Jean-Talon Market area 2012

[lagatta]

I don't see a thread on this topic for this year - please correct if there is one. There only seems to be a thread limited to the market itself. This thread, like its predecessors in earlier years, also encompasses the adjoining streets and anywhere easily walkable from the market - basically Petite Italie, southwestern Villeray, the Asian shops around St-Denis and Jean-Talon etc.

As per some earlier questions, Jos et Basile is definitely closed and empty - there is some kind of work going on in there and there was no for sale or for rent sign, so I'll be watching for anything new.

Also, restaurant Babbo has closed. It was located at one of those "cursed" spots - the corner of St-Dominique and Bélanger (note that Bélanger west of Drolet is NOT the direct westward continuation of the long rue Bélanger that runs to Galeries d'Anjou - that is Mozart. Bélanger only runs a few blocks, from St-Laurent to Henri-Julien.

[yellowcake]

Anyone know if Havre-aux-Glaces is making their mushroom ice cream yet?

[Maximilien]

The market has expanded the indoor section on the east side to include the nut store, buckland chesse, mushroom, and other small stalls.

[catroast]

is it just me or is the indoor section, in terms of produce vendors much smaller this year

[lagatta]

It does seem smaller, however the indoor market isn't completely up and running yet.

Of course increasing rents could be a factor.

Remember to patronise the farmers still selling out of trucks until it gets really cold. I think Jacques et Diane (the family with the infamous slightly-too-long truck) are winding up this weekend; the Jiminez brothers are still there with really good Swiss Chard and other hardy veg. I bought a large bag of parsley root at Jacques et Diane - I had only used it in soups and stews but the large, meaty roots are also very good julienned in salad, like celeriac/celery root.

[Maximilien]

Nope, looks exactly the same.

[lagatta]

That probably means it took a while for everyone to get transferred inside. Today, it looked just the same as a year ago, but on the 17th, it really seemed a bit thinner on the ground.

There are still some hardy people outdoors today, despite the cold.

[Simon Patrice]

Do you know if the foie gras producer is still out there?

[ios94]

The new duck guy that was out there this summer, with the frozen duck products? I noticed him last week but I can't say I saw him this past weekend. Last week I noticed him right across from Pain Dore but the Christmas tree guys started taking over this past weekend. Although as others have said there are still some outdoor stalls. Maybe the duck guy moved again with the remainder of the truck guys.

[Simon Patrice]

Thanks! On the same note, do any of you know where Maurel-Coulombe deliver their products on the plateau? (Ok, I know it's not really on topic but we're talking about foie gras no?)

[hala]

If I remember correctly, the Maurel-Coulombe products are shipped to the owner's sister who lives on the plateau and she arranges pick up with you. At least that's what I think the owner said when we visited the farm.

Gosh, you're making me really hungry. Their products are amazing.

[Simon Patrice]

Thank you!

[lagatta]

Nicola Travaglini Aliments fins - Fine foods has opened in the former Jos & Basile at the corner of Mozart and Casgrain just south of Marché Jean-Talon.

It is obvious that the full line of foods is not yet available, but it is worth a look.

nicolatravaglini.com 514.571.0267

[Maximilien]

They have Porchetta; the big huge rolled pork with crunchy skin.

Prosciutto is sliced by hand

There's some other nice things. They also have a kitchen at the back of the store for, I assume, demonstrations, people were sitting around a big island eat their porchetta sandwich.

[Glaff]

Went for the first time tonight and had one absolutely amazing tomato foccacia. Bought a few others things that I've not yet tasted, but everything looks nice. Only problem is that it's a bit expensive (13$ for 500gr of gnocchi for exemple), but if everything taste as good as the foccacia, I'll go back from time to time.

They also had the Vacche Rosse parmesan that I've never seen in Montreal (I think).

[AlexCV]

Had the porchetta, it was good but well north of 40$/kg with no indication that it was going to be. Better value in a panini.

[lagatta]

Just wanted to know if anyone else has shopped at the recently expanded and still-renovating Milano recently? There are more prepared foods for one thing, and more cookware, but otherwise it is still hard to tell whether the food selection has actually much expanded overall.

[kpzoo]

Yes, I have - and reported in another thread, I'll try to find it.

[kpzoo]

I agree, the expansion seemed mainly in prepared foods & cookware:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/8545...

[Maximilien]

THey are still fully in the renovation phase, i went there earlier, and I think that they are waiting for the end of the constrction to really improve the layout and shellving of products and produces.

[kpzoo]

Good to know - thanks, Max. Looking forward to seeing how Milano continues to evolve.