Montreal RFI

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OK, barring Griswoldesque grotesqueries, me and my wife and some friends are going to be in Montreal much of next week. What should we do? Where should we go? What's worth more, the blue money or the red money? Restaurants, bars, clubs, parks, interesting nooks and crannies, shopping districts, clothing stores, bookstores, music stores, I dunno... What are things to do in and around the city that we might not find unless someone tells us about them? I'm especially interested in places less likely to be jam-packed with people. Any and all suggestions much appreciated. Merci bien.

― JesseFox (JesseFox), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 03:00 (twenty-two years ago)

There's another thread on this somewhere but I'd be happy to answer all your questions here. But since I don't know any of your tastes or interests maybe you could ask some more specific questions (otherwise I might end up writing a guidebook or something and nobody wants that).

― s1utsky (slutsky), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 03:33 (twenty-two years ago)

I know lots of good restaurants though (I'm part-employed as a food writer/resto critic) so tell me what you like to eat.

― s1utsky (slutsky), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 03:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Food: I'm vegetarian, but the other members of the party aren't, so are there any places with a good balance of veggie-friendly fare and carnivorous stuff? Especially with good seafood? Also: any good Asian/fusion things? Ethiopian? And/or any places that are just uniquely Montreal in some way? Someplace you wouldn't expect to find in, say, Toronto or New York? (sorry, I know that doesn't narrow it down much...)

Activities: Um...I guess the two big categories are flora/fauna nature stuff (cool parks, any good day hikes around? Could be within an hour or two of the city) and shopping -- like, for an afternoon of wandering around interesting shops (i.e. non-chain places). And is there anywhere to go swimming if the weather and our inclinations permit?

Culture/nightlife: Galleries/museums? (again, places maybe less likely to show up in boldface in your basic city guide?) And how about a nice comfortable bar, maybe with outdoor seating, the kind of place you can sit around and drink and smoke and watch the city for hours? Also, what's the best local paper for entertainment listings, etc.?

I don't expect anyone to answer all that. A handful of suggestions and recommendations would be more than welcome.

― JesseFox (JesseFox), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 06:04 (twenty-two years ago)

OK, let's talk about food first. There's a lot of good French food in Montreal, obviously, and one of my favourite places is a resto on Laurier W. called Leméac. Very nice French cuisine and the best part--the reason my friends and I go there--is that every day after 10pm you can get an appetizer+main course combo for $20 (the main courses tend to run $20-30 alone in the regular hours). Definitely a couple veggie options there too. Highly reccomended.

Leméac's pastry chef and sous-chef took off recently to a new place called Les Chèvres, on Van Horne, which you might be interested in. It's fine dining and a bit pricey but the gimmick is that it's all-vegetable (there are a couple of meat dishes but the cuisine is largely plant-based). I haven't been there yet myself but I've heard great things so far from trusted friends.

― s1utsky (slutsky), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 14:53 (twenty-two years ago)

My favourite Chinese restaurant in the city is probably Fung Shing, which is a hole-in-the-wall place in Chinatown, on St-Laurent just below the gates at René-Lévésque. I'm not sure how veggie-friendly it is, though (though I'm sure you'll be able to work something out). And in my opinion the best sushi can be found at Mikado St-Denis, on St-Denis (obviously) and Ontario. That's also a pretty fun & lively area to walk around at night--lotsa bars & stuff.

A new Ethiopian place just opened up that I haven't checked out yet, but a good standby is Le Nil Bleu, also on St-Denis but a couple blocks up the hill from Mikado. It's right around one of my favourite places in Montreal, Carré St-Louis, which is a beautiful park square with a fountain, a great place to hang around at night & enjoy an ice cream.

More later.

― s1utsky (slutsky), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 15:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Also, for foodstuffs that are typiquement Montreal your friends will probably want to check out Schwartz's for a smoked meat sandwich. For deli styles (and a poutine!) the Main, across the street, is pretty classic. Both are on St-Laurent. And if you appreciate old delis you'll definitely want to at least poke your head into Ben's (on de Maisonneuve), the most beautiful delicatessen in the world, though the food has gone to hell.

Also don't forget to hit Fairmount or St-Viateur for some fresh, hot Montreal bagels.

― s1utsky (slutsky), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 15:26 (twenty-two years ago)

OK, now I'm very hungry. Thanks.

― JesseFox (JesseFox), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 16:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Hey has anyone been to the Prince-Arthur for fondue?

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 16:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Never been to the fondue place.

