In our annual Hangout Handbook, Exclaim! asks some of our favourite artists what an ideal day in their hometown would entail. Here, Rae Spoon outlines the perfect way to spend a day in Montreal.
For brunch I'd go to Resto Los Planes (531 Rue Bélanger) which is cheap, but also the most amazing pupusas in Montreal. There are a lot of vegetarian and gluten-free options.
For a brunch that is more eggs and toast style I go to Aux Derniers Humains (6950 Rue Saint-Denis) which has the friendliest staff, bottomless drip coffee and all day brunch.
For an outdoor activity I would go to the outdoor pool at Jarry Parc (which just expanded its grounds to include a grassy area) or to Jean Talon Market (pictured above) where I mainly do my grocery shopping. There's always a lot of local produce and seasonal things like maple syrup on snow.
If I was going to write or have a business meeting I would go to Caffé Italia (6840 Boulevard Saint-Laurent) which is always full of people watching soccer or meeting up with friends. For an afternoon coffee and a vegan/gluten free treat I'd go to Sophie Sucrée (167 Avenue des Pins Est) a new bakery in the plateau. (They also have amazing dairy-free ice cream.)
My two favourite restaurants in Montreal are La Sala Rossa (4848 Boulevard Saint-Laurent). — they have the best tapas in Montreal and weekly flamenco dancers. Also my newer discovery is Santa Barbara (6696 Rue de Saint Vallier) for creative international cuisine with lots of vegetarian options. They have everything from Buffalo BBQ short ribs to perogies.
As far as bars go I'm a non-drinker, so I'm always looking for supplemental activities. Notre Dame Des Quilles is a new bar on 32 Rue Beaubien Est. They have a good queer-friendly atmosphere and two mini bowling lanes for anyone who needs an activity.
Rae Spoon is a Montreal-based, Calgary-raised singer-songwriter whose most recent album, My Prairie Home, was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize this year.
For brunch I'd go to Resto Los Planes (531 Rue Bélanger) which is cheap, but also the most amazing pupusas in Montreal. There are a lot of vegetarian and gluten-free options.
For a brunch that is more eggs and toast style I go to Aux Derniers Humains (6950 Rue Saint-Denis) which has the friendliest staff, bottomless drip coffee and all day brunch.
For an outdoor activity I would go to the outdoor pool at Jarry Parc (which just expanded its grounds to include a grassy area) or to Jean Talon Market (pictured above) where I mainly do my grocery shopping. There's always a lot of local produce and seasonal things like maple syrup on snow.
If I was going to write or have a business meeting I would go to Caffé Italia (6840 Boulevard Saint-Laurent) which is always full of people watching soccer or meeting up with friends. For an afternoon coffee and a vegan/gluten free treat I'd go to Sophie Sucrée (167 Avenue des Pins Est) a new bakery in the plateau. (They also have amazing dairy-free ice cream.)
My two favourite restaurants in Montreal are La Sala Rossa (4848 Boulevard Saint-Laurent). — they have the best tapas in Montreal and weekly flamenco dancers. Also my newer discovery is Santa Barbara (6696 Rue de Saint Vallier) for creative international cuisine with lots of vegetarian options. They have everything from Buffalo BBQ short ribs to perogies.
As far as bars go I'm a non-drinker, so I'm always looking for supplemental activities. Notre Dame Des Quilles is a new bar on 32 Rue Beaubien Est. They have a good queer-friendly atmosphere and two mini bowling lanes for anyone who needs an activity.
Rae Spoon is a Montreal-based, Calgary-raised singer-songwriter whose most recent album, My Prairie Home, was nominated for the Polaris Music Prize this year.