3 Days in Montreal & 3 Days in Quebec City

[opinionatedchef]

terrific!

montreal>> i'm sure i could find out the year we were last there by saying that APDC had just opened recently i think. and Le Notre had just closed. phooooey.

Across the street from l'express and 3? blocks down was a small place that was all the rage for innovative. began with a T or F? Tou Tou?! Had a great bouillabaise at Le Vent Vert. And Au Tournant de la Riviere was still in Charlevoix?, southern outskirts.(It had been our five star mecca for many years).

And in QC, we had wonderful experiences at Serge Brunel?; Marie Christine (pike quenelles like clouds, bottom of l'escalier into the Old Town) and St.Amour(still there i think on Rue St Ursule.)

I've read through thishelpful thread, so when you have time, would you just do a short 'best' list of dinner and lunch spots for 3 days in Montreal (or outskirts w/in 1 hr) and 3 days in QC? Sandwiches etc are fine for lunch though if there are too many great dinner restnts to narrow down, we'll frequent some of them for lunch if they serve it (i.e. quenelles at Marie Christine.)

Price not an issue. Just looking for the best food possible and love innovation, that rarest of menu qualities.

If you don't have much time , just had a sentence or two, or a few words even, next to each, would be terrif!

p.s. the particular poutine you mentioned- does it have a rich gravy?(a must for me!)

Love ethnic foods but would not be looking for any asian places unless it were Trad. japanese,

or Innovative Asian fusion.

thanks much sis( and all CHs who have time to chime in!)

[opinionatedchef]

the above OP was written to UWSister as part of her thread:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/794436

[looosia]

Montréal Recommendations:

In terms of Asian food in the city, another poster had asked for authentic Asian food recommendations during their trip and Kazu came up: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/794878

Kazu, which serves Japanese izakaya, is not traditional at all (izakaya being pub food) but a lot of CH'ers recommend it and it may be a worthwhile lunch visit. I've been there, it's good and fun, but honestly I think that this city is not the best place for most Asian food because we just don't have a sizeable Japanese, Chinese, etc. population in relation to other cities so the food here for Asian cuisine is not exactly memorable, in my opinion. I always recommend visitors to go for what the city is good for, which is French/Québecois and Arab cuisines.

Au Cinquième Pêché in the Plateau serves hearty, French/Québecois food and one of the few places in the city (and perhaps country) that serves bébé phoque. My table ordered this last year and the appetizer was done three ways: smoked, rare, and as a sausage.

Au Pied de Cochon (APDC), also in the Plateau, is another favourite and also serves French/Québecois fare. Because it's summer the seafood platters are out and they are worth the wait. Other dishes recommended are Duck in a Can, Pig Head for Two (with lobster in the mouth--you should order this ahead to make sure you can get it), and foie gras poutine.

There are lots of burger places in the city but my favourite is La Paryse in the Latin Quarter. They have huge burgers, milkshakes, real (non-fake potato) fries. It's super small and there's always lineups (no reservations) but I think this place is great for lunch.

I also like Petit Alep or it's more formal sister Alep in the Marché Jean-Talon area for Syrian. There are no reservations at Petit Alep.

For brunch, I steer people to Le Cartet (French/Québecois) in the Old Port. CH'ers also love Lawrence in the Mile End for charcuterie though I haven't been.

Other places that I would recommend just based on CH'er recommendations though I haven't been are Laloux in the Plateau (French/Québecois); Joe Beef in St. Henri (seafood and steak, considered the Anglo version of APDC); Le Garde Manger in the Old Port (seafood), though it may be impossible to get a reservation here these days because they never pick up the phone (!) and since Chuck Hughes won Iron Chef the place has been mobbed.

Don't forget to grab some bagels (St. Viateur, there are several locations), poutine (La Banquise for a late night bite amongst the young and inebriated, or Le Comptoir 21 in the Plateau for a more formal version with wine), and pastries (Pâtisserie de Gascogne in the Mile End and Westmount).

