It was bound to happen. Now you can add Kosher-Italian to the list of Montreal’s daring new fusion joints.

But don’t expect red-checkered tablecloths at Il Conté in Monkland Village. With its all-white modern décor, this lounge gets our heartiest Mazel Tov! The alluring menu features over a dozen tempting pizzas, but we love the towering meat lasagna ($14.95), cheesy eggplant parmesan ($13) and pizza al tonno served with an egg in the middle ($14.95).

Could Austrian-Asian be just around the corner? Bring it on.

Il Conté Lounge, 5557 Monkland Ave., Montreal, 514-439-4333.

To get us through the last leg of winter we need food, friends and firewater.

With its giant windows, cozy vibe and sinfully high-carb menu, we’ve found salvation at Le Chien Fumant. Do start with a fabulous French 75 cocktail ($8), made from brandy, sparkling wine, sugar and lemon. We dove into a bowl of spicy-sweet New Dynasty Calamari ($15) before savouring a basket of Southern Fried Rabbit ($31) that put the colonel to shame. 

And with the menu changing every few days, a few regular visits will take us right through to summer sun. 

Le Chien Fumant, 4710 rue de Lanaudière, Montreal, 514-524-2444.

Now that Taverne Square Dominion has introduced lunch service, we’re enjoying something other than day-old sushi on a plastic tray.

With its sweeping bar, provincial crests and original terrazzo floor, this former men’s-only tavern has been restored to its 1920s glory. After perusing the gastro-pub menu (French Canadian meets traditional British), we dove into the Ploughman’s lunch of duck, ham, pig’s head terrine, crusty bread and cheese. 

Before sweetening your afternoon with a pint of beer and Sticky Toffee Pudding, do call the office from the bar top rotary phone and let them know you’ll need another hour.

Taverne Square Dominion, 1243 Metcalfe St., Montreal, 514 564-5056, www.tavernedominion.com

Clean living means clean food, but a gal can’t live on boiled brocolli alone.

We’re expanding our healthy horizons now that Café Juicy Lotus offers organic and vegan five-course cooking classes taught by macrobiotic foodies (and mother-daughter team) Gigi Cohen and Jessica Watters. While waxing poetic about good cholesterol and better digestion, the ladies hold court over seaweed carrot salad, quinoa roasted pear cake and almond milk lattes. We learned how to make bean soup from scratch, and for tasty tzaziki, why tofu works wonders in lieu of dairy.

Move over Gwyneth, there’s a new goop in town.

$50/class or $300/10 classes, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays, Café Juicy Lotus, 5688 Monkland Ave., Montreal, 514-487-7575, www.cafejuicylotus.com

Whether you’re sassy and single or snuggled up à deux, there’s always room for dessert on Valentine’s Day.

This Sunday we’re sinking our teeth into decadent delights from O’Macarons & Chocolats. This new gourmet boutique carries Montreal-made Point G macarons (6/$9) in over-the-top flavors like Crème Brûlée, Balsamic Vinegar and salty-sweet Fois Gras (delish with a glass of V Day champers). Throw in a few chocolate-covered blue mountain coffee beans ($7) from Boucherville’s Christophe Morel Chocolatier and you’ll be hepped up until Easter.

O’Macarons & Chocolats, 1005 Bernard St. West, Montreal, 514-271-4333.

Carrie Bradshaw said it best: “The only thing that I have ever successfully made in the kitchen is a mess.”

Just because we too store pumps in the oven doesn’t mean we don’t crave the odd home-cooked meal. In lieu of culinary duress, we’ve turned to Parentête, a delivery service of freshly made, individually portioned plates by chefanista Rose-Anne Gabriel. Wholesome recipes include turkey lasagna, sweet-potato shepherd’s pie, and tilapia in lemon sauce (from $8.50). 

For those of us parenting more than just ourselves, order up family-size portions (from $28) and kid-friendly meals like chicken fingers and pizza pot pie ($6). Menus change weekly and meals are never frozen so all you have to do is pop them in the oven (after you’ve removed your beloved Manolos, of course).

514-831-4431, www.parentete.com

Our favorite flare master and mighty mixologist Fabien Maillard (owner of the LAB bar) has just opened his own college of cocktail.

Watch out, Tom Cruise.

$500/24 hours instruction, includes manual and materials.

Workshops begin February 7, Mixoart Flare Gym, 160 St-Viateur #800A, Montreal, 514-303-1131, www.mixoart.com

In our Bollywood fantasy we dance in a pretty pink sari while staring into the eyes of Dev Patel. In reality, we’re drinking bitter coffee and longing for the Taj.

Get your Mumbai mojo with chai nights at Camellia Sinensis. Every Monday, this Quartier Latin boutique fills with chic Indians sipping steaming mugs of traditional tea. Creamy with a spicy kick, each cup is the perfect blend of milk, cardamom and sugar. Resident taster Kevin Gascoyne orchestrates proper brewing and Raj-regal tea service that will have you warmed up in no time.  

Just try not to spill anything while humming Jai Ho.

Monday’s 5 p.m.-7p.m., Camellia Sinensis, 351 Emery St., Montreal, 514-286-4002, www.camellia-sinensis.com

We might not have the culinary skills of Jamie or Nigella, but we do know that decent olive oil can mask a multitude of sins.

We’re investing in a fine grand cru imported by Carlos Ferreira, owner of Café Ferreira and Vasco de Gama. Made from organic, hand picked olives grown in Portugal’s Douro Valley, CARM Le Praemium extra virgin oil ($22) has spicy notes of lemon and pepper, while the lighter Grande Escolha ($20) is fruitier with a nutty after-taste that’s perfeito with a fresh baguette.

Delicioso!

At Vasco De Gama, 1472 Peel St. Montreal, 514-286-2688.
www.carm.pt

If you missed the swine flu but think you may have a case of the wine flu, take a dose of these winning bottles picked by our staff and you’ll be better in no time.

This sparkling wine from France’s Loire Valley comes in metallic navy blue packaging with gold script lettering, meaning it looks (and tastes) tres cher, but isn’t. We always keep some in the fridge in case of ‘emergency.’ Monmousseau Cuvée J.M. Brut, $18.99, www.bcliquorstores.com
Sarah Bancroft, editor-in-chief

The elegant ivory Paul Mas label looks perfect on your sideboard. And with notes of leather, tobacco and cherry, guys will love this hefty French bargain, too. Paul Mas Grenache Noir, 2007, $11.99, www.bcliquorstores.com
Sarah Bancroft, editor-in-chief

We’ll be ringing in a new decade with a firm patriotic stand with Trius Brut Niagara Peninsula Mousseux. Part Chardonnay and part Pinot Noire, Niagara’s Trius Brut Mousseux has lovely notes of citrus and apple. $25.70, www.saq.com
Marianne Wisenthal, Montreal editor

A nice alternative to champagne, this Italian Prosecco is organic, refreshing, readily available and inexpensive. What's not to love? Villa Teresa Frizzante Prosecco Veneto, $15.99, www.bcliquorstores.com
Joy Pecknold, Vancouver editor

Vouray Moncontour ($19.95) has bubbles so delicate and refined, it’s more like Champagne. Or go crazy and splash out for a bottle of Gosset Grand Millésime Brut Champagne 1999 ($98.25) to drink with your lover. www.saq.com
Elsa Vecchi, Montreal editor, French editor