Montreal Restaurant Suggestions
 

We'll be in Montreal for a few days next weekend with our 7 yr old and are looking for some good restaurant suggestions. Good, as in good food, not "family style", but not an overly romantic or upscale atmosphere either.<BR><BR>Also, if anyone has stayed at Marriott Springhill Suites in Old Montreal I'd love to hear how you found it.<BR><BR>Thanks for the feedback!<BR><BR>Adele

Try Le Jardin De Panos on Duluth St. A big, bustling,byob Greek brochette place<BR>with a beautiful outdoor terrace. Our favorite place for a fun dinner.

You should go to Restaurant du Vieux-Port. It's located very close to the Marriott Springhill Suites. It's a steak and seafood place, but it also has a few meals for kids.

A really fun experience is Marche Movenpick at Place Ville Marie - like walking all about an outdoor market (although it's indoors) and choosing whatever you find most appealing with fabulous seating areas for enjoying your selections.

We stayed at the Springhill Suites in Old Montreal for a long weekend in January. Our room was very comfortable, quiet and well designed. The staff was helpful and friendly. The hotel has only been opened a few months so everything is new. The continental breakfast buffet was ample: bagels, yogurt, cold and hot cereal, fresh fruit, pastries, coffee and hot chocolate. There is a very, small indoor pool with an equally cozy whirlpool tub. The exercise room only has about four pieces of machinery, so don't expect the most exhaustive workout you've ever had. The hotel is well located within a short walk to a metro station, a couple blocks from the waterfront and a short stroll to several tempting pastry shops. One warning: don't expect to be impressed by the hotel's exterior when you arrive. It is squeezed in a narrow, dark side-street. But don't worry, once inside it is bright and cheerful. (There always seemed to be a fire going in the lobby fireplace.) I would highly recommend it. <BR>If you like good food - meaning inventive combinations of flavors and foods (not traditional French by a long shot) - then go to Bazou (1310 Maisonneauve Est - 514-526-4940). The atmosphere is casual (late 1950's I think) and the food is terrific. Prices are reasonable and the staff attentive. Plus you can bring your own bottle of wine. Also, save room for dessert. It should be a short taxi ride from the old town, but we went by Metro, which was very convenient.<BR>In the old city, be sure to check out the sound and light show at the Notre Dame Baslica. I think its fairly recent because it wasn't listed in any guidebook. Don't bother to go in during the day. Wait for the evening show (6:30 and 8:30 pm) on Friday and Saturday nights. After the show (about 45 minutes) you'll get a chance to walk around the interior of the cathedral. The show's filmed story is pretty lame but the light show is inventive. Plus the interior of that church is awesome! It think your 7 year old should enjoy the light show. Notre Dame is only a couple blocks from the Springhill Suites. <BR>Also, your 7-year old might enjoy the IMAX show at the nearby IMAX theater at the wharf. We saw "Amazing Journeys". I think adults might like this show as much as kids. I found it surprisingly moving. Well worth it.<BR>Hope this helps. Have a great time.<BR><BR><BR> <BR>

David,<BR><BR>Thanks so much for you reply. We're really looking forward to our trip. I'm glad we got some feedback from someone who had stayed at Springhill Suites -- it's hard to tell from the website whether or not it would be nice.<BR><BR>Also, thanks for the tips on Bazou (sounds great!) and the light show. I only hope we have time to get it all in!<BR><BR>Adele