On our map. We haven't walked through the door yet — here's why it's on the list.
Opened in 1995 on Avenue de Monkland, Monkland Tavern is run by owner Barbara Irwin and chef Josh Crowe, backed by Mischa Ozols-Mongeau and Chris Wood. The kitchen leans local, with dishes like a root-vegetable carpaccio of smoked celery root and rutabaga in white-butter vinaigrette with Parmesan and Gaspé nori, and a Nordic shrimp salad.
The $85 chef's tasting menu is built tableside around guests' preferences and wine choice. Irwin curates the wine list — natural bottles and rarer vintages sourced from several agencies — meant to pair with the kitchen rather than intimidate.
Monkland Tavern is on the Regulars map — spotted, not yet visited. Our guides are written on foot, door by door, and no one pays to appear: when we walk through the door, this note will become a portrait. No points. No coupons. Standing is earned.