
   

Planes!
Trains!
Automobiles!
|
MONTREAL RESTAURANT REVIEWS
Fabulous Montreal Restaurants
Montreal has an international reputation for excellent dining at it’s restaurants.. You can find any restaurant you want and it's a great place to try a new restaurant! Montreal offers a restaurant for every budget and a restaurant for every taste. You will find any kind you're looking for on the Go Montreal site.
Read More...
|
|
|
|
Elegant bistro-restaurant exudes a charm reminicent of the traditional great cafes of Paris.Your choice of elegant dinning room, terrace and second floor pub. |
 |
|
Chez Queux
158 St-Paul E., H2Y 1G6
Montreal, Qc
514.866.5194
Fax: 514-866-7758
|
Deep in the heart of Old Montreal lies a romantically elegant restaurant known as Chez Queux. As though stepping back in time, perhaps to 1862 when it was built. |
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
Le St-Amable
404 Place Jaques-Cartier
Montreal, Qc
514.866.3471
fax: 514.393.8958 |
Come experience fabulous french cuisine in the heart of Old Montreal. Whether you want to enjoy lunch or dinner, a visit here is a must! |
 |
|
Rib 'N Reef
8105 boul. Decarie
Montreal, Qc, H4P 2H5
514.735.1601
fax: 514.735.1777 |
In every major city, there is one steakhouse against which all others are measured. In Montreal, that establishment is the Rib ‘N Reef. What makes the Rib ‘N Reef so special? Well the cuisine of course. |
 |
|
Au Coin du Feu
12505 Côte de Liesse
Dorval, Qc, H9P 1B7
514.631.2411
1.800.567.2411 |
Set in an elegant décor and offering impeccable service, Au Coin du Feu features our famous AAA Angus pepper steak cooked right at your table with the ''Guéridon'' style service. |
 |
|
|
|
Baton Rouge
180 Ste-Catherine W.
Montreal, Qc, H5V 1B5
514.282.7444 |
A taste of the American South in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Specialties include baby back ribs, steak or decadent apple cobbler a la mode! |
 |
|
Bâton Rouge
5385 des Jockeys
Montreal, Qc, H4P 2T8
514.738.1616 |
Take a well-deserved break and unwind in the comfort of Baton Rouge’s cozy decor - burnished warmth of mahogany and brass, deep rich colors and soft lamp lighting that calm your senses. |
 |
|
Restaurant du Vieux Port
425 St-Jean Baptism
Montreal, Qc, H2Y 2Z7
514.866.3175
fax: 514.866.6171 |
Serving Montreal patrons and tourists since 1983, the Restaurant du Vieux Port has become an Old Montreal institution, truly deserving of the reputation as “Old Montreal’s Most Popular Restaurant”. |
 |
|
Wienstein & Gavino's
1434 Crescent,
Montreal, Qc, H3G 2B6
514.288.2231 |
At Wienstein & Gavinos Pasta Bar Factory we are committed to offering our fine patrons an atmosphere that celebrates some of life’s most beautiful treasures: Food, wine, & music! |
 |
|
Kaizen Sushi Bar & Restaurant
4075 Ste-Catherine W.
Montreal, Qc H3Z 3G8
514.707.8744 |
Montreal 's highly acclaimed Sushi Bar and Restaurant has re-created itself in a whole new enviroment. Featuring the City's Freshest Fish and Seafood, Sushi, Maki, Lambas, Sashimi, Oysters Tri Afeller, Seafood Soups. Kobe Beef. |
 |
|
La Iguana
51, Roy St. East
Montreal, QC, H2W 2S3
514.844.0893 |
La Iguana is not just a restaurant...it's a destination where Mexican flavors meet Montreal Passions! |
 |
|
|
|
Dunn's Famous Deli
1249 Metcalfe
Montreal, Qc, H3V 2V5
514.395.1927 |
Family owned since 1927, Dunns is well known for their smoked meat and grilled steaks. Located right downtown. |
 |
|
Tutti Frutti
4024A Ste-Catherine W.
