I don't know how much these two restaurants cost. I would like to know about how much the average entree is or the mid-range cost of a menu. Or if you have any other restaurant suggestions please feel free to elaborate. Thanks.

Hi Andria: <BR> <BR>Toque and Les Halles are both excellent Montreal restaurants. The meals at Toque are a little more expensive (see the following descriptions - prices are in Canadian dollars) but you can do more damage on the wine list at Les Halles. <BR> <BR>The important difference is the style of cuisine. Toque is very nouvelle, whereas Les Halles is very traditional French cuisine. So it really depends on what you prefer - Les Halles is very formal/dark/proper and Toque is hipper/lighter/more contemporary. <BR> <BR>Having been to both it's kind of like deciding who you love the most - your mother or your father! You love them both. Either way I'm sure you'll have a lovely meal. <BR> <BR> <BR>toque <BR> <BR> This hot restaurant has arguably the best French nouvelle <BR> cuisine in town. It boasts one of Montreal's finest chefs, <BR> who uses only the freshest ingredients in preparing <BR> pheasant, duck and lamb dishes. The menu changes daily <BR> (depending upon what looks good in the market). Wine <BR> selection of 100 labels. Modern decor, impeccable <BR> service. Daily 6 to 11 pm. Reservations imperative. <BR> $50+ per person without wine. Major credit cards. 3842 St. Denis, (514) <BR> 499-2084. <BR> <BR> les halles <BR> <BR> Modeled after the old Market les Halles in Paris, with <BR> mirrors, bistro atmosphere, formal waiters. Exceptional <BR> lobster with ginger and coconut or duck with pear. Classic <BR> desserts. Lunch Tuesday-Friday 11:45 am to 2:30 pm, <BR> dinner Monday-Saturday 6 to 11 pm. Closes for Christmas <BR> and two weeks following. Reservations required. $30-$50 per peson without wine. All <BR> credit cards. 1450 Rue Crescent (Guy-Concordia Metro <BR> stop), phone (514) 844-2328. <BR>

If it's a "French Experience" you're looking for at a more moderate price, you may want to consider L'Express (reservations essential), a quintessential Parisian bistro on Rue St-Denis (right across the street from Toque). We also love Le Paris on rue St-Catherine. Right across the street from Les Halles is Thursdays (upstairs) a gorgeous bistro with an entire wall lined with spectacular art nouveau tiles, lots of brass, mirrors and plants and wonderful traditional French food moderately priced. Wonderful for Sunday Brunch on the balcony, too, overlooking the activity on rue Crescent. For a fancier meal, there's Le Lutecia at Hotel de la Montagne (behind Thursdays in Hotel de la Montagne). Another place we tried last time (three times in fact) is the new Marche Movenpick at Place Ville Marie. Awesome! Market style - you select your ingredients and everything is prepared to your preferences. Spectacular cafe mocha. Interesting seating areas (incredible array of furniture) including an outdoor terrace. We also love Chez Levesque on rue Laurier on the edge of Outremont. Then there's Le Jardin Nelson at Place Jacques Cartier in Vieux Montreal - terrific for salads, crepes, sandwiches. High qualitiy food, low prices. Live music. Fabulous place to spend a Sunday afternoon.