Need some suggestions for French or French canadian restaurants in the moderate range. What was that place in Old Montreal, where the Mileage run get together was held?
Randy Petersen
Jul 7, 01, 11:05 pm
I think I can help as that was a very good restaurant. Here's the details: Auberge Pierre du Calvet in Old Montréal. Located in one of the oldest historic buildings in North America (1725), it has played host to many illustrious figures, including Benjamin Franklin and General Montgomery who planned strategy there in 1775 during the American Revolution.
Again, wonderful atmosphere.......
JohnP73
Jul 8, 01, 12:45 am
I lived a year in Montreal, my thoughts FWIW: Pierre Du Calvet is excellent. Another popular place (but not great IMHO) is Gibby's for steaks, a bit overpriced, but the C$ helps. If a clear evening, 737 (restaurant, not the club) at the top of Place Ville Marie is pretty good too.
Bon appetit and enjoy Montreal.
Dudster
Jul 8, 01, 12:45 pm
This is probably not in the moderate range (our meal for two was C$340 but you can surely eat there for less) but in January I had what was certainly one of the best dining experiences of my life at the contemporary french restaurant Toque! (3842 Rue St. Denis 514-499-2084). We ordered the tasting menu (the contents of which were not revealed, so that each course arrived as a surprise, excellently paired with a glass of wine). I think the menu itself was around C$110 per person, our bill included before and after drinks, cofee and a well deserved gratuity. Of course, you can also order a la carte. The setting is rather modern, but comfortable with a warm and casual atmosphere. The service is impeccable.
I really cannot recommend this restaurant enough, particularly for those who admire inventive contemporary cuisine. It is well worth a splurge.
The restuarant has a website http://www.restaurant-toque.com/
[This message has been edited by Dudster (edited 07-08-2001).]
motnot
Jul 8, 01, 11:58 pm
Yes, Toque! is fabulous. My wife and I went there on our honeymoon, and we still can't wait to go back. The best meal we'd had up until then, and maybe even since.
The good news is you can get away for much less than Dudster spent. Our dinner for two about five years ago was about $100 CDN (plus tax and tip), and that included a bottle of California Chardonnay (Kendall-Jackson or something).
I, too, can't recommend this place enough, but I wouldn't exactly classify it as French or French Canadian. But there have got to be plenty of those places nearby!
wideman
Jul 9, 01, 9:31 am
I was in MTL week before last and had a superb meal at Restaurant La Chronique ( http://english.montrealplus.ca/E/V/MTLEN/0004/31/79/ ).
La Chronique has the comfort level of a neighborhood restaurant (you would be comfortable wearing nice jeans or a tailored suit), and the cuisine level of a top-echelon restaurant. For the main courses, my partner had halibut in a lemongrass sauce that had her whimpering in pleasure, while I had a slow-cooked veal (similar to an osso buco) that exploded with rich flavors. All-in-all, a fantastic experience.
mspman
Jul 9, 01, 2:28 pm
Yes Toque is awesome!
But there's more to Montreal than this.. For lunch one day go to Schwarz's deli. Holy moly I was blown away by their reuben sandwich.. as a former New Yorker I can say that it was very much up to par with Stage or Carnegie in NYC. Awesome if not better! http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif
Montreal can also have some EXCELLENT hot dogs..
In Old Montreal there's some great little Boulangeries with good coffee and excellent croissants.
You can probably skip the poutin (chesse curds, fries, and gravy). Unless you're going out on St. Denis and need some late night munchies. But then again, I think there's a 24hr McDonalds on St. Denis. Ahhh, St. Denis. http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/smile.gif
ROADRUNNER
Jul 10, 01, 2:44 am
Sorry, I should not have limited it to French Canadian.
Any outstanding restaurant would be acceptable! It does not have to be high end expensive to satisfy. I know there are a lot of family places, that can prepare an exceptional meal.
Salisbury5
Jul 10, 01, 7:10 am
Try Arahova on St. Viateur and ark Avenue for inexpensive but absolutely fabulous souvlaki. Get the souvlaki pita and a side greek salad. You won't be disappointed.
After lunch/dinner, go across the street to the world-famous St. Viateur bagel bakery and ask for the hottest bagel they have.
Delicious!
Salisbury5
Jul 10, 01, 7:11 am
Oops - that's St. Viateur and Park Avenue...
motnot
Jul 15, 01, 8:11 pm
Come to think of it, Montreal should be listed among the "Favorite Dining Cities." It's long been known as one of the gastronomy capitals of the world!
ROADRUNNER
Jul 20, 01, 5:57 am
We were able to get a table at 6 PM at Toque. We had the Tasting dinner and it was fabulous with fantastic service. $74.00 Can without wine, $101.00 Can with 3 glasses of wine and upgraded entre and dessert. The menu does not point out that there are upgrades with the wine.
Too many courses to describe or remember.
Service was impecable and worth more then 20%. A nice dining experience, even at a far rear table.
