Foodie at Bachelor Party in Montreal.

[the_state]

My friends are throwing me a bachelor party in Montreal this September and I want to sort out some must visits spots. Not to sound touristy, but some things I'm interested in:

-great poutine
-great "smoked meat"
-a solid steak house
-a "can't miss' restaurant - just about any cuisine, but something where a large group of guys can get a lot of dishes to share and some drinks.

Thanks!

[the_state]

From what I've read, Toque and Pied de Cochon are can't miss spots. I know the cuisine is pretty different, but if I had to pick one, what should it be? Anything I'm missing that should be thrown in the mix? We're most likely ruling out steak b/c good joints are a dime a dozen here in NYC.

[Maximilien]

One should not compare "Au Pied de Cochon" an "Toqué!"

Toqué! as good as it is, it"s a restaurant style that can be found in any major city in the world : very good local produces, excellent preparations, good presentation, wine list to go with it ($$), fancy setting, fancy service, ...

Au Pied de Cochon is something that you will not find everywhere, it's an over-the-top experience (if you want it that way) with emphasis on big plates, lots of food and a "brasserie" ambiance, you will find very good produces, expensive wines in a much less fancy atmosphere; it's a very fun restaurant, i go there once or twice a year, but it's one of the more touristy place in town.

Other suggestions much less touristy : "La Salle à Manger" (as a replacement for APdC) and "La Chronique" (as a replacement for Toqué!).

[Fintastic]

I agree with Max.. and I think I would go one step farther and recommend not doing Toque as a bachelor party group. Even if it is to be a highly refined evening, Toque is not the kind of place to share dishes, etc. Even my grandmother found it to be too uptight to enjoy herself.

I can't speak to Chronique, but Max's other suggestions are on the money. Garde Manger could also be good if you'd like your dinner to gradually shift towards a party as the night goes on...

[alixium]

as a heads up: Garde Manger does not accept large groups (tables of 6 are ok).

[Fintastic]

Good point alixium - I wasn't aware of this before.

[bakersdelight]

for a cheap, classic rats-in-the-kitchen poutine try rapido corner st. denis and mt. royal, or even angela's 1 block west of guy on demaisonneuve. both open 24 hrs. perfect at 4 am.

[Darren_Mtl]

Great Poutine: La Banquise takes the cake. You can go between 2 am and 4 am if you want to wait a half hr. Go anytime and get the traditional.

Great smoked meat: Schwartz' n nothing else.

Solid Steakhouse: Montreal has many top quality steakhouses. This is isn't Texas, but I would like to think out of our 2,000 restaurants in town, you will definitely find good steakhouses. A staple is Queue De Cheval next to the Bell Centre. But I would suggest Gibby's in Old Montreal or up north. And another favorite is definitely Moishes... I would see for a reservation at either Gibby's or Moishes.

BUT... if you want to try the best restaurant in town, try and get a reservation for Au Pied De Cochon. Try the Poutine Foie Gras, you will freak! Everything from the Bison Ribs to the Duck in a Can is nuts! Ask for the entrees of the day.

Other great suggestions: Bottega Pizzeria, Liverpool House, Joe Beef and Taverne Dominion!

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Schwartz's Montreal Hebrew Delicatessen
3895 Boulevard Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC , CA

Au Pied de Cochon
536 Av Duluth E, Montreal, QC H2L1A9, CA

Restaurant La Banquise
994 Rue Rachel E, Montreal, QC H2J2J3, CA

Joe Beef
2491 Rue Notre-Dame W, Montreal, QC H3J1N6, CA

Gibby's Restaurant
298 Place D'youville, Montreal, QC H2Y2B6, CA

La Queue de Cheval Steakhouse & Bar
1221 Rene Levesque Ouest, Montreal, QC H3G 1T1, CA

Bottega
65 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montreal, QC H2S1K7, CA

Bell Centre
, Montreal, QC H2Y, CA

Moishe's Steak House
3961 Boul Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2W1Y4, CA

[porker]

If you want to get a bit freaky at Au Pied De Cochon, I'd suggest the pig head for 2 to share with your group;
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6606...

[Maximilien]

How many friends ?

Poutine : La Banquise any time of the day, but best experienced between 2am and 4am); PatatiPatata for your afternoon fix (but it's quite small)

Smoked Meat : Schwartz (try to go between lunch hours, because there could be a long lineup especially if it's a nice day)

- Solid Steak house : none. (don't know where you are from, but montreal is not known for its steak house)

- For a group : "La Salle A Manger".

M.

[mak2k]

i was going to suggest the same thing, the group i would say Au Pied De Cochon