[Photo: Twitter]
As we close the book on 2013 and wrap up all Year in Eater coverage, follow along as we cherry-pick some of the most moveable tweets from the past 12 months in Montreal food. The social media platform gave us some epic local scoops and made us laugh, cry, quiver with rage, salivate and, yes, think.
From the hashtag meme par excellence to street food, the Chefs For Seals controversy to the quotable Bourdain, this is a snapshot of the year that was, Twitter-style.
#Pastagate
The Office québécois de la langue française chides the management of Buonanotte for the use of "pasta", "antipasti" and "calamari" on the restaurant's menu. The result is total mayhem.
NOW: All you need to know about #pastagate with an #OQLF spokesperson, then @BuonanotteMTL's @MassimoMTL. Listen live http://t.co/xWg4EyK3
— CJAD 800 MontreaI (@CJAD800) February 20, 2013
Just spoke with #OQLF's Martin Bergeron. He says one word shouldn't matter, but at least half the menu should be in French. #pastagate
— Dan Delmar (@delmarhasissues) February 20, 2013
Following #pastagate flap, top Joe Beef takes language office troubles public http://t.co/ZF7oWwZ3Ei
— CTV Montreal (@CTVMontreal) February 24, 2013
Italian caffe ordered to remove a non-French 'f' from its sign #pastagate http://t.co/GZ0NBNLdJT
— CTV Montreal (@CTVMontreal) February 26, 2013
#Pastagate forces head of OQLF to step down http://t.co/nKugPiyx53
— CTV Montreal (@CTVMontreal) March 9, 2013
Bourdain and Montreal Redux
Anthony Bourdain was all over Montreal - once more - in 2013. CNN Parts Unknown Quebec episode, a Guts and Glory tour stop at Place des Arts with Dave McMillan and Fred Morin, The Taste - also with the Joe Beef duo - and so on. The Kitchen Confidential author even wore a Habs lid on a hunt with Daniel Boulud.
Oh, Canada !!! pic.twitter.com/ZDrB5fng
— Anthony Bourdain (@Bourdain) February 19, 2013
We're getting ready to watch our buddies @fredmadeit and @joebeef on tonight's @TheTasteABC. They are freaks. We love them, sorta.
— Big Gay Ice Cream (@biggayicecream) February 27, 2013
'Foodfucked in Quebec' -@Bourdain: http://t.co/fbE4uN3x0a New #PartsUnknown w/ Chefs @CabanePDC, @joebeef, and @fredmadeit tomorrow at 9p et
— Helen Cho (@HelenCho) May 4, 2013
Bourdain: Montrealers "tough, crazy bastards" http://t.co/BCcmp1KNPD
— CTV Montreal (@CTVMontreal) May 6, 2013
Chefs For Seals
When the likes of Bourdain and chefs in Montreal and across the country got wind that a brigade of Food & Wine 'Best New Chefs' had joined a Humane Society and Nigel Barker-led pledge to ban Canada's seafood industry over the commercial seal hunt, shit hit the fan.
A year ago, @fandw contacted me about potentially doing a PEI oyster story/tour. Now this? Brutal hypocrisy.
— John Bil (@shiptoshorepei) October 28, 2013
Gee, I sure hope that none of the @ChefsForSeals were cheering @alexatala at MAD, when he killed a chicken on stage #supportcanadianseafood
— John Bil (@shiptoshorepei) October 30, 2013
Danny ... Read the facts man. RT @Bourdain: @dannybowien please reconsider your position as signatory.thanks!
— David McMillan (@joebeef) October 28, 2013
@dcpatterson @ChefsForSeals @Bourdain
Same here!
— Sean Brock (@hseanbrock) October 30, 2013
Love u @hseanbrock . You stay in my home anytime. Come north now.
— David McMillan (@joebeef) October 31, 2013
Banning a fishery because of a hunt is like banning baseball because of head shots in hockey.
— Derek Dammann (@maisonpublique) October 29, 2013
im going to boycott bitters in protest of earthquakes.
— fred morin (@fredmadeit) October 29, 2013
Question:why did @PEI_Shellfish pay @curtis_stone $75k last year to host their festival anyway? Here's hoping they hire a Cnd chef for 2014!
— Lesley Chesterman (@lesleychestrman) October 30, 2013
Nothing wrong to hunt seal ; 10 seals provide ; food, fuel, shelter & clothes for 6 months for a family of 5
Their dignity b4 your opinion.
— Société-Orignal (@societeorignal) October 29, 2013
V.I.P. Visits
2013 saw a decent run of star chef, sommelier, wine producer and food personality visits to the city. To wit:
My new essential #Montreal eating + drinking list from @fandw October issue: http://t.co/h5ATo37oNn! If you've never been, now's the time!