More info to come.

― s1utsky (slutsky), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 17:14 (twenty-two years ago)

I used to work there.

― Horace Mann (Horace Mann), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 17:18 (twenty-two years ago)

OK as I am procrastinating I'm going to think of some more fun things for you to do. You said you wanted to shop. Now I'm not exactly a shopaholic myself but you could do worse than to browse up and down St-Laurent and St-Denis streets (they're parallel main arteries about seven short blocks apart) between Sherbrooke and Mont-Royal. You should be able to find what you want there, plus there are lots of cafes, restos etc.

As for record stores you might want to check out the ILM thread Record Stores in Quebec where many pros and cons of various establishments were discussed.

Oh! Flora and fauna! Check out the lovely Botanical Gardens and the curious Biodome. This weekend I'm finally going to check out the Morgan Arboretum, a great big tree sanctuary at the western tip of the island that's supposed to be fantastically beautiful. Lots of groves of different species etc. I'll let you know how that goes. If you have the time you might want to take a drive out to the Laurentian mountains, very beautiful this time of year and only an hour or so outside of the city.

― s1utsky (slutsky), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 19:01 (twenty-two years ago)

s1ustsky made some good suggestions - definitely sit down with ice cream at carré st-louis, around 5 or 6PM on a sunny day, the lightning is perfect. just across the street a few blocks down (sherbrooke corner) make sure to stop by the subalterne record store for very good deals on CDs. but know that most stores close early on weekends. i find it a welcomed politic, but i know it usually surprises my american guests. then walk up st-denis to rachel (not even 10 min.) for great french fries at frites alors. the poutine they serve is weird, but you might be tempted to try it if you have drank a little. a good place nearby to drink is "bière & compagnie", on st-denis, halfway between the park and frites alors. i suggest you try the "belle gueule" beer and perhaps try some of the unibroue brewers kinds. one pint of "maudite" makes you crave poutine. le nil bleu is a good ethiopian restaurant... and local chain st-hubert have great sugar pie, but their BBQ-chicken fare is bland.

i guess stopping at mcgill/peel metro stations would be good shopping places, the rip-off district is old montreal. but the old port is still one of my favourite place in the city. go to île-ste-hélène and ride the monster and the vampire, at la ronde. try to catch a movie at cinema l'ex-centris (on st-laurent) or if your hotel room has a VCR rent "the favourite game", based on the leonard cohen book, for a different view on montreal. fauna and flora...botanical garden and biodome are both nice. so is the mountain at night, for a picnic (wear a squirrel-proof helmet)

for bars and shows there is a list here : http://www.secretarcade.com/ubb/Forum9/HTML/001680.html
also casa del popolo have their calendar online:
http://www.casadelpopolo.com/casa/calendar/calendar.html
and you can pick up the hour or the mirror (free weeklies) for other ideas.

― chomi2003, Wednesday, 16 July 2003 21:26 (twenty-two years ago)

oh yeah the mountain!

and the mirror! I do work for them and all!

― s1utsky (slutsky), Wednesday, 16 July 2003 21:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Many thanks! I'm very much looking forward to the trip. I can't wait to get out of my weird crazy country for a few days. Cheers, all.

― JesseFox (JesseFox), Thursday, 17 July 2003 01:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Blanche de Chambly is my favorite of the unibroue. Since Im not a fan of Labatts, if your not feeling adventerous with the beer, stick to Sleemans (Silver Creek Lager, Cream Ale, Honey Brown) rather then the piss that is Blue.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Thursday, 17 July 2003 01:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Most metro stations are artsy.One of my favorite piece is the giant minors in their agencement, very powerful and inspiring. There is a lot of other stuff out there that is not featured at the link I've provided.

From the old port you can see Habitat 67 and a huge geodesic dome.

You can bike along the Lachine canal (people were ironing @ that guy La Salle's pretention to be the one to find the way to China and the name stuck) for around 25 kilometers, from the old montreal to the Atwater market (that atwater vilain also have a street named after him... not bad for a despecable person who used bio chemical weapons, smallpox tainted blankets, against the indigenous population.)

To my knowledge the city haven't arranged outdoor plugs for people to connect their laptop. I am always on the lookout for electricity to be able to work outside for a change :>

There will be a psychotronic movie festival called fantasiafest.
...
This thread made me realize I'm slightly disconnected with the current cultural calendar. I've been stuck in a merry go round of notes and electronic files for the last couple of weeks, I'll look into it to change my mind. If something attracts my attention I'll post it here.