-----------------------------------
hhonorman
Dec 2, 02, 9:22 pm
I just wanted to say that I took MSPMAN's recommendation and tried Schwarz's deli last week while I was in Montreal and it was fabulous. I give it two thumbs way up. The place was jammed even at 9:30 at night, but we got a seat after about 5 minutes. They have a cramped seating area and make you share a seat with others at the table, and the ambience and bathrooms are not too good, but the FOOD more than makes up for these minor faults. I had the smoked meat and steak special with fries. I could barely finish it and I'm a big eater. The whole meal cost me about $12 canadian. The pickles were also quite good. Two thumbs way up. Please note, no credit cards accepted, they only take cash, but there is an ATM in the restaurant.
Globe Man
Dec 2, 02, 11:12 pm
Lots of people sware by Schwarz's, but I still find myself going back to REUBEN's on Ste Catherine Street, time and time again.
To each his own...
beergut
Dec 12, 02, 4:18 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Globe Man:
Lots of people sware by Schwarz's, but I still find myself going back to REUBEN's on Ste Catherine Street, time and time again.
To each his own...</font>
I usually get in on a Friday evening and leave again on the Sunday but I manage to find time to do both Reubens and Schwarz's http://www.flyertalk.com/dining/ftdining_forum/biggrin.gif
Just got to find out if I'm allowed to bring meat back into the UK after last years FM outbreak.
Went to Rib'n'reef last time there, great food and service but pricey
Nigel
Albert
Feb 19, 03, 4:58 pm
This is a really cool resource!
gardener
May 12, 03, 3:28 pm
Went to Toque! based on recs on this board and thought it was awesome. The bread alone was worth the trip. I did not get the tasting menu, just the cauliflower soup with foie gras, the seared scallops and a dessert. All were magnificent.
R&R
Jun 12, 03, 12:22 am
Time for my annual trek to Montreal at month's end!
Always open to new places to have some good food. The Hotel Vogue has a nice restaurant on the first floor. Everything is made to order. Last time, I had the buffalo filet.
R&R
Jul 15, 03, 2:56 am
Finally, stopped at a restaurant, that I have walked past for about 10 years.
St. Hubert's BBQ Chicken and it was fabulous, so I ate all my other dinners there for 5 nites. It has to be the best tasting moist nongreasy chicken breast, that I have had in years.
The Table d'Hote included:
Chicken soup- choice of rice, noodle or cream. Or juices.
All the coleslaw you want-creamy or traditional (vineger)
1/4 chicken breast with the best sauce (gravy) to dip it in. Chef's salad for me or Caesar in place of frites and a slice of a bun to lick the sauce cup clean!
THen choice of a full Dessert. The Strawberry Shortcake was delicious. Date squares with vanilla ice cream. More!
$13.10 Can.
Excellent service. I am still thinking of those meals and will go back in Sept!
[This message has been edited by R&R (edited 07-15-2003).]
Sweet Willie
Jul 15, 03, 9:21 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by R&R:
St. Hubert's BBQ Chicken and it was fabulous, so I ate all my other dinners there for 5 nites.</font>
5 nights! that is saying something.
BBQ, does that mean grilled or pit/smoker BBQ style?
Open for lunch?
wideman
Jul 16, 03, 10:30 am
St Hubert is a chain of rotisserie chicken restaurants in Quebec (haven't seen them elsewhere in Canada, but they might be in other provinces, too). If you like Boston Chicken/Market, you'll like St Hubert. Most locations seem to offer delivery.
R&R
Jul 26, 03, 3:22 am
Asked how it was cooked without any greasy fats for a very moist chicken breast.
Learned, that it was roasted on a rotisserie for 2 hours 'with a lot of water' on the bottom. Must be steamlike to keep from drying out.
It doesn't compare to Boston chicken. I had Boston chicken once many years ago and have never been back. I left hungry that one time and that was enough. Their portion control was absurd.
anonplz
Jul 29, 03, 6:33 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by R&R:
Finally, stopped at a restaurant, that I have walked past for about 10 years.
St. Hubert's BBQ Chicken and it was fabulous, so I ate all my other dinners there for 5 nites. It has to be the best tasting moist nongreasy chicken breast, that I have had in years..</font>
Isn't that funny - like you, I've always simply walked by that place over the last 10 years or so I've been going to Montreal. It just looks a little cheesy, a bit too Applebee's. Interesting to hear that there's a reason it's always crowded!
yyzflyer
Jul 30, 03, 7:18 am
Interestingly St. Hubert's tried and failed in a major expansion into this part of the country, due mostly to competition from a well-established similar chain called Swiss Chalet. Almost as prolific as doughnut shops, Swiss Chalet's signature dish is rotisserie chicken with a heavily salted skin and excellent bbq sauce. They are well entrenched in Southern Ontario and other parts of Canada, as well as border communities such as Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY. Try one if you're up this way.
R&R
Aug 1, 03, 2:14 am
I dislike anything with BBQ sauce on it. I always think, those dishes are for smokers, who need the strong tastes for any taste.
That is what I liked about St. Hubert's. It didn't have a strong taste. It tasted like fresh CHICKEN! The sauce was very delicate and NON greasy, while the meat was moist and more of a natural taste. The desserts were equally outstanding.