Remarkable Récolte Rules New Crop of Market Cuisine Montreal Restaurants

Sick of overpriced burgers and mac 'n' cheese? The restaurant critic for Le Journal de Montréal has a panacea. Go to La Récolte, counsels Thierry Daraize this week, where the kitchen comes correct with precise, and delicious seasonal and market-sourced food. Thanks to the Petite-Patrie gem's efforts, Daraize is sanguine about Montreal's restaurant scene: "Je vous le dis, il y a en ce moment un vent de changement, une nouvelle génération de jeunes chefs et restaurateurs qui proposent une autre avenue et j’en suis ravi. Pourvu que ça dure!"

La Récolte is much more than just a brunch powerhouse, evidently. Star plates from the relaxed, flafla-less space include a beef carpaccio with marinated vegetables, tangy blue cheese sauce, and croutons ("une véritable sensation de bonheur en bouche"). A poached pear with endives, and chèvre is "remarquable", and smoky squash with fried Brussels sprouts elicit Daraize's trademark "On se régale!". A small quibble with a duck magret aside, La Récolte ends strong with a trout dish served with a tomato compote and smoked kelp, and "une magnifique tarte aux pommes." Verdict: a rare four stars on five. For those scoring at home, this is one of the best restaurant reviews of 2015 from Le Journal.