Summertime outdoor favourites
Terrace/patio openings are on the horizon in May, what are the favourites? Where are the hidden gems that you dont see from the street-. Speaking of summertime, anybody been to the big Orange last year--hope this Montreal landmark is surviving; we just go for the julep but i heard they have poutine with orange juice, and have always missed the antique cars gathering-- is it on Friday nights, kitschy place I know but of another era.....
.I like the terraces in Old Montreal , restos with a view such as l arrivage or the music/ambience in back patio of jardin nelson.. and of course the terraces up on the roofs are terrific.. In plateau Jardin Panos always a fave, I also like the ones around quartier des spectacles especially when festivals are on. Been to a few in Outremont in back of restos but they tend to be small and crowded. The ones that jut out onto the roads are bizarre and lack charm of sidewalk cafes. What are your faves for patio lounging /dining? Any close to downtown?
By wilmagrace
on Apr 2, 2011 10:24 PM
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There's a relatively good list started here:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/508013
Although it obviously needs some updating... Aszu hasn't been around for at least a couple of years.
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new guide book out on montreal terraces/patios
http://www.vehiculepress.com/cgi-bin/dbman2/db.cgi?db=default&uid=default&view_records=View%2BRecords&ISBN=978-1-55065-317-5
and a few of her favourites listed in new edition of nightlife magazine
http://www.nightlife.ca/sorties/les-t...
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I like cafe Santropol for it's terrace out back - preferrably with a nice cup of coffe, soup, a sandwich, and perhaps even a hunk of their carrot cake
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Santropol
3990 Rue Saint Urbain, Montreal, QC H2W 1T8, CA
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there were a few articles on terraces/patios in this week edition of community paper Voir, here is one of the articles
http://www.voir.ca/publishing/article.aspx?zone=1§ion=21&article=77080
....
other articles are on natural terrasses such as places to have a picnic in city , other on sunny terraces, another on places to have a drink.....http://www.voir.ca/publishing/article.aspx?zone=1§ion=25&article=77072
http://www.voir.ca/publishing/article.aspx?zone=1§ion=25&article=77092
http://www.voir.ca/publishing/article.aspx?zone=1§ion=21&article=77086
etc....
and i will add some of the terraces of the Antonopoulos Group as sort of hidden on the rooftops
http://experienceoldmontreal.com/2011...
has anyone gone to these rooftop terraces to dine and watch the fireworks?
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You already mentioned Outremont as not being a fave for terraces but I quite enjoy the cafe/bistro/terrace at La Croissanterie Figaro (Hutchison/Fairmount) which felt pretty roomy and a bit secluded from sidewalk. Also, recently for a sunny late morning on the Plateau I went to L'emporte piece for a grilled cheddar cheese & apple sandwich and a coffee. It was really casual but very enjoyable (sandwhich excellent, too)! Simple wooden patio chairs off the side of Gilford (corner Saint-Denis) adjacent to sidewalk. A fun little patio/sidewalk terrace stop just north of Mont-Royal for a quick bite that I hadn't gone to before...
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Outremont does have many great terraces, just not a lot of the cafe/bistro variety. I love to sit outside at Rumi on a warm summer night.
Is Croissanterie Figaro the place that smells like fish inside?
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the food at figaro is terrible and their seats are uncomfortable. they have a nice corner but to me, it's a flop
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Figaro is good for a cappucino and a little pastry and some people watching but thats all I would suggest.
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It's across from Rumi.
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Rumi
Montreal, QC, Montreal, QC , CA
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Yeah, I know the place then and I agree with Celfie, it's truly terrible.
I had an allongé that was completely inept- just a large cup of black coffee. our server seemed utterly clueless when I commented. we also shared some unremarkable pastry and a couple of glasses of cheap tasting porto. I went inside to pay because our waitress (lovely looking girl but a real dolt!) disappeared for nearly 45 mins. Anyways the interior of the place stank like a fish market for some reason. Would've had to send my jacket off to the cleaners had we stuck around any longer; like something out of a Seinfeld episode. I'm not sure what was going on that evening, but the experience - food/drink, service, smell(!) - was enough to cross that place off the list for good!
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I really like the terrasse at Orexi on Bernard. I find the food can be hit or miss but the outdoor seating is tucked off the street and has a cozy feel to it.
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Orexi Restaurant
1270 Av Bernard, Outremont, QC H2V1V9, CA
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I think you must be thinking of Vegera lower down on Bernard...
Orexi, at least for me, is always a hit, but as far as I know, it doesn't have a terrace or outdoor seating. Vegera on the other hand, has it's share of mixed opinions here, but I've always enjoyed the food a lot. They have a wonderful side terrace off the corner of Jeanne Mance. It's especially great with a large group of friends at night. As long as you stick to the basic vege apps and fish plates, you'll enjoy a good meal.
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Yikes! I didn't know La Croissanterie/Figaro smelled like a fishmonger. I had a nice evening experience with two friends, a very decent vegetarian sandwich, swift and polite service...maybe I was at the wrong place!
Perhaps a little obscure, but there is a really sweet terrace/patio tucked in behind La librairie Olivieri near metro Cote-des-Neiges/Saint-Joseph Oratory. It's a bookstore with a cafe/bistro in the back that opens out onto a garden terrace in the summer. I find that it is lovely for brunch and lunch. Perhaps not worth seeking out unless you are in the area, but lovely all the same, and the food is always good and from local producers, etc. You can find pictures of it online--good if you're looking for something secluded and quiet.
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Oh, and Cafe Cherrier's terrace is looking very nice about now...
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Cafe Cherrier
3635 Rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC H2X3L6, CA
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There is a nice terrace behind the restaurant and the bookstore. The restaurant was very noisy at lunch so we asked to sit in the terrace. Unfortunately the service was lackadaisical. The cook is a good one, but there are missteps: a perfectly prepared confitted duck leg was sitting in an oversweet swirl of a wine reduction, and the choucroute garnie's sauerkraut was limp and greasy, the sausage dried out. Not worth the price of admission.
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That chef was Guillermo Russo, but he's no longer working there, he's at the new Laurier Gordon Ramsey. A shame to hear your feedback, I always enjoyed the few meals I had there, but I haven't been in a while.
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Yes, that's too bad. I've only ever been on terrace when it wasn't at all crowded and the service was quite good (relaxed, but courteous and meals served in good time, etc.). Perhaps things have changed...I'll have to go back.
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Actually, Orexi does have a really nice terrasse. Its located to the side rather than the front (although they do put a few tables out front too). Its gorgeous - covered in vines and I think there is a stone wall. Great atmosphere on a summer night.
My last visit was early summer last year - service was terrible, food way way oversalted. That being said - we managed to have fun. Could have been a one-off as its been really good on other occasions.
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Orexi Restaurant
1270 Av Bernard, Outremont, QC H2V1V9, CA
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