Beyond the Bagel – Museum of Jewish Montreal – Tour Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"What can we expect from this tour? Jewish food historian Kat Romanow knows her bagels, bialys, and rugelach. Her Beyond the Bagel walking food tour, offered through the Museum of Jewish Montreal, is a highly informative, well-organized romp through the Plateau and Mile End's Jewish culinary history. Groups are kept small, and with 16 stops over three hours, there's a lot of ground to cover. Tell us about your fellow tourees. It's mostly tourists who sign up, but you'll be heartily embraced by the local proprietors and vendors you meet along the way. How's the guide, then? Romanow is an expert on Jewish food culture in Montreal; she holds a Masters in food studies from Concordia University. She knows the history of every nook, cranny, and back alley in these neighborhoods, and is completely integrated into the community. What are some of the highlights on the tour? The tour covers a staggering 16 stops, many of which having tasting elements, from the famous bagels at St-Viateur and Fairmount, as well as Schwartz's smoked-meat sandwich. Come with an appetite. So why would you recommend the Beyond the Bagel tour to a visitor to Montreal? The Plateau and Mile End might be known today for their posh hipsters and nightlife hotspots, but this tour pulls back the curtain on the history found in this part of the city. It's a much more fulfilling dive into Montreal cuisine than just grabbing a bagel or smoked meat sandwich on your own." - Todd Plummer
