Munchies Ouest makes its debut as Montreal’s newest restaurant festival

Thierry Rassam and Na’eem Adam are clearly not in the business of doing things halfway. The masterminds behind La Poutine Week, Le Burger Week, and La Pizza Week have once again upped the ante—this time with Munchies Quest, a 10-day, citywide excuse to absolutely abandon restraint and chase down the most over-the-top cravings imaginable.

Running from April 20 to April 30, Munchies Quest is less a food festival and more a full-blown indulgence tour. The brief? Go big or go home. We’re talking Korean pogos dripping in sauce, rich birria-loaded creations, ube desserts that look like they belong in an art gallery, and plenty more where that came from. It’s chaotic, global, and gloriously excessive.

Sam Louli with the Munchies Ouest  special.

My first stop on this delicious mission: Brama, tucked into Ahuntsic-Cartierville. Open for five years now, Brama—Italian for “craving,” fittingly—feels like the kind of neighbourhood spot you wish you had discovered sooner. I had the chance to meet co-owner Sam Louli (who runs the place alongside Tony Kanou and Chef John Hanna), and the vibe is instantly welcoming: a sleek, intimate dining room with about 50 seats, anchored by a lively bar.

Now, the main event: the Munchies Ouest feature, the Pizza Quattropepe. This isn’t a pizza—it’s a statement. A full-on flavor overload stacked with tomato sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella, Swiss, cheddar, caciocavallo, provolone, Parmigiano Reggiano, caramelized onions, and arugula. It sounds excessive. It is excessive. And it works. Every bite hits differently—salty, creamy, sharp, slightly sweet—and before I knew it, the entire pie had mysteriously disappeared. (Yes, I ate all four slices. No regrets.)

And the thing is, that’s just the beginning. The rest of the menu reads like a greatest hits list: fresh salads, comforting pastas, a serious rib eye, a wagyu beef burger that’s calling my name, plus desserts and cocktails worth lingering over. Safe to say, a return visit is not a question of if, but when.

If you’re plotting your own Munchies Quest route, do yourself a favor: check the interactive map, pick your neighborhood, and go in with an appetite. I happened to be heading east that day, and Brama was a perfectly timed detour—about 10 minutes out, and absolutely worth it.

Final verdict? Another win for Thierry and Na’eem. Munchies Quest doesn’t just celebrate food—it dares you to overdo it, and enjoy every second.

It is all  here at https://munchiesquest.com/en

Quesada launches Quesada Cares, a pilot community giving initiative across three cities

Quesada Burritos & Tacos launched on March 26 a pilot community giving initiative, Quesada Cares, through which its teams delivered 750  hot meals to organizations that provide food programs to Canadians across three cities in Québec, Ontario and British Columbia.   

As part of the pilot, Quesada team members visited The Compass in Mississauga, Ontario, Surrey Food Bank in Surrey, British Columbia, and Old Brewery Mission in Montreal, working alongside each organization to deliver fresh meals during lunch service. 

Shabbir Chowdhury (left), Senior Creative Director at Quesada, with Erith Deleon (centre), Regional Operations Manager at Quesada, hands out burritos alongside kitchen staff at the Old Brewery Mission in Montréal as part of the Quesada Cares initiative on Thursday, March 26. Photo: Quesada 

“We believe that good, hearty food brings people together and provides comfort,” said Shabbir Chowdhury, Senior Creative Director at Quesada, who joined the brand’s efforts in Montreal. “By supporting groups that serve those in need, in this instance with fresh burritos, we are taking our brand's promise out of our restaurants and bringing it to people who need a warm meal the most.” 

Two Quesada team members were on-site at each location to supply the burritos and support each organization’s staff with lunch service. The pilot achieved strong engagement from partner organizations and delivered its intended impact across all three locations. "Quesada Cares" marks the brand’s first coordinated, multi-city initiative of this scale. If successful, Quesada intends to expand the partnership as early as fall 2026. 

At The Compass in Mississauga, the initiative supported 135 individuals through its meal service. 

“We are so pleased to have participated in this initiative,” said Trish Trapani, Executive Director of The Compass in Mississauga. “I hope that this is just the beginning of a long-lasting community relationship.” 

“The pilot initiative was an important first step in shaping how we show up in our communities,” added Chowdhury. “We wanted a hands-on, meaningful way to show our gratitude and give back to our local cities, from Montreal to Surrey.” 

A shout out to Daria in downtown Montreal.

Let me just say that I love Quesada, which has a fabulous customer-friendly format. Like a Subways, you select your type of meal - taco or a bowl- and what goes inside. The downtown Montreal location has an added bonus; it cohabites with a Second Cup.  Thanks to server Daria for the excellent customer service. She guided me towards the selection of three small tacos, with beef, rice  and cheese inside. Then we switched over to the Second Cup counter and I ordered a delicious chocolate brownie and a chocolate chip cookie for dessert.

