Help...Joe Beef or Au Pied de Cochon?

[cssatlantic]

My husband and I are going to Montreal for a long weekend. If you could choose between the two restaurants and had to pick one for a nice dinner, great food, which would it be? We live in New York City and have a lot of great food options here, so are really looking for a Montreal experience in addition to great food. Would love to hear any thoughts.

Also, we are driving, so if anyone has any lunch reccos off of I-87 north of Albany I would be very interested.

[RhondaB]

We frequently stop at Sutton's Marketplace for nice breakfast and/or lunch. Their baked goods are always fresh & tasty. Directions: take the Northway (I-87) to Exit 20. Turn right at the traffic light at the end of the exit onto Route 9. Go 1/4 mile past the Great Escape, and they are on the left at the crest of the hill.

[cssatlantic]

All -- Thank you all for your feedback, which for the most part has been very helpful!

Swissfoodie -- sorry to offend/annoy, really not my intention but obviously struck a nerve, so I do apologize.

[cherylmtl]

Why not just go to both? They're both unique enough to Montreal that both are worth visiting - and dinner doesn't have to be that expensive, depending on what you order, either.

[carswell]

"Why not just go to both?"
www.chowhound.com/topics/338052#2065803

My take is that they're very similar in terms of overall ethos (portion sizes, calories, fearless fat levels, pursuit of pristine seafood, informality, seriousness about cooking but not about themselves, nods to comfort foods of the past) with the main difference being -- like so much else in this city -- cultural/linguistic. In neighbourhood, name, cuisine and tongue of first resort, Joe Beef leans anglo, APDC leans franco.

[Mr F]

Joe Beef, and make sure you're hungry.

[foodismyfriend]

Au pied de cochon--make sure you are hungry.

[swissfoodie]

Are we really rehashing this debate... Seems like every other week this type of post comes up. Joe Beef - great food, expensive, more rock & roll tavern type. APC - great more traditional Quebec-based cuisine, expensive, more experience dining.

[rcianci]

I'm not sure what "we'" are doing. I'm simply offering my opinion as to which I prefer and why. I find the food more exciting at PDC than at Joe Beef. Plus, you're right, PDC is more of an experience.

[swissfoodie]

"we" are answering another post that seeks to uncover the pros and cons of these two restos. Anyone may choose to give their opinion, again, if they want.

[rcianci]

Glad to hear it.

[eat2much]

As far as an I-87 lunch is concerned, I would suggest stopping off in Saratoga Springs and going to either Mrs. London's bakery or the Putnam Market. Both have great sandwiches.

[rcianci]

I'm going to go with Au Pied because it's more fun.

[Maximilien]

I would suggest Joe Beef, it's more intimate.