Montreal is not a place known for its relaxing lifestyle. Quite the contrary, in fact; after work, going home and curling up in front of the TV set is the last thing people do. Instead, after a long day’s work the protocol is to get cleaned up, text a friend, and see where everyone is heading for dinner, drinks, and musique.
With the mercury dipping below zero, cozy spots are first on the list. Dieze Onze is one of my favs. Top quality jazz and snacks await in this basement jazz-club, along with a well-stocked and serviced bar and a daily risotto to die for make this one of my more recent fav early-evening spots. Afterwards, I may head out to Blizzarts on St-Laurent to catch the latest photo expose and underground world music DJ talent, or to Il Motore to hear a band. Chances are though, if it’s Sunday and Kalmunity is in the house at Dieze, I won’t leave until the wee hours: these guys play some of the tightest jazz around every Sunday night from 10pm til 1 am.
The next morning if my head isn’t pounding too badly, I may stop off at the most fabulous new neighborhood bakery in the world to grab a carrot ginger muffin or quiche at Les Co’Pains D’Abord.