Quesada operates 225 Quesada locations across Canada. Guests can order in-store, for takeout, or through the Quesada app for pickup and delivery. For more information, visit quesada.ca.

Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile invites guests to experience how modern luxury and sustainability can harmoniously embrace sustainability

With Earth Day approaching, Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile invites guests to experience how modern luxury and sustainability can harmoniously embrace sustainability. Sustainability is fundamental to Sofitel’s philosophy of refined and forward-thinking hospitality. This is showcased through every aspect of the guest experience, such as: 

Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile invites guests to experience how modern luxury and sustainability can harmoniously embrace sustainability, something that is fundamental to the hotel's philosophy of refined and forward-thinking hospitality. This is showcased through every aspect of the guest experience, such as: 

• Culinary practices: Guided by French culinary traditions and inspired by Quebec’s finest seasonal ingredients, the chefs create menus featuring locally sourced produce, ethically raised proteins, and sustainable seafood. Each dish celebrates both flavour and responsibility, allowing guests to savour the harmony of gastronomy and sustainability. Food waste is carefully managed in kitchens and cafeterias using AI-powered ORBISK systems, which help guide strategies to reduce it.

• Plastic-free operations: Since 2022, Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile has led the way as the first Accor hotel in Quebec to eliminate all single-use plastics, thoughtfully replacing them with FSC-certified paper alternatives, refillable amenities, and elegantly designed filtered water stations. In-room plastic bottles have also been completely removed in favour of refillable water carafes, further reinforcing this commitment.

• Energy & water efficiency: High-efficiency lighting, heat recovery systems, and a linen/towel reuse program reduce consumption while maintaining comfort.

• Guest participation: Visitors can join the effort by using water stations, opting into the linen/towel program, recycling in-room, and choosing eco-friendly transportation options.

These initiatives have earned the hotel a 5 Green Key certification and Elite status from Québec’s ICI on recycle + program,  one of the highest distinctions, achieved by only a select number of hotels, reflecting leadership in sustainable hospitality without compromising elegance. The hotel has also reached Platinum status, the highest level of Accor’s internal GAIA certification, further underscoring its commitment to environmental excellence.

 

Second Cup unveils spring-summer beverage lineup, blending tropical flavours with Canadian-inspired indulgence

Second Cup  has introduced eight new spring and summer beverages across Canada, beginning on April 14, expanding its lineup of cold, fruit-forward, and energy-based drinks as demand for refreshers and alternative iced beverages continues to grow.  

 “This lineup reflects how guest preferences are evolving toward cold, customizable, and flavour-forward beverages,” says Roxane Desjardins, Marketing Director at Second Cup. “We’ve introduced a mix of refreshers, energy-based drinks and more indulgent options to broaden appeal throughout the day.” 

 Leading the seasonal launch is a trio of cold and refreshing, fruity drinks. The Coconut Grapefruit Refresher is a lightly sparkling drink with pure coconut water and citrus notes. The Strawberry & Matcha combines strawberry milk with fluffy matcha cold foam for a smooth, layered texture. The Dragon Peach Infuzer is an energy-based beverage made with Red Bull White Peach, dragon fruit syrup and coconut.  

Second Cup Café’s Spring-Summer 2026 menu introduces eight new drinks for a limited time only, beginning April 14. Photo: Foodtastic.  

For more indulgent options, the Nanaimo Bar Flash Brew translates the classic Canadian dessert into a creamy cold brew, while the Creamy Vanilla Fizz combines Coke Zero with vanilla bean syrup and a splash of cream, introducing a dirty soda-style beverage with a smooth, lightly carbonated profile. Additional offerings include the Iced Coconut Latte, which builds on a traditional iced latte, blending Espresso Forte with milk, white chocolate, and coconut syrup for a richer, tropical-leaning option. The Sweet Dragon Fizz pairs Canada Dry Ginger Ale Zero Sugar with dragon fruit syrup and a splash of coconut beverage, offering a fruit-forward drink with a subtle “swicy” finish. The Hibiscus Sweet Breeze Iced Tea features a hibiscus blueberry infusion, lightly sweetened with cane sugar, positioned as a caffeine-free option within the lineup. 

The spring-summer beverages will be available for a limited time at participating Second Cup cafés across Canada.  

A Canadian staple since 1975, Second Cup Café offers premium-quality coffee and specialty beverages. Focusing on sustainability and ethical sourcing, Second Cup provides customers with a refined and inviting café experience that celebrates coffee culture while supporting local communities. For more information, visit secondcup.com or visit Second Cup’s app The Café Club.