The idea of using food as a lens to explore and understand the city is something that Avenue 8 has held dear for a long time. We were initially inspired by the Foodprint project in New York City. And we were even more inspired when we realized that everyone - from our friends to the people in the mayor's cabinet responsible for the new urban plan - had a story to tell. That's why story-telling became one focus of A Taste for the City last week. Illustrators Marta Juliol Masferrer (ab0ve) and ...

Three years ago, I lamented that Place d'Armes was just a pretty picture: The public space that had been the heart of  Montreal for over 300 years had become nothing but a spot for tour-buses to dump snap-happy tourists. After nearly 3 years of construction, a redesigned Place d'Armes was unveiled this Spring, and I happened upon it last Sunday. So how does it compare? Well, there ares still lots of cameras out (including my own!), but it also feels like people are lingering more in this space, even on a ...

Boul Saint-Joseph près de de Lorimier

Patch of grass on the edge of Chinatown, Easter Sunday, 2012

I was overwhelmed (and exhausted) by the outpouring of interest for A Taste for Montreal / Le goût de la ville at the CCA last Thursday April 5th. Nearly 400 people - from foodies to farmers to architects - attended and participated in the soirée. A huge thanks to the CCA, and especially to Elsa Lam, for being so willing to open up every nook and cranny - from the library to the winter garden. This event would not have been possible without the experienced and imaginative team at Avenue ...