Montréal's Marché Jean-Talon, among North America's largest remaining farmers' markets, is one of my wife's favorite spots--the freshness of the produce, the pleasant 'twang' of the vendors' Québecois accents, the abundance of color, taste, and texture... And since the market is in the "Petite Italie" neighborhood, after smiling and sampling your way through the offerings, you can refuel with a cappuccino in a nearby café, eavesdropping on local conversations...if you speak Italian. But first, brush up on a few French phrases. English is also spoken, but the local lingo is always appreciated. (A brief language lesson on the berries above: strawberry--fraise; gooseberry--groseille; blackberry--mûre; raspberry--framboise; blueberry--bleuet.) For more information: http://www.marchespublics-mtl.com/English/Jean-Talon/Mission/ To get there by subway, both the Jean-Talon and De Castelnau métro stations are nearby.

They serve comfort dishes here, but the simplicity is deceptive. The burger, for instance, is made from bacon, brisket, and chuck. Cocktails are an experience: Order absinthe and they will bring out the proper bohemian barware so you can party like it’s 1889. (604) 568-7022. As told to Rhonda May. Photo by Grant Harder. This appeared in the September, 2012 issue. See all of Savannah Olsen’s favorite places in the Gastown neighborhood of Vancouver.

The owners at this breakfast and lunch spot make almost everything from scratch and by hand, from grinding chickpeas for their hummus to making almond milk for the granola. They even offer vegan butter. (604) 681-5776. As told to Rhonda May. Photo by Grant Harder. This appeared in the September, 2012 issue. See all of Savannah Olsen’s favorite places in the Gastown neighborhood of Vancouver.

Schwartz's Hebrew Delicatessen is the most famous smoked meat restaurant in Montreal. The unique flavor of their meat is credited to a 10-day curing process and an 80-year old brick smokehouse. It doesn't hurt that they sell so much meat that you're pretty much guaranteed a fresh product due to high turnover. The small interior is lined with pictures of celebrities and politicians that have walked through its doors as well as newspaper and magazine clippings where the famous Jewish deli has been featured.

One of the first things I learned about Montreal while attending McGill University is the tourists head to the Old City and western parts of town while the locals go east. Vieux Montreal, while quaint and cobblestoned, is an overpriced tourist trap, and the Crescent Street drag is often overrun with American kids looking to capitalize on Quebec's drinking age of 18. Instead venture east to Montreal's boho heart, le Plateau. A hotbed of art galleries, vintage shops, bars and restaurants, you can spend an afternoon, evening or an entire weekend strolling the streets, tasting cuisine from around the world and participating in some top notch people watching as the young and trendy saunter up and down Boulevard St. Laurent like it’s their own personal catwalk. A particularly charming street to explore is Avenue Duluth lined with Portuguese bakeries, “Apportez Votre Vin” restaurants, microbrew bars and yes, cobblestones. For lunch, head to Cafe Santropol at the corner of Duluth and St. Urbain, a quirky restaurant with bohemian decor, a garden terrace filled with wildflowers and some of the freshest, most unusual sandwiches in the world. Take some time to appreciate the eye-popping murals of Le Plateau. The urban art seems to be the local artists’ way of fighting back against the bleak, white slate that a six month winter brings to this city. Another thing I learned at McGill is -40 degrees is where Celsius and Farhenheit meet. Trust me on this one, visit in the summertime.

NE of downtown Montréal, one of the best neighborhoods to walk, gawk, and eat is the Plâteau Mont-Royal. Originally a working-class immigrant neighborhood on a flat stretch near 'the Mountain,' (Mont Royal), today's "Plâteau" is a vibrant mix of boutiques, colorful architecture, and bring-your-own-wine restaurants--the best of urban life in this polyglot city... (For more info: http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/Discover-montreal/Neighbourhoods/Plateau-Mont-Royal)

The iconic spires and copper gables of the 618-room Fairmont Le Château Frontenac define the Québec City skyline. The castle-like hotel, built in 1893, took its name from one of the early French colonial governors. Overlooking the St. Lawrence River, the Château Frontenac has hosted heads of state (Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, Queen Elizabeth II) and Hollywood celebrities (Alfred Hitchcock, Barbara Stanwyck, James Cagney). Today, guests are greeted in the lobby by Santol, the hotel’s canine ambassador. Doubles from $180. 1 Rue des Carrières, Québec City, (418) 692-3861. Photo by William Manning/Alamy. This appeared in the January/February 2013 issue.

