French restaurant
 

I would like to find the best French restaurant in Montreal for my husband's b'day. Will we need a reservation for Friday night? If anyone can supply also a phone number or e-mail address I will be very greatful. <BR>Thanks again

Best of the best would be Toque, although they are likely to be fully booked at this late date for (this?) Friday. Right here on Fodor's, there is a fabulous list of restaurants by cuisine in Montreal, with reviews and phone numbers. We visit Montreal several times a year (mostly for the fine French dining), and I've found the reviews everywhere to be amazingly consistent. For more, go to www.montrealonline.com. We've been to more than a dozen of the highly praised, "best", places, but more often than not we return to Le Lutetia at Hotel de la Montagne (www.hoteldelamontagne.com). Gorgeous room, wonderful food, service our idea of perfect, reasonable prices, romantic cocktail lounge downstairs with fabulous live music. In fact, it was a Fodor's guide (seven years ago) that prompted me to make a dinner reservation, whereupon we "discovered" the hotel, where we always stay since.

P.S. I just check the French restaurant listings in Montreal here on the Fodor's site. We've been to nine of them, and the reviews are "right on". You may want to see which you find most appealing and pick up the phone forthwith.

Gee, it's a bit late to book for Friday night. Toque is absolutely the best of the best. Les Halles is fabulous as well. Ditto Le Lutetia. The concierge at your hotel can direct you if you haven't come up with anything by the time you get there...

Les Caprices de Nicolas is also supposed to be very good. It may be difficult to get reservations for this Friday there also. <BR> <BR>If you'd settle for Swiss, la Raclette on the corner of Gilford and Christophe Colomb is amazing (and reasonably priced (avg. CAN$17/entrée but worth every penny)! I suspect that you will be able to get reservations there although it is getting close! Service, food, ambience fabulous! I'd personally recommend getting Raclette as an appetizer along with any entrée other than the Cheese Fondue (unless you're a big fan of Gruyère and Emmenthal; I got it and it WAS cooked to perfection...but personally I find it too much strong cheese for me; I would have gotten the fish, game or chicken dishes if I were to go back). <BR> <BR>Toqué is acclaimed as top-of-the-line as Donna mentioned but it's likely booked. It's pricey but my friends say WORTH EVERY PENNY(!!!).

I would highly suggest a birthday celebration at Bonaparte in Old Montreal. The food is phenomenal. I would highly suggest the 5 course dinner. Ask for a seat near the windows overlooking the cobblestone road. Very romantic and excellent service! Enjoy your trip!