Montréal. À la Émilie.
Like any great city, Montreal is many things to many people. And depending where your likes lie and lifestyle is at, there are versions of the city that represent you best. In that spirit, we’ve asked Emilie, a member of our social media team, to curate the city based on her unique tastes. At just 22, Emilie’s trajectory reads like one of an accomplished 40-something. Beyond her core educational background (an undergraduate degree from UQAM in Political Studies with a concentration in the Analysis of International Relations) she took up residence in Mexico City to perfect her Spanish, she interned for an NGO in Burkina Faso, speaks German, has worked in photography, is one of the beloved ‘LesBachelieres’ where she reports on all things cultural and is a dedicated member of the Cloud team. Curious, cultured and always clothed in hip vintage duds that us Raker-ettes can’t help but covet…voici Montréal à la Émilie...
-Christina
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Of course the Museum of Modern Art is chock full of treasures, but the Friday Nocturnes are even more so! The first Friday of the month a happy hour is organized (5 pm to 9pm), where you can see live music performances by emerging artists and then peruse the different exhibitions, all while sipping a cocktail.
The selection of clothing in this beautiful boutique has a distinct Victorian and theatrical air about it, yet remains modern at the same time. All the creations are the works of different Canadian designers. Upon entering the boutique it is quite obvious that the choice of clothing was not left to chance. So go ahead, mount your Unicorn and find your own treasure.
Glamort
With tattoo artists named Olivier in Wonderland and Yann Your Meat is Mine, you can’t help but ask where you are and who is working on you! Located in St-Henri, you will find two charming French men who really stand out in their profession. Olivier’s drawings are a touch naïve, with characters who have large, wide-open eyes, while Yann’s designs are made of large, thick strokes in red and/or black. That being said Glamort is not just a tattoo parlor but also a magnificent art gallery.
Do you love shopping for vintage, second hand, or even local designers, look no further as these three stores were created with you in mind.
G54 offers many different styles of clothing from local designers as well as a large variety of accessories, all of this accompanied by a beautiful array of art on the walls of the boutique.
At L23, you will find not only the best selection of second hand clothing, but you can also bring in your own used or vintage clothing to exchange for something in the store.
Finally, Annex Vintage specializes in vintage clothing and accessories from the 80’s (and before).
Is finding the perfect pair of glasses a daunting task? A thing of the past, once you meet the face-stylists at Les Branchés. All they need is a glance and they will take out 30 pairs of glasses that they try on you in just one, two, three. After discarding all the ones that did not work, they will have you compare the rest two by two until there are only 2 or 3 choices left. At the very end all you will need to do is choose the best of the best!
Conversation and vegetarian cuisine is what you get at Casa del Popolo. One goes there to relax, talk about life, admire the different exhibits on the walls and listen to the spoken word. It is one of the best places to go and enjoy small, intimate concerts. Historical architecture, good food and theater are what you find at Sala Rosso. Within these walls you will enjoy Spanish cuisine and a theater ambiance beyond compare.
Breakfast and good coffee is their specialty, all served in a turquoise painted vintage décor with snowflakes and old bike seats disguised as chairs. Here you can have delicious pastries, wonderful breakfasts as well as restorative lunches.
Do you love discovering new music? Then Nathan from Shapes+Sizes has created a store fashioned just for you. Located at the corner of Parc and St-Viateur you will be able to find not only albums, but also posters and tickets for shows such as Blue Skies Turn Black.
Boutique, school and home, Camellia Sinensis unfolds its passion by educating its clients on all the different aspects of tea. Thanks to the team of specialists who are at the same time importers and tasters, you can feel confident about the quality and the origins of their products. Go to taste a new tea, take a class or simply just to buy.
What’s better than eating a bagel to get a taste of Montreal? After a wild night out on the town, go straight to Fairmount Bagels, open 24/7, to satiate your hunger. Out of the many different varieties, which one would you choose?
Wilensky’s Light Lunch
Hungry? Wilensky’s Light Lunch, located in the Mile End is a definite do not miss. Don’t forget to order their specialty: Grilled salami and bologna sandwich slathered with tons (yes, tons) of mustard. After having been immortalized in the The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, Wilensky’s Light Lunch is worth the trip to satisfy any hunger.
This is a center that specializes on promoting modern dance in Quebec as well as Internationally. “Agora de la danse” is perfect for those wishing to discover this art form. For around 20$ a show, the diverse programming offered will allow you to discover modern dance and let you choose the style that really makes you move.
Bleu Caramel (4517 Rue de la Roché Montréal, QC H2J 3J5 - (514) 526-0005 )
Located on rue de la Roche at the corner of the ruelle Généreux, the small door of the Bleu Caramel peaks the curiousity of all passer-bys. As soon as you enter you are immersed in Asian culture. You will be asked to take off your shoes and coat and shown to your table. If you are willing the Maitre d’Hotel will teach you different rituals, such as those for serving sake or tea. If this is not what you came for, no problem, you will still be delighted by the ambiance and the delicious dishes and sushi that are offered. Beware those who are not very flexible; tatami mats have replaced chairs…
Shopping for men’s clothing a challenging task? Worry no more. Whatever your style, sporty-chic or a touch of London dandy, Rooney offers a carefully selected assortment of all of your favorite pieces from a large variety of brands.
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