The Main has a new watering hole, and it’ll quench more than just our thirst.

Open in what was once Cafeteria (corner St-Laurent and Prince Arthur), Suwu caters to our wildest late-night cravings with its comfort food inspired menu. If truffle oil popcorn ($5), grilled cheese mac ‘n cheese ($8) or veal meatball tacos ($14) – whipped up by a team with a Toqué background, no less -- won’t hit the spot at 2 a.m., we don’t know what will.

With its stylish yet laid-back and playful vibe – we’re looking at you, vintage pinball machine! – Suwu has successfully lured us back to lower St-Laurent.

Long live the Main! —Christine Laroche

3571 St-Laurent Boul., Montreal, http://suwumontreal.com

Beach babes, long boards, and bellini bars - it’s all about Huntington Beach, California.

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The Shorebreak Hotel’s front desk features a massive wave, there are surf films projected on the walls of the lobby, cruiser bikes and vintage surfboards in the rooms, all done incredibly stylishly. www.jdvhotels.com

do

Beach volleyball, all year round! And then, of course, there are the surfers (er, we mean the surfing) in and around the famous pier. It’s not called Surf City USA for nothing.

eat

The Huevos Rancheros (pictured, $9) at Zimzala in the Shorebreak Hotel, with excellent coffee and a bellini bar in a breezy room was our idea of brunch heaven. The name of the restaurant means “peace with sand between your toes.”

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Order one of the massive longboards from Huntington native Peter Hamborg a firefighter and father of 5 surfing, modelling, lifeguarding boys (why does this sound like a reality TV show in the works)? Cruise The Strand, 10 miles of paved track along the beachfront. www.hamboards.com

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Lucky you if you get a sighting of one of the famous surf Woody’s like we did!

—Sarah Bancroft

www.surfcityusa.com

With maple season drawing to a close, we’re seizing our last sugaring-off chance.

And best of all, we’ll do it close to home – and with a wow view, too! Because yes, even if you’re just not that into oreilles de crisse, a meal at the Nelligan’s rooftop Sugar Shack Terrasse is worth it for the view and festive ambiance alone.

Choose between an evening feast (Friday or Saturday, $35) or classic Sunday brunch ($29).

Last call for a salty and sweet feast! —Christine Laroche

106 Saint-Paul St. W., Toronto, 514-788-4000, www.terrassenelligan.com

With maple season drawing to a close, we’re seizing our last sugaring-off chance.

And best of all, we’ll do it close to home – and with a wow view, too! Because yes, even if you’re just not that into oreilles de crisse, a meal at the Nelligan’s rooftop Sugar Shack Terrasse is worth it for the view and festive ambiance alone.

Choose between an evening feast (Friday or Saturday, $35) or classic Sunday brunch ($29).

Last call for a salty and sweet feast! —Christine Laroche

106 Saint-Paul St. W., Toronto, 514-788-4000, www.terrassenelligan.com

If you’ve been wondering what happened to Vegera, the much-loved Bernard St. restaurant, we have the answer.

First, Peter Christopolous took over as chef of Vegera and as of last summer, it’s all his. He’s overhauled the menu (tapas style), vibe (modern and airy) and name (“Namos” is a nod to the where he and his wife Maia said their “I dos.” #adorbs).

We recently sampled 12 (!) of the homemade, made-for-sharing dishes: Think sauteed zucchini balls stuffed with feta and herbs (a family recipe imported straight from Southern Greece), flaky spanakopita, beautiful grilled Loukaniko sausage with homemade pita bread and even meatballs in tomato sauce.

Needless to say, we’ve been dreaming of going back ever since.  —Christine Laroche

228 Bernard St., Montreal, 514-490-4222, www.namosrestaurant.com

We’re kicking off cabane à sucre season with a visit to La Cabane.

The convivial new pop-up restaurant – open Wednesday to Saturday until April 14  – features sugar shack fare with a Portuguese twist by chef Helena Loureiro (owner and chef at Portus Calle).

While we adored the lamb gravlax and fried pork cheek endive salad and bean ragout (with chorizo, pork, smoked bacon and chicken drumsticks), the dessert trio stole the show: chocolate pudding and deconstructed maple pie by Christophe Morel, plus maple pasteis de natas.

La Cabane definitely hit our sweet spot. —Christine Laroche

400 de la Commune W., Montreal, 514-285-0558, www.lacabane.ca

Old Montreal’s Happening Gourmand can only mean one thing: Bad news for those kale smoothie and buckwheat resolutions.

The good news is that we’ll indulge on a budget as some of the historic neighbourhood’s top restaurants are offering prix fixe evening table d’hôtes ($23 or $27) from now until February 3.

And new for 2013 is lunch offering ($15), with mouth-watering options that include Beef Flank with Port and Mushroom Sauce (Modavie), Green Tea Poached Salmon Filet (Aix) and Confit Rabbit Shoulder Salad (Suite 701).

See you next year, resolutions! —Christine Laroche

www.happeninggourmand.com

Montreal’s landscape is shaped by remnants of Expo ’67 but one of those relics is brand new.

Projet 67 is an ode to both our city and the international expo that visited some 45 years ago. Nods to the era are prominent in both the décor (a concrete structure in the middle of the room, the biosphere-inspired design on the wine glass, a backlit box depicting highlights of the expo) and food (a menu inspired by participating countries – right now, it’s the Bourgogne region of France – will change periodically).

Even before our courses arrived, we were smitten with the impeccable service and addictive, made-in-house bread. The other stars of the evening? Frog legs (served with lemon persillade, mushrooms and kale chips, $16), and Peking duck (served with water chestnuts, Chinese broccoli and Shiitake mushrooms, $21).

Retro never tasted – or looked – so fantastic. —Christine Laroche

4902 Saint-Laurent, Montreal, 514-508-6767, www.projet67.com

Normand Laprise has it all.

Toqué, a world-renowned and consistently sold out restaurant, a gig as a judge on television and prestigious titles (including 2012 Chef of the Year from Maclean’s). The only thing missing was a book, and it’s finally here.

Our ultimate cooking inspiration is Toqué! Creators of a new Québec gastronomy ($69.99), which includes 190 recettes that range from the most complex to the ultra-simple as well as 250 stunningly beautiful photos.

The hottest table in town? Ours, with a little bit of help from our friend Monsieur Laprise.  —Christine Laroche

www.restaurant-toque.com

One of EnRoute’s best new restaurants of 2012 is Chef Martin Juneau’s Pastaga, located smack-dab between Mile End and Little Italy.

As soon as we were seated at our rustic wooden table illuminated by industrial-esque light fixtures, our eyes wandered towards the almost-open kitchen, which is behind a glass wall. Ever since Pastaga opened last spring, the restaurant has garnered great reviews and recently received the ultimate honour from EnRoute.

Our picks? “Charlotte,” a goat cheese, marinated beet and pistachio concoction ($14), is delectable; and our partner in crime is still raving about his bison tartare ($16).

The small-ish plates are perfect for sharing, one of the hottest dining trends du jour. Also notable is the natural wine list (think no added sulfites), which begins at $30.

A definite must-visit (again and again). —Elsa Vecchi and Christine Laroche

6389 Saint Laurent Blvd., Montreal, http://www.pastaga.ca