Photo du Jour

Seasonal transition in Parc Lafontaine.

Au Jardin Botanique ~ Fall 2010

An autumn evening stroll through the outdoor gardens of the Jardin Botanique. Each autumn (generally from mid-September through the end of October) they feature The Magic of Lanterns show at the Chinese Garden. The lanterns are a riot of color and reflection, with a different theme each year. A great place to take kids, though adults who crave a more peaceful wander should plan on going on a weekday evening, since the weekend crowds can get overwhelming. (Only so many strollers fit down those narrow pathways.) If you missed this year's lantern show, mark your calendar for next fall. Meanwhile, there is always something to enjoy in Montréal's botanical gardens year-round.

Menu du Jour ~ La Panthère Verte

If you have a craving for "Golden balls," La Panthère Verte/The Green Panther is the place to get them. And you can be reassured that their balls are fresh and organic. So what are their Golden balls exactly? Well, as their menu puts it: Yemen style falafel balls juggled into a pita bread accompanied with crunchy salad and covered with tahini sauce. Unlike so many falafel balls, which can be as light as lead, these balls are bright and airy. What makes the sandwich great, however, is the cushiony-soft pita pockets and the tangy salad into which the crunchy balls are nestled, the vegetables dressed just right so that they complement the falafel without overwhelming it. I tried one of their other sandwiches but came back for the balls. The last time I was there, I also got a flavorful bowl of pea soup, warming on a chilly day. According to their website, they've also just opened a brother restaurant downtown on Mackay if Mile End is out of your way.

La Panthère Verte

66 rue St-Viateur Ouest

(514)903-7770

Photo du Jour

Sunset light on the tree tops and Stade from the Jardin Botanique ponds, Autumn, 2010.

Photo du Jour

Autumn in Parc Lafontaine, before the leaves fell and the water disappeared till spring.

Photo du Jour

Autumn in the city, 2010.

Wall Philosopher du Jour

I heart my ruelle, too.

Photo du Jour

Porte du Plateau, early summer, 2009.

Menu du Jour ~ Ta Tourtière Australienne

I must confess I've never been a fan of la tourtière, the classic Québec meat pie. Even in my meat-eating days, it was too meaty and greasy for my tastes, no offense to Québec grandmothers. My partner harbored even greater ill will against the tourtière, literally, since he'd had a very ill childhood experience involving tourtière and licorice. On the other hand, I love pie, and good dough combined with savory fillings, so Ta, the relatively new casual restaurant specializing in "tourtière Australienne," captured my interest, especially after reading several favorable reviews of the place.


Ta is run by a husband and wife team, the husband, Don, hailing from New Zealand, and his wife, Mélanie, Québécoise. So combining a Québec classic with Australian touches makes a lot of sense. And--with low prices and pies perfectly sized for breakfast, lunch, or a snack--visiting Ta makes a lot of sense for anyone craving a delicious hit of comfort food. They have a small seating area and outdoor terrace (where one can watch a corner of the park and the Avenue du Parc traffic zip by), or you can take a bunch of pies home for easy reheating.


Meat-eaters have a great selection to choose from. Non-meat-eaters like myself have a limited selection (hint for menu expansion), but we tried all 3 non-meat pies--smoked mackerel, spinach, and potato (great with ketchup); curried vegetable and sweet potato; spinach, mushroom, tomato, and ricotta--and they were all winners. Well-seasoned, excellent dough, not too big, not too small. Really hit the spot on a cool, gray spring day. They also have an interesting selection of desserts, including "Anzac biscuits" and "Afghans," both of which were new to my sweet tooth.


I hope they do well, because I want to keep going back.


Ta Tourtiére Australienne
4520 avenue du Parc
(514)277-PIES (7437)

Wall Philosopher du Jour