Romance in Montreal '11
Hi Everyone!
My girlfriend and I are going to Montreal for New Years. I was thinking it would be a good idea to take her out for dinner the night before (Thursday 30th). I've only been to Montreal once and she has never been, so I have no idea what's good or not. Judging by some preliminary research on this site is seems that there are plenty of great restaurants to choose from. Here is some info to help narrow them down to the perfect one for us. Firstly we are university students, and although I'm not afraid to spend a $100 or more on a dinner, I do want a place where we would not feel wholly out of place. She recently got this rather racy cocktail dress she has been dying to wear and this seems like a great opportunity. We have no preference in the type of food although something French would be nice. Although I personally like the more conservative places I know my girlfriend would be happier going to one of those more 'hip' or modern places where the atmosphere is a bit less formal. We are staying downtown so something in that are would be best. Hopefully that's enough info, but please ask if I missed something.
Thanks for all your help in advance,
FG
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I went to Toroli last night for the first time, and if romance is the imperative word I would highly recommend it. It's a tiny restaurant with at most eight tables. The intimacy was a a major plus. It is one of these new Japanese/French fusion things, which on first blush would make me turn up my nose and walk away, however their miso soup with root vegetables was delicious. The rest of the meal was even better. And the thing that made me most pleased was with a bottle of sake and tip the whole bill for both of us was $120.
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re: EaterBob
just thought i would mention this one as not only it got a very good review last saturday by the resto critic of journal de montreal Thierry Daraize who is not easy to please, but alsothey have jazz trio thursday nights from 10pm-2pm. They also have special menu of 20$ after 10pm but before that a tasting menu 3 choices from 33$ and is not far from downtown, would be about 10$ though by taxi if central downtown
•Du Jeudi au Samedi à partir de 22h, menu spécial à 20$
•Les Jeudi, soirées Jazz avec un trio de 22h à 2h
it is located on edge of outremont a nice french area of city not far from downtown and staff would speak english but they do not yet have website in English, i did find a review from may/10 in English.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/67/1522973/restaurant/Plateau-Mont-Royal/Lun-des-sens-Montreal
I havent had a chance to go there myself but perhaps some others will be able to describe their experiences
http://www.lundessens.com/menus.html-
re: wilmagrace
SnackHappy
Dec 13, 2010 02:57 PM
Lesley Chesterman reviewed L'Un des sens in September: http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/Fine+Dining+sens/3370992/story.html
It was also featured in the Hour: http://www.hour.ca/food/food.aspx?iID...
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mainsqueeze
Dec 12, 2010 06:48 AM
I think you might like Le Comptoir Charcuteries et Vins. When I was there the crowd was pretty young/cool but not pretentious or too cool for school. The food was really good and the service was great. I think it would also fit within your budget (it's not byo). Expect to sit at the bar though because there are few tables.
http://www.hour.ca/food/food.aspx?iIDArticle=20807
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/g...›9 Replies-
re: mainsqueeze
Thanks for all the tips so far. I'm leaning towards Newtown so far because it seems to have the most extensive wine list and the option of going down to the lounge may lead to a fun night after a romantic dinner. It does seem a bit pricey but neither of us eat a lot so we may be able to get away with sharing one appetizer one entree and a dessert. Are the portions big enough to do that?
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re: Flying Gibbon
cherylmtl
Dec 12, 2010 04:59 PM
I think you could get away with sharing one app and one dessert, but you'd need two entrees. You could go with wine by the glass instead of bottles, which should still bring the total for two to below $160 all in.
Another fun option would be Garde Manger - again, doable for $160, especially with split apps and desserts - and the place literally turns into a bar after 9... -
re: Flying Gibbon
SnackHappy
Dec 12, 2010 05:16 PM
I don't know about Newtown. The chef, pastry chef and sommelière recently left to start their own place (Les 400 Coups). There's a new team in place, but no word on the street as to what's going on there, these days. If this is your one big dinner in town, I wouldn't risk it on a place that is in transition.
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re: SnackHappy
How about Garde Manger? I checked out the thread on here about it and it looks interesting. Should I make reservations now? It says on one of the forums that it's impossible to get a table, would I be better off asking someone at the hotel to make the reservation? Sorry if I'm sounding a bit amateurish, it's because I am.
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re: Flying Gibbon
SnackHappy
Dec 12, 2010 06:36 PM
Not speaking French in Montreal is not a problem. Most people will fall over themselves to serve you in English. If you would rather ask the concierge at your hotel to try and get you a table, that's okay too. I'm sure they would be happy to help you out.
As for Garde-Manger, I can't personally recommend it as I've never been. That type of place is not really my cup of tea.
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re: Flying Gibbon
SnackHappy
Dec 12, 2010 07:32 PM
My personal recommendation would be Club Chasse et Peche, but you would be busting your budget by at least $40. It meets all your criteria except for the price. It's hip. The food is fantastic. The bar can mix a pretty good cocktail. The atmosphere is intimate. The service is very competent. It's a great, great restaurant. And it's racy-cocktail-dress-friendly.
The thing is though, I don't do a lot of fine-dining so my experience with this type of place is very limited. Others who spend more time in mid to high-end joints would probably help you better.
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cherylmtl
Dec 11, 2010 10:29 PM
Newtown might be an option. Atmosphere-wise, and price-wise, it should fit in with your requirements. And it's right downtown.
Another option, although it's not downtown, would be Lemeac, for the after-10 dinner special (although for $160, you could probably manage with their regular menu as well).
The racy cocktail dress would work at either place. -
Hi Flying Gibbon,
If you like classic French food at reasonable prices, I would recommend Laloux Bistro on the Plateau. They have their own private wine importation, a simple decor, and an amazing kitchen and service staff. I was there only a few days ago for lunch, and every bite caused me to exclaim "omg" because it truly was that good.
They have a Web site: www.laloux.com
Enjoy your stay in Montreal!
LoveOlives
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re: Flying Gibbon
My pleasure Fying Gibbon! I found a very recent review from Lesley Chesterman: http://food212.com/v/c9pl
They also have a lounge next door called POP! for a pre- or post-dinner cocktail!
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Flying Gibbon, you were very clear and I think everyone understood you are looking for a place for the 30th, not the 31st.
Where exactly are you staying? Yes, you should be able to reserve something. Many of the byow restaurants are in the Plateau area, just north and east of the city centre - not very expensive by taxi if you don't feel like taking the métro. Many are either French of French-influenced modern Quebec food.
The sexy cocktail dress will be smashing for New Year's Eve - not really necessary for most byow restaurants.
Hope you have a wonderful time!
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SnackHappy
Dec 11, 2010 09:42 AM
Is that $100 for two people including, wine, taxes and tip?
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re: wilmagrace
Hi,
Thanks for the advice, but I already have plans for NYE. I want to take her out for dinner the night before on the 30th, which is a Thursday. I think I should still be able to reserve something for that night. The BYOW restaurant options is a good idea though, I would gladly go for one of those.
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