-----
Le Cartet
106 Rue McGill, Montreal, QC H2Y, CA

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

Kazu
1862 Sainte-Catherine St W, Montreal, QC H3H 1M1, CA

[opinionatedchef]

loosia, thanks so much. The 2 poutines you mentioned- is the gravy very rich/ tasting of pan drippings?

[looosia]

Sorry, I always get Le Comptoir 21 and Le Comptoir Charcuteries et Vins mixed up.

Le Comptoir 21 has poutine but it is not formal, it's very casual and great place for lunch: http://www.comptoir21.com/default.html/MENU.html

Le Comptoir Charcuteries et Vins is more of a wine bar with charcuterie and other comfort foods; great for on a budget: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid...

For poutine, the best I've had was at Au Pied de Cochon. Their foie gras poutine has very rich gravy though obviously pricey.

In a pinch, I'd go to La Banquise. Not the best place for poutine in the city but it is still an institution and open 24 hours. Better to go in the day for lunch if you want to avoid drunken kids (unless you are one yourself!).

Bonne voyage!

[uwsister]

I actually have never had foie gras poutine at ADPC even though we've been 4X now - I don't know why, it's like I have a mental block. Next time I might order the duo (it's foie gras hamburger and poutine, right?) and call it a day.

I kind of like the ruckus at La Banquise late at night! But my older husband does wear earplugs whenever we are there, so - you have a point. It has been there since 1968 - definitely an institution!

[cherylmtl]

The gravy for the foie gras poutine at APDC is made with, among other things, foie gras and cream - it's beyond rich (but so so good IMHO).

[uwsister]

Quebec:
Aforementioned Toast and Le Pain Beni. Toast especially if you like foie gras. We've been 2X each and had great meals at both. Chef at Le Pain Beni is a Thomas Keller fan - there was a waiter named Jeff who was very helpful in steering us towards right direction re: wine, etc. Their pastry chef was also very good - creative, delicious desserts.
Le Billig would be perfect for lunch if you like crepes. It's outside the wall, but only a short walk away.
Le St. Amour is still there, BTW. It's on my to-do list.

Montreal:
I know I wrote a long complaining post, but ADPC is still worth a try, especially if you haven't been in a long time.
Strongly recommend Club Chasse et Peche - had an amazing meal there as I wrote in the other post.
Liked: Brunch @ Lemeac, Laloux, Les Trois Bouchons, Le P'tit Plateau (BYOB)
For poutine, La Banquise. I think their poutine is delicious, original or other varieties I have tried (they have a LOT) and it's open 24 hours so it's perfect for us late night owls. I also liked poutine at Patati Patata.
I like Premier Moisson for croissants and other baked goods. Have not been to Fous Desserts and Mamie Clafoutis yet - they are on my list.
If you like beer, Dieu du Ciel is a must! My husband loveloveLOVES that place. I like fancypants girly drinks at Juliet et Chocolat 'cause I'm lame like that.
I personally didn't care for Montreal bagels or smoked meat (sorry!) but I guess everyone should try St. Viateur bagels and Schwartz's.
I haven't been but on my to-do list: Joe Beef, Garde Manger (actually had a res this time but husband didn't want to walk all the way there so went to L'Express instead - next time!)

[opinionatedchef]

know what is the logo of St Amour? A hovering cupid with fork in bow!!!!!is that brilliant or what? One of those life-long memories of years ago-the eve we arrived in the city, thanksgiving 19__? there was a small earthquake> power outage caused most electric kitchens to close but St Amour was gas kitchen and candlelights. Packed, as you can imagine, and sooo romantic!

thanks so much for the tips. i'll report back of course; hopefully we'll get here in 2011.

still welcome all other suggestions! th you.

[uwsister]

I love the logo - and what memory!

Don't forget to bookmark this :)
And go before it gets too cold!

[kpaxonite]

different: dna, poutine and burger hole in the wall but amazing: patati patata, tapas: pintxo, lunches: schwartz's (a must). and romados

[opinionatedchef]

kpax, this is terrif, but i just want to make sure i understand your punctuation. you are recommending:
dna
patati patata
pintxo
schwartz's
romado's
?

[kpaxonite]

yes
before the " : " is the category I think they fit into