Westmount, H3Z 1P2
514.934.0054 |
Tutti Frutti breakfast and lunch servings are as decorative as a floral bouquet and reflect the quality and care put into each creation. |
 |
|
Eating Well in Montreal
by Andrea Zanin
Montreal is famous for its food scene. We boast thousands of restaurants in Montreal that serve a huge variety of fresh, high-quality food, and even our high-end restaurants are reasonably priced compared to other cities. But how did our unique food culture develop? Read more |
 |
|
MONTREAL RESTAURANT REVIEWS
|
|
Montreal Restaurants @ a Glance |
MONTREAL AMERICAN RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Hard Rock Cafe
1458 Crescent street, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Bâton Rouge
5385 des Jockeys, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Atmosphère
12505 Côte de Liesse, Dorval, Quebec |
Restaurant Club Sandwhich
12505 Côte de Liesse, Dorval, Quebec |
Restaurant Boccacinos & Bar
1251 McGill College, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL ASIAN RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Kaizen Sushi Bar
4075 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le Petit Treehouse
3527 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Miso
4000 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Kam Fung
1071 & 1111 St-Urban #M05, Montreal, Qc |
Restaurant Chang Thai
2100 Crescent Street, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant L'Orchidée Chine
2017 Peel, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Cité d'Asie
1242 Drummond, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Bato Thai
1310 Ste-Catherine East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Jardin du Nord
78 de la Gauchetière W., Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le Chrysantheme
1208 Crescent street, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le Chrysantheme
173 Principale Street, St-Sauveur, Quebec |
Restaurant Nagoya
140 Notre-Dame West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Boccacinos & Bar
1251 McGill College, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Hong Kong
1019 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Ming Yeng
1051 St-Laurent , Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL BELGIAN RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Le Petit Moulinsart
139 Saint-Paul West, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL BISTRO RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Bistro L'Intrigue
39 De La Commune East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Brulerie St-Denis
1587 St-Denis, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Café Epoca
6778 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant La Fondue
70 Prince-Arthur, Montreal, Qc |
Restaurant Cafe Bistro Cheaters
8488 Lacordaire, St-Léorard, Quebec |
Restaurant Atmosphère
12505 Côte de Liesse, Dorval, Quebec |
Restaurant Bistro Le Cepage
212 Notre Dame West, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL BRAZILIAN RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Senzala
177 Bernard West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Senzala
4218 de la Roche, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL BREAKFAST RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Miso
4000 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Tutti Frutti
4024A Ste-Catherine W, Westmount, Qc |
Restaurant Reuben's
888 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Senzala
177 Bernard West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Senzala
4218 de la Roche, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Chez Cora Dejeuners
1425 Stanley, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Chez Cora Dejeuners
1017 Ste-Catherine East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Chez Cora Dejeuners
205 Viger West, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL BRING YOUR OWN WINE RESTAURANTS
Restaurant La Cabane Grecque
102 Prince Arthur, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Pégase
1831 Gilford, Montreal, Qc |
MONTREAL CAFES
Restaurant Brulerie St-Denis
1587 St-Denis, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Quelli Della Notte
6834 St-Laurent blvd, Montreal, Qc |
Restaurant Café République
1200 Peel, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Café République
3563 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Cafe Bistro Cheaters
8488 Lacordaire, St-Léorard, Quebec |
Restaurant Café Le Paradis International
1370 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Cafe Europeen
1560 St. Catherine East, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL CHICKEN N' RIB RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Bâton Rouge
180 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Bâton Rouge
5385 des Jockeys, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant House of Jazz
2060 Aylmer, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Champs Restaurant & Bar
3956 St-Laurent, Montreal, Qc |
MONTREAL CREPERIE RESTAURANTS
MONTREAL CUBAN RESTAURANTS
Restaurant El Daiquiri
1771 Av. McGill College, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL DELI RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Reuben's
888 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Dunn's Famous Deli
1249 Metcalfe, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL FINE DINING RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Aix
711 côte de la place d'Armes, Montreal, Qc |
Restaurant Verses
100 St-Paul West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Rib 'N Reef
8105 Decarie, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Au Coin du Feu
12505 Côte de Liesse, Dorval, Quebec |
Restaurant Queue de Cheval
1221 René-Lévesque blvd West, Montreal, Qc |
MONTREAL FINE PIZZA RESTAURANTS
Restaurant La Piazzetta
1101 Ste-Catherine East, Montreal, Quebec |
Montreal Restaurant La Piazzetta
4097 St-Denis, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL FONDUE RESTAURANTS
