minutes, an hour, an hour and a half. It depends. The rules ? Wow, it’s complicated to explain. Pull up a chair! » — Olimpio Fernandes, 58, trucker
DRAWING MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
“Sometimes it’s the cards, sometimes it’s the dominoes. We play to have fun. To pass time. Like people who play bingo or bowling. It’s social. We talk with friends…” — João Rolo, 70 years old, retired
DRAWING MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
“It’s family here. Everyone knows each other. I do a lot for old people. When they come, I take them like my father…” — Carlos Moleirinho, 62 years old, co-owner
DRAWING MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
“It’s generation to generation here. I came with my father when I was 5 years old, when we smoked inside. I drank my Sumol while watching people play cards or table football. The floor has not changed. The tables are the same. The kitchen too. We work in construction. Here is a good place to make connections and networks. We even left our business card in the entrance! » — José Manuel da Silva, 36 years old, and Paolo da Silva, 31 years old, brothers and workers
DRAWING MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
“My daily specials for the week, I decide them on Friday. I have enough dishes that there will never be the same one for a month. Except on Saturday, it’s cod, and Friday, dorada. That doesn’t move! I get a box of cod on Tuesdays. I cut it on Wednesday. Afterwards, I put it in water for 10 hours to desalinate. I have to serve between 65 and 80 servings at least! […] Portuguese cuisine is simple. It’s not like French cuisine with all these sauces! » — José Silva Cerdeira, 58 years old, cook at Café central
DRAWING MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
“I arrived in Montreal in 1960. I was 16 years old. I was a job checker in Dorval, I grew tobacco in Ontario, worked on construction, and was a maintenance supervisor at Place Bonaventure. I mostly played soccer. Semi-pro for the Portuguese of Montreal and Luso Star. The Press nicknamed me the Killer. Yes sir ! » — Aurino Correia, 80 years old, ex-“Killer”
DRAWING MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, THE PRESS
Number of Portuguese in Montreal: 46,000 (2016 census)
Café central: 4051, rue Saint-Dominique
For groceries: Soares et Fils (130, avenue Duluth Est) or Segal (4001, boulevard Saint-Laurent)
To stay informed: In Voz de Portugal (free weekly newspaper) www.avozdeportugal.com