"A pillar in Montreal’s dining scene, upscale Syrian restaurant Damas orchestrates a full-on sensory experience. Chef and owner Fuad Alneirabeie plates some absurdly delicious dishes, from appetizers like multicolored mezze, fattoush salad, and kibbeh nayyeh (a minty blend of raw lamb and beef), to walnut-stuffed sea bass and a host of hefty char-grilled mains replete with sumac and Aleppo pepper. The 10-to-12-course tasting menu with wine pairings is the foolproof way to make the rounds — though it’s not without a splurge. Damas’s ornate dining room is its own feast, dripping with pendant lanterns, intricate patterns, and rich crimson hues. Know before you go: For something more grab-and-go, check out Folfol across the street, a street food takeout counter translating Damas flavors into sandwich form." - Valerie Silva