If you want to know where to shop, drink, eat, relax, party or just grab a good coffee in Montreal, Patricia Gajo is the gal you want to ask. As the Montreal Editor of FASHION Magazine and co-author of Frommer’s: Montreal & Quebec City, the talented lady not only knows her way around la belle ville, she makes it all sound oh-so good when she puts it into words. We caught up with Gajo to find out what restaurants she’s currently obsessed with and what exactly she has in her beauty bag.
Give us a snippet about you. What should people know?
I’m a freelance lifestyle, luxury, fashion and travel writer. I appreciate and enjoy the finer things in life, but I also get a kick out of everyday simplicity. The centre of my universe is Montreal, but I globe-trot like mad. I’m big on multitasking: I’m the Montreal Editor at FASHION Magazine and a regular contributor to NUVO Magazine. I also have my own business creating corporate custom content; I work with clients such as Cadillac Fairview’s The Experience eMagazine (I’m the National Content Director), Birks & Mayors, Jacob, The Globe & Mail and L’Oréal. I’ve co-authored two books for Frommer’s: Montreal & Quebec City (22nd edition) and Far & Wide. These days I’m jetting to Paris quite a bit – because my boyfriend is currently working over there on contract. I’m *this close* to finishing up a mini-video project where I followed and interviewed three Montreal designers (debut is TBA soon!). I also have a cat of whom I’ve taken way too many Instagrams.
What are three things you simply cannot live without?
Boyfriend. iPhone. My glasses.
What’s your favourite restaurant and why?
I have so many favourites, but I always find myself going back to Le Filet in Montreal. The plates are small so you can order several different things. And the chef, who is Japanese, has a precise hand and a refined, sophisticated sensibility, which makes for subtle flavour nuances and simple but artful presentations. I also like the vibe for its dimly-lit contemporary decor with an ’80s kind of flair. When I need a pick-me-up, I head to Schwartz’s for smoked meat or Romados for their BBQ chicken. In Paris, I enjoy L’atelier and I recently went to Mugaritz in San Sebastian, a total sensory experience.
What’s your favourite drink/cocktail and where do you go to get it?
Champagne. Anywhere. Anytime.
Who’s your favourite designer/brand and why do you sport their fashions?
My favourite dress ever is one that I bought at Missoni in Positano. It never goes out of style – and I love that I can wear it on the red carpet or to the beach.
What’s in your beauty bag?
Armani Beauty Maestro (my new must-have-always), NARS velvet matte lip pencil, Chanel pressed powder, Bobbi Brown blush, MAC Haute & Naughty Lash mascara, Rimmel eyeliner, Vasanti concealer, Clinique SPF 30 body cream, Prevage SPF 50 sunscreen (has a built-in brush for super easy facial application), Shiseido energizing fragrance, Soap Walla deodorant cream, Smith’s Rosebud salve, and Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Firm for eyes and lips.
Let’s get social for a mo’. How can people stay up-to-date with all your city-trotting?
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram (I had a problem with a hacker so it’s private, but if I see you’re a real person I’ll accept you), Pinterest (I document all my travels under individual “Black Books” organized by city), Email. I have a website at www.patriciagajo.com, but it’s currently under construction… but it will be cool when it comes out. Promise.