There are restaurants with communal tables. And then there’s Canada.
Now through February, our neighbors to the north are not only willing to break bread with Americans, they’re welcoming us into their dining rooms for a home-cooked meal.
The catch? There isn’t one, unless salmon is served. “We’re excited to offer guests a true taste of Canadian culture and the open spirit that defines us,” Louis Octeau-Piché, a Québec-based host told The New York Post. When the actor and his mom, Marie, were approached by Destination Canada to participate in this new initiative called OpenHome they didn’t hesitate.
The duo, who competed on “The Amazing Race Canada,” love entertaining in their farmhouse, 30 minutes west of Montreal. According to Marie, “It’s a chance to give visitors an experience they can’t get at a local restaurant or tourist attraction.” She described her ideal American guest as “curious, open-minded, and genuinely excited to experience Canada through the eyes of someone who lives here.”
OpenHome dinners must be booked via OpenTable, where you can meet your hosts and see what they’ll be whipping up. Louis and Marie’s maple-inspired menu includes signature cocktails, Québécois charcuterie boards, handmade pizzas, and poutines featuring fresh local curd cheese.
They’re hosting up to six guests nightly, and given advance notice, dietary needs and food allergies can be accommodated. Meanwhile, 350 miles east, Mississauga hosts Suman and Danish are keeping it halal and sans alcohol. Their menu pays homage to their Middle Eastern and South Asian heritages. Think hibiscus mocktails, saffron and squash succotash, labneh badinjan and chicken kabsa.
If you’re craving Hong Kong style lobster, Peking duck, or Cantonese fried rice, try to score a coveted seat at event planner Sharon and her husband Tim’s table in Markham, 30 minutes north of Toronto. Their dishes are paired with wine and an assortment of local ciders, so plan on taking an Uber back to your hotel.
And if you’re a carnivore visiting Calgary, you’ve basically won the lottery. Live-fire cooking over an Argentine grill is what hosts John and Connie, owners of Alberta’s beloved Charcut Roast House, are promising their patrons. With a 30-foot-long island in their home, the celebrated chefs can accommodate large groups. In other words, expect to rub elbows with other Yanks.
After all, food shouldn’t be the main focus of the evening.
A 2022 Exodus Travels study found 77% of Americans say they’ve made lifelong friendships while traveling. Nearly one in four say they met their spouse on a trip.
When asked if they have a code word to end the night in case any guests take it too far and get creepy. Louis laughed, “We don’t anticipate needing anything like that because guests and hosts are thoughtfully matched based on shared interests and comfort levels.” A representative for Destination Canada told The Post that all hosts and guests undergo a thorough vetting process, including criminal background checks.
Who picks up the check for dinner? It’s on the house. Americans just have to brush up on their hockey teams, arrive hungry, and avoid making any 51st state jokes.
