My husband and I will be spending three nights in Quebec City mid-May and would appreciate any restuarant suggestions. We'll be staying at the Auberge Saint Pierre in the Old Port area and are hoping to be able to stroll out to dine in the evening. We both enjoy good French cuisine and an interesting wine list, but are interested in information on pretty much any sort of menu. Although price is not a big issue, we prefer cozy and reliable to fancy schmancy. Thanks in advance and I will make a point of posting a brief report on our trip upon out return.

Your preferences are noted. For bistros, try L'Ardoise or L'Echaude. Lunch might be Cafe du Monde. And there are lots of others, but we know these and recommend them. For up-scale, try L'Initiale (pricey but worth it) and, I think, avoid Laurie Raphael. Local wisdom is that it's the best, but it's overrated and overpriced, with attitude as well. All of these are within a five-minute walk.<BR><BR>But why confine yourself to restaurants in the Old Port, when some of the best are uptown, but still within the gates? For our money, some of the best food in Quebec City can be found at A La Bastille:Chez Bahuaud, on Rue Ste Genevieve. Take the funiculaire (cable-car-$1.50) up from lower town, walk along the promenade past the Chateau Frontenac, turn right just past the Jardin des Gouverneurs, walk up one block, and turn left on Ste Genevieve for two minutes. Total walk might be twenty minutes max, and a nicer walk to and from dinner in Canada, I can't imagine. We've eaten there several times over the past two years and have never been disappointed. If you're really hungry, go for the seven (eight?) course menu. Two can eat for $CDN100-150 including wine, and up from there as the occasion demands or your VISA inclines. Enjoy the walk.

Thank you, David, for taking the time to pass along so many dining tips - we will certainly try to follow as many of your suggestions as possible - in particular, will definately try A La Bastille - I especially appreciate your giving us the heads up on places to avoid! I'm so looking forward to our Quebec trip - have wanted to visit for years and have chosen it as my big 50th (eek) birthday getaway (I have a theory that if you spend birthdays out of the country (US) that they somehow don't count!)

Ellie, I would go a step further and say that birthdays spent in another country actually SUBTRACT a year from your age.<BR><BR>Don't have any particular restaurant recommendations, but just wanted to say that I envy your trip to Quebec City -- it's such a wonderful place, and unlike any other place in N America. If you have time and a car, drive out to Montmorency Falls and the cathedral at Ste Anne de Beaupre.

ellie, <BR>I second david's restaurant suggestions. L'Echaude and L'Ardoise are wonderful. I'll add: Le'M'Esculun, a new restuarant which opened in '02 (chef/owned from Provence). It's right near where you're staying (as are the other 2 restaurants). We also stayed in Lower Town and enjoyed an easy walk to dinner after touring all day. <BR>We have dined at Laurie Raphael once...and once was enough. If you live in a metropolitan area, you would be very disappointed. <BR>Happy Birthday!

ellie,<BR><BR>apologies: Le M'Esclun opened in '01. The address is:<BR>93, Rue du Sault au Matelot<BR>Quartier St-Pierre<BR>Vieux Quebec<BR>Bon Appetit!

Many thanks to all for responding - we'll try as many of your suggestions as we can!

I will be arriving by ship on a Sunday in early June. We've only got the day there, but want to have a nice dinner not too far from the pier (cab distance ok). I've seen some good reviews of Le Saint-Amour. How does this compare with the very informative recommendations contained in this thread? Any other recommendations??