A Family of Foodies going to MONTREAL to celebrate my Dad's 60th Birthday

[exchef13]

Hello,

I am going to Montreal in June with my family (3 of us) to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday. We are a VERY food oriented family, as my Mom and I have been in the restaurant industry our entire life and my Dad is an incredible chef.

We will be in Montreal for 3 nights / 4 days and are looking for great foodie recs - restaurants, markets, stores, etc.

Although we probably will have one special meal on his actual bday which I am looking for recommendations on (ccp, apdc, joe beef?) we are also looking for great affordable spots where the Montreal locals go to eat, snack, etc.

Any help on this would be much appreciated as I am really looking forward to diving into all the great food Montreal has to offer!

THANKS IN ADVANCE!

[SourberryLily]

CCP or APDC for the special bday dinner.

For un-pricey eats, i like :
-Alep for syrian
-Byblos for persian breakfast
-Schartz or The Main for iconic smoke meat sandwiches (well i dont eat that much meat, but it is something to try when you come to MTL)
-Bagels from either Fairmount or Saint-Viateur
-Juliette et Chocolat when i have a chocolate craving
-LEmeac, but if it's too pricey look at their 10pm 22$ table d'hote menu.

There are many more... You could search through this board for suggestions on every type of cuisines to get specific recommendations.

[deborahm]

Oh my gosh! You will have fun! To second SourberryLily:
-I agree the Schwartz's suggestion (on Saint-Laurent) for smoked meat sandwiches.

Also for other *cheap eat* suggestions, or for snacks/drinks/markets:

-La Paryse for a burger and fries (on Ontario Street)
-The Dominion Square Tavern (for, say, appetizers and drinks or lunch--a little pricey but historic and beautiful)
-Markets: Marche Atwater (beautiful market downtown close to the Lachine Canal that's great for a picnic, or walk, with great cheese store and local produce)
--Marche Jean-Talon (great everything and a little cheaper than Atwater, which is close to Alep mentioned above by Sourberry Lily)
-Fromagerie Hamel near Jean-Talon for great variety of cheeses, including unpasteurized Quebec artisanal cheese...
-There is also a market (Saint-Jacques) http://marchest-jacques.com/accueil.htm which has the first LEED
eco-certification (meaning reduced waste, water, etc) on Ontario Street. I find that this market has a little less selection, but still fun and close to some nice cafes and bars on Ontario, such as Le Chevalier Blanc or a really nice new pastry shop/cafe, De la farine de l'eau fraiche
)--A really nice Chocolate boutique on Duluth, Les chocolats de Chloe is a favourite for locals
--Miu miu ice cream on Saint-Denis south of Mont-Royal Avenue, or the iconic Bilboquet ice cream in Outremont given the season of your visit.
--La Banquise for their crazy selection of Poutine.
-Beauty's diner for a greasy breakfast, and if you don't want greasy, there's lots of threads/posts for other really good brunchy places.
There's so many more to mention, but I'm sure you'll get many others....!

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Bilboquet
1311 Av Bernard, Outremont, QC H2V1W1, CA

[Moedelestrie]

