Canadian Odyssey

[Brouillard]

My husband will be celebrating his 60th birthday this summer and when asked where he would like to go, he chose Toronto! SInce we are also celebrating our youngest child's college graduation and the last of the tuition bills, I have decided to expand the Toronto trip into a "Canadian Odyssey". We will spend one night in Niagara Falls, two in Toronto, one in Ottawa and two in Montreal. I am trying to come up with a variety of cuisines. We are looking for some fine dining, some local ambiance, and we are open for an adventure! This is what I am thinking so far: Niagara Falls/Terrapin Grille; Toronto/Lai Wah Heen (we are staying at the Renaissance to catch a Sox game..my husband is a Boston guy..and so I figured we could walk to Lai Wah Heen early and get back to the hotel to watch the game at 7. Would that work?); Ottawa/Wilfrid's; Montreal /Au Pied de Cochon(I guess I should go to another board for that). I am not "married" to the choices I have made so far. I will appreciate any help anyone can give me. I really want this to be a special trip!

[niagarafoodie]

In Niagara Falls I rec. Casa Mia and they offer a shuttle service from your hotel to the restaurant. Amazing home made Italian, great quality amazing wine list.
http://casamiaristorante.com/

[Brouillard]

I have booked Lai Wah Heen for a late lunch so we can make it back to the Renaissance by game time. Has anyone had their prix fixe lunch menu? I am leaning toward that, but would love some input. Thanks to all for the great recommendations!

[Herb]

The lunch prix fixe changes regularly — it's a sort of "greatest hits" of their current dim sum. Not really that much cheaper than ordering their dim sum a la carte. And I'd give myself more than 15 minutes to get back to your hotel — there's lots of CH-worthy window-shopping between the two. Have fun!

[BokChoi]

I ordered a la carte because I know my taste buds and am pretty sure of what I will like. Here are some of the items I ordered (just so you can see what the food looks like). Enjoy!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bokchoi-...

[Brouillard]

Thanks for the links to the pix, BokChoi. That crab dumpling is adorable and I see it in my future!

[BokChoi]

You're welcome. Have a great trip! Do give the flickr site a browse to see if there's anything else there you'd like to chow down on. I haven't updated many comments on the photos, but there are generally posts by me on Chowhound somewhere if I've eaten it.

[JPJ]

In Ottawa I highly recommend Domus: http://www.domuscafe.ca/

I go every time I am there and it has never failed to impress.

[Otonabee]

I would second this recommendation, especially if you are doing a Canadiana cuisine journey. Excellent food.

[RoraCraving]

And a third recommendation. We strolled in for brunch and it was amazing. Lovely atmosphere, great service, and food was scrumptious and decadent. OK, maybe it's because I ordered foie gras for brunch but still, everything was delicious.

[redearth]

I would highly recommend Martin Picard's new Sugar Shack, just 45 mins. northwest of Montreal. If you can make it there, I'm sure it would be an unforgettable experience! An adventure to be sure, if you can get a reservation...
http://www.cabaneasucreaupieddecochon.com/index_e.html
http://www.martiniboys.com/Montreal/S...

[Squeakycheese]

Reddy, have u been there? It sounds like a really interesting idea!

[redearth]

I wish I could say I have been, but sadly no. I was hoping to make it before the end of April, but it looks as though it may be already booked for the month! I'm still going to try, though!

[Squeakycheese]

Also, if you go to Niagara, I would suggest staying in Niagara on the Lake, this place is nice, I haven't stayed there but we've been there for lunch, they have an awesome burger:
http://www.vintage-hotels.com/niagara...

[Charles Yu]

Or, if you have a car, I would take a trip to wine country rather than stay at Casino land. Have your meal at Treadwell or Hillebrand Estates. Much tastier and adventurous food!

[redearth]

Stone Road Grille is a great choice, too.

[Squeakycheese]

Hi Brou, check to make sure LWH is still in business, I think I read that it might be closing sometime soon. Have a great trip!

[Charles Yu]

Hi Sqeakycheese! Where and when did you hear about LWH closing soon?! Are they relocating or actually closing? Must be the economy?!

[Squeakycheese]

Hi CY, I might be incorrect, but I thought I read from this chat that they we quitting the downtown location to concentrate on the Mountpleasant branch. But I might be totally wrong, if so I apologise! anyway I thought It was worth warning our Bostonian chum.

[Brouillard]

Thanks Squeakycheese, I will check on that. If LWH remains open through the summer (we are travelling mid-August), can we walk from the Renaissance/Rogers Centre?

[redearth]

Traveling Mid-August? Wow, you're certainly planning ahead! In that case, scratch my other post re: Picard's Sugar Shack.

[tjr]

The Sugar Shack is booked for the season anyway.

[redearth]

Damn them! Oh well, probably better for my heart and liver anyways (and definitely better for the ducks' livers!)...

[Brouillard]

Yes, I am planning early because I have booked a room at the Renaissance the night the Red Sox are in town. I figured I would do my restaurant research early, reserve everything now and then just settle back and look forward to it all!

[Squeakycheese]

Yes Brou, I would reckon about a 15 minute walk. They also have a sister restaurant on Mountpleasant, which would be either a taxi ride or subway + 15-20 mins walk:

http://www.laitohheen.com/

[BokChoi]

I have heard very mixed reviews on lai toh heen. Personally, I have not tried it yet. If you're looking for good dim sum, definitely have Lai Wah Heen. Though they are inconsistent at times, they are VERY good and creative when they are on their game. It also has good atmosphere and is close to you.

If Etobicoke (near the airport and on the way to Toronto from Niagara Falls) is on route, try out Grand Chinese Cuisine. They're also very good for dim sum in Toronto.

[Brouillard]

I got in touch with LWH, they were closed for two weeks for some renovation, but are open now.

[Tatai]

You're going to get tons of responses regarding Toronto restaurants here, so I'll pipe in on your Montreal choices. I'd definitely recommend Au Pied de Cochon (my favourite dishes there are the Plogue a Champlain and the Duck in a Can). On a recent trip to Montreal, we discovered DNA, a fairly new restaurant in Old Montreal that was absolutely phenomenal, one of the best meals we've had in a long time. And they specialize in using seasonal, artisanal Canadian ingredients. I'd highly recommend it www.dnarestaurant.com/eng/acc/

You'll find the Chowhound Montreal board to be a very friendly place.

[The Chowhound Team]

Please do post on the Quebec board for Montreal recommendations, rather than here. That way, other hounds will also benefit from the suggestions you receive in the future.