Back in 2007, the identical twins Byron and Dexter Peart launched WANT Les Essentiels, an apparel and accessories brand whose mix of traditional craft and contemporary styling immediately made it one of Canada\u2019s hottest labels. WANT shops opened across the country, along with a flagship store in New York City, and the brand achieved cult-like status by aesthetes in-the-know. <\/p>\n
A decade later, the Peart brothers pivoted and sold WANT, so they can concentrate on GOODIE, a curated marketplace purveying homeware and lifestyle products that are both sustainable and beautiful. \u201cWe\u2019ve always focused on products that were not just sustainable but also built to last,\u201d says Dexter. \u201cGOODEE was born from a desire to bring amazing brands together that speak a similar language of sustainability [and truly caring] for the environment.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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<\/div>\nFeaturing some 70 brands, GOODEE spans the spectrum, from eclectic furniture and sculptural baskets to chic garden tools and imaginative, functional kids\u2019 stuff. And although intent on showcasing Canadian talent, the Pearts also want the company to be global. This means the brothers regularly go on trips around the world to find premium products to enhance the GOODEE label. <\/span><\/p>\n
But when not travelling, the twins happily immerse themselves in everything that is unique about their hometown. For starters, both used to live in Habitat 67, the iconic housing complex designed by Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie. For Dexter, who\u2019s still a resident there, what\u2019s most compelling about his city\u2019s culinary scene is how truly local it is \u2014 Montr\u00e9alers dining on food prepared by local chefs using ingredients from local suppliers. \u201cThey\u2019re small and independent,\u201d he notes, \u201cand [everything] feels totally fresh \u2014 and totally Montr\u00e9al.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
01<\/strong> <\/span>DAMAS<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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Step into this local institution and you quickly feel like you\u2019ve been transported to the Middle East. Set in the Outremont neighbourhood, Damas has been, for years, the Pearts\u2019 favoured restaurant for its exceptional Syrian food (and during the pandemic for its takeout service). The cozy, welcoming vibe makes Damas ideal, whether it\u2019s for a date night or a family gathering. The tasting menu is a tour de force of culinary delights. Dexter\u2019s tip: \u201cYou can\u2019t go wrong with some of our favourite hot and cold mezes for sharing \u2014 like falafel, hummus, octopus salad, <\/span>fattoush<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>kibbeh nayye<\/span><\/i> hand grilled halloumi.\u201d <\/span>1201 avenue Van Horne; <\/span><\/i>restaurant-damas.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/i><\/p>\n
02 <\/strong>KAM\u00daY<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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Located in the heart of Quartier des Spectacles, this Caribbean-inspired eatery adds flavour to the Montr\u00e9al food scene. Kam\u00fay, which literally translates to \u201csun\u201d in the indigenous Taino language, is bright, warm and inviting. \u201cWe love Haitian chef Paul Touissant and have known and visited Kam\u00fay for years to satisfy our nostalgia for island food classics,\u201d says Byron. Of Jamaican descent themselves, the Ottawa-born Pearts relish Toussant\u2019s take on Caribbean cuisine, such as the Fritay Basket, (cod, chicken and carima\u00f1ola fritters) and griot (braised pork shoulder with pikliz). <\/span>1485 rue Jeanne Mance; <\/span><\/i>kamuy.ca<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n
03 <\/strong>GIA<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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Tucked away in a nondescript building in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood, Gia is a gem of a restaurant and wine bar unlike any other in the city. The stylish yet inviting interior, the knowledgeable, friendly staff and the sophisticated food\/beverage menus all sum up to offer a lovely insider dining experience. And though decidedly plant-forward, the menu also serves up meat options, such as <\/span>tartare de canard<\/span><\/i> and <\/span>saucisse d\u2019agneau<\/span><\/i>. The wine list is as much a journey as the menu, boasting a carefully selected offering of organic, biodynamic and sustainable wines from Italy and beyond. <\/span>1025 rue Lenoir; giagiagia.com<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n
04 <\/strong><\/span>OLIVE ET GOURMANDO<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
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\u201cWe have known the Olive\u2019s founders, Dyan [Solomon] and Eric [Girard], for years and have become devoted patrons of this first-rate bakery, caf\u00e9 and restaurant literally since the day it opened almost 25 years ago,\u201d says Byron. \u201cAnd as you can see from its buzzy crowd, we\u2019re not the only ones who keep coming back.\u201d Indeed. Patrons are happy to line up to experience the fresh sweet and savoury baked goods, including the delectable <\/span>brioche \u00e0 la canelle<\/span><\/i>, as well as the always-in-demand artisanal sandwiches, such as the Pearts\u2019 favourite Le Chicken Melt. <\/span>351 rue Saint-Paul ouest; <\/span><\/i>oliveetgourmando.com<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/p>\n
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