Dining in Montreal
 

What is Table d'h&ocirc;te? We see this on some restaurant websites. Is this a menu for group events and/or special occasions?<BR><BR>Also, is the a la carte menu reflective of what we would be ordering from?<BR><BR>Has anyone had any experience with Chez Queux in Montreal? Any specific dishes you would recommend?<BR><BR>Thanks, John<BR>

Table d'hote is a meal served at a fixed hour at a fixed price.<BR>Literally it means the hosts table.

Kate,<BR><BR>Thanks. A restaurant we will be going to has both an a la carte and table d'hote menu. Does that mean that we can go anytime and order from the a la carte?<BR><BR>Thanks again.

Yes, I think so. We never pay attention to the table d'hote, usually ordering from specials or a la carte menus.<BR>I cannot remember having a bad meal in Montreal:) so I am sure wherever you go, you will be happy!<BR>Oh boy, am I asking for trouble! Lol!

Do you mean Queue de Cheval?<BR>If so, consider carefully:<BR>They play the (pop/rock) music SO LOUD that you can hardly hear the person sitting across from you - it is the loudest music I have ever heard played in a restaurant. They rush you thru your meal - even to the point where they have a girl walking around with a clipboard noting how far along each table is. (I understand planning and such, but c'mon...). Also, the wait staff was very snotty.<BR>The food was good, but not worth the rude service and uncomfortable ambience.<BR>They certainly are proud of themselves!

Tablet d'hotel,anything like early bird specials we hear so much of? Possibilities for a byob,possibly so?

Minnie,<BR>No I don't think so. I'm looking at Chez Queux - www.chezqueux.com

Table d'hote just means a fixed choice menu inclusding several courses, as opposed to a la carte which means you pay for each item separately. It does not necessarily mean early bird hours or late hours, though that will be listed on the menu.

Table d'hote is offered at most restaurants. It is a separate menu of the day, with a few choices for appetizer, main course, sometimes desert and coffee are included, sometimes not. If you like what's offered, it's a better deal than a la carte. If you don't want to eat so much, a la carte is the way to go. I watch my weight, so I don't usually order table d'hote.<BR><BR>I think you will like Chez Queux. Their rack of lamb is excellent. I've had salmon there,too.(That's what I usually eat...wherever I go!) It's a warm, lovely place to spend an evening. Enjoy!

Table d'hote is all my sister is talking about lately. Thanks, I think.I Take it thisis like the salad bar and blackboard specials of the day,we get at Blimpy's on 34th?

Neverhaving been to Blimpey's, I can't comment on similarities.<BR><BR>But ...<BR><BR>In the world of Table d'hote and a la crte, they are often referred to as the &quot;left hand page&quot; and &quot;right hand page&quot;<BR><BR>Table d'hote is on the left, at least at restaurants that understand the ethos of fine dining.<BR><BR>My take on the bargain-ness of table d'hote cf a la carte is a bit different. Not only do I think tdh is the bargain, I also think it is the way to stay out of financial trouble. Ordering from the right hand page, especially after a couple of glasses of good wine, can run up the bill in a big hurry.<BR><BR>In a nice restaurant, one of the advantages of the left hand is that it might prompt you to try something you've never had before, since it is sort of a bargain, being included in the package. If the appetizers give you the choice of snails or a garden salad, why not opt for the snails, since it's part of the package?<BR><BR>Enjoy Montreal -- it's hard to find a meal that's not really good.<BR><BR>BAK

Gina..almost every restaurant has a table d'hote. Some of them are less expensive and some are very expensive. Most do not have salad bars or blackboard &quot;specials&quot;.

I don't know how romantic one might find this place, but I do know it is beautiful and not like anything in NYC..there is a Chinese restaurant in the Omni Hotel called Zen. <BR>Everything is glass, the bar is glass, the room is set up like the inside of a sea shell, tables are cozy, the food is better than anything I have had in NYC. To simplify the way you order, it is sort of all you can eat for x amount of dollars. You are given a choice of appetizers, then they bring you a couple, if you want more, they bring it. Then you go to the next course..and so on through the entire meal. You can over eat so be careful! The service is impeccable, and it is sophisticated and nothing Chinese Takeout about the decor or atmosphere.<BR>Kate

Kate! This sounds perfect! Thank you so much, I am going to see if I can find pics on line. Thanks, Anne

It's funny..I'm trying to figure out where to go for New Year's Eve, so I came to this board for ideas!!!<BR><BR>Anyway...re: Zen. It is definitey NOT romantic! It's all you can eat for $29 plus tip and tax. It's best to go more than 2 people, because the more people, the more dishes you can try. You can still try every dish in the house, if you are physically capable! Lots of groups go there...they attract a young crowd...big for birthdays.

Mr. Local: So do you know any romantic restaurants or things to do. We are in the 35 year old range. We never went to a Jazz Club but I think that might be cool. As a local, what are your favourites? Does not have to be fancy, just special. Thanks a Mil. Anne

For the record..I am Mrs. Local Yokel!!!<BR>(I'm laughing so hard that I am choking!)<BR>Where is your hotel and what kind of food would you like? I'll do my best to answer.

