Montreal, Canada Guide - - Hotels, Restaurants, Nightlife - Classic Travel
Montreal, Quebec's largest city, is thriving. Having recovered from the sluggish economy and political infighting of the 90s, Montreal surges ahead with vibrancy. The business world prospers in the shape of the downtown skyscrapers and delicious restaurants pack a city that has become more beautiful than ever.
Montreal speaks two languages, French and English, but has one heart. With neo-Gothic architecture abound, visitors can see the roots of the French pioneers blended with the more recent British settlers. An incredible blend of the "vieux" and "new", its many lovely neighborhoods make Montreal unique. From the youthful party atmosphere of Old Town to its multi-lingual Chinatown, the city is remarkably easy to navigate whether by metro or foot. Even the snowy winter weather won't slow down visitors as many shops, cinemas and restaurants are built underground and linked by the metro and walkways. Food-lovers will be in heaven as there are fabulous French and internationally eclectic restaurants all over town.
Activities
Le Cirque Du Soleil 8400 2nd Avenue Tel. 514.722.2324 www.cirquedusoleil.com The birthplace of the one of the world’s most amazing acrobatic troupes, Montreal is still the home to Le Cirque du Soleil.
Old Port of Montreal de la Commune Street Tel. 800.971.PORT www.oldportofmontreal.com Nestled between the St. Lawrence River and Old Montreal, the Old Port offers numerous year round outdoor activities, exhibits and entertainment. Take a river cruise in the summer or ice skate on the outdoor rink in the winter. The Old Port welcomes seven million visitors each year who are seeking relaxation, enjoyment and pure fun.
The Montreal Museum of Fine Arts 1380 Sherbrooke Street West Tel. 514.285.2000 www.mmfa.qc.ca Boasting more than 30,000 objects, Canada’s oldest museum has strived to provide a heterogeneous collection of Canadian and international works. Inuit sculptures, for example, came on display in 2006. Canadian photography and ancient sub-Saharan works are among other examples of exhibitions.
Basilique Notre Dame-de-Montreal 110 rue Notre-Dame Ouest Tel. 514.849.1070 www.basiliquenddm.org This grand basilica was finished in 1829. A protestant architect, James O-Donnell, was so happy with his work that he purportedly converted to Catholicism. The grand neo-Gothic facade is 228 feet high and the neo-Romanesque interior has vaulted ceiling studded with 24-karat gold stars. The largest church bell in North America is in Montreal, weighing in at just over 12 tons.
Galerie Samuel Lallouz1434 rue Sherbrooke Ouest Tel. 514.849.5844 www.galeriesamuellallouz.com Several Canadian and American minimalist artists are on display at this shopping activity.
Parc Jean-Drapeau Tel. 514.872.6120 www.parcjeandrapeau.com/en Catch a movie at the beach, watch water polo players duke it out, go biking and hiking, or attend a concert next to the city at Parc Jean-Drapeau. Named for the visionary mayor who brought the World’s Fair to Montreal in 1967, the park encompasses two islands, one of which is made from earth carved out during construction of the subway.
Dining
Maison Boulud 1228 Sherbrooke St.West Tel. 514.842.4224 www.maisonboulud.com/montreal
Daniel Boulud’s menu is driven by the seasons and bounty of Québec’s local purveyors. You’ll find specialties from Boulud’s New York City restaurants, including Lyonnaise charcuterie, Mediterranean flavors, and even some casual burgers, as well as dishes created just for Maison Boulud. The result: refined yet soulful contemporary French food, prepared here by Executive Chef Riccardo Bertolino. Europea 1227 de la Montagne Tel. 514.398.9229 www.europea.ca
“Culinary art at its finest” Fill up your senses as you discover the best of Québec food products exquisitely prepared by two French chefs. Discover a modern and creative cuisine in a warm and intimate ambiance. Toqué 900 Place Jean-Paul Riopelle Tel. 514.499.2084 www.restaurant-toque.com
Internationally renowned chef Norman Laprise has moved this popular restaurant to a new home on the fringes of Old Montreal. The new, sleek interior is a perfect backdrop for Laprise's outstanding menu. La Queue de Cheval Steakhouse & Cigar 1221 Blvd. Rene-Levesque West Tel. 514.390.0090 www.queuedecheval.com
Home to one of the best wine cellars worldwide, has beautiful wood finishes, vaulted ceilings and glowing chandeliers to add to the wonderful ambience of this favorite restaurant. This steakhouse is one of Canada’s premier fine dining steakhouse restaurants specializing in dry-aged USDA Prime beef and fresh seafood. Le Bremner 361 Saint Paul Est Tel. 514-544-0446 www.crownsalts.com/lebremner
Celebrity chef Chuck Hughes calls his latest baby, Le Bremner, "a kind of a seafood diner." Montreal foodies call it the hottest restaurant of the moment. And if Le Bremner ends up a repeat of Hughes' success with Garde Manger-- his original culinary haunt whose popularity is often attributed to Hughes' high profile via Food Network's Chuck's Day Off Bouillon Bilk 1595 boul St-Laurent Tel. 514.845.1595 www.bouillonbilk.com
Close to the Quartier des Spectacles and to downtown, this restaurant is giving the area a facelift by presenting diners with an original take on food. Les 400 Coups 400 Notre-Dame Est. Tel. 514 985 0400 www.les400coups.ca
Located in the Old Montréal neighborhood of Montréal, Les 400 Coups has a casual atmosphere and specializes in Bistro, Contemporary / Eclectic, Fusion and Market cuisine. Barroco Restaurant 312 Rue Saint-Paul West (corner Saint-Pierre) Tel. 514.544.5800 www.barroco.ca
Slightly off the beaten tourist track and located on the ground floor of an old Napoleonic greystone, Barroco will serve a menu of rustic French, Spanish, and Italian fare and a selection of private import wines. Le Club Chasse Et Peche 423 rue St. Claude (Old Montreal) Tel. 514.861.1112 www.leclubchasseetpeche.com
Designed to look like an intimate private club, Le Club has become one of the most popular restaurants in Montreal since it opened in late 2004. Globe 3455 Boulevard St.-Laurent Tel. 514.284.3823 www.restaurantglobe.com
Free-range meat and poultry and organic produce make this fine dining stalwart that opened in 1993 a good destination for live jazz or strawberry rhubarb martini.
