633943 Sat Jul 04 13:56:47 -0700 2009 27 22 Quebec (including Montreal) 0 4829727 Based on the following criteria, where would you recommend? *3 courses for no more than $100 (including tip, but not including wine) *no dietary restrictions, but prefer lighter food, as it will be summer *prefer the idea of nouveau cuisine/fusion/chef's own creations/whatever you wanna call it *would also consider Japanese, or any cuisine specific to Montreal/Quebec/Canada *it's all about the food - not the location or atmosphere *proximity to Anne ma sœur Anne an advantage, but not a necessity... http://www.annemasoeuranne.com/hotel/hotel_information_en.html Sat Jul 04 13:56:47 -0700 2009 1083902 Onara 1 4829877 Cocagne on St-Denis is close to that : http://www.bistro-cocagne.com/index.php?p=menu&l=en They have (or at least it's still on their site), an asparagus tasting menu for $60. Sat Jul 04 15:25:30 -0700 2009 4829727 11828 Maximilien 2 4829914 That's pretty inexpensive. Is it good? Sat Jul 04 15:44:45 -0700 2009 4829877 1083902 Onara 3 4830062 What restaurants out there are offering a 3 course tasting menu that's more than $100?! Sat Jul 04 17:34:15 -0700 2009 4829914 119412 afoodyear 4 4830170 First of all, there's no such thing as a three course tasting menu. That would be a prix fixe or a table d'hote. Secondly, spending 75$ before tax and tip on an appetiser, main and dessert is pretty easy in any upscale Montreal restaurant. Sat Jul 04 19:14:59 -0700 2009 4830062 18488 SnackHappy 5 4830198 Huh. Color me ignorant. Obviously I don't do fine dining that often, but I was certainly surprised at the idea of mains in excess of $50 per person for table d'hote, or even a la carte, in Montreal. Haven't come across it :) Sat Jul 04 19:38:49 -0700 2009 4830170 119412 afoodyear 1 4831399 I've said 'up to $100' I'm quite happy to spend less (though, maybe I was wrong to assume there were places in Montreal where I could spend more) Sun Jul 05 15:25:40 -0700 2009 4829727 1083902 Onara 2 4831418 For a memorable feast, in the tasting-menu style (i.e. about a dozen different small wonderful dishes), I'd suggest Europea. Their table d'hôte is 57$ before tax/tip, so clearly below your limit. And it's worth every penny. Sun Jul 05 15:32:56 -0700 2009 4831399 162549 Turpentine 2 4834696 :) My apologies for derailing your thread a bit. Pintxo offers a 5 dish (4 chef's choice pintxos and a main of your choice) selection that comes in 3 courses for only $30 - add a dessert of your choice and you can easily still squeeze wine in for significantly less than $100 per person. Not immediate walking distance from your hotel, but certainly walkable. I recommend the beef cheek or fish of the day (usually black cod). Mon Jul 06 16:45:15 -0700 2009 4831399 119412 afoodyear 1 4831813 La Montee has 4 courses for $55. Also recommended. Sun Jul 05 18:24:36 -0700 2009 4829727 19331 cherylmtl 1 4832298 Europea & La Montee look ideal Thank you! Sun Jul 05 23:33:56 -0700 2009 4829727 1083902 Onara 2 4835921 tried the full tasting menu at La Montee over the weekend, it was fantastic! for $65, it felt like an easy choice to pay $10 more and get 3 more courses, though the entire table has to go with the tasting. i noticed your other post on the Toronto board, and have to say that this place was so good for the price, and i only wish Toronto had something comparable. Tue Jul 07 06:45:44 -0700 2009 4832298 21259 auberginegal 1 4835623 Checkout Le Club Chasse et Peche and Au Pied de Cochon. First strike is that neither are particularly light, but if you're coming from Sydney, both have distinct Quebecois influence and are really memorable and unique. http://www.leclubchasseetpeche.com/ http://www.restaurantaupieddecochon.ca/ Tue Jul 07 03:35:03 -0700 2009 4829727 60563 Rabbit 2 4837463 Yum! Le Club Chasse et Peche in particular looks good And I think La Montee is on the short list, too Tue Jul 07 15:17:52 -0700 2009 4835623 1083902 Onara 2 4837920 I agree w/Rabbit! Le Club Chasse et Peche was our best dinner (so good we went back for lunch the next day) while we were in Montreal. APDC is just the most well known, and if you like foie, it's the place to go. Dishes vary, and I'd recommend the Duck In A Can. We did some pretty extensive write ups (with photos and menus) for the entire trip: http://www.foodpr0n.com/tag/montreal/ I also enjoyed the Swar at Amal Bohsali, though it's quite a trek out of the main city. Jean Talon would be fun to visit in general. Joe Beef was interesting, (the rabbit dish was reaaaally yummy, even after all that we had eaten). And McKiernan, I didn't get to, but I hear has a fab brunch. Tue Jul 07 18:02:47 -0700 2009 4835623 14940 jlunar 3 4838795 Loved the trip blog (and photos), jlunar. And agree that a trip to Jean Talon would be very worthwhile if you have the time, Onara. Wed Jul 08 05:27:33 -0700 2009 4837920 60563 Rabbit 4 4844725 Thanks Rabbit! It's rather useful, I've found. I've had no less than three friends ask me where to eat in Montreal and all I had to do was send them the link...! Thu Jul 09 17:46:18 -0700 2009 4838795 14940 jlunar 1 4975132 Went to La Montee last night Best meal of the trip, thus far, and one of the best in my entire life Went for the 7 course tasting + macthing wines, and can barely fault it. My experience of tasting