― Sébastien Chikara (Sébastien Chikara), Thursday, 17 July 2003 02:11 (twenty-two years ago)

if you're there on a saturday night (or sometimes on wednesday check the schedule here), check out the fireworks competition. This saturday is the US, which will probably be a good show. You can see them from a number of places, like outside the entrance of la ronde, the waterfront just east of the jacques cartier bridge, or on the bridge itself. Or if you've got some money to burn ($35), you can buy seats at la ronde, where they're launched.
I've been watching the fireworks for years but tonight I scored a free ticket to la ronde, and I think it spoiled me. You can actually feel shockwaves from the bigger blasts and smell the burnt gunpowder. Also you get sprinkled with little bits of debris. Its *that* close. If you're into fireworks, it's worth it.

Also, you should check out tamtams on mount-royal if the weather's nice on sunday. Basically, a whole bunch of people congregate in the park and play bongos, dance, juggle, picnic, etc. I think its pretty unique to this city. Just head west on Rachel until you hit jeanne mance park and then go through the park and across the street to the big statue.

― Elliot (Elliot), Thursday, 17 July 2003 03:47 (twenty-two years ago)

We used to be able to watch the fireworks from the roof. Always meant to shoot some footage of people kissing in front of them to have a convenient movie-ending stockpile but never did.

Sometimes when I see fireworks I inadvertently start singing "Carmina Burana" loudly and off-key.

― s1utsky (slutsky), Thursday, 17 July 2003 03:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Don't go to tam-tams if the idea of 10,000 hippies banging on bongo drums and guys practicing swordfighting with plastic weapons unnerves you like it does me.

― s1utsky (slutsky), Thursday, 17 July 2003 03:51 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah, I was gonna put a warning in there about hippies, but if you're careful you can stay on the periphery and avoid the hardcore ones. But I think everyone needs some exposure to hippies every now and then. I'm actually way more scared of the medieval guys.

― Elliot (Elliot), Thursday, 17 July 2003 04:25 (twenty-two years ago)

I could comically re-tell stories about trying to play croquet on the mountain on Sunday, but that'd just make me look twee.

― s1utsky (slutsky), Thursday, 17 July 2003 04:28 (twenty-two years ago)

please, re-tell. Where and when? are there other croquet players, or were you trying to start a new twee trend?

― Elliot (Elliot), Thursday, 17 July 2003 04:33 (twenty-two years ago)

No there were other players. I really can't tell this story, it'll make me look so twee I'll get beat up or something.

― s1utsky (slutsky), Thursday, 17 July 2003 04:35 (twenty-two years ago)

I *promise*, I wont beat you up...

― Elliot (Elliot), Thursday, 17 July 2003 04:37 (twenty-two years ago)

three weeks pass...

tell the story!

― geeta (geeta), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 16:31 (twenty-two years ago)

ten months pass...

It looks like I'll be spending a long weekend in Montreal before the summer is out.

Any new recommendations on things to see/do? I won't have a car (unless we splurge and rent one, which seems unlikely), so I'm looking for things easily accessible via public transportation.

I'm looking for a good French restaurant that's vegetarian friendly. (I see Leméac and Les Chèvres mentioned above--are they still recommended? any other places to check out?) Is Mikado St-Denis still tops for sushi? Any good Indian restaurants? Any other restaurants (any cuisine) not to be missed? What about a good bagel place?

What are some good streets/neighborhoods to walk around (either during the day or at night) to get a feel for the city? What about good architectural sights? Good cafes/bars to sit outside and have a drink? Maybe a good venue to see an indie rock show? Where do the hip (but maybe not *too* hip) twenty-somethings hang out?

We're planning on checking out the Botanical Gardens and the Biodome. Any other major attractions worth seeing at least once? Museums worth checking out? Other Montreal tips in general? Any advice is appreciated.

― mck (mck), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 15:57 (twenty-one years ago)

if you have the cash and want to check out a topnotch veggie-friendly french resto do not miss les chevres!!! and lemeac is great!

i still strongly support mikado st-denis's sushi. for indian my favourite place is called malhi sweets, it's kind of out of the way (up on jarry, not exactly picturesque either), but cheap and GREAT! for bagels check st-viateur bagels or fairmount. many prefer the latter.

for indie-friendly shows check out www.casadelpopolo.com

― s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 16:49 (twenty-one years ago)

an old high school friend is getting married, and his friend emailed me to announce that the bachelor party is being held in montreal (why? i have no idea. the wedding is in chicago). there's no way i'm going, but one of these days i will get back to montreal.

