Published on January 31, 2023
Tommy Dion is a food columnist and restaurant critic, better known as Le Cuisinomane, who describes himself as someone passionate about food and culinary arts. When he founded his blog in 2016, his mission was clear: to showcase Quebec’s gastronomic scene and celebrate the chefs, restaurateurs, producers, artisans, and entrepreneurs from the province.
It was therefore only natural for him to travel across Quebec to taste the best local cuisine in restaurants recognized by the “Aliments du Québec au menu” program. He shares his three foodie discoveries from the past month: Darna Bistroquet, Les Insulaires – Microbrasseurs, and Régine Café.
1106 Beaubien Street East, Montreal (Montreal)
Since 2019, a small island of warmth has existed in Montreal’s Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie neighborhood, comforting guests year-round. That place is Darna Bistroquet, skillfully run by the passionate, generous, and welcoming restaurateur Otman Amer.
For an evening, he invites guests into an experience that feels like visiting his home in Morocco, offering small dishes meant to be shared at the table, made almost entirely with ingredients sourced from Quebec.
Royal quail prepared shawarma-style (with the famous toum sauce), grilled halloumi with house-made labneh, Darna sauce and fresh mint, a chicken tajine with Quebec saffron (or try the vegetarian version with delicious oyster mushrooms!), and of course the Eastern Townships lamb couscous, served only on Fridays as tradition dictates.
While all of this is tempting, what I love most about Darna—after the warm welcome—is the creative use of seasonal vegetables. You might find sweet-and-sour Savoy cabbage steak in winter, roasted whole eggplant in autumn, grilled asparagus with a thousand spices in spring, or a refreshing tomato salad with chermoula or ras-el-hanout in summer.
Darna Bistroquet is a true neighborhood gem.
275 de la Concorde Boulevard East, Laval
It may be hard to believe, but Les Insulaires is one of the only microbreweries in Laval. That means in addition to brewing several beers using Quebec-grown ingredients—from a cranberry wheat beer in winter to a Quebec berry sour in summer—you can also enjoy dishes that highlight seasonal ingredients all year long.
The bistro-style menu is carefully designed to pair perfectly with your drink.
Take the Brussels sprouts dish and the Peruvian-style fried chicken, both on the menu since day one. With their sweet, salty, tangy, and slightly spicy aromatic profiles, they pair wonderfully with either La Lyzée (100% Quebec Pale Ale) or Bikini Island (IPA).
As for my squash gnocchi, shaped like a cumulonimbus cloud and resting on a mist of squash purée, topped with crispy lardons and al dente Brussels sprouts—it definitely earned the title of ultimate winter comfort dish.
Whether you’re stopping by for a drink, a quick bite, or staying one to three hours chatting with friends, Les Insulaires microbrewery fits every occasion.
Note: Every Monday, a comedy night hosted by Richardson Zéphir takes place. Tickets are available on the website.
1840 Beaubien Street East, Montreal (Montreal)
People come here morning or noon, seven days a week, to taste the comforting cuisine of “Aunt Régine.” Since opening in 2012, Régine Café has quickly become a brunch destination in Montreal for both locals and tourists. One visit is enough to fall under its charm.
Original dishes served in elegantly generous portions, a deliberately kitschy décor, and fast service—everything is in place for a perfect morning.
During my visit, I tried two signature dishes that have been on the menu since day one.
The “Champi”, featuring a mound of mushrooms topped with a lightly creamy sage sauce, served on a thick slice of toasted bread gratinéed with Mamirolle cheese, crowned with a perfectly runny poached egg (or even better, ask for the Scotch egg).
The “Chic Croissant” is filled with scrambled eggs, house-pulled ham, aged cheddar, and topped with a spinach béchamel. Even though the béchamel could have used a bit more seasoning, everything comes together beautifully once combined. A side of comforting baked beans reminiscent of grandma’s recipe and mashed potatoes completes the plate.
Don’t miss the slightly sweet scone, crisp on the outside and crumbly inside, served with delicious homemade strawberry jam.
Note that Régine does not take reservations. However, if there is a line outside, heaters are installed in winter and guests are offered blankets and hot chocolate.
Now it’s your turn to do your part by supporting 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 >>