Restaurant FondueMentale
4325 St-Denis, Montreal, Qc |
Restaurant La Fondue
70 Prince-Arthur, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Pasta Tella
2055 Stanley, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Alpenhaus
1279 St-Marc, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant La Fonderie
964 Rachel East, Dorval, Quebec |
MONTREAL FRENCH RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Alexandre & Fils
1454 Peel, Montreal, Qc |
Restaurant Chez Queux
158 St-Paul East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant RestoFiore
Centre Eaton de Montréal McGill College Avenue, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Les Beaux Jeudis
1449 Crescent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant La Fonderie
964 Rachel East, Dorval, Quebec |
Restaurant Les Chenets
2075 rue Bishop, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Les Remparts
39 de la Commune East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le Paris
1812 St-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Pégase
1831 Gilford, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Bonaparte
447 Saint-François-Xavier, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Verses
100 St-Paul West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Newtown
1476 Crescent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Thursday's
1449 Crescent street, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Bistro L'Intrigue
39 De La Commune East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le St-Amable
410 Place Jaques-Cartier, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le Homard Fou
403 Place Jaques-Cartier, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Hélène De Champlain
200 Tour de l'Isle, Ile Ste-Hélène, Quebec |
Restaurant Europea
1227 de la Montagne, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le Merlot
1236 Mackay, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Resto-Bistro-Bar Robert et Compagnie
2095 McGill College, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Sauvagine
111 St-Paul East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Winnies
1455 Crescent street, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL FUSION RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Aix
711 côte de la place d'Armes, Montreal, Qc |
Restaurant Miso
4000 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Café République
1200 Peel, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Café République
3563 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Mess Hall
4858 Sherbrooke West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Saloon
1333 Ste-Catherine East, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL GREEK RESTAURANTS
Restaurant La Cabane Grecque
102 Prince Arthur, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Ammos
1980 Pierre-Péladeau, Laval, Quebec |
Restaurant Mythos
5318 Parc Avenue, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL GRILL RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Café République
1200 Peel, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Café République
3563 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Carlos & Pepe's
1420 Peel, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Casa de Mateo
440 St-François-Xavier, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le Petit Treehouse
3527 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Reuben's
888 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Upstairs Jazz & Grill Bar
1254 Mckay, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL INDIAN RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Bombay Palace
2201 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Etoile de l'Inde
1806 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL IRISH RESTAURANTS
Restaurant The Old Dublin
1219A University, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL ITALIAN RESTAURANTS
Restaurant RestoFiore
Centre Eaton de Montréal McGill College Avenue, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Alto Palato
5282 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Boccacinos & Bar
1251 McGill College, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant BU
5245 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Café République
1200 Peel, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Café République
3563 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Casa Cacciatore
170 Jean-Talon East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Il Mulino
236 St-Zotique East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant La Capannina
2022 Stanley, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant La Piazzetta
1101 Ste-Catherine East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Pasta Andrea
1718 boulevard Saint-Joseph, Montreal, Qc |
Restaurant Pasta Tella
2055 Stanley, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Quelli Della Notte
6834 St-Laurent blvd, Montreal, Qc |
Restaurant Casa Napoli
6728 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Enzo's
1437A Crescent street, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Wienstein & Gavino's
1434 Crescent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Ristorante Andrea
3060 St-Joseph, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Modani
6707 St-Laurent, Ile Ste-Hélène, Quebec |
Restaurant Pino Trattoria-Cafe-Bar
1471 Crescent street, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Ti Amo
73 Prince Arthur, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant La Dora
6837 Sherbrooke East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant La Sorosa
56 Notre-Dame West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant L'Amalfitana
1381 Rene-Levesque East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le Latini
1130 Jeanne-Mance, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Il Piatto Pieno
177 St-Zotique East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Ristorante Lucca
