Boston -> Montreal, eating place suggestions please?

[cutipie721]

Me and my boyfriend are going to visit Montreal next week. We'll be there on Wednesday late afternoon and leaving on Sunday noonish... so 4 dinners and 3-4 brunch/lunches in total. One of our main purposes of coming is to indulge ourselves with French food. We'll be staying in Rue St. Denis, and don't mind taking the subway or walking a few blocks for the sake of good chow.

Let me give you an idea on what we like - We've been to Europea and were very very impressed, planning to pay another visit this time. Restaurante Bonaparte also, very nice experience. Les Ramparts... I think we'll pass. Our budget is $50-$60 (just food no wine) per person per night.

We hadn't been to any impressive lunch places during our previous trips. Any quick eatery suggestions are highly appreciated. Since we're planning to splurge our appetite on dinner, anything light would be preferred.

We don't care about ethnic food, we want to get as local as possible. We don't eat red meat either, so we don't care about steak houses. Fusion food sounds fun!

Thank you so much in advance! :)

[SnackHappy]

Here's an old thread that covered some of the same things you're asking about.

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/420121

[cutipie721]

Thank you very much guys :)

[Richelle]

If you are on Rue St Denis, think of going down to Old Montreal, rue St Paul, but from where you are, try L'Aromate on Peel, just up from St Catherine, it is the best of fresh produce and gastronomy, There is on Crescant street, Wienstein and Gavinos, a young vibrant Italian restaurant where you get plenty for your money and the ambiance is amazing. For more restaurants, I have a few listed here myself. www.montrealgastronomica.com

Enjoy Montreal!

[cherylmtl]

Juliette & Chocolat on lower St. Denis might be a fun option for lunch/brunch - crepes and other goodies. There are many patisseries such as Premiere Moisson that have sandwiches/soups/pastries, which are great for light fast lunches too. Phedre beat me to posting about Bazaar Anise...I'd highly recommend that too!

[phedre]

Dinner recommendations:

For good french dining, you can't beat LeMeac's after 10 special: $22 table d'hote.

Bu is one of my favourites, a wine bar with a lovely by the glass selection and a great 5a7 special: $15 for three appetizers. Their menu is small, but I really love it.

For something different, Bazaar Anise is incredibly tasty.

http://www.restaurantlemeac.com/
http://bu-mtl.com/
http://anise.ca

All are easily accessible from St. Denis, by bus or on foot depending on where you are.

[execk2]

OMG Montreal, Lunch?

Schwartz's for Smoked Meat- http://www.schwartzsdeli.com/
Montreal Bagels- http://www.stviateurbagel.com
Yummy lunch (buy some rolaids) - http://www.hour.ca/food/food.aspx?iID...

[cutipie721]

Why? People don't feel hungry at 12pm?

[execk2]

No I meant.... OMG these are places you need to give a try.... sort of famous MTL lunch places....

Decarie Hot Dog........ymmmmmmm
Save the DELI- http://www.savethedeli.com/?cat=7
http://www.barbbarn.ca/indexe.html

[otso]

If you do not eat red meat, you will not enjoy Schwartz's. The smoked meat (beef) is the only reason to go there -- But it IS the best smoked meat in the universe.

St Denis is a great spot -- some personal faves:

L'Express (3927 St-Denis, 845-5333) -- a (if not THE) classic Montreal French Bistro -- they have some light dishes, as well as the usual heavy stuff (I had a spectacular tomatoes vinaigrette [with five varieties of fresh local tomatoes] for a starter the other day, followed by a perfect pasta with chanterelles)

If the weather is nice, Cafe Cherrier (3635 St Denis at Cherrier) is fun -- sit on the terrasse and watch the world pass by -- brasserie fare including sandwiches on baguette & salads, brunch menu on weekends -- More for the fun scene, but solid brasserie level food. I like it for a light lunch.

On St Denis just south of carre St-Louis, there is a breton creperie -- whose name escapes me for now -- which also can be a fun lunch/brunch. It is simple and unpretentious.

[lagatta]

Yes, I rarely eat red meat (and if I do, it is usually lamb or goat, not beef) so the Schwartz experience does not appeal to me at all. However, I LOVE Schwartz for its smoked chickens (which I buy to take away).

You know, you said not ethnic, but I really enjoy Le Petit Alep, which is of Syrian origin, but a very Québécois vibe, and a great place for flexitarians.

A local place you might enjoy is Ma-am Bolduc, a slightly revamped Québécois diner, with more contemporary (and sometimes lighter) takes on traditional fare. It is in the easter part of Le Plateau - Marie-Anne and de Lorimier. (one short block south of Mont-Royal).