A French-Quebecois restaurant that serves hearty, locally-sourced dinners. The food was good, and caloric enough to stun a lumberjack. For the main course, I was presented with a pork chop the size of a baby’s head and nearly as round—a dish so bulbous that the elderly woman seated next to us actually pointed at it in alarm. —Jennifer Kahn

As stated on their website, Monkey's Paw is Toronto's most idiosyncratic secondhand bookshop, specializing in uncommon and out-of-print books, ephemera, and images. On one visit, I was able to find an old Boy Scout handbook from the 1940s. This is also a great place to find an old typewriter. If you like odd books or want a good story from owner Stephen Fowler, this is your place. And the source of the store’s name? The W. W. Jacobs tale with an ominous moral: be careful what you wish for. Photo credit: Plaid Mag

The St. Lawrence Market is great! There are tons of picnic benches outside to sit and eat as well as stools inside. Check their website for upcoming events as well. It looks like they have a few good ones! A quick hit list of where I go: -Carousel Bakery for those peameal bacon sandwiches. They're famous for a reason -Chris's Cheesemongers - ask for Len. He's a good friend of mine and well, just the best! These guys work hard. -That said, my friend who is a cook and had the apartment swears by Olympic Cheese. I like its layout - you can pick up the cheese as opposed to ordering it at the counter. -Buster's Sea Cove. Two words: Lobster Bisque. They don't sell the lobster rolls here on a regular basis. You'll have to go to their food truck for that. -Stone Mill Bakery - GREAT bread. But for $4.95 a loaf? Show me the stone mill. -Sheffer's - they sell prosciutto for $2 here on some days. In the grocery store, it's usually $6-8! -Churrasco - chicken and soup. This guy works so hard and he pays attention to the little details down to the way he folds your bag. It's really quite charming. The chicken is moist. Really great bang for your buck. -St. Urbain Bagels - yes!

It's one of the most beautifully decorated places in the city. It's away from the tourist fray in the east end of the city but if you're lucky to have your cuppa here, you'll be rewarded with a sweeping view of the skyline from Riverdale Park. This is a neighbourhood place where writers, artists and other neighbourhood folk come to hang out. The owners and staff are quite simply, so lovely and loyal to their clientele plus they make some mean coffee! Bring a book and cozy up for the afternoon. PS there's quite a few star sightings here. Daniel Radcliffe filmed here in the summer. Bon Iver and Jim Cuddy have been known to come by the shop. Note: Rooster just opened their second location on King street, just east of Sherbourne near the Distillery District. Photo: Rooster Coffeehouse

Olive et Gourmando is the quintessential Montreal brunch/lunch spot, located in Old Montreal. Pastries are all up front and sandwiches/gourmet dishes ready to order are in the back. Grab a table, go to the back and make your order, cafeteria style. Sit back down and someone will bring you your food. Not only is the food amazing --hello, truffled mac n cheese--but the scene of the interchangeable English/French hybrid of locals in this bustling yet cozy room is fascinating to watch. If you can’t get a seat, get a croissant or ten to go.

The Saint-Roch neighborhood, a 15-minute walk from Vieux-Québec (Old Québec), is a popular place to hang out, thanks in part to this microbrewery and bistro. All the beers are handmade in old-fashioned styles. Try the Malgven, a toasty amber ale. 300 Rue Dorchester, Québec City, (418) 614-0932. This appeared in the January/February 2013 issue.