Montreal suggestions wanted

I lived in Montreal for several years and found many wonderful restaurants.  Les Halles is quite good and has a very nice atmosphere. Another excellent eating establishment is a place by the name of La Maree
- a french restaurant in Old Montreal which is fairly pricey but has excellent food with a particular emphasis on fish and seafood. If you are in the mood for something not quite so "gourmet" but just as nice try Beauty's.  It is an institution amongst Montrealers.  They are open all day, but they are famous for their breakfeasts - fresh squeezed orange juice, and montreal style bagels with lox are to die for.  They are located on St.Urbain and Mont Royal.  Best to go early if wanting to dine on a Saturday or Sunday.  The host and owner is a wonderful man who can give you excellent reccomendations of where to get fine food in the city. This may surprise you as he is the owner of a "diner" but don't let that fool you- he eats with the best of them.  If you happen to go - ask him about the upscale greek restaurant in Montreal - The name escapes me rightnow but apparently they have some of the best food in the city.  I read a review on the place recently and it was glowing. Although you had said to skip the Asian reccomendations I must suggest just two places which are fantastic and serve chineese food in such a way that one would not recognize it as that. What I mean to say is that it is not at all your typical Chineese fare - the dishes are what I would call gourment Sechewan.(spelling?) Chrysanthemum and Le piment rouge are my all time favourites in the city.

 On 5 Jun 1997, Thor I. wrote:

> I'm going to be in Montreal July 4th, 5th, and 6th, and I'm looking for
> some restaurant recommendations (yes, I know it's going to be crowded
> with the Jazz Fest in town).
>
> Basically, I'm looking for three dinner and three lunch suggestions.  At
> least one of the dinners will be at a fairly upscale place (I've heard
> good things about Tocque (sp?) and Les Halles, but worry that I won't be
> able to get in the door that weekend in particular).  As far as restrictions
> go...no Indian or other Asian food (there's plenty of that down here in
> Boston), good wine lists are a definite plus, and I expect to
> concentrate on French-style cuisine (but will certainly entertain other
> suggestions).
>
> Any ideas?  Thanks in advance.
>
> Thor
>
>
>

Try the place diagonally across from crockedile dundees.  It is a nice italian place.

In article , [email removed] (Thor
Iverson) wrote:

> I'm going to be in Montreal July 4th, 5th, and 6th, and I'm looking for
> some restaurant recommendations (yes, I know it's going to be crowded
> with the Jazz Fest in town).
>
> Basically, I'm looking for three dinner and three lunch suggestions.  At
> least one of the dinners will be at a fairly upscale place (I've heard
> good things about Tocque (sp?) and Les Halles, but worry that I won't be
> able to get in the door that weekend in particular).  As far as restrictions
> go...no Indian or other Asian food (there's plenty of that down here in
> Boston), good wine lists are a definite plus, and I expect to
> concentrate on French-style cuisine (but will certainly entertain other
> suggestions).
>
> Any ideas?  Thanks in advance.
>
> Thor

A really fantastic place in Montreal is the Bleumarin (Al Marinaio Blu). It is upscale, but by US standards very reasonable.  It is located at 1437-A rue Crescent, tel 514.847.1123.  I ate there in November when I was in the city for a conference.  I had a pasta, shrimp and squid dish that was amazing!

Thor I. wrote:
>
> I'm going to be in Montreal July 4th, 5th, and 6th, and I'm looking for
> some restaurant recommendations (yes, I know it's going to be crowded
> with the Jazz Fest in town).
>
> Basically, I'm looking for three dinner and three lunch suggestions.  At
> least one of the dinners will be at a fairly upscale place (I've heard
> good things about Tocque (sp?) and Les Halles, but worry that I won't be
> able to get in the door that weekend in particular).  As far as restrictions
> go...no Indian or other Asian food (there's plenty of that down here in
> Boston), good wine lists are a definite plus, and I expect to
> concentrate on French-style cuisine (but will certainly entertain other
> suggestions).
>
> Any ideas?  Thanks in advance.
>
> Thor

Toque is wonderful (I think it means 'touched' as in a bit nuts), wonderful sublime food and really neat post-modern, bright decor.  Make sure to have the cheese course... I dream about it, and many of the cheeses they offer are difficult to get in the US.

A really good bistro type of a place is Le Express, in the same neighborhood.  The food was really yummy and typically French bistro, I have fond memories of my steak au frites.  They bring jars of cornichon (sp?) pickles and mustard to your table before you even order.  (I'm a big fan of pickles)  It's a little hard to see from the street, but the inside is beautiful with a big zinc bar.  If you ask, you can get a menu in the despised English, but it's full of bustling French-speaking patrons.  The wine list was ok, my knowledge of French wines is pretty bad, so I can't say.

The most traditional French restaurant I went to was Allumet (sp?) and I didn't care for it, but the food was good, I think I'm just not appreciative the whole sauce and disguised food thing.  But my SO, who likes french food, enjoyed the food there quite a bit.  It's the most quiet restaurant of the three.

There is also a really good Ethiopean restaurant in the same general area, called the Blue Nile (I think)

Enjoy your visit, it's a beautiful, friendly city. regards, t r i l l i u m