Hello from NYC. Coming to Montreal for 5 nights over Christmas and over the moon that there are lots of great restauarants with a BYOB(w) policy.

We visited Montreal about 4 years ago, and foolishly, were not prepared for its OTT charms - couldnt get enough of the shopping, the food, the bars, its like a little slice of very hip heaven!

Anyway, enough gushing. I checked out Cube and Toque and Globe and have booked reservations. However, Im not loving the idea of paying $120 for a $50 bottle of wine at those resturants and would love some recommendations for a lovely, cosy, romantic restaurant that serves creamy foie gras etc. where we can bring our own better champers and vino for half that price.

Yoyo looks interesting, anyone been or any other ideas?

Thanks a mil. Aine

If you are coming from NYC by car you may want to tuck your bottles in for the drive, rather than buying in Montreal. Not all of your favorites may be available there, and they will be more expensive than in the US, as Canada taxes alcohol more heavily.

I have heard of one place, Poisson Rouge. But we never ate there.
We always just drink the wine ( always good) served in the restaurants that we go to.
Have a great time, I love Montreal and 5 days sounds just right for enjoying the holidays there!

Le Ptit Plateau has a byob policy, their food is great; as well as Jardin de Panos (just ok) near Duluth. Duluth street has a lot of byob places but you're not talking same quality of food as the restaurants you mentioned, very ordinary greek places mostly.

You won't find exquisite and upscale and byob; Toque, Cube and Globe ( as well as Cavalli, Ferreira) are very pricey and their wine offerings will reflect this. You can find other restaurants that will offer more moderate wine offerings that are very decent to drink.

The funky, ecclectic Bazou did have a BYOB policy, but I haven't been there in a few years. Most of the byob's are on the Plateau. As others have mentioned, Duluth Street is lined with them -some of them like the White Orchid are very good. Jardin de Panos is actually quite good and a lot of fun. Be sure you get your wine at a SAQ and not a local grocery. Some of the SAQ's have a mind boggling selection of wines.

Thanks everybody, I will check some of those out. I have some fairly expensive wine on hand (well, expensive to me, about $50 a bottle) I was saving them for something special and I wanted to bring those.

If I find someplace really nice to BYO I will post when I get back.

Cheers!

Where is the best SAQ for vintages?

Hi AnnieP,

Many Montreal BYOB restaurants have two services on weekends, usually 6 and 8:30. Our law banning smoking in restaurants is not yet in place, though some BYOBs have taken the initiative and no longer have smoking sections.

You may bring 2 x 750ml bottles of wine per person duty free into Canada. After this miserly amount you are subject to duties and tax that amount to approx 110% of the declared value. The customs officer may allow some leeway (perhaps an extra bottle), but this is not guaranteed.

Other BYOBs to look into:
Le Pegasse on Gilford
La Colombe on Duluth
Les Infideles on Rachel
La Prunelle on Duluth
O Thym on de Maisonneuve East is very good, but I found it noisy at less than half full.

Zootsi, the two Bazous are now closed, but at the Hotel de Ville location is another excellent BYOB in the same cosy atmosphere--Grenadine.

HogtownJim, the SAQ's Signature has the vintage collection, located in the Ailes building (former downtown Eaton's location). There is also a good selection at the store located in Les Cours Mont Royal.

JQ

Hi Annie! I recommend La Colombe. Went there just last week and it was delicious (specially the lamb).

"A fine French restaurant with North-African influences, La Colombe offers a colourful, delicious market cuisine. In fact, the menu is chosen daily by its chef according to the freshness and quality of the ingredients he finds that morning." (http://english.montrealplus.ca/porta...ofileID=493701)

You can buy your wine at SAQ just a few corners away on St-Denis.

And La Colombe had a scrumptious "terrine de foie gras"... mmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Hi Jojonana, I just booked La Colombe ! Thank you!

Another great place is L'Academie on St. Denis. It's not expensive, the food's good and its BYOB. Enjoy Montreal!

L'Académie, good suggestion; I always forget that one.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it at La Colombe, Annie. And the waitress is extra nice there.
As for L'Académie, I personally never understood why people choose to eat there... Long lines, so-so food... One of Montréal's mysteries! ;-)

Has anybody ever heard of La Prunelle?