menus is that there are a couple of stand-out dishes, and a fair bit of filler. La Montee, however, hit the mark with every course Anyone know how (or whether) it rates on that 'World's Best 100 Restaurants' wank list? Europea is booked for tonight, and Au Pied de Cochon for Wednesday. Am considering going back to La Montee on Thursday (last night in Montreal), if I can get a table Tue Aug 25 05:01:10 -0700 2009 4829727 1083902 Onara 2 4975167 You could go back to la Montée on thursday and have the 4 course menu , I found the portions not so mini, I was stuffed enough with the 4 plates ( one of them was the lemon trio dessert, amazing) I'll be looking forward to your comments. jlunar, your writing and photo skills are out of this world !! Tue Aug 25 05:27:39 -0700 2009 4975132 166648 superbossmom 3 4983559 Thanks superbossmom. It's really the love of eating and sharing it that make it lots of fun! --- http://www.foodpr0n.com/ -- food. is. love. Thu Aug 27 13:31:18 -0700 2009 4975167 14940 jlunar 2 4975248 Onara, I don't think La Montee is even on the radar for World's Best 100 Restaurants. It is just one of those gems we are fortunate to have in this city. My experience with those Best 100 lists is that you have to have quite the PR machine and a certain aesthetic and level of service (Michelin standards) to get on those lists. Those lists can also be a little political too. I love Montee, and I think it is a real star, even if it wouldn't win a Michelin star. The food is original and very well-prepared, always interesting and full of flavour. The wine list is very well-thought out, and full of quirky, interesting wines. I wish they'd use a little less green onion in their dishes, but that a personal quirk. The prices are extremely fair for the quality you get. Good eating Onara! You've got quite a schedule there. Thanks for reporting back. Tue Aug 25 06:06:36 -0700 2009 4975132 89969 moh 3 4978716 "My experience with those Best 100 lists is that you have to have quite the PR machine and a certain aesthetic and level of service (Michelin standards) to get on those lists. Those lists can also be a little political too" I agree - entirely. My meal at La Montee was streets ahead of the ones I've eaten at the few Australian restaurants that make those lists (Tetsuyas being the obvious one) Did the tasting menu at Europea last night, and thought the wines were all magnificent, but the only dish that really impressed me was the kobe beef (and the cheese course) I now have a table at Au Cinquieme Peche on Thursday (unless someone thinks this isn't especially good, in which case I'd try to get back into La Montee) Wed Aug 26 06:23:14 -0700 2009 4975248 1083902 Onara 4 4979052 Onara, if it were me, I'd keep the Au Cinquieme Peche reservation - this is another one of those Montreal original places that I really love. Impeccably prepared food, original preps, the chef is willing to take risks that few others are willing to do (for example serving seal meat despite the very unfavorable political climate - and he does wonders with it). Really wonderful well-chosen wine list, and the waiter will help you navigate through it, his suggestions have always been excellent in my experience (and I am fussy about my wine). I think it would be worth you trying it. I can't promise you won't like it as much as La Montee, as I think you have really found a 'food-love' in this restaurant. But in my mind, ACP is another one of those Montreal highlights that make this city a great place to live. Carswell has been pushing this place for very good reason. Wed Aug 26 08:10:56 -0700 2009 4978716 89969 moh 5 4980229 Cool! I'll keep the booking at ACP, then Thanks moh Wed Aug 26 13:05:52 -0700 2009 4979052 1083902 Onara 1 4988515 Well, Au Pied de Cochon turned out to be quite a (cholesterol laden) treat. I was at the bar, rather than a table & spent the evening reading their book, and chatting to the waiter & the woman next to me. Had the duck carpaccio and the pancake with foie gras, bacon, cheese, syrup, etc. As someone who's already had one heart attack, this isnt food I could eat every day, but I'm glad I did it the once. The carpaccio in particular was an inspired choice Then followed up with Au Cinquieme Peche on Thursday evening. I opted out of the mains, and had 4 entrees instead (including the seal, which was sensationally good). The waiter determined the order of the dishes & matched wines (mostly French) with them. Then had a goat's cheese mousse + glass of cider for dessert. Delicious - every mouthful! Sat Aug 29 10:55:38 -0700 2009 4829727 1083902 Onara 2 4988758 "the pancake with foie gras, bacon, cheese, syrup" The plogue a Champlain? Sat Aug 29 13:10:51 -0700 2009 4988515 12421 hungryann 3 4992176 Correct! Sorry, couldn't remember the name, and was using a dodgy keyboard that made it hard to search Mon Aug 31 06:44:32 -0700 2009 4988758 1083902 Onara 2 4992950 Thanks for the great report back! I'm glad Au Cinqiueme Peche wasn't a total disappointment, as I know how much you enjoyed La Montee. I was sweating a bit, worried you'd hate it and wished you'd gone back to La Montee instead... Good to know they have the seal on the menu still. It seems sometimes they have it, sometimes they don't. Mon Aug 31 10:43:30 -0700 2009 4988515 89969 moh