Menu planning, therapy, essay writing, highly sophisticated global cyberattacks: People just keep coming up with innovative new uses for the latest AI chatbots.
An alarming new milestone was reached this week when the artificial intelligence company Anthropic announced that its flagship AI assistant Claude was used by Chinese hackers in what the company is calling the “first reported AI-orchestrated cyber espionage campaign.”
According to a report released by Anthropic, in mid-September, the company detected a large-scale cyberespionage operation by a group they’re calling GTG-1002, directed at “major technology corporations, financial institutions, chemical manufacturing companies, and government agencies across multiple countries.”
Attacks like that are not unusual. What makes this one stand out is that 80 to 90 percent of it was carried out by AI. After human operators identified the target organizations, they used Claude to identify valuable databases within them, test for vulnerabilities, and write its own code to access the databases and extract valuable data. Humans were involved only at a few critical chokepoints to give the AI prompts and check its work.
Claude, like other major large language models, comes equipped with safeguards to prevent it from being used for this type of activity, but the attackers were able to “jailbreak” the program by breaking its task down into smaller, plausibly innocent parts and telling Claude they were a cybersecurity firm doing defensive testing. This raises some troubling questions about the degree to which safeguards on models like Claude and ChatGPT can be maneuvered around, particularly given concerns over how they could be put to use for developing bioweapons or other dangerous real-world materials.
Anthropic does admit that Claude at times during the operation “hallucinated credentials or claimed to have extracted secret information that was in fact publicly-available.” Even state-sponsored hackers have to look out for AI making stuff up.
The report raises the concern that AI tools will make cyberattacks far easier and faster to carry out, raising the vulnerability of everything from sensitive national security systems to ordinary citizens’ bank accounts.
What does this mean?
Still, we’re not quite in complete cyberanarchy yet. The level of technical knowledge needed to get Claude to do this is still beyond the average internet troll. But experts have been warning for years now that AI models can be used to generate malicious code for scams or espionage, a phenomenon known as “vibe hacking.” In February, Anthropic’s competitors at OpenAI reported that they had detected malicious actors from China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia using their AI tools to assist with cyber operations.
In September, the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) published a report on the threat of AI-enabled hacking. It explained that the most time- and resource-intensive parts of most cyber operations are in their planning, reconnaissance, and tool development phases. (The attacks themselves are usually rapid.) By automating these tasks, AI can be an offensive game changer — and that appears to be exactly what took place in this attack.
Caleb Withers, the author of the CNAS report, told Vox that the announcement from Anthropic was “on trend,” considering the recent advancements in AI capabilities and that “the level of sophistication with which this can be done largely autonomously, by AI, is just going to continue to rise.”
China’s shadow cyber war
Anthropic says the hackers left enough clues to determine that they were Chinese, though the Chinese embassy in the United States described the charge as “smear and slander.”
In some ways, this is an ironic feather in the cap for Anthropic and the US AI industry as a whole. Earlier this year, the Chinese large language model DeepSeek sent shockwaves through Washington and Silicon Valley, suggesting that despite US efforts to throttle Chinese access to the advanced semiconductor chips required to develop AI language models, China’s AI progress was only slightly behind America’s. So it seems at least somewhat telling that even Chinese hackers still prefer a made-in-the-USA chatbot for their cyberexploits.
There’s been increasing alarm over the past year about the scale and sophistication of Chinese cyberoperations targeting the US. These include examples like Volt Typhoon — a campaign to preemptively position state-sponsored cyber-actors into US IT systems, to prepare them to carry out attacks in the event of a major crisis or conflict between the US and China — and Salt Typhoon, an espionage campaign that has targeted telecommunications companies in dozens of countries and targeted the communications of officials including President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance during last year’s presidential campaign.
Officials say the scale and sophistication of these attacks is far beyond what we’ve seen before. It may also only be a preview of things to come in the age of AI.