I would suggest one day at the Jean Talon Market and while Vinizza does not make Montreal or North America style pizza their pizza keeps me coming back. I started going to the Jean Talon Market over 60 years ago but I was in a stroller. Back then people used to go around eating fresh cheese curds now the the variety of cheeses available is incredible but I would suggest that you try some St Guilliaume at frommagerie Hamel a very fresh cheddar made daily as a contrast try some aged gouda where the sugars have crystallized. If your looking for a place to snack the market has a number of excellent snacking places but my favourite snacking place is upstairs at Mamie Clafoutis on Van Horne I think corner Outremont.
Near Joe Beef at the Atwater market is foodie heaven while Jean Talon is there for people who cook Atwater is there for those who want to discuss what meat they should use in a specific dish with a butcher who will provide you with exactly what you want. Atwater is their for those who want to entertain their fellow foodies but don't always have the time to prepare meals from scratch and if you want to talk cheese Frommaggerie Atwater is the place to go.
Apdc is a restaurant where this 60+ year old would not dare go more than once a year but if if I was going to commit suicide apdc is the method I would chose.
Unfortunately for those brought up in the food industry you will not find the level of expertise in staff that you might find elsewhere in understanding the needs, desires or expectations so good or exceptional service is rare. It is difficult if not impossible to tell Montrealers that good food is not enough. Many fine restaurants have gone belly up because they didn't think a friendly competent well trained staff was needed when you have a superstar in the kitchen.
I remember my taking my wife for her first visit the that Montreal institution called Schwartz's and her query as we left "why would anyone want to eat here?".
The Quebec government is running programs to prepare people for the food industry so I think you should plan on returning for a 70th birthday to see what education can do. Enjoy the best city in North America and remember it will get better.
PS you will find the same lack of understanding in hotel staff, taxi drivers and throughout the hospitality industry.

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

[exchef13]

Wow! I am getting excited already. Thank you so much for these recommendations everyone! I am going to go through all this info and get back to you, as I am sure I will have more questions.

Thanks again!!!

[deborahm]

Oh, and regarding *cheap eats*: I will indulgently add that going to any Frites Alors in different areas around the city for an order of Belgian fries rolled in paper with one of their sauces is sort of fun inbetween lunch and dinner....certainly not gourmet but always delicious.

Also, in more pricey dining categories, I'd like to ask what the others who posted above feel about Les infideles (which is bring your own wine) and La Salle a Manger, two restaurants that serve "cuisine du terroir"--local artisanal cheeses and free-range meats, etc. I've had really good experiences there myself--and thought the food at both places was really amazing. It would be interesting to hear what others have to say.

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Frites Alors
3497 Boul Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2X2T6, CA

[exchef13]

Right now we have a reservation at Joe Beef for his birthday, as I have heard from many people that it is a must try. Sounds like CCP or APDC are more high end, but how does the food compare?

Thanks again!

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

[westaust]

APDC is not more high end than Joe Beef. Both have a somewhat similar ambiance of rustic chic, emphasis on quality of ingredients, huge portions (or very rich food)

CCP might feel more high end because it's white linen tables and stuffy old private club decor

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

[petek]

CC etP and APDC are both excellent restaurants.CC et P is more refined,elegant while APDC is loud and boisterous(in a good way) with big flavours and portion sizes.Just depends on what you're looking for.You can't go wrong with either choice.

[exchef13]

Thanks petek! How does the food compare at CC etP and APDC to Joe Beef?

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

[petek]

Sorry exchef13,I haven't had the pleasure of dining at Joe Beef.It's on my list the next time I visit Montreal as well as Le Filet,CCetP's "little sister" restaurant.

I almost forgot to mention that CCetP has a beautiful patio/terrace that serves lunch, which opens in June.Worth checking out.

www.leclubchasseetpeche.com

[Ched1000]

Would pick both CCP and APDC before Joe Beef. Joe Beef is still a really good restaurent but ROI/Bang for bucks is lower...

Cuisine
CCP: Fine modern cuisne with a hip slant using Québois terroir
APDC: Hearty cuisine, Old school Québois Cuisine with a modern twist and sprinkled with foie gras (better ot to go there if you are into it)
JoeBeef: Hip hearty - pack with seafood and steaks/meaty entrees - it's Montréal answers to hip gastropub... (and to a certain extend west anwser to Plateau's APDC

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

[deborahm]

I've heard nothing but amazing things about Joe Beef, although I haven't been there myself yet :).
For apportez votre vin (bring your own wine) restaurants, I found Les infideles on Rachel to be very good quality, and O Thym on de Maisonneuve really enjoyable and relaxed--also nice atmosphere. Sounds like you have lots of plans, but just wanted to mention them if on an off-night you were looking for a bring your own wine restaurant. Have an amazing trip!

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