Lunchtime - Canada, Quebec

Montréal is packed full of trendy places to eat and the old part of town has more than its fair share of these eateries. And what's more, they offer amazing value at lunch time with their 'tables d'hôtes', or 'meal deals'. Take for example DNA, which gets its name from the first names of its owners, Derek (formerly of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen in London) and Alex, a specialist in Canadian wine. With award-winning design and lighting from Bruno Braën, including swiveling, one-armed chairs, tiny black mosaiced floors and walls and a glass structure encompassing it all, the setting is one you'd associated with a far pricier establishment. However, for just $20CAD (£12.70), you get two courses, using local ingredients, plus a surprise snack to take away with you at the end of the meal. Our asparagus and head cheese fritter starter was mouth watering and the ricotta-filled gnocchi that followed melt-in-the-mouth. For an extra $5CAD you can opt for a dessert (in this case a scrumptious chocolate tart with cream), although if you do still have room the small cake that comes wrapped up in a grease proof bag, sealed with a DNA sticker, after your meal should take care of that. This is also the place to have a go at Canadian wines, the restaurant having a comprehensive list of bottles from around the country. A little more pricey but in the same vein is L'Appartement which also offers tables d'hôte as well as an à la carte option. Well-presented, flavoursome food is served to a predominantly young professional clientele by easy on the eye young female waitresses in a comfortable, laid back setting with designer furniture and unfussy décor. Alternatively, for a slightly surreal experience and a taste of rustic France head to Marché de la Villette where you'll get a warm welcome (and even a song) from the charismatic waiters who serve well done Gallic fare against the back drop of a lifetime's worth of memorabilia and kitsch décor from France. No need though to eat in if you fancy a picnic or are in a rush as the deli counter offers an array of fine local delicacies, very popular with the locals.