12 Dante, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Trattoria Dai Baffoni
11 Dante, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL JAPANESE RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Kaizen Sushi Bar
4075 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le Petit Treehouse
3527 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Miso
4000 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Hinodé
4525 ave. du Parc, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Na Go Ya
140 Notre-Dame West, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL MEDITERRANEAN RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Ammos
1980 Pierre-Péladeau, Laval, Quebec |
Restaurant Finzi
20 Notre-Dame East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Galiano's
410 rue Saint-Vincent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Modavie
1 St-Paul West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Alto Palato
5282 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Newtown
1476 Crescent, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL MEXICAN RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Carlos & Pepe's
1420 Peel, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Casa de Mateo
440 St-François-Xavier, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL PORTUGUESE RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Casa Minhota
3959 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Solmar
111 St-Paul East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Maevva
1468 Crescent, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL PUBS
Restaurant Carlos & Pepe's
1420 Peel, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Vices and Versa
6631 Blvd St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant The Old Dublin
1219A University, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant John Sleeman Pub
1454 Peel, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Pub St-Paul
5282 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Peel Pub
1117 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Brutopia Brew Pub
1290 Crescent street, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Pub St-Paul
5282 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Madhatter
1220 Crescent Street, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL RUSSIAN RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Troika
2171 Crescent street, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Alouette
1176 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant du Vieux Port
39 St-Paul East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Café République
1200 Peel, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Café République
3563 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le Petit Treehouse
3527 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Maevva
1468 Crescent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Casa de Mateo
440 St-François-Xavier, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Rib 'N Reef
8105 Decarie, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le Homard Fou
403 Place Jaques-Cartier, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant la Mer
1840 Rene-Levesque East, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL SOUTHERN FUSION RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Savannah
4448 Saint-Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL STEAKHOUSE RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Rib 'N Reef
8105 Decarie, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Au Coin du Feu
12505 Côte de Liesse, Dorval, Quebec |
Restaurant Alouette
1176 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant du Vieux Port
39 St-Paul East, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Reuben's
888 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Upstairs Jazz & Grill Bar
1254 Mckay, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Bâton Rouge
5385 des Jockeys, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Queue de Cheval
1221 René-Lévesque blvd West, Montreal, Qc |
MONTREAL SUSHI RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Kaizen Sushi Bar
4075 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le Petit Treehouse
3527 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Miso
4000 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Hinodé
4525 ave. du Parc, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL SWISS RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Pasta Tella
2055 Stanley, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Alpenhaus
1279 St-Marc, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL TAKE-OUT/DELIVERY RESTAURANTS
Restaurant Kaizen Sushi Bar
4075 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Le Petit Treehouse
3527 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL THEME RESTAURANTS
Restaurant The Haunted House (La Maison Hantée)
1037 de Bleury, Montreal, Quebec |
MONTREAL WINE BAR RESTAURANTS
Restaurant BU
5245 St-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec |
Restaurant Eclipse
12505 Côte de Liesse, Montreal, Quebec |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Eating Well in Montreal (continued)
by Andrea Zanin
In 1642, French settlers, led by Paul de Chomedey de Maisonneuve with the help of Jeanne Mance, founded Ville Marie in the area now known as the Old Port of Montreal. The colony came under British rule in 1760. In the first half of the 19th century, waves of immigrants arrived from England , Scotland and Ireland , and Montreal enjoyed a brief stint as the capital of Canada . By 1870, our port city was a thriving centre for culture and industry, and this has continued ever since.
It’s hard to pinpoint when restaurants started to take their place as an integral part of Montreal culture. But some of the highlights are easy to trace, particularly since some of our most well loved places have been around for 80 years or more.
