Published on March 1, 2023
Le Cuisinomane shares his foodie discoveries of the month. Among the restaurants recognized by the Aliments du Québec au menu program, three particularly impressed him with their culinary creativity: Île Flottante, La Knowlton Co., and Chardo.
174–176 Saint-Viateur West Street, Montreal, QC H2T 2L3 (Montreal)
The restaurant Île Flottante, located in Montreal’s Mile-End neighborhood since 2011 (previously called Les Deux Singes de Montarvie), never stops surprising. This is thanks to the chef’s boundless creativity, the decision to offer a tasting menu (with vegetarian and vegan options), and the team’s very dynamic approach to sourcing ingredients as locally as possible from small producers. Mission accomplished. In the glasses as well as on the plates, Quebec is in the spotlight. I can even confirm that you’ve probably never seen—or tasted—it quite like this!
This is a chef-driven cuisine where you’ll enjoy a series of courses as surprising as they are delightful. A fish cooked to perfection is elegantly paired with koji sauce and pearl mustard infused with shiso oil, enhanced by a fresh salad of amaranth, watercress, and dill. A winter vegetable “terrine” (mushrooms, leeks, Jerusalem artichokes) is elevated by a trio of sauces, each bringing its own complexity and texture.
I’ll skip over the other five creations, but I must highlight the extraordinary dessert millefeuille, where parsnip—prepared in several ways—is placed on a pedestal. Between layers of puff pastry you’ll find caramelized parsnip compote, dark chocolate and coffee ganache, vanilla parsnip semifreddo, parsnip whipped cream, and a crumble made from parsnip skins. Wow!
Discover the restaurant ÎLE FLOTTANTE >>
Opened at the end of 2019, the Knowlton Co. microbrewery has managed to stay on course with style despite the turbulent past few years, thanks to a clear mission and admirable philosophy. Deeply rooted in the community, the team simply wants to spread good vibes through beers brewed on site and excellent wood-fired pizza—and I must say, mission accomplished.
The brewery produces mostly classic beers, sometimes more adventurous ones, using as many Quebec-grown ingredients as possible—something for every taste. I loved the layered flavors of the Sorachi Saison with pears, brewed with hundreds of kilograms of pressed pears from a neighboring producer, as well as the Rhubarb and Haskap Table Beer, which is incredibly light and easy to drink.
To eat, the neo-Neapolitan pizzas are irresistible: a flavorful sourdough crust fermented for 48–72 hours and made with flour from a farm just a few kilometers away, always generously topped. Purists will stick with the Margherita or the Diavola, but apparently the bestseller is the smoked meat pizza! Crispy chicken wings brined in beer make a great appetizer—and the second pint won’t be far behind. A wonderful discovery!
Discover the restaurant LA KNOWLTON CO. >>
Chardo – resto & bar à vin
606 Shefford Street, Bromont, QC J2L 1C1 (Estrie)
We’re in Bromont, at the restaurant of restaurateur duo Amélie Dubé-Ringuet, who ensures guests feel welcome and oversees the beverage program, and Anthony Mesko, a flavor artisan who honed his craft in several great Montreal restaurants before moving to the region.
With either an à-la-carte menu or a blind five-course tasting menu, Chardo – restaurant & wine bar offers a beautiful showcase of regional products, sometimes prepared boldly but always creatively.
In the middle of February, indulgence came largely through sauces prepared with love (read: butter), paired here with flaky cod, there with bison in a rich sauce complemented by two textures of sweet potatoes, not to mention the celeriac “spaghetti” wrapped in a silky sunflower and mushroom cream sauce.
Even the bread reflects the chef’s dedication to promoting local ingredients. During my visit, he collaborated with a nearby bakery to create a custom recipe featuring nard des pinèdes, a boreal spice reminiscent of clove and cardamom. It was slightly dense, but the flavor was absolutely worth it.
Bravo to the whole team for their ultra-local approach, all year long!
Discover the restaurant CHARDO >>
Now it’s your turn to support restaurants that work hard all year to create dishes that highlight not only Quebec products, but also the artisans and producers behind them.
Browse restaurants recognized by the Aliments du Québec au menu program >>
— Le Cuisinomane
This article is presented in collaboration with:
Discover his recommended spots that showcase Quebec products >>
Discover the full list of restaurants recognized by the Aliments du Québec au menu program for showcasing local Quebec products in their kitchens. There’s something for every taste and occasion, across the entire province! Click here >>
