The Paris of North America

MTL

Known as the “Paris of North America,” it is a place where glass skyscrapers tower over 17th-century cobblestones, and the aroma of wood-fired bagels competes with the elegance of haute cuisine. Montreal offers an urban energy that is uniquely Quebecois and vibrantly international.The story of this island city began long before the first European footprints. In 1535, French explorer Jacques Cartier climbed the mountain at the island’s center, naming it “Mont Royal”. The settlement’s strategic location quickly transformed it into the heart of the North American fur trade. Today, as you walk through the historic district of Vieux-Montréal, you aren’t just visiting a modern metropolis; you are stepping into a living museum that has been nearly 400 years in the making.

Episode

NAO In-Depth Montreal Music, Food & Culture

Montreal is the second biggest city in Canada and one of the oldest cities in North-America. Home of the most famous ice hockey team in the world “Les Canadiens” (HABS). This multicultural metropolis as a downtown underground tunnel system and a city wide subway system to make life easy to get around. MTL as a large amount of attractions including festivals, concerts, clubs, museums as well as many restaurants with various cuisines.

We explore in-depth the very popular Quebec street-food “Poutine”. We also dig into the backstory of the famous smoked meat Schwartz Deli, with its connections with “Montreal Steak Spice”, the owner-composer and “Celine Dion”.

Legends of the music scene in the city include; Jazzman Oscar Peterson, William Shatner, Leonard Cohen and Arcade Fire to mention a few. The Montreal scene varies from indie, electronica, heavy metal, hip hop, blues, jazz to classical

Let us take you on a tour of Old-Montreal, Chinatown, Rue St-Denis, to then hike up the famous Mont Royal. The episode is filled with a jam sessions with Dave, Chris, Daze and Frank.

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Food

The Montreal Steak Spice Backstory

Maurice Zbriger was a Canadian violinist, composer, and conductor who became the sole owner of Schwartz’s Deli. The Inventor of Montreal Steak Spice: Morris “The Shadow” Sherman, a grill man in the 1940s and ’50s, began sprinkling the deli’s smoked meat pickling spices onto his own steaks. The mixture—which traditionally includes coarse salt, black pepper, coriander, garlic, and dill—is sold worldwide.

How to make French Canadian Creton

The POUTINE backstory

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SideNotes

Who are the Voyageurs?

The reality of a Voyageur’s life was harsh and unforgiving, contrasting sharply with romanticized legends. These men were expected to carry immense loads during a portage, often weighing more than the men themselves. The physical toll was severe; they were frequently “chilled and bitten,” suffered ruptures (hernias), or tragically drowned in the rapids. Their resilience and endurance, however, ultimately forged the paths that became Canada’s first roads. and a lasting national heritage.

Interview

The Man Behind the Art: Erik Nieminen (Montreal Interview) 

Music

Mont Royal Cover | MONTREAL (CANADA)

Norwegian Woods Cover via Mont Royal

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