― amateur!st (amateurist), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 17:24 (twenty-one years ago)

i hope so. and the reason why they're having the party here is because it is a NOTORIOUS PARTY TOWN with naked ladies.

― s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 17:25 (twenty-one years ago)

that reminds me of the whole "wisconsin, that's a big party state" dialogue in "the straight story."

― amateur!st (amateurist), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 17:26 (twenty-one years ago)

A very good friend of mine may be moving there (or Toronto) in the coming year!

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 17:35 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm pretty sure the likes of Club Super Sex are not her scene, though.

― AdamL :') (nordicskilla), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 17:36 (twenty-one years ago)

doesn't sound like a real friend to me

― s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 17:36 (twenty-one years ago)

S1ocki, what's the feeling in town about Le Commensal when it comes to veggie cuisine? I know it's a bit expensive here in the city, and it's a bit industrial, but it IS buffet style and you can just load up your plate with whatever you like.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 17:37 (twenty-one years ago)

We go to the Toronto branch of Le Commensal regularly but I have this feeling that it's looked down upon in Montreal.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 17:38 (twenty-one years ago)

ehhh, it's really expensive and the food isn't THAT great. also they had some e.coli thing a couple years ago (that required shutting down a bunch of their locations temporarily) that kind of scared me off them!

― s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 17:38 (twenty-one years ago)

How do you say "e.coli" in Francais?

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 17:39 (twenty-one years ago)

l'e.coli

― s1ocki (slutsky), Tuesday, 29 June 2004 17:40 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

Is anything happening this weekend? I have some friends going!

― phil-two (phil-two), Tuesday, 8 November 2005 22:09 (twenty years ago)

These folks http://www.moondataproductions.com/ have their regular improv event going on Saturday night, this time featuring all members of moog psych wizards The Unireverse.

LABprojects Session 24

Saturday November 12
O Patro Vys
356 Mont-Royal Est.
21h30

featuring:
The Unireverse
synths, moogs, drum machines, fx
Jaime Thompson (Islands, Unicorns)
drums
Andrew King (Dr. Noh)
trumpet
Matt Lederman
guitar
Peter X
bass
DJ Luv
DJ
Ladyroll & Jocool
Visuals
------

Moondata Productions’ LABprojects series is heading into its 3rd year of bringing Montreal talent together for unique collaborations. Since 2002, LABprojects has played host to over 100 Montreal musicians, DJs and VJs. Members of Montreal’s electronic music community (Sixtoo, Kid Koala, P-Love, naw) indie music scene (Patrick Watson, Elizabeth Powell, members of Donkeys, Unicorns, Besnard Lakes, Stars) soul funk collectives (Ark of Infinity, Kalmunity), jazz groups (Joshua Rager, Miles Perkins, Jim & Chet Doxas, members of IKS) and improv instrumental circles (Sam Shalabi, Harris Newman, members of Torngat, Bell Orchestre) have all graced the stage at O Patro Vys in a variety of formations. The music has ranged fromsonic explosions to hauntingly beautiful moods, from upbeat grooves to minimal ambient textures. Regardless of the lineup, this “deftly curated” series has consistently amazing results.

This year, Moondata Productions is trying something new.

Breaking from the normal focus on a variety of individuals, Moondata is inviting bands to participate amongst other invited musicians for a full night of organized improvisation. Each show will maintain its focus on collaborations between 7-8 musicians on stage, but will add in a short set which highlights the invited group. To start off this new season, Montreal’s electrodance Moog sensations Unireverse will be the featured band. Their blend of synth ambience, dance beats and ability to improvise on a dime (they just finished collaborating with Can’s Damo Suzuki) make their set a perfect match to the organized mayhem that is a Moondata event. With the addition of Dr. Noh’s Andrew King (summoning the ghost of Miles Davis’s trumpet) and Jaime Thompson’s (Unicorns, Islands) dance oriented drumming, this night should see some sparks fly!

― superultramega (superultramarinated), Wednesday, 9 November 2005 00:11 (twenty years ago)

I've heard the "sense in the city" exhibition at the canadian centre for architecture is good. http://www.cca.qc.ca/

― superultramega (superultramarinated), Wednesday, 9 November 2005 00:14 (twenty years ago)

That LABproject will be good, I think! Unireverse=awesome.

― rrrobyn (rrrobyn), Wednesday, 9 November 2005 00:18 (twenty years ago)

they can come get wasted with me and the st-henri homies at Bar Courcelle on Friday if they want!

