Trois Experiences: Trying To Eat Vegetarian In Meat-Loving Restaurants.

Experience Deux: La Bistro Sur La Rivi?¿re.

by Natasha Henderson, Montreal

Le Bistro Sur La Rivi?¿re… it is a small bistro. It is a bistro that takes pride in its meats, in its?ágenerously overflowing?ápresentations of?áfood. It is a bistro that is on Larivi?¿re, the street that is behind my massive studio building.

My first experience eating here was on the eve of the first La Virree?ádes Ateliers event. I was new to the Grover Building, I was one of the rare anglophone artists who rented there. I felt a little foreign, and?áthat these open-studios could be?áan opportunity to?ábreak into the new culture?áin which I felt myself surrounded. I’d have a chance to make new friends, new connections,?áand learn new things very soon. I was right, in certain respects, on?áall accounts.

Anyhow, on that eve in May, I went in for a?ádelicious?ásandwich and frites with accompanying salad and beer to celebrate the future. Since that date, I’ve been back twice, once because I’d recently sold three paintings, another time just because I was hungry. As a semi-vegetarian, I received?áupon my first visit a sandwich with a bit of ham in it, when I’d thought I’d ordered a simple tomato and cheese sandwich. I didn’t kick up a fuss. I am “semi”-vegetarian, and I knew that my Francais?áwas pretty rusty… so I was willing to bend.?áSince going back two more?átimes, though, I’ve found the wait staff?áto be supremely giving and forgiving. It is a predominantly Francophone neighbourhood,?ácomplete with?áthe de rigueur fleur-de-lis on the front door of the place. It’s one of those places that, as I enter, I couldn’t help but?áput up my guard, just a little. They might all stare at me if I try to talk!?áHowever, upon further experience, I’ve had some very?ánice chats in a blend of Franglais with the?ápeople who work there.

Oh, and the sandwich that I order… it’s good. It is very, very good.?áI don’t know how certain restaurants are able to make a sandwich into such a special experience. For me, at home, when I make a sandwich it is a utilitarian expression.?áI have bread, and I have something to put in between two slices of that bread. A good restaurant’s sandwich, that?ábecomes something of?áa capital “E” Experience.

So, the sandwich to order at Le Bistro Sur La Rivi?¿re is the tomato and brie and pesto on Baguette. Please order that, when you go there. It is divine, a perfect blend of tastes and textures. The house salad and frites with mayonnaise that come with it are just the?áicing on the cake. Cake? Who needs cake after such an incredible, fresh, fantastic meal? No, no cake. This will do. Perhaps an Oatmeal Stout beer to go along with… or a coffee after. The wait staff is always keen to refill your water-glass, and they always check in to see how you are enjoying your meal.

This Bistro has an extensive menu, and, upon discussion with the workers there, they do have a vegetarian plate for Supper-time, too. The stuffed pasta… does look pretty good! Some day, perhaps, I will order it. But the tomato/brie/pesto sandwich… oo la-la!!!

Find Le Bistro Sur La Rivi?¿re at 2263, rue Larivi?¿re, Montreal, QC. Find Natasha eating there soon.