toronto & montreal highlights, plus a GF map of vancouver!
toronto & montreal highlights, plus a GF map of vancouver!
'of rice & yams' no.15
Hello! It’s been an active stretch of catch-ups and book deadlines in Ontario! From the final polish of the manuscript to finalizing book design, the first pages are being laid out now, and it’s all feeling very real 😄
We wrapped up our time on the East Coast with a wonderfully nostalgic week in Montreal—a place that was once my world for five years. I’d never felt such a bittersweet pull returning anywhere else in my life, probably since it was such a formative time in my early 20s and where I started my career in food.
September is the absolute best time to visit, with the leaves just beginning to turn, the accessible green spaces, and the undeniable joie de vivre that everyone seems to radiate. There’s endless joy in walking through a city that buzzes with life, and it was the perfect way to cap off our two months of remote work, revisiting our old stomping grounds and favourite spots.
Now, back in Vancouver, I’m feeling filled, inspired, and ready for a cozy, creative fall. In the meantime, I’m excited to share some gluten-free highlights from our time in Toronto and Montreal, along with my GF Vancouver Map that I posted earlier this summer on IG!
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TO
🍅 Lake Inez (Leslieville) – This charming spot features rotating, seasonal menus with “influences from everywhere”. The allergen menus, posted weekly on Insta, include plenty of gluten-free, veg, and vegan options. We visited in early September, and the heirloom tomato dish with marigold mayo and pepperette oil was a standout—served on some really good gluten-free bread!
🌶️ Favorites Thai (Ossington) – Hidden behind Sam James Coffee Bar, Favorites is a gem for refreshing drinks, delightful seafood appies, and Thai BBQ. We thoroughly enjoyed their chili jam oysters, lime-leaf yellowtail ceviche, savory duck sausage, and charred broccolini. It’s exciting to see Thai food diverging from the ubiquitous pad Thai! They even had a separate celiac menu, which made ordering a breeze!
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MTL
🌮 Terraza Luz (Outremont) – A back-alley taqueria tucked behind Alma, popping up every Saturday from 12 to 3PM. They serve tacos on fresh masa corn tortillas, with corn sourced directly from Mexico. We sampled one of each: carnitas, chicken tinga, and rajas con crema (poblanos in cream), and they were all super tasty. Their fresh peach paleta was also the perfect refreshing treat! With heaters and an awning, this cozy spot will hopefully stay open well into the fall—it feels like a little slice of Oaxaca in Montreal.
🍗 Satu Lagi (Plateau Mont-Royal) – It’s rare to find a fully gluten-free Asian restaurant, and Satu Lagi exceeded expectations! We were tempted to order everything, but decided on their crispy, moist hot honey fried chicken and rich beef rendang, paired with a side of savory gai lan. They also have a fast-casual Thai spot nearby, Krapow, that also has an entirely gluten-free menu, and excellent Pad Krapow.
🐟 Chifa (Downtown) – Chinese-Peurvian fusion? Yes, please! Chifa delivered bold flavors, with lots of gluten-free options clearly marked on the menu. The salmon tiradito was bright and refreshing, while the scallops with black bean sauce were a total flavor bomb. We also loved the skewers—nicely charred yet totally tender beef tongue, chicken thigh, king oyster mushrooms, and duck heart.
🍳 Larrys (Plateau Mont-Royal) – Formerly Lawrence, our favourite brunch spot, Larrys now serves all-day brunch, snacks, and wine. We caught the tail end of the season with a vibrant tomato salad, and their ceviche, was bright, acidic, and absolutely delish. We didn’t order the kedgeree this time, but it’s a go-to—a British twist on the Indian dish khichdi, with turmeric rice, fish, and soft-boiled eggs. While they don’t have gluten-free markings, the servers were very helpful in guiding us through the menu.
🥐 Le Marquis (Old Montreal) – Gluten-free croissants are a challenge to perfect, but Le Marquis makes a solid effort! While they’re not quite airy (it’s hard to get those layers without gluten), they’re still flaky and worth trying. Choose between their viennoiseries—butter croissants, chocolatines, or croissants aux amandes.
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🐓 A STOP IN KEMPTVILLE
On our drive back to Toronto from Montreal, we stopped for the night at our friends’ farm in Kemptville. Slow Roots Farm is a small-scale organic farm and nursery where Mat grows vegetable, herb, and flower seedlings in two greenhouses on the property. This year, his partner Jesse started a beautiful flower garden for fresh bouquets. It was so inspiring to see the life they’ve built together there. If you ever find yourself driving through between May and September, I highly recommend stopping by for some fresh eggs, seedlings (May and June), garlic, or a gorgeous hand-cut bouquet (both available from July to September)! Follow along on IG for updates.
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📍GF VANCOUVER MAP
It’s been two years since we moved to Vancity and we’ve loved exploring all of the awesome gluten-free friendly spots! From tamari at nearly every sushi restaurant to Hong Kong café-inspired treats, discover them all on this handy map.
Stay tuned for fall creations now that I’m back in my kitchen!
✌🏼 Peace, love, and good food,
Jannell