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Cocktail Confidential: Where Dave Schmidt Drinks

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daveconfidential.jpg[Photos: Randall Brodeur, Facebook]

Dave Schmidt is the man behind some of Montreal's most inventive and reliable cocktail programs. The barman, restaurateur and all-around enthusiast is a partner in Café Sardine/Iwashi Izakaya, Maïs, Datcha and - exclusive - a new tiki bar in Chinatown now in the primordial stage.

Schmidt recently took some time from his hectic schedule to share ten places in Montreal where he likes to imbibe. Call it Dave Schmidt's Cocktail Confidential.


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Dinette Triple Crown

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Triple Crown's dynamic duo of Colin Perry and Nicole Turcotte both worked at Le Chien Fumant when Schmidt was a partner in the Plateau restaurant. "Dinette Triple Crown for a South Side or Derby cocktail! Definitely great drinks at Dinette, that has to be on there."

The Emerald

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The Emerald is evidently a place that takes cocktails very seriously (see Eater Montreal Cocktail Heatmap). Schmidt concurs, notably for the classics.

Lawrence

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When Schmidt can get in to Mile End hot spot Lawrence for brunch, he likes to order a Jukebox IPA and Campari.

The Sparrow

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"I like Sparrow for a Boulevardier cocktail or a Campari soda with a dash of Chartreuse (not on the menu but what I love to order there)."
Magpie's oven dominates discussions on the Mile End pizzeria but Schmidt, who ran the restaurant for almost two years, recommends the Caesar.

Bílý Kůň

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Montreal's premier Czech bar is a Schmidt fave. "I like Bílý Kůň for Absinthe and shots of Becherovka [herbal bitters from Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic]."

L'Express

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Schmidt favours L'Express, Montreal's quintessential bistro, for fair markups on good, obscure wines and the classic service of veteran barman Claude Masson.

Dominion Square Tavern

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Dominion makes a lot of cocktails well but Schmidt most appreciates the upscale tavern's Canadian Old Fashioned, with rye, a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, lemon zest, Triple Sec and Cointreau.

Nora Gray

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Nora Gray owner and barman Ryan Gray is one of the city's foremost wine geeks but Schmidt loves the restaurant's "love of bitters and Amaro and their uses in cocktails."

Burgundy Lion

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Schmidt's patronage of Little Burgundy's bellwether pub is all about whisky. Burgundy Lion owner Toby Lyle has slowly amassed the most impressive collection in the city, with over 300 bottles at last count.

Dinette Triple Crown

Triple Crown's dynamic duo of Colin Perry and Nicole Turcotte both worked at Le Chien Fumant when Schmidt was a partner in the Plateau restaurant. "Dinette Triple Crown for a South Side or Derby cocktail! Definitely great drinks at Dinette, that has to be on there."

The Emerald

The Emerald is evidently a place that takes cocktails very seriously (see Eater Montreal Cocktail Heatmap). Schmidt concurs, notably for the classics.

Lawrence

When Schmidt can get in to Mile End hot spot Lawrence for brunch, he likes to order a Jukebox IPA and Campari.

The Sparrow

"I like Sparrow for a Boulevardier cocktail or a Campari soda with a dash of Chartreuse (not on the menu but what I love to order there)."

Magpie

Magpie's oven dominates discussions on the Mile End pizzeria but Schmidt, who ran the restaurant for almost two years, recommends the Caesar.

Bílý Kůň

Montreal's premier Czech bar is a Schmidt fave. "I like Bílý Kůň for Absinthe and shots of Becherovka [herbal bitters from Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic]."

L'Express

Schmidt favours L'Express, Montreal's quintessential bistro, for fair markups on good, obscure wines and the classic service of veteran barman Claude Masson.

Dominion Square Tavern

Dominion makes a lot of cocktails well but Schmidt most appreciates the upscale tavern's Canadian Old Fashioned, with rye, a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, lemon zest, Triple Sec and Cointreau.

Nora Gray

Nora Gray owner and barman Ryan Gray is one of the city's foremost wine geeks but Schmidt loves the restaurant's "love of bitters and Amaro and their uses in cocktails."

Burgundy Lion

Schmidt's patronage of Little Burgundy's bellwether pub is all about whisky. Burgundy Lion owner Toby Lyle has slowly amassed the most impressive collection in the city, with over 300 bottles at last count.