Au Pied de Cochon - timetable.
Hi all,
Visiting Montreal in April and have only one night on the schedule where APdC fits.
Question is this - we are going to the Canadians game at 7:30pm. Would we be better served (time wise) to go to APC at 5:00pm, then find parking, and make the game by the National Anthem or to go to the game, set reservations for the restaurant at 10:30pm (leaving the game early if absolutely necessary.)
I guess the biggest question is how long does a meal at APC take since I don't particularly want to be rushed in eating but the idea of that heavy food at 11pm also is not "ideal."
By uhockey
on Feb 2, 2012 04:41 PM
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I have gone at 10ish and it actually was better in late evening as less crowded but if you are not keen on eating so late you could go for an early meal at dominion tavern very close to bell centre and then have a mix of appetizers at APC. I would definitely share the mains as portions big. I think it is a personal choice and I suppose it depends on what you order as well . Most people want to spend the evening at the resto so speed of serving not an issue. Maybe others can answer feasibility of 5pm eating and dash to game......
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your better off getting good and hungry at the game ;)
by the way, although apdc is not prohibitively far, on hockey game nights, there is a lot of downtown traffic. you may want to factor in a longer than expected drive...
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You could try to do it in 2 parts.
Go early and have a drink and an appetizer and come back later for something more.
That will make it easy early one to have something to eat without being too rushed.
also, it might be better to take public transport, especially the métro to/from the hockey game; the restaurant is about 5 minutes from either Mont-Royal or Sherbrooke stations, and after the game, there will be numerous subway trains to get you back up.
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That is a really excellent point re: the Metro. Thanks.
http://endoedibles.com
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Wow tough call. As others have said game night is a mess downtown and the path from apdc to the Bell Centre will take you through the worst traffic. As Max says you are better off using public transit. I have never been at 5 pm but I have been at 7 and at 10:30. At both times the meal can last quite long. But if it were me I would probably take the 5 pm slot since you could probably be done by 7 and get to the game in time. Puck usually drops around 7:40 for a 7:30 start.
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if you can be out of the restaurant by 6:45 and take the metro, you will be at the game on time for sure --- depending on whether you can walk or not...
the meal at APDC definitely does not drag on but just to be sure you should ask that they put in your entree order right away.
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So in your opinion 2 hours is enough time to do app/main/dessert? Seems reasonable to me, but I wasn't sure. Didn't seem like the sort of place to drag its feet.
http://endoedibles.com
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The earlier you are there, the more likely that they will have another reservation for the table, and will want you out of there faster. I guess the real question is whether you would rather eat a heavy dinner at 5 pm or at 10:30 pm.
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5, for sure. :-) Hope the seats at Bell Centre aren't too tight. :-)
Debating the two reservation idea - arrive at 5:00pm and park at APC, have apps and mains, debate time before considering dessert, if no time for dessert take Metro to the game and then metro back to APC for dessert and coffee, take the car back to hotel.
Thanks to you all - now to figure out the rest of the dining agenda.
http://endoedibles.com
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Something you should consider. You didn't say what day the game is on but if it is a weekday then you have to pay the parking meters until 9PM and I think the maximum time you can pay at once is 3 hours so if you drive to apdc, then metro to the Bell Centre, you will need to leave at some point to pay your meter. There are consoles on the street to pay your meters at a distance but I am not sure if you can pay a meter near apdc from the consoles near the Bell Centre. Or you can just park in a lot but I don't think there are many close to apdc so you might be better off just taking the metro the entire evening and leaving the car at the hotel.
In any case, although I have never been at 5, I am pretty sure you could get the apps, mains, and dessert within 2 hours if the kitchen is firing on all cylinders at opening. I know you research very thoroughly all your visits so I am sure you will enjoy your meal. What other restaurants are you considering?
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If they allow for 3 hours we could pay 2 hours on arrival (5pm) then drop 2 more hours on it at 7:00 and that would take it up to 9pm, no?
Other dinners considering are Joe Beef and La Salle a Manger.
Lunches Lemeac, Toque, and Kitchen Gallerie Poisson
http://endoedibles.com
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Yes, you are correct, as long as you put money on the meter before leaving timing will be ok. And no, you could not pay a meter from le Plateau with a console near Bell Center, the console only covers a specific area.
If Joe Beef is an option, I would go with that, it is very close to Bell Center (maybe a 25 mins walk, 10-15 mins metro ride depending on your luck, or 5 mins car ride). And food-wise, it is also top notch, in the same league as APdC (some will even say better). Point is, much closer, and you will still have a great meal.
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No no - doing both probably - just a matter of which day since JB doesn't open as early.
http://endoedibles.com
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Two quick points -
I have only been to APdC once, but the night I was there we were very disappointed to find that many desserts had sold out by the time we wanted to order them (I think our booking was at 8pm) I think there were at least six desserts on the list that were unavailable (all the ones I wanted to try, of course!) So if there is somethine you really want to try, and are thinking of coming back after the game, I would think about preordering it or getting them to set it aside for you, if possible.
In terms of eating before the game, when we went to APdC as a group of six, we ordered a starter each, four mains to share, as well as the pig's head, and two desserts to share. Two out of the six of us had, let's call it a "gastrointestinal episode" later that night, presumably because of the richness of the food, whilst two people got the "meat sweats" and lay on the couch for the rest of the night! Anyway, depending on what you are used to eating, just a heads up that sitting in those tiny seats at the Bell Centre might not be the most comfortable experience - wear some loose clothing!
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I'll be wearing a size 52 oldschool CCM Roy jersey - I easily fit in a current 46 RBK. Sweat pants as well, I think.
Anyone know if the pudding chomeur is still on the menu? Don't see it on the website.
http://endoedibles.com
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ooooh fashionable! :-)
about the pouding chaumeur, weird. it is a stapple of the restaurant.
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I've been to APDC at 5pm a few times for whatever reason (babysitter's schedule, bringing kids along) and it was fine. It's less crowded at that time so service is quite fast.
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