Pierogi restaurant in Montreal's Mile End brings a taste of Ukraine to the city
There's a new Ukrainian pierogi restaurant in the Mile-End area of Montreal.
Known in Ukraine as "varenyk", most Canadians call them pierogies, and a plate of them is comfort food for all.
Little pillows of joy, the dough dumplings are filled with combinations like potato and cheese.
"Whatever you call them - varenyk, pierogis - have been around for many centuries," said Perogie Lili co-owner Nestor Lewyckyi.
Co-founder Gregory Bedek said people come for the food and the ambience.
"A lot of people from Ukraine come in and say, 'Oh! It's nostalgic,' and the people not from Ukraine think it looks like their grandmother's house on steroids with all the art and everything inside," he said.
The Ukrainian art will tantalize your eyes while your taste buds are savouring the specialities, Bedek said.
"People say the potato melts in your mouth," he said.
A Quebec-inspired twisted topping at the restaurant is maple syrup and bacon.
"The mix of the salty and the sweet really like it, our favourite too," said Marika Melnyk-Nadeau.
The co-owners support their Ukrainian community by hiring people displaced by the war, like Anna Semenova, who was a graphic artist in Ukraine before the war forced her to leave two years ago.
Serving customers helps her practice French and meet people.
"To know more Canadian community members and meet people from Ukraine and Canada," she said.
Perogie Lili also supports the Canada Ukraine Foundation, Lewyckyj said.
"For the Ukraine community and the city, we are here, part of the fabric," he said. "Ukraine is still suffering and regardless of how we do, two per cent will go to humanitarian aid."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Report says at least 55 children died or disappeared at B.C. residential school
A British Columbia First Nation says at least 55 children died or disappeared while attending a residential school near Williams Lake, more than triple the number recorded for the institution in the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation memorial register.
A vehicle dropping off a shooting victim struck 3 nurses, critically wounding 1
A vehicle fleeing a Philadelphia hospital after dropping off a gunshot victim early Saturday struck three nurses who were trying to treat the patient, injuring one critically, authorities said.
Prime minister faces mounting pressure to step aside from inside caucus
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will face mounting pressure from his caucus this week to step down from the leadership of the Liberal party.
Murder charges for two men in connection with Old Montreal fire
Two young men are facing second-degree murder charges in connection with the fatal fire in Old Montreal that killed Léonor Geraudie, 43, and her daughter Vérane Reynaud-Geraudie on Oct. 4.
Longueuil woman charged after 10-year-old boy scalded with boiling water
A woman from Montreal's South Shore appeared in court on Friday on charges of aggravated assault after allegedly scalding a 10-year-old boy with boiling water more than one week ago.
Possible Listeria contamination leads to the recall of Rana brand sauce: CFIA
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a recall for Rana brand Tagliatelle Seasoned White Chicken and Mushroom sauce, citing possible Listeria contamination.
5 things not to say to a grieving friend
It’s almost impossible to know what to say to someone in the throes of grief. We all want to say something comforting. Very few of us know what that is.
Study finds too many Quebec seniors being overprescribed inappropriate medications
A Montreal study found that many seniors are being overprescribed inappropriate medications.
Bloc won't hold Liberals 'hostage' over seniors' benefits: cabinet minister
Liberal cabinet minister Steven Guilbeault says the Liberals will not be 'held hostage' by the Bloc Quebecois' demand to expand Old Age Security to more seniors.