Looking for something warm, old-school, quiet, authentic local tastes. Price of no concern. For my 5 yr anniversary. Staying on corner of Sherbrooke & St.-Laurent. Is Bonaparte the right spot, or is there something more devine...? Many thanks, lots of good info here. Any help insight is greatly appreciated!

I assume the city is Montreal - ??

oh...yeah...sorry. thx for responding though! is bonaparte a pretty safe bet?

Hi Beachbums,


It's just a slight trek from where you're staying but on Sherbrooke near Peel is Garcon. It's been getting great reviews and I know one of the kitchen staff there and he has nothing but amazing things to say about it.

It's french cuisine, pretty pricey but supposedly worth it. I haven't yet been but I thought I would pass the rec along since many people I know love it!

Layla

"warm, old-school, quiet, authentic local tastes"
that's a tall order !!!

I would say Bonaparte is all that; although I have not been there in years.
I've been to Garcon once and found the menu rather limited. It's elegant but not what I would call warm.

Which night of the week do you intend to go ? tuesday and wednesday nights you can get "quiet" but if a restaurant is popular and packed, you won't get "quiet" at 9 p.m. when it's bustling on a thursday night.

Club Chasse et Pêche is my most recent favorite place; Europa I'm trying next week. Bronte is booked 2 weeks ahead of time and I've heard very good comments, I want to try that soon also.
Le Muscadin is an upscale italian restaurant that comes to my mind as far as old school and quiet but consistently good. It's classic elegant, not trendy decor.
You might want to go online and look at the menus.

Have you considered Les Halles on Crescent St.? It has been dishing up exactly the kind of experience you suggest in terms of ambiance and service for 50 years now AND its menu has kept pace with the times.

LJ, Les Halles has been closed for a couple of years. Perhaps when you return Chez la Mere Michel will be a good alternative. http://www.chezlameremichel.com/

beachbums, if you want the best, then I would say Joe Beef, Toque or Club Chasse et Peche, but none of them I would characterize as "romantic" nor "old school." Yes to Bonaparte if you can reserve a table in the window.

JQ

The decor at club chasse et peche is dark and cozy, sort of trendy lodge style; I loved their chairs, comfy leather club chairs with arms; very rare that restaurant chairs are like that. It' s not old school but it's definitely warm and cozy as opposed to cold and glitzy like Toqué.

JQ, I am so sad...I went to university in Montreal a million years ago and we always went back to Les Halles when we stopped in Montreal. But it has been 4-5 years now...I will check out your suggestion, but there will never be a replacement of that funny old house in my memory!

I went on chowhound.com to find out when les Halles closed and it seems to be august 2005.

thanks for all the responses. i'm going to stick with Bonaparte (and asked for the best table). Hopefully everything works out. Looking fwd to this. thx again!