The Softnesses of the Market

I was talking to Glen, one of the co-owners of Les Douceurs du Marché, at Atwater Market, the other day. He's a really nice guy, but you get the feeling he doesn't get out much. When I mentioned I was from montrealfood.com, he said "Oh, computers! Well, I don't have much time for them." Thinking that pretty unusual for this day and age, I asked why.

"Oh, well, you know, you're bushed at the end of the day. When I get home I sit in my chair—"

—"and have a glass of wine," says I helpfully—

"—oh no, I have a martini." I like this guy. He's a martini guy. "I have a martini and think about what to do for dinner and I think, shall I cook, or shall I go out? And then that gets me to thinking, so I end up not doing anything except have another martini." My man!

In case you didn't know, Douceurs is possibly the coolest food shop in Montreal. It's stacked floor to ceiling with stuff like hot sauce—literally twelve shelves full—and gourmet olive oil, among many, many other things that are pretty much impossible to find in Montreal: fine Italian pastas (Rusticella d'Abruzzo among them), cans of stuff from all over the world, and a nice selection of spices and upmarket chocolates. If you go on a weekend, though, be prepared to fight for elbow room. This place is popular. (I remember it before they expanded, and then it was get in line, buddy, and buy tickets.)

If you're lucky enough to get in there on a slow day, like I was, take the time to chat with one of the owners. They're hilarious and they know their trade.

René, the other co-owner, will be on Télé-Québec on Friday, March 31 at 9 p.m. "They came over to our house," says Glen. "They did a great interview and then René made them dinner!"

If you're outside Quebec, maybe I'll tape it and put up excerpts.