|
Have You Tried Montreal Smoked Meat? By
George Medovoy, Editor Anyone who loves great food should remember that there is more to the dinner table in this "European" city than French food. Montreal, the friendly island city on Canada's east coast, is home to some of the most diverse dining anywhere in the world. French, Italian, Greek, Mediterranean, Chinese, Jewish - you name it, Montreal has some of the very best in the world. One of my favorites is Montreal smoked meat - a version of pastrami that is made from cured, spicy beef brisket and was first brought over from Europe by Jewish immigrants. One Writer's Homage to Smoked Meat The late Canadian writer Mordecai Richler, in a story called "Barney's Version," illustrated the popularity of this delicacy by having one of his characters leave a smoked meat on rye with a sour pickle on his father's gravestone. Well, it may not exactly be my way of paying homage to the deceased, but it does say a lot about smoked meat's place in the heart's - and stomachs -- of its devotees. Montreal has many delis specializing in smoked meat, and of course, everyone has his favorite. But no matter which deli you choose, it would be a shame to leave Montreal without sampling its famous smoked meat. On my recent visit to the city, I had a smoked meat sandwich at Benny's, located in a Jewish neighborhood on Victoria Avenue near Van Horne. The smoked meat came very moist, pinkish in color and medium fatty. It was piled high on rye bread (which I spread generously with mustard) and served with kosher dills and a huge helping of french fries. It's not the sort of lunch I would want to have too frequently - I have too much respect for the well-being of my arteries, but just once in awhile… It's Spicy in Its Own Way The meat had an almost sweet taste to it as opposed to the spicier flavor of pastrami. Which isn't to say it wasn't spicy in its own way - I'd say it was in a class all its own. I ordered a Coke to wash it all down with, though purists will tell you that only a Cherry Coke will do. Other famous smoked meat delis in Montreal are Lester's on Bernard Street West, Schwartz's on Saint-Laurent Street, Ben's on Maisonneuve, and the Snowdon Deli in the Snowdon neighborhood For
more information about traveling to Montreal, call (800) 266-5687. You can also
visit www.tourisme-montreal.org. (Click below for more travel).
| ||
 |
