Montreal

[Anonymous]

DH needs to go for work, decided to make it a couples getaway.

Any hotel recommendations? Restaurants?

[Anonymous]

We stayed at Gite Au Coeur Urbain, a lovely B&B that is located next to Parc du Mont-Royal. The Japanese room that we stayed in doesn't really have a door separating the bathroom and bedroom area, but my understanding is that the other rooms do. You can always ask if privacy is a big deal for you. It is not right in the middle of everything, but it is right on the edge of the central area of Montreal. The subway station is a ~10 minute downhill walk away, and on the way back, you can take a bus that drops you off in front of the B&B (it runs pretty often). Breakfasts were wonderful, with a very friendly host, great food, and an assortment of 12 different jams to try on your bread. Delicious.

It's tough to go wrong with restaurants in Montreal as long as you do your research ahead of time and avoid the overly tourist places. We often just pulled up Yelp or Tripadvisor and looked at what was nearby that people were rating highly. The only place we made a point of going to was Au Pied de Cochon, which is well known. If you like foie gras, definitely go there. I'd recommend making reservations well in advance.

And do look into going to a cirque show while you are there, if you like Cirque du Soleil type shows. The cirque scene is very well developed in Montreal, and while Cirque du Soleil is headquartered there, you will find many other smaller, excellent cirque groups that are more minimalist in their costumes/sets but are much more technically accomplished than Cirque du Soleil.

[Anonymous]

They are tourists. Why would they want to avoid the tourist areas? pp is strange.

[Anonymous]

We spent a few nights at the Auberge du Vieux-Port which is in a great area near the waterfront. The room was beautiful and so comfortable, BUT there was a lot of street noise and a train that ran outside out window! Yow!

We went up to the McGill Univ. area to try poutine. There are so many great restaurants with friendly service - you really can't miss. We also spent an afternoon in the Scandinave Spa taking the waters. Very relaxing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are tourists. Why would they want to avoid the tourist areas? pp is strange.

PP here. I said avoid the overly touristy restaurants. That is almost always good advice when you travel to any city, because any restaurant that depends primarily on tourists will know that the people they are serving won't be coming back regardless of the quality of their food, and that they can charge more for the convenience of not having to put much effort into finding a good restaurant. Montreal has a fantastic food scene that should be part of the experience of the city. Old Montreal is one of the most touristy areas of the city, and most of the restaurants there are mediocre. There are a few exceptions, but more of the good food to be experienced can be found in areas that are just a short walk or subway ride away from the main tourist areas.

I think it is more strange to think that one can experience the authentic cuisine of any country by staying in the tourist areas.

[Anonymous]

pied de cochon was wonderful, and yes, make a ressie in advance. i also loved restaurant l'avenue for brunch. long wait in line, but worth it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are tourists. Why would they want to avoid the tourist areas? pp is strange.

PP here. I said avoid the overly touristy restaurants. That is almost always good advice when you travel to any city, because any restaurant that depends primarily on tourists will know that the people they are serving won't be coming back regardless of the quality of their food, and that they can charge more for the convenience of not having to put much effort into finding a good restaurant. Montreal has a fantastic food scene that should be part of the experience of the city. Old Montreal is one of the most touristy areas of the city, and most of the restaurants there are mediocre. There are a few exceptions, but more of the good food to be experienced can be found in areas that are just a short walk or subway ride away from the main tourist areas.

I think it is more strange to think that one can experience the authentic cuisine of any country by staying in the tourist areas.

Why do you think people want to experience the authentic cuisine of any country?

And, I mean, let's be clear: Canada isn't known for its cuisine. And Montreal is best known for French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy as well as overly dense bagels.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:pied de cochon was wonderful, and yes, make a ressie in advance. i also loved restaurant l'avenue for brunch. long wait in line, but worth it.

WTF is a ressie ? Is that baby talk for RESERVATION ???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:pied de cochon was wonderful, and yes, make a ressie in advance. i also loved restaurant l'avenue for brunch. long wait in line, but worth it.

WTF is a ressie ? Is that baby talk for RESERVATION ???

pls relax. (pls = please). just trying to type quickly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:pied de cochon was wonderful, and yes, make a ressie in advance. i also loved restaurant l'avenue for brunch. long wait in line, but worth it.

WTF is a ressie ? Is that baby talk for RESERVATION ???

how about a "thank you for the suggestion"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are tourists. Why would they want to avoid the tourist areas? pp is strange.

PP here. I said avoid the overly touristy restaurants. That is almost always good advice when you travel to any city, because any restaurant that depends primarily on tourists will know that the people they are serving won't be coming back regardless of the quality of their food, and that they can charge more for the convenience of not having to put much effort into finding a good restaurant. Montreal has a fantastic food scene that should be part of the experience of the city. Old Montreal is one of the most touristy areas of the city, and most of the restaurants there are mediocre. There are a few exceptions, but more of the good food to be experienced can be found in areas that are just a short walk or subway ride away from the main tourist areas.

I think it is more strange to think that one can experience the authentic cuisine of any country by staying in the tourist areas.

Why do you think people want to experience the authentic cuisine of any country?

And, I mean, let's be clear: Canada isn't known for its cuisine. And Montreal is best known for French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy as well as overly dense bagels.

Those are great things.

[Anonymous]

Make sure to go to Les 400 Coups -- charming, delicious restaurant

[Anonymous]

Clearly several of the PP are in desperate need of a vacation.

[Anonymous]

I've only ever been in business but I love two hotels: Place Bonaventure because of the peaceful garden http://hotelbonaventure.com/en# or the Intercontinental http://montreal.intercontinental.com/en/hotel. They're close to where we do business and our company books us in.

One thing that I found really different is that they have a glass of wine or beer or an aperitif with lunch. I'd love to live there but don't have the language.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They are tourists. Why would they want to avoid the tourist areas? pp is strange.

PP here. I said avoid the overly touristy restaurants. That is almost always good advice when you travel to any city, because any restaurant that depends primarily on tourists will know that the people they are serving won't be coming back regardless of the quality of their food, and that they can charge more for the convenience of not having to put much effort into finding a good restaurant. Montreal has a fantastic food scene that should be part of the experience of the city. Old Montreal is one of the most touristy areas of the city, and most of the restaurants there are mediocre. There are a few exceptions, but more of the good food to be experienced can be found in areas that are just a short walk or subway ride away from the main tourist areas.

I think it is more strange to think that one can experience the authentic cuisine of any country by staying in the tourist areas.

Why do you think people want to experience the authentic cuisine of any country?

And, I mean, let's be clear: Canada isn't known for its cuisine. And Montreal is best known for French fries topped with cheese curds and gravy as well as overly dense bagels.

I'm Canadian (Ontario). Montreal and Quebec have the worst food I've ever tasted. Bland, creamy, doughy food. The bagels are gooey inside with raw dough, they like them that way.
The savory tomato sauces on pasta and pizza are so weird tasting like sweet and vinegar somehow.