always wanted to do one of the ice hotels in quebec really need to do the end of summer music festival in QC
My wife works for a Canadian company and they’ve offered to relocate her to Toronto or Montréal if we ever want to move…
IHHH you still in the Montreal area? I’m doing my bachelor party second weekend of august. Never been. Tips?
I did not. The chef’s table at Garde Manger was one of the best meals I’ve ever had, though. And Messorem was a kick-ass brewery that is up there with the elite northeast breweries I’ve been to. Mile End and Mont Royal neighborhoods were awesome. Bar Le Mal is essential if you like tiki drinks. Also did El Pequeno and Cold Room, which were killer as well.
It saved you from watching Liverpool lift the Epl trophy at brunch at the Liverpool bar we had reservations for.
Do you have a good hotel recommendation in those areas? We’re supposed to be staying at the W (guy who’s planning it randomly chose it), but both of those neighborhoods look to be 15-20 min drive away.
Ubers to there are cheap and the walk, while uphill on the way, is only 30-40 mins (if you're not from the east coast this might be a deal breaker). Clandestino near you is great, for what it's worth. I go twice a year since my wife is canadian, my list is linked here. https://goo.gl/maps/vAKq7ZW45LNQF92i6
Awesome - thank you. Do you think it’s a fine place to stay then? Or would you recommend a different area? We looked at airbnbs but we have 14 people and it didn’t seem to make sense.
I think it's perfectly fine. You're right by the train too, so getting to Jean Talon (for example) is only 20 mins and that's probably as far as you'll go. Recover at Bota Bota one morning, which is a quick walk from the hotel.
I stayed at the W in Montreal for a bachelor party like 5-6 years ago and it was fine. We didn’t have any issues
au pied de cochon for a greasy brunch. But you can also find great options for half the price all over the city. I would just not make too many plans and go with the flow. There are so many good restaurants that you do not need to rush into things. I would recommend ´le club chasse et pêche ´ for a nice meal enjoy and congrats again ps -do not drink any boxed wine
PM me, we’ll connect through whatsapp and I’ll gladly talk. Been in Montreal all my life, in hospitality for almost 20 years.
W is close to downtown, Old Port, and is a relatively short Uber ride to Plateau, Mile End or Little Burgundy and St-Henri where I’m sure you’ll be eating or drinking. Montreal is very much like a small scale NYC in the sense that every neighborhood has it’s own and unique vibe, but everything is on a smaller scale. You’re always just a short Uber ride away from anything (or metro).
Montreal Plaza is awesome. L’Express or Lemeac if you want to feel in Paris for a meal. Moccione for amazing italian. Chez Tousignant or Chez Claudette (personal favorite) for amazing diner/poutine fare. Ma Poule Mouillee for the best portguese chicken in town (their ridiculously huge poutine might be the best in town too). Larry’s for brunch. Piazza Salumi (love that place, don’t be fooled by the looks of the place. Go to the back, have it heated and it’s gonna be one of the best italian sandwiches you’ve ever had) or Bossa for afternoon sandwiches. Majestique for a party wine bar vibe. Depends what you’re looking for, really. Only try La Banquise if you’re drunk at 3AM. Go ahead with Schwartz. People will say it’s overrated but it’s great smoked meat. Fairmount bagels, fresh off the oven. It’s open 24h, and eating a freshly baked bagel is amazing. Soft, warm, and no need for any garnish.
Pied de Cochon doesn’t do brunch (unless it’s new) and is on a steady decline. You won’t find anything but tourists there.
oh man, so many options. I would suggest this beautiful Spanish rosé if you want to impress the lucky lady I like to say that it’s uncomplicated wine with a great taste
I'll say this: When I went in January, it was easily the best of the three meals I've had there since 2017 and the hospitality was the warmest of those three visits as well. With that being said, the poutine and duck in a can were probably the worst versions of themselves over those three visits (but the daily specials were incredible). It was an overwhelmingly tourist crowd as Champ posted but we had a good time with the staff, probably mostly because our group has all worked in the service industry for most or much of our lives. Just my experiences and take it FWIW.
Happy to hear that. Haven’t been since the pandemic, but in the end, if it’s a good time for the guest, tourist or not, all is good.
Last time I was in mtl we ate at a fantastic restaurant, just outside the city. It was setup in an old shop. I will find it and post here, loved it. edit-hoogan et beaufort
it’s probably because of the queen’s holiday. They closed it today instead of Monday. It is never closed on Sundays
Birthday weekend. Been wanting to go for a number of years now. The gf and a few other friends are coming as well. Haven’t done the first bit of planning/research yet.
You will have an amazing time. That was my batch trip. It's been...a while. Can't wait to go back with my sons someday.