Bocata

Montréal is definitely filled with good restaurants. Last night we tried to get into Barroco in Old Port but the place was booked out, so we went next door to the sister restaurant Bocata. Bocata is more of a wine bar than Barroco and serves small plates as opposed to larger meals. The interior is so warm and inviting with stone walls and shelves filled with old books, dark timber tables and chairs and windows that open onto Saint-Paul Ouest. Candles light up the tables and the wine list comes in the form of an old book.

The food was so good, my favourites being the duck & arugula salad with pancetta and apple vinaigrette and a mushroom tartine made with local mushrooms with a mustard sauce, served on a bread board. I have been to a few restaurants here now who serve their food on bread boards or slate and I do like it. So simple and rustic. I'm still keen to make it to Barroco so will be sure to book in advance next time.

To those living in Montréal or who have visited, what is your favourite restaurant?

Do you have one of these?

For ages I have ummed and ahhed about buying a Le Creuset Cast Iron pot. They aren't the cheapest thing in the world but it's one of those things that I imagine would last for years and you would use over and over. So I'm curious...

Who of you owns one of these?

And what is your favourite meal to make in it?

Or for those who like me have one on your wish list...

What colour would you buy?

{ via le creuset }

While out walking...

I realise now how exhausted the last month has left me with our move over here. I struggle to wake up each morning and find I'm drinking one too many cups of coffee each day to stay awake. I'm sure others who have made a similar move can relate. I think trying to get into a routine is important and hopefully the key to feeling normal again(?).

It looks as though we have found a home in Old Montreal which I'm very excited about. The apartment is furnished and very stylish, warm and in a great location. I also couldn't help but notice some nice cooking utensils in the kitchen so I'm eager to explore behind those cupboard doors. This afternoon I went for a walk through what will be our new neighbourhood and took some pictures. It's a pretty part of town with lots of character and the restaurants dined in so far have been very good. I also hear there is a nice yoga studio with large windows overlooking Saint-Paul Ouest. Could be a good way to kickstart a routine.

I hope everybody is having a nice day.

Fashion inspiration

Love the above combinations. Especially love the look of the longer skirt combined with a pair of wedges.

{ via the sartorialist }

Settling in

We arrived in Montreal midnight on Monday and the week has flown by. There are so many things to organise with our move here and we will be living out of suitcases for a few weeks yet until we find the right apartment. The weather has been beautiful and much like our warm Brisbane summer days. Today we walked through China Town and down along the river. The days are so long here and I love that everyone enjoys the sunshine until the sun finally sets. I'm so excited by the food here and exploring the huge selection of restaurants throughout the city. That and the shopping! Living here could be dangerous on the purse and figure. Diary note for this week - must join a gym.

I won't deny that I'm feeling a little homesick. Leaving Dexter behind was a really hard thing to do and I think about our little monster and his happy wriggle bottom all the time. Our last night and morning were so rushed with a few dramas and I'm wishing I got in more cuddles from my little man. I'm also missing my family and friends but look forward to when Brisbane awakes so I can see what they are all up to (thank goodness for facebook and skype). But, I know these feelings are normal and I'm very excited by exploring this beautiful city and building a life here.

Thank you to all the support of our move and nice feedback on the first issue of 'a little relish'. I'm looking forward to working on the next one. I hope everyone is having a nice weekend x

And here it is...

I'm very excited to announce that the first issue of 'a little relish' is now complete and ready to view! Much love and many hours have been put into this little creation and I really do hope that you enjoy flipping through its pages. As mentioned I had the help of Natalie McComas to get the first issue out before I head off to Montréal so a big thank you to you Nat. It was so nice to collaborate with you and a nice way to end my last few weeks in Brisbane x.

So enjoy! Hopefully it is the start of many more to come.

I will be signing off now for a few days as my computer is shipped tomorrow and I fly to Montréal on Monday (eek!). Bye bye for now.

Update

Thank you to all the nice comments I have received since announcing our big move. My life is a little crazy at the moment and we are due to move out of our apartment in 2 days so clothes are covering the couch and boxes are packed and stacked against a wall ready to go.

I have also thrown myself into a personal project and happy to say it's nearing completion. A couple years ago now I walked into my workplace and announced I was going to start a magazine. It seemed like a pipe dream but my recent trip overseas documenting my travels really sparked an interest and desire to make it happen. So every spare moment I have had over the last month I have thrown into this little project with the help of good friend and very talented photographer Natalie McComas to assist in its creation. It's called A little relish, a magazine about food, spaces I love and ways to set the scene and create something special for those you care about. I'm looking forward to sharing it with you so stay tuned. Let's hope my computer isn't packed and shipped before I'm able to upload it!