Montreal delicatessens got their start when Ben and Franny Kravitz opened Ben’s Delicatessen in 1908; it moved to its current retro-style digs on the corner of Maisonneuve and Metcalfe in the 1950s. In 1919, Isadore Shlafman opened Montreal ’s first bagel bakery, which moved from Saint-Laurent Boulevard to Fairmount Street in 1949. Today, Isadore’s grandchildren still make their famous bagels in the traditional wood stove at Fairmount Bagels in that same spot. In 1927, Myer Dunn founded Dunn’s Famous Restaurant, a Montreal institution known for sandwiches stacked high with smoked meat. His grandson Elliot Kligman still runs the place.
Though the city of Montreal certainly felt the Great Depression in 1929, legal drinking and a scintillating nightlife made Montreal a destination of choice throughout the American Prohibition from 1920 to 1933. (Quebec’s version of the Prohibition lasted just a year, from 1918 to 1919!) Montreal nightclubs enjoyed their heyday from 1925 to 1955, and restaurants played an integral part of the scene along with vaudeville acts and jazz music.
1933 saw the inauguration of two public markets, Atwater and Jean-Talon, which among others are still thriving today. Everyday shoppers and restaurant chefs alike surf there for fresh produce and treats du terroir, including Quebec ’s wide variety of specialty cheeses. Montrealers have come to expect our restaurants to serve only the freshest food; Alouette Steakhouse (1176 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal), for example, has been thriving since 1948 on its reputation for succulent steaks and delicious seafood.
In 1967, Montreal hosted Expo 67, a major world cultural fair that saw 50 million people flood the city over six months. This of course gave an enormous boost to the city’s restaurant industry, and some of the resulting establishments are still going strong today—among others, Alexandre et fils (1454 Peel, Montreal), a French restaurant created by Alain Creton, who became a chef at 19 and still greets customers at the door today.
Some of Montreal’s best food can be found in the small, single-location restaurants that line the Main and pepper the Plateau, not to mention nestling in every conceivable nook and cranny of every neighbourhood in the city.
Montreal has seen many influxes of immigrants over the past century, from Jewish war survivors in the 1940s and 50s to Chinese, African, Caribbean, Lebanese, Greek, Italian and Portuguese populations at various other times, to name just a few. Today, you can hear dozens of languages spoken on the streets, and the city is full of cultural institutions, bookstores, specialty food shops—and of course, restaurants—that both reflect and cater to the resulting cultural diversity. Enjoy delicious Greek on Prince Arthur Street , Italian in the North (such as Roberto’s on Bélanger), Japanese on the Plateau, Mexican in the Old Port , and Ethiopian and Afghani downtown, just for starters. The variety is mind-boggling—from steaming 99-cent pizza at street-corner dives to funky vegan eateries (check out Café Blue Monday in Verdun) to five-star dining at the Casino.
French cuisine is of course easy to find too, from lovely crêperies in the Old Port and Mile End (try Une Crêpe?) to delicious chocolateries all over the city to gourmet spots downtown (check out Le Paris at 1812 Ste-Catherine West, Montreal). The European tradition of open-air terrasses during the warmer months is alive and well, and some say that our current trendy gourmet coffee culture found its beginnings here also—not hard to believe given our huge number of artsy cafés and bistros.
Today’s Montreal restaurant scene is second only to New York City in number of restaurants per capita in North America . With a rich history and a flourishing present, our Montreal restaurant scene is well worth discovering for yourself!
|
|
Fabulous Montreal Restaurants (continued)
In addition, you can eat well at any price, from the local diner restaurant specializing in smoked meat to the upscale, fine eateries where feeling at home is always on the menu. Here are a few suggestions on everything from selecting your restaurant, ordering the wine, and deciding on the tip. We hope you enjoy your visit!
Beyond sampling and approving wine, asking for a description of a dish your uncertain of, asking for wine recommendations, knowing to work from the outside in with cutlery or tipping 15-20% there are little nuances to dining out in Montreal restaurants that can make an important occasion or meeting go more smoothly and enjoyably.