— Gail Simmons (@gailsimmons) September 11, 2013
Providing books for Eleven Madison Park event @SAT_Foodlab Still space. Come down and meet @wguidara & Dan Humm
— Appetite for Books (@Appetite4Books) September 30, 2013
Je suis très émerveillé des sommeliers que je rencontre à Montréal : chez Jérôme Ferrer, Normand Laprise, Bouillon Bilk...
— Herve This (@Herve_This) November 27, 2013
Gagnaire et Herve this ce soir a Maison Boulud!!! pic.twitter.com/MM9Lc6Wutd
— riccardo bertolino (@chefriccardombm) November 24, 2013
The @Mugaritz army is ready for tonight #dinerdesproducteurs #fondationataxiecharlevoix pic.twitter.com/9jAv3WKPs2
— Normand Laprise (@n_laprise) November 28, 2013
I'm in Montreal and i just learn Lou Reed died. I want to cry
— massimobottura (@massimobottura) October 27, 2013
Le très grand @massimobottura chef italien étoilé etc etc de retour à la @CabanePDC et il est super content pic.twitter.com/TKv7dC7O8Z
— marie-claude lortie (@mclortie) October 27, 2013
Less than 10 SEATS LEFT at our #popup @VinPapillon in #Montreal this Sun and Mon w @wandrlst @joebeef @parmesaneater
— chezjosebk (@chezjosebk) September 26, 2013
Thank you #montreal for showing us what true passion for food & wine is. Can't wait to come back! #bestcityinnorthamerica
— Rajat Parr (@rajatparr) November 5, 2013
Shitshows
From a burlesque cum aphrodisiac "concept" restaurant to two rare zero star reviews from Lesley Chesterman, 2013 was a banner year for shitshows (and this is exclusive of #Pastagate). And as usual, publicists and food bloggers were in the mix.
éxito de nuestro menú en montreal...pero el presidente de montreal L. antes de comenzar me mando decir q mi comida insultaba a sus invitados
— francis mallmann (@Francisjmallman) February 23, 2013
My interview with @Francisjmallman before he left Montreal and before the misunderstanding with Montréal en Lumière coming up #cbcmtl
— Sonali Karnick (@sonalikarnick) February 24, 2013
Open what, one day? Ugh. Tragic. pic.twitter.com/cvsnhC6vkX
— Lesley Chesterman (@lesleychestrman) September 9, 2013
Sometimes, eating out isn't sexy at all http://t.co/sV5q0IH2lY
— CultMTL (@CultMTL) October 4, 2013
We made the list of the Top New Restaurants in Canada 2013! #foodie #montreal http://t.co/36VIa5NeBT
— Atame Aphrodisiaque (@atame_mtl) December 27, 2013
Highlight of tonight's dinner: yelling to the waiter across the empty room; "Allo, les menus de desserts S.V.P." #pasfort #afirst
— Lesley Chesterman (@lesleychestrman) October 2, 2013
@evemartel Another restaurant "some" bloggers raved about! #howsthatforahint
— Lesley Chesterman (@lesleychestrman) October 2, 2013
This week's restaurant: La Société Bistro. My first no-star review in a decade. http://t.co/cH5MAPJ0Cr
— Lesley Chesterman (@lesleychestrman) September 13, 2013
Le meilleur brunch de Montréal au restaurant La Société http://t.co/oC1efAhxKI
— Samy Rabbat (@samyrabbat) September 21, 2013
Not my favourite way to start the day, but here goes: This week's review, Icône. No stars. http://t.co/W5GrjGADqW
— Lesley Chesterman (@lesleychestrman) October 11, 2013
Zero star reviews: Harsh? Sure, but a critic is paid to deliver a versed opinion, not indifference. Sitting on the fence is for the birds.
— Foodie Date Night (@FoodieDateNight) October 11, 2013
@Synden_ @FoodieDateNight Critics do not partake in restaurant opening parties. I am a professional restaurant critic. Not Carrie Bradshaw.
— Lesley Chesterman (@lesleychestrman) October 11, 2013
@cathmaison in fact, it is the PR people who are organizing these ridiculous launch parties to get bloggers in to give free publicity. 2/2
— Lesley Chesterman (@lesleychestrman) October 12, 2013
Make sure to stop by the @RestaurantIcone – to taste the amazing terroir cuisine! http://t.co/v86ohmUcCy
— RestoMontreal (@RestoMTL) December 19, 2013
Street Food
For many, the story of the year in Montreal food was the return - after a crazy-long hiatus - of street food.