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<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-variety-of-dishes-from-la-capital-tacos-right-a-sandwich-from-bossa.jpg?id=56060094&width=1200&height=600&coordinates=0%2C36%2C0%2C36"/><br/><br/><p>Montreal isn't just a city that loves food. It's one that lives for it.</p><p>From <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/oldest-montreal-restaurants-still-open" target="_self">long-standing culinary institutions</a> to buzzworthy pop-ups, Montreal is brimming with a ridiculous array of tasty restaurant options throughout the island. Whether you're craving classic Quebecois dishes, inventive fusion fare, or international delicacies, the island's culinary scene delivers something for every palate — and price point. </p><p>While there are probably too many great places to count, here are 11 standout <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/eat-drink/" target="_self">Montreal restaurants</a> that should be at the top of every visiting (or local) foodie's bucket list this year.</p><h3>MangeDansMonHood</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C95hI4MpwEG/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C95hI4MpwEG/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: 💸💸</p><p>Cuisine: Snack bar</p><p>Address: 1380 Rue Jean-Talon E, Montreal, QC</p><p>Why You Need To Go: Smash burgers have taken off on the food trend charts in recent years. With that in mind, La Belle Tonki co-owners Michel Lim and Michel Nguyen joined forces to fill a serious need when they opened MangeDansMonHood.</p><p>The result? A 25-seat burger joint dishing out a simple but perfectly executed menu consisting of thin, crispy patties, decadent poutines and their famous "Ol' Dirty Fries," inspired by the "animal style" fries of In-N-Out Burger.</p><p><a href="https://www.mangedansmonhood.ca/" target="_blank">MangeDansMonHood website</a></p><h3>BOUILLON BILK</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8MdLEUF3mz/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B8MdLEUF3mz/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: 💸💸💸</p><p>Cuisine: French</p><p><span></span>Address: 22 Rue Sainte-Catherine E, Montreal, QC</p><p>Why You Need To Go: Bouillon Bilk, an upscale French spot with Asian flair, has been a staple of Montreal's food scene since 2011. While it moved to a sleek new location last summer, familiar favourites like scallops with zucchini and brown butter or hiramasa with yuzu kosho and fennel remain must-tries for anyone seeking bold, refined flavours.</p><p>The menu may be gourmet, but their prices are surprisingly reasonable.</p><p><a href="https://www.bouillonbilk.com/" target="_blank">BOUILLON BILK website</a></p><h3>Nouilles de Lan Zhou</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwGSHnapkPn/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CwGSHnapkPn/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: 💸💸</p><p>Cuisine: Chinese</p><p><span></span>Address: 1006 Boul. St Laurent, Montreal, QC</p><p>Why You Need To Go: Everyone loves noodles, and Nouilles de Lan Zhou consistently ranks among the city's best for a reason.</p><p>This Chinatown favourite is renowned for its hand-pulled noodles, either served in rich broths or as dry dan dan topped with savoury minced meat and vegetables.<br/></p><p>Delicious, affordable, and well worth the occasional wait.</p><p><span></span><a href="https://lanzhou.ca/montreal/" target="_blank">Nouilles de Lan Zhou website</a></p><h3>La Spada</h3><br><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DE0O55xxU6h/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DE0O55xxU6h/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: 💸💸💸</p><p>Cuisine: Italian</p><p><span></span>Address: 3580 Rue Notre-Dame O, Montreal, QC</p><p>Why You Need To Go: Located in the heart of St. Henri, La Spada is the newest creation from the culinary mind behind Bistro Amerigo in NDG.</p><p>The cozy dining space, adorned with Italian mementos, sets the stage for a menu that speaks volumes. Roman classics like ragù alla romana, cacio e pepe, carbonara, and linguini alle vongole take centre stage alongside comforting dishes like eggplant parmigiana and sautéed rapini. </p><p><a href="https://www.laspadamtl.com/" target="_blank">La Spada website</a></p><h3>La Capital Tacos</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdcKj_TDzfA/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CdcKj_TDzfA/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: 💸💸</p><p>Cuisine: Mexican</p><p><span></span>Address: 1096 Boul. St. Laurent, Montreal, QC</p><p>Why You Need To Go: Since 2015, La Capital Tacos has been serving up the best of Mexico's street food in the centre of Chinatown.</p><p>With fresh guacamole and house-made tortillas prepared daily, this small neighbourhood gem is all about authenticity, simplicity and — above all — delicious tacos.