I know that this was discussed months ago..

http://forums.winespectator.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9581...=861100464#861100464

but are there any other additional places to seek out. Staying at the Marriott Chateau Champlain..cant wait going in July...

The only place I can think of that isn't already mentioned in that thread is Fairmont Bagels, near Schwartz's. Mimik recommended St-Viateur bagel, and he's a local and I am not, but I cannot imagine a better bagel than Fairmont's. We take 5 dozen home every time we go to Montreal. The only drawback is that there is no where to sit, or even hardly to stand, in the shop, so one has to take them back to the hotel to eat. Which we do, for breakfast......

Cheers Bman

cant wait to enjoy some kick ass french wine up in Montreal....

We'll be happy to party with you for an evening, mareff, if you're interested. Just give some notice of just when in July you're coming. Great time of year. Festivals, dining on a terrace, beautiful women in short skirts. Ahhhh the life.

What KSC02 said Mareff. Just say the word.

Bman, Mimik is right. St. Viateur makes the best bagels.

quote:

Originally posted by steve8:
What KSC02 said Mareff. Just say the word.

Bman, Mimik is right. St. Viateur makes the best bagels.

I'm a local and I have to go with bman - love the Fairmont bagel. However, to be fair to Steve and Mimik, I have never conducted a proper, head-to-head, blinded tasting

Blind tasting of bagels. They would have to come out of the oven at the same time.

quote:

Originally posted by steve8:
Blind tasting of bagels. They would have to come out of the oven at the same time.

And we can put them in brown papers bags for a blind bagel testing.

Mareff, let us know when you are in town. It would be a pleasure to have a glass a wine with you.

Hi,

I'd like to recommend a restaurant for dinner. Lunch is served mon - fri with a limited menu
I live in the area and go often.

Holder Restaurant on McGill. It's a nice menu, they even have the seared fois gras, decent wine list with decent prices (by Montreal standards). It's not over the top gourment, but it's good food, with good service.

Another place for the summer just down the street a coupple of blocks (north of Holder) I think the name is Borris, same side. It has a beautiful courtyard and could be nice for a lunch outside. I've only had lunch once so don't know about wines etc but the courtyard is very nice for a coffe/lunch

We too would be happy to have a glass of wine/dinner with you. I am originally from NYC btw. Have a great trip.

Then lets get together either Friday or Saturday night. My brother will be with me...

NOt sure what offlines are like up north....

What's the date you are coming, I'll put it on my calendar.
BTW, my hubby works in the office bldg that is attached to your hotel.

I'd avoid the food at the hotel if at all possible, not great.

Sorry, don't know if this resto was recommend. It's not a bargain, but it's good in our opinion, mostly fish, it's Portugese, not a BYOB but they have private imports of Portugese wine and ports, Cafe Ferreria on Peel, just 2 doors down from Alexander's. The grilled sardine club is just fantastic as is the Alaska Black Cod

I want to also say avoid Trinity and the new Pois Panache or whatever it's called. Same owners as Le Queue. I gave both a try, I don't know what it is or how they manage it but they sure do know how to ruin what could be an outstanding meal. I'm a sucker I know, I have to try new places once. Although I hear that his sandwich place downtown is very very good but have not tried it.

quote:

Originally posted by mareff:
Then lets get together either Friday or Saturday night. My brother will be with me...

NOt sure what offlines are like up north....

Much like the ones south of the border. We have them at BYOW restaurants that don't charge corkage. We usually pick a theme and frequently do them blind, but we're flexible if you would rather just keep it simple.

It's July you'll be up here right? Which weekend? I'll volunteer to organize this one.

quote:

Originally posted by mareff:
NOt sure what offlines are like up north....

steve8 forgot to tell you that, traditionally, the 'guest of honor' brings the wine, and it's found to be in 'good taste' to be certain it ranks at least a WS95

One thing Montreal really would benefit from is a good BYOB with an open terrace on the street, preferably on St-Denis.

A 'table with a view' so to speak.

Looking forward to sharing a few glasses with you mareff.

I wanted to say all my recommendations were not about off-lines, I know those are BYOB which is fantastic I was recommending those for him nothing to do with off lines

I agree re a nice BYOB on St. Denis. I believe there used to be one, called La Pantagruel (sp?) a few blocks north of Cherrier, I have to remember to look when I drive by it.

the food was very good but that was maybe 15 - 18 years ago and as I say don't know if it's still around.

I grew up in Mtl, and I happen to be of the correct ethnicity to truly judge a Montreal bagel, unlike all these impersonators. Fairmount is the way to go. St Viateur makes a good bagel, but it's just not the same.

Actually, to a visitor they would seem pretty similar, but IMO the store itself is worth the Fairmount experience. If you look up "hole in the wall" in the dictionary, Fairmount bagel bakery's picture is there. What's amazing is the sheer volume of bagels that are produced in this small place. I usually suggest to visitors that they visit this place after their big drinking night. It's a cab ride from downtown, it's open 24 hours, and there's nothing like hot Montreal bagels to end a good drinking night (perfect for soaking up red wine).

Mareff- if you're thinking "what's the big deal about bagels?" because you're thinking Einstein Bros or Panera or some other crap like that then you're in for quite a treat if you make the pilgramage to one of these 2 stores to try a few (need to eat more than one) fresh out of the oven.

The dates are July 25th to the 27th....

KSC02..dont you mean that the guest of honor selects the theme...

and the native guests pick up the tab

quote:

Originally posted by mareff:
The dates are July 25th to the 27th....

KSC02..dont you mean that the guest of honor selects the theme...

and the native guests pick up the tab

That's the "American" tradition. Us Canadians. We like to 'switch things up' a bit, to display our 'individuality'.
It works out great!

Only odd thing....we get so few 'guests'

quote:

Originally posted by grossie:
I grew up in Mtl, and I happen to be of the correct ethnicity to truly judge a Montreal bagel, unlike all these impersonators.

I do agree with you about eating a fresh, hot bagel after an evening of drinking. They continue to rise in your stomach.

Now that I've started a debate about which place has the best bagels, let argue about which variety is best.....

Fairmont's "everything" bagel is possibly the yummiest baked-good on planet Earth. Discuss.

quote:

Originally posted by bman:
Now that I've started a debate about which place has the best bagels, let argue about which variety is best.....

Fairmont's "everything" bagel is possibly the yummiest baked-good on planet Earth. Discuss.

You know...NY bagels might rival those in Montreal...

quote:

Originally posted by mareff:
You know...NY bagels might rival those in Montreal...

You're not even in town yet and you want to start a cross border debate?!

quote:

Originally posted by bman:
Now that I've started a debate about which place has the best bagels, let argue about which variety is best.....

Fairmont's "everything" bagel is possibly the yummiest baked-good on planet Earth. Discuss.

Nothing to discuss. Sesame. If you want to argue for poppy I'm ok with that, but don't start with "everything" bagels.

quote:

Originally posted by mareff:


You know...NY bagels might rival those in Montreal...

No. Now I just feel bad for you. Clearly you lack education.