― superultramega (superultramarinated), Wednesday, 9 November 2005 00:30 (twenty years ago)

two months pass...

Any updates on good restaurants? I may try Au Pied de Cochon (based on one recommendation- is it good?) but would love to hear about favorite places to eat really good food in Montreal. Also, our group could get big, so places that can accomodate 8-10 might be helpful (though we may split up so all recommendations are helpful!).

― mcd (mcd), Monday, 6 February 2006 20:40 (twenty years ago)

i ate at gibby's on saturday. good steak, neat building, expensive as fuck. i wasn't paying, though.

― mookieproof (mookieproof), Monday, 6 February 2006 20:57 (twenty years ago)

two years pass...

daaaamn:

http://expo67.ncf.ca/expo_habitat_structure.jpg

― blueski, Tuesday, 15 April 2008 17:35 (seventeen years ago)

WANT

― Rock Hardy, Tuesday, 15 April 2008 17:37 (seventeen years ago)

i went to this last month. amazing. and hard to get to. i posted a picture i took over here

― jergïns, Tuesday, 15 April 2008 17:49 (seventeen years ago)

my brazilian co-worker just said 'that looks like the slums in rio'

― rrrobyn, Tuesday, 15 April 2008 17:51 (seventeen years ago)

i think the complex is neat looking tho (there is a bike path that goes past it, so i have seen it up close often)

now another co-worker is telling me about this guy who bought up like 7 or 8 blocks and tore down walls and made it awesome and more crazy!

but really the outsides are covered in drip marks and cracks, though all the plants are nice

― rrrobyn, Tuesday, 15 April 2008 17:54 (seventeen years ago)

i have never been to habitat :/

― s1ocki, Tuesday, 15 April 2008 17:56 (seventeen years ago)

i peeked in one as a resident was receiving a pizza. boring cabinetry!

it looks like my college dorms, jumbled.

a couple more i took last month: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2193/2311324111_5aeb80d9e8_m.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3158/2311326793_68801d069e_m.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2108/2312132164_34b9fbe49e_m.jpg

― jergïns, Tuesday, 15 April 2008 18:21 (seventeen years ago)

Can anyone tell me if STM's new smart card/carte à puce is up and running yet?

― fields of salmon, Thursday, 17 April 2008 22:57 (seventeen years ago)

not yet it keeps getting put off

― s1ocki, Thursday, 17 April 2008 23:06 (seventeen years ago)

which is shocking to us all

― rrrobyn, Friday, 18 April 2008 00:22 (seventeen years ago)

Anybody know of any nice apartments to rent? There's something about apartment hunting on Craigslist that is making me nervous. The rents look a bit inflated. Confirm/deny?

― fields of salmon, Tuesday, 29 April 2008 19:54 (seventeen years ago)

uhhh.... think it depends from case to case.

― s1ocki, Tuesday, 29 April 2008 19:55 (seventeen years ago)

two weeks pass...

Ok new one. Where is the best hot dog in MTL?

― fields of salmon, Sunday, 18 May 2008 16:41 (seventeen years ago)

When weather is nice, McGill campus outdoor cart-dudes have italian-sausage style dogs that are super-awesome (or at least did seven years ago).

― G00blar, Sunday, 18 May 2008 16:57 (seventeen years ago)

I miss you, Sin City!

― Kevin John Bozelka, Sunday, 18 May 2008 17:26 (seventeen years ago)

i am a big fan of the sleazy schneiders-and-steamed-bun delights at lafleur's, personally (the one on st. denis)

― Will M., Thursday, 29 May 2008 19:03 (seventeen years ago)

which is kinda like saying "the best cheeseburger is at burger king" in this city i guess

― Will M., Thursday, 29 May 2008 19:03 (seventeen years ago)

mcgill campus dogs don't really count.

for authenticity i say steamies at montreal pool room... century old dive on lower main, soon to be RIP i'm sure

― s1ocki, Thursday, 29 May 2008 19:15 (seventeen years ago)

i have never been there! how late is it open? i want to go TONIGHT.

― Will M., Thursday, 29 May 2008 19:25 (seventeen years ago)

very late!

― s1ocki, Thursday, 29 May 2008 19:25 (seventeen years ago)

I miss les combos chez Philippe on Amherst. Now that I'm on the Plateau it's a bit of a walk.

― fields of salmon, Thursday, 29 May 2008 22:16 (seventeen years ago)

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