Always make reservations when going out to dine in Montreal restaurants, to name the number in your party and make any specific inquiries about menu, prices, special access or arrangements in advance. This will allow you to avoid disappointment and have some advance knowledge of the menu before you go to the restaurant. It might be important to you that the meal ends with port and a cheese selection. So, don't wait until the moment arrives only to find nothing of the sort is offered. Many of our reviews include samples of what is offered on the menu and you can always ask the restaurant to fax you a wine list or sample menu.
Montreal restaurant diners tend to find the pairing of wines with their food the most perplexing task when eating out. However, this part of dinner should prove simple armed with a bit of knowledge.
First you should remember that we are not all expected to be wine experts. A good Montreal restaurant will have waiters that understand the restaurant’s wine offerings and will often have the services of a sommelier (wine expert) at your disposal. Make use of these people! Experts love nothing more than to be asked for their advice and will usually provide it in spades, in a range of prices. If you have a particular price in mind you might point out an example on the wine list and ask if that seems like a good choice. The wait staff will immediately get your drift and find a selection in your range.
If you prefer to order on your own that's fine. Keep the following classical rules in mind: Dry white wines pair well with seafood and dry red wines are a standard accompaniment to meat dishes. Also, rich wines go with rich foods in either category and lighter wines pair best with lighter foods. So, for example, you are have ordered steak au poivre (steak with pepper sauce). You would want a rich red like a Cabernet Sauvignon. If you are having Shrimp Newburg (a richly sauced seafood dish) you would want a Chardonnay. In the whites a Sauvignon Blanc would match a simple poached fish dish and in the reds a Merlot would suit a simple veal dish.
Finally, a few more simple rules will make you comfortable in Montreal restaurants. Order with authority and confidence. Hence, even if it's a shot in the dark, you may have made a serendipitous choice and your partners will applaud your savvy. On the other hand, if the choice is less than perfect, your guests might assume they have yet to have acquired your superior taste! Secondly, don't order the most expensive wines on the list or the cheapest. In a good restaurant, the wines will all have been selected with care. You can assume that most of them will be decent. Price is never an assurance of quality. Thirdly, avoid Burgundy wine because of the great variability in quality from year to year and from one winery to the next. Cabernet Sauvignons are fairly consistent in quality and the Bordeaux's are good selections for a mature wine. American Pinot Noirs are almost foolproof choices.
Amongst the fortified and dessert wines you will find Vermouth, Sherry, Port, Marsal and Madeira. So, when would you order these? Vermouth on ice or blended with ice is most often an aperitif to go with an appetizer. A good selection here is Noilly Pratt. Sherry is an ideal wine for Tapas (Spanish), or any sort of appetizer. Sherry can also be served after dinner, like a Port, with cheese or just coffee. Port is classically served with Stilton cheese and walnuts and the end of a meal. Port is traditionally served with Stilton cheese. Stilton and other blue cheeses set up a counterpoint of complementary textures and flavors, but cheeses like Cheddar and Glouster are also good. In addition, walnuts, chestnuts, cashews, and hazelnuts help bring out the best in Port. Desserts based on strawberries, raspberries, cherries, currants or similarly full-flavored fruits, are a natural ally of Port. Marsala is a fortified Italian wine similar to Port and can be used in much the same way as can Madeira. Don't be afraid to experiment!
So you've wined and dined at Montreal’s best restaurant and now the bill arrives. How much should you tip? Quebec wait staff are taxed on their income from tips regardless of whether or not they actually receive them. Keeping that in mind, a regular tip is 15% of the bill before tax. Excellent or exceptional service can be tipped at 20%. A tip can be reduced by a few percentage points for a bill inflated by alcohol due to the fact that alcohol service does not represent a great deal of extra work for the wait staff. It is always unfair to avoid tipping or leaving just a token amount. If you are angry or upset with some aspect of the service you should speak to the staff. Never penalize wait staff for things that might have annoyed you but were not their fault.
Bon apetit & enjoy your stay!
Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |