Visiting Montreal -- Need Restaurant Advice

[Scottwdw]

Okay, the family and I are going to a Montreal to take in a Canadiens game on April 13th at the Molson Center. Would like to find a great place to eat before the game, say around 4pm, within walking or 20 minute Metro ride away from the Keg. We've already eaten at the Molson Center restaurant (and they didn't even have Molson Golden!! What's up with that?) and the Hard Rock Cafe.

Family consists of my two DD's (aged 13 and 17), my DW (age withheld on the grounds she would kill me) and myself (and there's no need to go into my age either but I did see Jean Béliveau play in the late 60's).

Thanks for any suggestions!!! I just hope they still have a good shot at a playoff spot that weekend.

 

[hockey mom]

We ate at the Keg in old Montreal. We don't have one, so for us it was a treat.

 

[emmalgin]

There are a ton of restaurants in Montreal. Jacques Villeneuve (Formula 1 driver) has a new restaurant downtown whose name escapes me. I think it is just off Ste. Catherines. There are plenty everywhere. I'd personally go to Old Montreal or to St. Laurent to eat. Hard to go wrong. Your kids would love the vibrancy of St. Lauent or Old Montreal.

However the key to Montreal is do not missed getting a Smoked meat sandwich and if you can go to Scwartz #1, Bens or Reubens.......

 

[Sandyrella]

Jacques Villeneuves new restaurant is called New Town (Ville Neuve translated to English). I believe it is on the corner of Crescent and de Maisonneuve. There are plenty of restaurants in that area...Crescent St., Bishop St., Ste. Catherine St....etc.

Since you re going to the Molson Center (soon to be renamed the Bell Center), you could try Moe's Deli and Bar, which serves a wide variety of food but does specialize in good ol' Montreal smoked meat. It is really close to the Molson Center but I'm not sure exactly where. You would have to make ressies if you are going the night of the game.

I'm not sure if it is still open but we did have a Planet Hollywood on Ste. Catherine St. near Peel.

There is so much variety here. Apparently, Montreal has more restaurants per capita than any other city in North America. I agree that Old Montreal or St. Laurent St. are also great places to visit but St. Laurent could be a little out of the way.

For a true Montreal eating experience don't forget to try a "steamie" hotdog and poutine while you are here!!

Have a great trip!

 

[emmalgin]

St. Laurent is very close by car...... I just love the ambience and walking the streets. Also if you go for an early dinner, late lunch (before 4:00, many places offer 2 for 1 specials). On top of that many allow you to bring your own wine to the restaurant.

My mind is blank (see Ville Neuve) and also the name of he street off St. Laurent which is strewn with restaurants and no cars allowed. Got it Prince Arthur.....

Also since from New York, better try Montreal Bagels and then start the argument vs. New York Bagels.... PS. I'm partial to Montreal bagels.

 

[Scottwdw]

This is what is great about the Internet. I've gone to Montreal a few times over the years and NOT once did I hear about these smoked meat sandwiches. We will definitely check these out.

Thanks!

 

[Nagle]

Scott, I agree with Sandyrella about Moe's. Great smoked meat and enough variety to please anyone in the group. If you are going to be there about 4 o'clock, you might not need ressies. Not sure how crowded it is that early on game day. I have not been, but I have read the New Town is very trendy and as such can be very pricy. A few blocks west from the Molson Centre on Guy street is the Bar-B-Barn which serves great chicken and ribs. Also can't go wrong getting a couple of "steamies" and a poutine at the Montreal Pool Room on St. Laurent Blvd. Careful though, it is not exactly fine dining. Whatever you choose, have a great time and cheer the Habs on to victory.

John

PS- How can you have been to Montreal a couple of times and not heard of smoked meat? It's kind of like New York pastrami but 100 times better.

 

[emmalgin]

He's coming from New York, everything will be dirt cheap when he does the exchange rate. I still say go to St. Laurent and Shwarz's for a mid afternoon lunch prior to the game and order their platter (Smoked Meat, Fries, Hot dog, a Rib Eye steak, Cole Slaw.... ) for about $12 cdn ($7.50 US)..... It is a steal.... Also kids and wife will love the trendy shops and ambience.

Also with a car, do Beauties for breakfast, another Montreal institution.... If want to stay downtown go to Eggspectations or Reubens breakfast special (simple bacon and eggs, but ridiculously cheap).....

 

[sammi]

LOL I was just thinking about the Bar-b-barn too Nagle! LOL

We were in Montreal a couple of times years ago for a hockey tournament for DH and DS's and we all went to this place and what a meal! This place served the best ribs that we've ever eaten! But you do have a line up...so I would suggest to get there early. We even watched big stretch limousines pull up with patrons for this restaurant!

What ever you decide, hope you have a great time.

 

[SandraC]

Is BEN'S still around ~ yummy smoked meat.