#Foodies rejoice! The City of #Montreal is set to give food trucks the green light http://t.co/33381C8IeX
— Global Montreal (@Global_Montreal) April 9, 2013
Hey Montreal, now that you've lifted your ban on street food (http://t.co/ugJQE3fSPs) here are some good role models: http://t.co/AuK4aY14y0
— Food & Wine magazine (@fandw) April 11, 2013
Here's how the city might ruin street food: http://t.co/W6OvuDhXEU
— CultMTL (@CultMTL) April 15, 2013
Fantastic assessment of #streetfood in Montreal this past year:... http://t.co/3blWxp5qUv
— Street Food Montreal (@StreetFoodMTL) November 19, 2013
Random Notables
A selection of random tweets that caught our attention over the last year. By no means an exhaustive list - but enjoy nonetheless.
Thinking what a month of March it would be for Quebec if Cardinal Ouellet became Pope & @veroniquerivest won World's Best Sommelier. #cheers
— Lesley Chesterman (@lesleychestrman) March 10, 2013
Merci à tous de votre appui! Suis très touchée. Maintenant c'est le repos des guerriers, accompagnée de mon complice, avant le retour.
— Véronique Rivest (@veroniquerivest) March 31, 2013
The deepest gratitude to all who have visited us so far, and for all the kind words offered.
It means a lot. Thank you.
— Boucherie Lawrence (@BoucherLawrence) June 12, 2013
Thanx @Chauddogs for da Dawgs! Pogo ..Aka Corndog Iz wassup! Looking forward to more Gan$ta collabs! Sik Hat thanx! pic.twitter.com/egPPtySwBD
— Chuck Hughes (@ChefChuckHughes) June 5, 2013
Finally ! Paper is off! Come visit! @ Hof Kelsten 4524 st laurent http://t.co/TYFULEsF9e
— Jeffrey Finkelstein (@Hofkelsten) October 4, 2013
Grande journée aujourd'hui ... Merci à tous!! Big day today .. Thx for all the support !!GRAZIE A TUTTI!! #impasto #petiteitalie #montreal
— Michele Forgione (@IMPASTO_MTL) July 4, 2013
Thanks everyone that came to @vinpapillon this week and for all the kind words. pic.twitter.com/BNEvgOBaJk
— Frappier MarcOlivier (@parmesaneater) July 8, 2013
Merci @joebeef de me commanditer pour mon prochain combat le 17 août :D ! #joie #bonnebouffe @fredmadeit pic.twitter.com/GzUpIpHuI2
— Olivier Aubin (@MMAOAM) July 28, 2013
I'm living some priceless moments! pic.twitter.com/XEorBx4g5j
— Antonio Park (@ChefAntonioPark) July 23, 2013
Moose Jaw bone for marrow Canoe wild dinner. http://t.co/t8CYZdaO93
— Derek Dammann (@maisonpublique) November 16, 2013
Gettin ready for 5 th year anniversary pic.twitter.com/G05U4izFhp
— M A ROYAL (@LeStUrbain) September 17, 2013
@LeStUrbain no worries boss! I'm on it! pic.twitter.com/RVTNcUrmV5
— Adam Ganten (@chfdcuisnsturb) September 19, 2013
@ruthreichl: sad to see how little these "gods" champion sustainable food practices, flying around the world for their "local" symposiums.
— Emma Cardarelli (@nonnanora) November 7, 2013
On profite de notre petit paradis à St-Roch pic.twitter.com/EWupeEp1ZD
— Nancy Hinton (@soupnancy) July 22, 2013
On reçoit près de 10 000 demandes de réservations. As-tu une idée de l'ampleur du travail que ça demande. @CharlesDurivage
— Martin Picard (@CabanePDC) March 19, 2013
Non Pierre. @Pierre_Toronto
— Martin Picard (@CabanePDC) December 7, 2013
View from my table at dinner tonight. pic.twitter.com/rSQ7ejqpZp
— Lesley Chesterman (@lesleychestrman) July 5, 2013
@dylankier still undefeated Quebec champion of BBQ! He just won Grand Champion at the #bbqlympiques in Brossard! pic.twitter.com/ham2AHgmUn
— Clara Barron (@bbqblackstrap) September 1, 2013
@VinnovationCEO you know how to throw 1 hell of a good party #MontrealTillDawn 4 days in a row! Keep ballin 4ever.. pic.twitter.com/c9cw5Sw8Kp
— Kutch Wines (@JamieKutch) November 5, 2013
Twitter silence an excellent sign. If you're truly ballin' then perhaps there's no need to tweet.
— Dominic Allnutt (@VinnovationCEO) November 5, 2013
14 ans déjà, mon Charlot. Merci pour cette magnifique aventure et bon voyage :-) pic.twitter.com/Ck3a0QMmpD
— Normand Laprise (@n_laprise) December 21, 2013
Eater launching 3 sites in Canada today. Will Canadian politeness prevail in the comments sections? What would that even look like?
— Pete Wells (@pete_wells) October 2, 2013
· All Year in Eater Coverage [-EMTL-]