We are going to Montreal in March for a few days with our 14 and 16 year olds. Will try Chez Cora's for breakfast and will probably hit Schwartz's. Can anyone recommend a few restaurants for lunches or dinners that would be fun, good food and not too elegant. Does Bazou fit the bill? We are staying at the Crowne Plaza on Sherbrooke. <BR>Thanks, <BR>Jackie

Jackie, being at the Crowne Plaza puts you within walking distance of all the great restaurants on St. Denis. You just might want to stroll it and choose one that strikes your fancy, there are hundreds of places of every description. A few suggestons - Le Jardin des Panos on Duluth (a few blocks up St. Denis) is a very lively Greek place. Le Commensal on St. Denis is a comfortable but classy vege cafeteria with lots of yummy pasta, Chineese,Mexican, etc, and great desserts. Cafe Cherrier right behind the Crowne Plaza is perhaps the best French bistro in the city with typical French bistro foods - omlets, grilled meats, salads, soups, etc. On the corner of St. Denis and St. Catherine is Pacini's a Canadian chain with a grill your own bread bar, and some ok Italian food. Bazou is a very funky, hip, ecclectic restaurant in the gay village (mostly frequented by straight couples) - fabulous food, but perhaps not what a 14 year old might enjoy.

Thanks Doug, this was really helpful.<BR><BR>Jackie

Hi! Teens love Moishe's for steak. They also love Katsura for Japanese food. Prince Arthur is considered a "cool" street and they have lots of restaurants there...including a pizza place with a wood-burning oven...I think it's called Pizza Melo. Arahova...for souvlaki is popular with kids. Try Willensky's ( an old landmark...for the Willensky special) and Schwartz's deli. Have breakfast at Beauty's and try Montreal bagels. Have dim sum in Chinatown. Have fun!

Thanks local mom! Off topic, any suggestions for shopping - 14year old girl looking for a grade 8 graduation dress? <BR>Thanks again,<BR>Jackie

Hi Jackie...about the graduation dress...I really don't know. Try Simons...a young trendy department store, try Jacob's..also young, but I don't know about dresses. If you are downtown, try the Cathedral shopping centre or the Eaton's Centre. They have branches of just about every chain. On St. Lawrence Blvd, there are boutiques that are popular. Bood luck!

Oh my goodness! I just read what I wrote...I meant Good luck, of course!!!!

Local Mom,<BR>Thanks, I will check out Simon's: we live outside Toronto and don't have that store here. I accept any kind of luck you might send my way - I'm shopping with a 14 year old girl!<BR>Thanks again

Local mom hit Beauty's, Schwartz and Willensky. Left out the best BBQ ribs in the world. <BR><BR>Bar B Barn!! On Guy and Dor (Oops Rene Levesque). Maybe even Moe's on the West Island for smoke meat.<BR>

Hi not local..you are right....also Baton Rouge...bit hit....good ribs...delicious chicken salad.Reserve...long lines

Thanks to everyone for their help. We just got back. Unfortunately it was cold and very windy so we didn't spend a lot of time strolling on St. Denis.<BR>Went to Schwartz's the first day. It was packed so we went across to the Main. Had a great lunch there - it is bigger and not as frenetic (or as pungent) as Schwartz's. However, on our last day we grabbed some take out from Schwartz's and their smoked meat is definitely better than the Main's. Also ate at Cafe Cherrier. Had an excellent dinner (mussels, duck, best fries) but it was a little lonely since we were the only people sitting in the no smoking area the entire evening. Still glad they had one: Montreal is full of smokers. We had a great time and people were extremely helpful and friendly. We basically got by on bonjour and merci - everyone spoke English to us. Loved the Biodome. Didn't shop on St. Catherine's (too cold to walk outside) but found that most of the stores in the Underground City were the same as in our local malls in Ontario. Walked around old Montreal but again pretty cold. Husband and son happened on a tour of McGill University - thought it was very cool.<BR>Thanks again everyone!

Hi Jackie....glad that your family enjoyed Montreal...sorry about the weather!!!<BR><BR>It is so nice of you to thank us all.<BR><BR>You are welcome!!<BR><BR>P.S. I gather that you didn't find a dress for your daughter! Godd luck in TO.