Shopping
Mona Moore 1446 rue Sherbrooke Ouest Tel. 514.842.0662 www.monamoore.com
For a truly sexy and chic shoe shop in Montreal, look no further than Mona Moore. It’s in the Golden Square Mile section and about a dozen designers’ works are on hand.
Henri Henri 189 rue Ste-Catherine Ouest Tel. 514.288.0109 www.henrihenri.ca
The best hat store in Canada, Henri Henri is, also, perhaps the most famous. In the 50’s and 60’s, the store awarded individual NHL hockey players a free hat for scoring three goals or more in a game. Henri Henri is where the common sports term "hat trick" came from.
Kanuk 485 rue Rachel Est Tel. 514.527.4494 www.kanuk.com
Every garment at Kanuk is made in Quebec and flashes the ubiquitous owl logo. Their jackets and long coats make Kanuk famous, but the company also has a wonderful line of classy and understated raincoats and anoraks for a brisk spring day.
Fourrures Mega 397 Mayor Street Tel. 514.844.8651
This manufacturer has an easy-access showroom featuring furs for many different budgets. Montreal is a major fur city, and Mega has Russian sable, mink/leather coats, and beaver available.
La Maison Ogilvy 1307 rue Ste-Catherine Ouest Tel. 514.842.7711 www.ogilvycanada.com
Distinguished British brand Aquascutum, Jones New York, Luisa Serano, Anne Fontaine, Betty Barclay, Margaret M, Hugo Boss and more call this department store home.
Nadya Toto 2057 rue de la Montagne Tel. 514.350. 9090 www.nadyatoto.com
Nadya Toto is one of Canada’s finest designers. Her clothes are light and soft and always ready to wrap the body in comfort. Ruffled sleeves and nipped waists are characteristic of her lines.
Resorces
Amphi-Bus Tel. 514.849.5181 www.montreal-amphibus-tour.com For a great harbor tour, try the amphibious vehicle tour that skirts around Old Montreal and then splashes into the harbor.
Spa Bota Bota Old Port of Montreal McGill entree Corner de la Commune West and McGill Tel. 514.284.0333 www.botabota.ca
Bota Bota pulls you into a world of relaxation and infinite wonders, where gentle waves lull your soul. This floating spa combines luminance, tranquility, design and an astonishing 360 degree view. Enjoy the relaxing and energizing properties of water circuit therapy. Spa Scandinave 71 de la Commune West Tel. 514.288.2009 www.scandinave.com/en/montreal Located in Old Montreal, Scandinave Les Bains Vieux-Montréal is a 12,000 square foot thermal bath where you will find the age-old tradition of the Scandinavian bath and the benefits of massage in an authentic environment with a contemporary touch.
French Immersion Courses at LSC Tel. 1.800.394.LEARN www.linguaserviceworldwide.com/MontrealLSC.htm Take a French course in the world’s second largest French-Speaking country. This school was founded in 1962 and is a supplier of language services to the Canadian Federal Government and a member of the International Association of Language Centers.
Ca Roule Bike Tours Tel. 514.866.0633 www.caroulemontreal.com With 350 kilometers of bike paths, Montreal is easily discoverable by bike.
For more information about attractions, festivals and other services visit: www.tourisme-montreal.org
A list of some taxi companies in Montreal:
Atlas Taxi (Tel. 514.485.8585). Champlain Taxi (Tel. 514.273.2435 or 514/271-1111). Co-op Taxi (: 514/725-9885). Unitaxi (Tel. 514.482.3000).
Nightlife
Hurley’s Irish Pub 1225 rue Crescent Tel. 514.861.4111 www.hurleysirishpub.com
With 18 beers on tap, 40 single malts and eight whiskeys, Hurley’s is a fine place for lazy summer afternoon or evening. Try a local brew, such as a St. Ambroise Pale Ale or Duminot Cider.
Newtown 1476 rue Crescent Tel. 514.284.6555 www.lenewtown.com A vibrant lounge atmosphere with a welcoming terrace, Don’t leave without trying their exotic & unique cocktails.
Wiskey Café 5800 St. Laurent Boul. Tel. 514.278.2646 www.whiskycafe.com Make your way here! Whisky Café offers one of the few sanctioned cigar lounges in the city. Choose from any number of fine Cuban cohibas of varying quality and enjoy a puff or three accompanied by one of their 150 whiskeys’ selection in this relaxed and friendly lounge environment.
Jello Martini Lounge 151 rue Ontario est Tel. 514.285.2621 www.jellomartinilounge.com
Feeling retro chic? Jello’s specialty, delicious martinis, are offered in more than 50 different kinds. Along with its 1960’s colors and patterns, Jello’s live music every night livens up a cold Montreal night. Check out Aka Soulo on a Tuesday night. This is where the young and beautiful go.
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