</p><p><a href="https://www.lacapitaltacos.ca/" target="_blank">La Capital Tacos website</a></p><h3>Le Gras Dur</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_YWqeQPhUn/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C_YWqeQPhUn/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: 💸💸</p><p>Cuisine: Snack bar</p><p><span></span>Address: 30 Rue Saint-Catherine O, Montreal, QC</p><p>Why You Need To Go: The second burger joint on our list, Le Gras Dur, has established a reputation for its outside-the-box approach to the fast food staple.</p><p>Last year, the downtown eatery's Banana Split Burger — made with Angus AAA Beef, cheese, fried banana, Nutella, maple syrup, and red pepper jelly between two French toast buns — took home the city's top prize at the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-burger-best-in-canada" target="_blank">13th edition of Le Burger Week</a>. Hey, don't knock it till you try it!</p><p><a href="https://dasfoodtruck.com/" target="_blank">Le Gras Dur website</a></p><h3>Dunya</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DA_tQtVxQv3/?img_index=9" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DA_tQtVxQv3/?img_index=9" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: 💸</p><p>Cuisine: Lebanese</p><p><span></span>Address: 2 Rue Sherbrooke E, Montreal, QC</p><p>Why You Need To Go: Launched last October, this Lebanese shawarma eatery has quickly risen the ranks within Montreal's Middle Eastern food scene.</p><p>Along with their flavour-packed sandwiches and falafel options, Dunya also offfers a variety of homemade ice cream options, iced teas, sodas and smoothies.</p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/dunya.mtl/?hl=en" target="_blank">Dunya website</a></p><h3>Bernie's</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DB19fe7JW9Y/?hl=en" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DB19fe7JW9Y/?hl=en" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: 💸💸💸</p><p>Cuisine: Italian</p><p><span></span>Address: 3627 Sources, Dollard-Des Ormeaux, West Island</p><p>Why You Need To Go: Martinis, pizza, and sliders — it sounds like the kind of combo that leads to questionable decisions. But, at Bernie's in the West Island, it's the recipe for a great time.</p><p>With plenty of pizza options and creative martinis like the Dill-ightful (pickle juice and dill) and the Dirty Margtini (tequila and olive brine), Bernie's is perfect for a laid-back tavern-style meal.</p><p><a href="https://www.berniespizzabar.com/" target="_blank">Bernie's website</a></p><h3>Restaurant Shekz</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8JzdFdOPuo/?hl=en&img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8JzdFdOPuo/?hl=en&img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: 💸💸</p><p>Cuisine: Chinese</p><p><span></span>Address: 7272 Boul. Maurice-Duplessis, Montreal, QC</p><p>Why You Need To Go: This East End eatery, known for its Asian-Italian fusion cuisine, serves an all-you-can-eat Szechuan dinner every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5 p.m. until closing. The best part? It's just $40!</p><p>Meanwhile, Shekz's Italian table d'hôte option features menu items like grilled Angus rib steak, veal cutlets, risotto, and grilled chicken with salad, arancini, or pasta.</p><p><a href="https://shekz.com/" target="_blank">Restaurant Shekz website</a></p><h3>Bossa</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEXseJeJ1Ot/?hl=en" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DEXseJeJ1Ot/?hl=en" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: 💸</p><p>Cuisine: Italian</p><p><span></span>Address: 4354 Rue Wellington, Montreal, QC</p><p>Why You Need To Go: Arguably the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/montreal-sandwichs-level-up-your-picnic" target="_blank">most talked about Italian panino shop in the city</a>, Bossa's sandwiches — packed to the brim with fresh cold cuts, homemade sauces and locally sourced produce — certainly live up to the hype.</p><p>Established in 2018, this Verdun hotspot has expanded with two other locations over the past couple of years. Once you've had a bite, you'll understand why. </p><p><a href="https://www.bossa.ca/menu" target="_blank">Bossa website</a></p><h3>Mignon Steak Petite-Bourgogne</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8F3bKsPVEC/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
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<div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;">
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C8F3bKsPVEC/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a>
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</blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: 💸💸</p><p>Cuisine: French</p><p>Address: 2523 Rue Notre-Dame O, Montreal, QC</p><p>Why You Need To Go: If you order just one thing at this Little Burgundy hotspot, make it the steak frites.</p><p>Known for its intimate atmosphere and expertly prepared French bistro classics, Mignon is ideal for both casual dinners and special nights out. Plus, you get great value with their $39 table d’hôte, which includes a salad or soup alongside their signature steak and fries made with AAA Canadian beef and homemade sauce.</p><p> With a second location in the Old Port, this cozy spot delivers a top-tier dining experience every time.</p><p><a href="https://mignonsteak.com/" target="_blank">Mignon website</a></p></br>