This is weird. <BR>Anne,<BR> I responded regarding Zen and how I remembered it being so pretty and that we had a table that was sort of to the side where we were able to be alone to whisper sweet nothings while being waited on by excellent waiters. <BR>I also mentioned that I never thought of it as an &quot;all you can eat&quot; place but that you should definitely check it out while you are there!<BR> It got deleted for some reason.<BR>So, I have just repeated myself!;)<BR>Ms Local Yokel~ <BR>Is the restaurant still as nice or has it changed and become more of a hotel restaurant? It was practically empty when we were there! I agree that the more people at the table the better, there is so much food!<BR>So I will also wait and see which places you recommend that are romantic, for the spring when we come up again.<BR><BR>Kate<BR>

Hi! Zen is very modern as you know. I personally don't find that romantic. I have been there only twice, both times for birthdays and on a weekend night. It is a very popular restaurant and it was quite full both times. It's a fun experience. I am old enough to be your mother (I assume), and I can say that it is more poplular with your generation. Next year, I wouldn't be surprised if my sons choose it again.<BR><BR>We don't look for &quot;romantic&quot; restaurants,per se, but if you tell me what type of food you like, I will do my best to make recommendations.<BR><BR>Don't laugh...but last night I went through the entire phone book, looking for a restaurant for New Year's Eve...one that doesn't charge through the roof! (Lucky me...I was assigned the job!!!)So, names are fresh in my mind. Just tell me area of the city and type of food you prefer. I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Ms Local Yokel:)<BR>We ate at Le Petit Extra and while it is not dark and cozy, would you recommend that as romantic? We sat in the small table in the window, so charming! <BR>I think the Auberge Bonaparte has a nice restaurant also. <BR>Funny, I am not in my 30's anymore, but we still like to go to romantic places;)<BR>So I will be watching for your list for Anne.<BR>I find the most helpful and nice people on this forum (Canada).<BR>Thanks and have a great day!K

OhMyGod, Ms. Local, I am sorry, see what happens when you assume!! Always wrong. Anyway, maybe I should not have used the word &quot;romantic,&quot; Kate's use of the word Charming was better. Romantice to me could be anything from a park bench to the most expensive restaurant, so, anyway I found something on this site that looks like a lot of fun, (and maybe even romantic depending on how you look at it) Its Called MYTHOS OUZERIE a Greek Restaurant, the reviewers gave it 4.8, not your candle lit gazing into eachother's eyes type of place (thats for the following night) but they have &quot;infectious bouzouki music&quot; and I am sure we can imagine we have been whisked off to Greece and have fun people watching! Im starting to get excited.... Anne

Anne , you will have such a good time! Montreal is so pretty and there is so much to do and the people are really nice and friendly! Enjoy!! Kate

Kate..I have never been to the 2 restaurants you mentioned.<BR><BR>Anne: Although I have never eaten at Mythos, I did peek in after eating at another Greek restaurant nearby. It was VERY noisy. In my opinion, the Greek restaurants that don't have the dancing usually have better food. There are 2 kinds...the brochetteries..inexpensive, bring your own wine, and the upscale ones that serve the most delicious (and expensive)grilled fish in the world. The King of these is Milos. They are in New York also. Downtown, there is Molivos, and near Mythos is Psarapoulos (we go often)<BR>Faros (I haven't been..more $$, but excellent). On Mount Royal East is Lesbos (I haven't been, but hear good things)and the list goes on. <BR><BR>Hope this helps.

Well! Ms Local, I will have to start recommending Montreal restos to you!:O)<BR>Le Petit Extra is on rue Ontario, I heard about it from Louis who posts here. It was great! a corner of Paris dropped down in Montreal. The food, ambience, service, wine were all excellent! I can't wait to go back and eat there again.<BR>Also Bonaparte for a little dressier more expensive dinner, very nice.<BR>Have you eaten downtown at Bistro Detente? Very good for lunch.<BR>See, ask and I will tell you where to eat! LOL!<BR>And if in case it ever comes up, you can ask me where to eat in NYC..I have been to a few places here too.

I just can't believe how stressed out some people seem to be about dining out in Montreal!<BR><BR>I've been living here for more than 50 years. While I certainly have my favorites, I can tell you that there are literally hundreds of good restaurants in the city. Finding a bad restaurant is very, very hard. I don't know abou this &quot;romantic&quot; thing, but let me tell you that I never had a fight with my wife over a good meal.<BR><BR>Look at the menu, look at the price, look at the decor through the window. If you like what you see, the probability that you will also like what you eat is about 99.9999% (yes that's one in a million odds that you will not enjoy your meal).<BR><BR>Case in point: I was at the Eaton Center Food Court for lunch. There is this new counter just started by 3 young French immigrants (they can't be more than 25 y.o.; they are from Lyon, Rennes and the P&eacute;rigord). They make the most unbelieavable &quot;tartines ratatouille gratin&eacute;s&quot; (so good, it's untranslatable) with delicious choice of salad. All that with a drink/juice for 7.50$ Canadian (less than $5 US). Is the Food Court &quot;romantic&quot;? Depends on the company &amp; conversation... ;-)<BR>

Yes Louis, a bag of french fries is romantic if you are with the right person, I agree. The reason we are all getting so bent out of shape about this is that, you know, it is a big thing to go out and we want to pick the right place and have everything perfect, we do alot of work and research here for the guys in our lives (kidding). From the info on this forum over the years, I have never received the wrong advice, I cant wait to try the food courts and all that stuff. BTW, the Greek place was all booked out, I got a reservation at &quot;Upstairs&quot; a restaurant and Jazz club, very different for us, but I hope we will have a nice time. Thanks, though, your comment brought me back to reality, I cant believe Im on here at 8:00pm at night, I need to get a life. Toodle Pip. Anne

I'm sure you will like &quot;Upstairs&quot;. Very nice &amp; good music.

Louis, <BR>you are so nice:)

Yes Louis, you are very sweet. Thank you. Anne

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