MONTRÉAL, Dec. 7, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ – More than 100,000 food lovers came out for the fourth edition of MTL à TABLE. Organized by Tourisme Montréal, this increasingly popular culinary event had a full roster of participating restaurants this year, with 162 establishments located in 12 Montréal neighbourhoods. According to survey results, 88% of restaurant owners believe that MTL à TABLE allowed them to broaden their customer base during what is typically the quietest period of the year. They also confirmed that the experience was very positive and they plan on participating again next year. New participating restaurants reported a 53% spike in business compared to the same period last year. 

“For Montréal restaurants, MTL à TABLE is an essential gastronomic celebration. We’re pleased to be contributing to Montréal’s economic vitality by attracting tourist dollars. This initiative helps us achieve our goal of connecting locals and tourists with the city’s finest fare and most accomplished chefs,” said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. 

Comments received from several restaurant owners confirm that the event is widely appreciated. “MTL à TABLE is an excellent window into what Montréal has to offer as a food destination brimming with culture and diversity,” said the team from restaurant La Bêtise. “Participating in this event far exceeded our expectations in terms of the numbers and overall quality of customers we were able to attract,” added the team from restaurant Les Cavistes.

Consumers have also voiced their approval for the event, with 97% stating that they were satisfied with the list of participating restaurants and 83% agreeing that the meals offered good or excellent value for money. MTL à TABLE also succeeded in drawing foodies from outside Montréal, with 40% residing in outlying suburbs or elsewhere in Quebec. Fully 34% of customers were between the ages of 25 and 34 years old.

Tourisme Montréal created MTL à TABLE as an opportunity to popularize local cuisine and get people out enjoying great food together. Montréal’s restaurant week aims to showcase the originality and diversity of Montréal fare while enticing patrons into restaurants during the month of November by offering fixed-price set menus. For locals and visitors alike, it’s a chance to explore the flavours of Montréal’s dynamic food scene.

Presented by YP Dine, MTL à TABLE is also made possible thanks to support from Desjardins, the SAQ, ESKA, Fromages d’ici, Venue Parking and the Association des restaurateurs du Québec.

About MTL à TABLE
An initiative of Tourisme Montréal, MTL à TABLE is an invitation to celebrate Montréal cuisine for 11 days. From October 29 to November 8, the fourth edition of this culinary event will showcase mouth-watering menus for a fixed price ($21, $31 or $41) in more than 150 restaurants across the city. For more information about MTL à TABLE, go to www.mtlatable.com.

About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the “Montréal” destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal’s tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market. For more information, visit www.mtl.org.