Au Pied de Cochon

Montreal, Canada

The first piece of advice? Book ahead: this place is a local institution. The second is to roll up hungry – in the spirit of its founder, chef Martin Picard, it doesn’t do things by halves. That much is clear from the menu, with its foie gras-topped poutine, maple sugar-sprinkled fries and sweetbreads-stuffed namesake pig’s foot. In the face of such unrelenting richness, it pays to be strategic, which means homing in on must-tries like the signature duck in a can. Cooked sous vide, it’s an indulgent portion of tender duck magret, with celery-root purée, brown butter, foie gras and braised cabbage. For these with space, the grand finale is 'pouding chômeur', a rich, sweet Québécois concoction dating back to the Great Depression. The impressive wine list runs from modestly-priced finds to investment banker bonus-worthy splurges; pay due attention to the number of zeros at the end.

Key Information

• Average price per person $63
• Dinner: Weds – Sun
• Visit Au Pied de Cochon's Website

Location

536 Avenue Duluth Est, Plateau Mont-Royal, Montreal, Quebec, H2L 1A9