Marked by a mysterious, medieval crest-esque sign, this dimly-lit restaurant feels like a secret society meeting (minus any weird initiation rituals).

Massive wine selection paired with small plates. Bring your special someone... it’s pretty sexy here.

Chef Derek Damman believes in using the entire animal in his innovative recipes, including horse-heart tartar and panna cotta made with pig blood. Right up my alley.

Québécois love their duck, and a friend of mine turned me on to this place.

Famous for its “smoked meat,” the Quebec version of pastrami. Get a sandwich stacked mile-high with the stuff, schmear on a little brown mustard, scarf it down (then succumb to the food coma).

Head to this bustling market for some fresh and local ingredients. There's a reason it's so popular.

Ever wanted to try seal meat? Probably never crossed your mind, but hey, if I’ve piqued your interest, head here.

Fresh bagels made the old-fashioned way. As a self-proclaimed bagel snob, I can honestly say this place is the real deal.

Go for the hall-of-fame-worthy Chicken Tikka sandwich.

A no-frills Lebanese butcher shop and kitchen. Inexpensive and delicious kebab sandwiches. Pitas stuffed with roasted meats and fixings, then lightly toasted? Heaven.

One Montreal's flagship restaurants (and one of my favorites in the entire world). I headed there for a semi-annual event known as 'The Butcher Blackout.' Eighty pounds of meat for 15 people. Oy vey.

I can’t get enough of their lamb sausage wrap with eggplant spread.

A Montreal institution that is dominated by foie gras and other wonderfully decadent dishes.

The menu rocks and can't go wrong with anything! (Heck I am still drooling over my dining companion's Duck in a can.) I recommend just trusting them and going with whatever specials they have on offer. If you are new to any weird/off cuts, try them there as they do them and do them well.

It’s here that renowned Chef Martin Picard taps his maple trees for syrup and raises pigs for meat for his restaurant Cabane a Sucre Au Pied de Cochon

Such a cool market. Walk around, meet some locals and try some of the amazing foods.

I had so much fun hanging out on the ice and trying my hand at curling. They hold the record for oldest active athletic club in North America.

I catch myself daydreaming about their charcuterie plate.

The place for poutine.

Hôtel Le St-James has a European atmosphere you don't find much in North America. The staff are professional and the rooms are impeccable.

The St. Paul Hotel boasts simple and comfortable rooms. The perfect place to return to after a busy day of exploring Montreal.

This hotel's minimalist design really makes it stand out among the old-world architecture of the neighborhood.

The elegant Quintessence sits next to Lake Tremblant. Each room has a wood-burning fireplace and balcony. It's especially beautiful with snowfall.