Yannick Fromagerie

How do I write about cheese without sounding cheesy? I can't. So I'm not going to try, except for to say that if you enjoy wine and cheese, or adore double cream brie unto its gloriously fattening self, then you may want to visit this fromagerie on Bernard street. It is fantastic, and the whole experience of selecting and tasting and trying to talk intellectually about cheeses for a good ten minutes will convince you that you are indeed a cheese connoisseur; "Hi, yes, I'd like that assertive Stanser Rotelli I had the last time, you know, the aged, creamy one." Ohhhhh yes. That will be you. 

I always visit this store when I am on Bernard. My boyfriend and I purchase two or three different cheeses, and then he visits Premiere Moisson for fresh bread (although there are also plenty of gourmet crackers and flatbreads available at Yannick) while I go and drool over the items at Moutarde Decor. If we need fruit or meat for a charcuterie platter, we visit Les 5 Saisons, the cutest fine grocery store in Outremont.  And there you go... the perfect Sunday. 

Yannick Fromagerie   |   1218 Avenue Bernard   |   Montréal, QC   |

(514) 279-9376

www.yannickfromagerie.ca

Wilfrid and Adrienne

All of my favourite cross-continent culinary delights converge at 4919 Sherbrooke Ouest, home of Wilfrid and Adrienne, Westmount's best kitchen store. Bellini mix from Harry's Bar (Cipriani) Venice, spices from Dean & Deluca NYC, Salt from Ibiza and a selection from Fauchon Paris are all available here, making it a destination unto itself for any local foodie.

Yet Wilfrid & Adrienne also displays a full line of tableware (including gorgeous Arte Italica), stemware (Riedel) and cookware (Le Creuset, Zwilling JA Henckels, KitchenAid), with hundreds of spatulas, spoons, whisks, and professional knives everywhere and in between. I love their colourful selection of teapots and tea towels, which I think would make a perfect gift for any host or hostess. And because I can't really cook, I adore flipping through their many cookbooks for inspiration, dreaming about the day I'll be buzzing around my kitchen in full out Daniel-Boulud-style whilst preparing a four course meal for foodie friends...(and not just my boyfriend who knows he has to say that everything - however burnt - tastes wonderful!)

Wilfrid & Adrienne  

|   4919b rue Sherbrooke West   |   Westmount, QC   |   H3Z 1H2

(514) 481-5850

Les Touilleurs

photo credit: Jean Longpré

While I am nothing close to an avid chef, every time I walk into this boutique on Laurier I become completely enamoured with the whole thought of whipping up some fantastic soufflé in my kitchen whilst pretending to be the Barefoot Contessa. The space is essentially culinary heaven, open and white-washed, with all items carefully placed on beautiful grey marble countertops to give a kitchenware-store-meets-gallery appeal.

photo credit: Jean Longpré

Les Touilleurs imports only the best quality cookware and equipment, featuring brands such as Le Creuset, Demeyere, and Revol Eclipse. We fell in love with their exclusive John Pawson for Demeyere cookpot line, the result of a genius collaboration between the modern French architect and Belgian brand (honestly, I never thought I’d call a pan “stunning,” but I regress...). Also, be sure to check out their Quebec brands; they showcase maple cooking paddles handmade from Tom Littledeer, and their beautiful cherry, maple and walnut bowls from Le Temps des Cigales, made in La Pocatière, Quebec, near Gaspesie.

photo credit: Jean Longpré

Owners François Longpré and Sylvain Côté are all about bringing good food into people’s homes, and that extends beyond offering the best-quality kitchen products. Every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, Les Touilleurs hosts intimate cooking classes with some of Montreal’s best chefs. The space is limited with only 12 spots per class, so you’ll likely need to contact them with your preferences to reserve well in advance. However, if your schedule is tight and you find yourself unable to attend, you can still get your new-recipe-fix by picking up their small, complimentary recipe cards. Beautifully photographed by François’ brother, Jean Longpré, these cards are perfect for collecting and, as hinted to by François, might give you a preview as to what to expect in the much-anticipated Les Touilleurs cookbook someday...

photo credit: Jean Longpré

Les Touilleurs

152 avenue Laurier Ouest   |   Montreal, QC   |   H2T 2N7   |
(514) 278-0008

www.lestouilleurs.com

librissime

 

 "I find television very educational. Every time someone turns it on, I go into the other room and read a book" - Groucho Marx

photo credit: librissime.com

Librissime is undeniably one of the most elegant stores in the city and has been one of my favourites for years. This Montreal gem, owned by Gilles and Judith Tremblay, is the perfect place for any bibliophile; rare and special edition books (think Assouline, FMR, and Ertuğ & Kocabiyik) are slotted neatly into the shelves, only to be interrupted by the occasional hyperstylish object for the home.

While Librissime is the perfect place to amass a coffee table collection all others will covet, its also a great place to grab a thoughtful thank you gift for a good friend or hostess. With books ranging from fashion to religion at prices that span from $9 to $99,999, there is undoubtedly something for everyone. If you find that the Goyard Library trunk ($24,610 CAD) is a little bit over budget (recession, anyone?), why not opt for one or two of the many Assouline photo-biographies on art, fashion, design and architecture ($32 CAD), that are similar (if not the same) to those found within the custom-made collectible? With hundreds to look through, you are bound to be inspired by one of these wonderful budget friendly books.

  photo credit: librissime.comRoaming the aisles of Librissime is truly a unique experience. Those that go develop a rich appreciation for the art and craft of publishing, and always leave nothing short of inspired. I recommend to all my friends that they go... after all, there is no bookstore like LIBRISSIME.*

LIBRISSIME   |   1448 Sherbrooke Ouest  |   Montreal, QC, H3G 1K4   |

514.841.0123

www.librissime.com

Please Note: Librissime has moved from its location at 62 St Paul in Old Montreal to 1448 Sherbrooke St Ouest, downtown Montreal.