icemilk w. green tea powder, originally uploaded by mintyfresh.

a few weekends ago we went dishcrawling with a Montreal local who is (in addition to being lovely and nice) a walking encyclopedia of food in this city. Need to know the best of something? He has already got a list with more than one option on it.

In any case, this wasn’t like our last dishcrawl, where we went to a few restaurants and tried lots of different dishes. For this one, we stayed in one place and tried almost a dozen delicious things, mostly from their daily specials menu, which is handwritten and posted all over the walls.

I had heard about Kazu before the opportunity to eat there came up. By all accounts, it sounded amazing – an always a lineup, no reservations, japanese izakaya that was worth every minute of your possibly 1 – 2 hour wait (or more!).

It exceeded expectations. You can view the whole set of photos over here. Nom.

A little late, but I’ve been busy having a lovely weekend instead.

The Tallest Man On Earth – Love Is All

I discovered him from this Pitchfork Post, where you can also listen to “Like A Wheel” from his new EP. And of course, he is playing here in Montreal on September 25th, with S. Carey if you want to join me

The XX – “Crystalized”

I cannot stop listening to their album since I discovered it at Planet of Sound last week. Plus, they just won the Mercury Prize. You know you want to like them. And they’re playing Pop Montreal. Ok, I’ll stop. Everybody is playing Pop Montreal, it seems.

Badly Drawn Boy – “Too Many Miracles”

Oh I am SO HAPPY to hear some new music from him.

Blonde Redhead – “Not Getting There”

Penny Sparkle! Penny Sparkle! I am loving this album, and this track in particular reminds me of discovering blonde redhead when I was 26, browsing through albums in Brett’s apartment at 4 am. Luckily his downstairs neighbour was a technology company that always went home before dark, so they didn’t mind that we liked to play our music loud.

Seven Saturdays – “Au Revoir”

Loving this. Especially if you listen to it while sitting in a cafe sipping a latte watching the city move quickly while you sit still.

Frankie Rose & The Outs – “Candy”

Hello 2010′s version of 60s Sock-Hop dance.

Freelance Whales – “Hannah”

Just watch it, you will love it.

Back with more music later this week! But first, a bonus: Muppets + Iron Chef Cat Cora. Did you live through the muppet era? I dare you not to love this.

More music this week, since my bookmark-this finger is working overtime.

Best Coast – When I’m With You

Vampire Weekend – Giving Up The Gun

Their show Wednesday night was the most fun I’ve had at a packed a metropolis in a while.

Sean Carey – In The Dirt

You might recognize him from Bon Iver, but then again, maybe not.

Kisses – People Can Do The Most Amazing Things

Summer Camp – Ghost Train

I can’t stop listening to this.

Psapp – Tricycle

They were made famous because they wrote & performed the song that would become the Grey’s Anatomy theme song, but that’s seriously not their best work.

Metric – Eat Me Alive (Acoustic Version)

I prefer this to the album version, but maybe that’s just me.

And for good measure, Stereogum’s 40 best bands of 2010. Happy list-reading!