Born in Vancouver into a family of chefs, Keith Pears was destined to become a key member of the Canadian culinary field. As a kid, his parents owned a small café where he spent most of his free time playing and learning while envisioning his future as a great chef. Naturally driven, Keith has gone on to compete in countless food competitions finishing first at Chopped Canada and most recently winning Gold at Canada’s Great Kitchen Party. It’s no surprise the gifted man made the bold move to relocate in Toronto among some of the country’s best chefs. While managing a private dining/chef service, Keith most recently accepted the role as Executive Chef at the soon to open W Toronto. This hotel only has one sister property on the Canadian territory and it’s located in… Montréal! “I love that Montréal offers a variety of restaurants, cuisines, and local markets where you can get amazing products you can’t find in other Canadian cities. I never run out of things to do when I’m there,” says the hip chef. Here are the four restaurants Keith recommends trying out during your next visit in town.
536 Duluth Ave E, Montréal, Québec H2L 1A9
What: A restaurant paying tribute to Québec’s heritage
Why: Keith can’t visit Montréal without enjoying Au Pied de Cochon’s gluttonous creations. “Their food hits the spot every single time” he told us. Known for its rich and heavy menu, the light and playful ambiance of this terroir type of brasserie makes him feel right at home. Back in 2001, Au Pied de Cochon was the first restaurant to follow a path of his own by going against the classic gastronomic “white cloth” trend. Do not miss out on their decadent poutine au foie gras.
705 Ste-Catherine St W, Montréal, Québec H3B 4G5
What: Upscale food hall
Why: La belle province was more than happy to welcome Time Out Market, the holy grail of food halls, in the heart of downtown Montréal in November 2019. This culinary hub is a one-stop shop. It showcases the work of 15 chefs who all contributed to Montréal’s gastronomic scene. The ever-evolving menu is so appealing that picking a dish implies making a moving decision! “During my last visit, I ordered four meals to myself. I wanted to try everything!” mentioned Keith.
7070 Henri Julien Ave, Montréal, Québec H2S 3S3
What: A farmers’ market
Why: When getting to know a city, visiting a farmers’ market is always a great way to discover what the local flavors are about. In Montréal, Jean Talon Market is the perfect place to do so! “I love how you can sit on a stool and eat freshly shucked oysters while watching the crowd buy fresh and local groceries” mentions the passionate chef. Le Marché des Saveurs, which is located at the southeast corner of the market, offers a wide variety of niche products like Inuit herbal teas from Délice Boréal or marinated sea asparagus from Gourmet Sauvage.
1071 Saint-Laurent Blvd, Montréal, Québec H2Z 1J6
What: A canteen & a pub
Why: If you’ve never heard about Poincaré, chances are you would walk by without even noticing it. The crafty pub is located on the second level of a Chinatown building that doesn’t look like much. Don’t be fooled by the look of the duo tang you’ll order your food from! This place is on the Chef’s list of places to eat at. “Fermenting their own food and aging their meat is their jam. The last time I visited Poincaré, I ordered fun fusion items such as gin+kimchi shots and a meal that was cooked and served in a can” says Keith.
Caroline Khangi
As someone who is finely attuned to Montréal’s vibe, Caroline Khangi is a natural ambassador for the city. With a curious nature, she explored a number of different fields, including fashion, music and design, before finding her calling in the hospitality industry. Today, she draws on her in-depth knowledge of the city and broad network of contacts to inform her work as a W Insider at the W Montréal Hotel and as a contributor to Mt1642 magazine.