OHHHHHH! What about a steamed hot dog!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chenoys in DDO! I am home sick! I miss PQ food! S

 

[Scottwdw]

Originally posted by Nagle
PS- How can you have been to Montreal a couple of times and not heard of smoked meat? It's kind of like New York pastrami but 100 times better.

We always asked the hotel people when we got there what's good to eat but no one ever mentioned smoked meat being such a Montreal food staple.

These trips are quck and cheap for us. We go up on a Saturday morning, checkin in around noon or so and only have about 6 hours to eat and sight-see before the game. Leave by noon the next day. Hoping the Canadiens are still fighting for a playoff spot. It would be the closest to a "playoff" game as I'll get this year. Just wish they would be more consistent...oh, well, either way, they are fun trips regardless of the game's outcome.

So, which Moe's is the closest to the Molson Centre (it won't be Bell Centre until next season. They better put the money to use and get a guy who can put the puck in the net!)? There's 14 locations!!

Thanks for all the suggestions everyone and helping out one of them Dumb Yankees!! But my heart is in the right place!!

 

[Sandyrella]

Scott....the address of the Moe's closest to the Molson Centre is 1050 de la Montagne, phone no. 514-931-6637, however, I do agree that a great alternative is Bar-B-Barn, but get there early. Don't know the address but it is on Guy St. between Rene Levesque and Ste. Catherines, about a 10 minute walk to the Molson Centre.

Write back when you return to let us know how the trip went! Hope you all have a great time!

 

[Sandyrella]

Scott....the address of the Moe's closest to the Molson Centre is 1050 de la Montagne, phone no. 514-931-6637, however, I do agree that a great alternative is Bar-B-Barn, but get there early. Don't know the address but it is on Guy St. between Rene Levesque and Ste. Catherines, about a 10 minute walk to the Molson Centre.

Write back when you return to let us know how the trip went! Hope you all have a great time!

 

[emmalgin]

Since you are probably driving, I'd strongly recommend again Schwarz for lunch prior to departure on Sunday..... Will also suggest to get it to go if no time......

BTW in Montreal most people eat after the game, very French, with the game letting out around 10:00. If you want to do that, have lunch when you arrive, walk around, watch game and then go to St. Laurent (Prince Arthur) or Old Montreal if the weather is okay. Otherwise just stay downtown as the city just starts going....

And I know you shouldn't know, but drinking age in Quebec is 18, so your kids will see a lot of young people up and around.

 

[Nagle]

Scott, just yanking your chain about not knowing about smoked meat. The Moe's on Mountain Street (de la Montagne) is almost directly across the street. Stand at the front entrance to the Molson Centre looking out and it is over about 100 yards on your left hand side. If you choose the Bar-B-Barn, you could call and make ressies for about 5:30 and after dinner stroll down to watch the game. Same for Moe's I guess. Just make a ressie once you have checked in to the hotel. Where are you staying by the way?

Whatever you decide, have a ball. Wish I was going too.

PS- I am one of the few Montrealers who always felt that while Schwarz's deli was good, it was vastly overrated. I actually prefer their rib steaks to the smoked meat. A little too dry and too much like pastrami for my tastes. Let the flaming begin. LOL

 

[emmalgin]

That's why the special at Schwarz' is so good..... Fresh Rye, Smoked Meat, Hot dog, rib steak, cole slaw..... and for a ridiculous price if paying US dollars....

Too many good restaurants in Montreal..... Frankly I went to the bar B Barn and was lukewarm to it.... I'd go for a nice dinner after the game, have a huge lunch (smoked meat) on arrival and have breakfast at Beauties the next morning on the way out.....

 

[Nagle]

Funny enough Emmalgin we were in Montreal last month and went to the Bar-B for the first time in what had to be 10 years. It was great. We then took some friends from Brockville with us to the Casino. After the casino we made the trek up to St. Viateur for hot fresh bagels. They thought we were nuts to go on a bagel hunt at 3:00 am until they tried them. Ahhh sometimes I wish we got to visit more often.

Scott, if you are driving up to Montreal via the bridge at Alexandria Bay, I can be ready near the exit at Brockville if you need a copilot. Just give me 15 minutes notice and I'm there. It's not easy being a Hab fan here in Maple Leaf/Senators territory.

John

 

[Sandyrella]

I'm a lifelong Montrealer who has never eaten at Schwartz'!! I think I have tried every other Montreal landmark restaurant but this one. I know, shame on me.....I've passed by it hundreds of times but never stopped in.

I also think Beauties for a late breakfast is a wonderful idea. I remember the good old days when we used to go there after the bars closed at 3:00 for breakfast and there was a line up to get in Ok, I admit it, I am going back a few years!

I would also highly recommend Prince Arthur street for a late dinner but it is especially great in the summertime. Scott, you should try to come back in the summer, in particular during our world reknown jazz fest. Montreal in the summer is amazing.

inkbounc inkbounc

 

[Scottwdw]

Thanks everyone for all the wonderful ideas. Will print this out and have it with us when we get to Montreal. Will let you know what we end up doing.