This event takes place at Ursa, 5589 Avenue du Parc, Montreal

The official Montreal book launch of The Depanneur Cookbook. 

COOKBOOK CLUB: This event series showcases contributors to The Depanneur Cookbook, whose stories and recipes wove the history of The Dep.

From 5:30-6:30 we are open to the public; anyone can stop by to grab a drink, purchase a copy of The Depanneur Cookbook (courtesy of Librairie Drawn & Quarterly), have their copy signed, and chat with the author and contributors. (Kickstarter supporters are also welcome to use this opportunity to pick up their copy of the book.)

Then at 6:30, the room will close and ticket holders be seated for dinner. (Optionally, dinner guests can choose to pre-order a copy of the book with their tickets, which entitles them to a $5 discount.)

After dinner, from 9pm on, the room is open to the public for anyone to hang out, have a drink, listen to tunes and generally enjoy a good old fashioned house party, so invite your chums to come out!

Montreal has always been an indelible part of The Depanneur’s DNA, and more fundamentally, who I am. This is evident from obvious things like the name to subtler details like the long-standing tradition of being a BYOB venue (a concept entirely foreign to Ontario) and the spontaneous, unpretentious character of the place. I am absolutely delighted to return to the city that inspired it all and have a chance to celebrate with old friends in my old quartier. In addition to a fabulous meal by Nantha Kumar, this extra special event will feature live musical performance by Malachi Vale and DJ sets by Andy Williams.

Enjoying a plate of curried iguana with Nantha at the night market in Sungai Petani, Penang, Malaysia

Back in the day (c. 1994), Nantha Kumar slinging noodles out of back of Elsa’s might have been the first pop-up restaurant I ever encountered, along with my first introduction to Malaysian food. Since then I have had more than my fair share of pop-ups, and in 2023 had the good fortune to eat my way across Malaysia. The trip including meeting up with Nantha in Sungai Petani, north of Georgetown in Penang, to meet his mom and siblings, and pop out to the local night market to share a plate of curried iguana. A few weeks later I found myself working the dish pit at his brother’s Sarawakian Kolo Mee noodle restaurant in Joho Bahru north of Singapore over the Chinese New Year long weekend. He quipped, “Now everyone thinks we must have a really fancy restaurant because we have a white dishwasher!”.

Amuse bouche
Singapore-style chilli crab

Appetizer
Faux Bird’s Nest Soup (vegetarian)

Thali
Chicken or veggie rendang, turmeric coconut rice, dhal, veggies and papadum
Green mango/papaya salad

Dessert
Black sticky rice pudding with coconut milk and Asian fruits

Beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages are available for purchase on site.

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$79 + HST

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Nantha Kumar is a Montreal-based travelling chef. Former proprietor of Plateau restaurants Nantha’s Kitchen and Cash & Curry, he now travels the world doing restaurant and bar pop-ups, cooking in people’s homes, serving up street food, and giving classes on Malaysian and South Indian cuisine. @nanthas_kitchen
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