Quick weekend in Montreal
Nov 6th, 2007, 06:32 AM
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Quick weekend in Montreal
Many thanks to those who helped out. DH and I planned a very spur of the moment trip to Montreal this past weekend. We booked it the prior Tuesday thru the Continental last minute deals that are e-mailed to us on Monday nights. We paid $108 round trip out of Newark to Montreal. We had a 7am flight out of Newark on Saturday morning, and returned on the 12:45pm flight on Monday afternoon. We spent the night at the Fairfield Inn at Newark for $103 +tax, and took their shuttle to the terminal. Note: it is $15 each way from NY Penn Station to Newark Airport on NJ Transit.
We arrived early which was nice and immediately got a taxi to the Hyatt. The fee was a flat $35. The Hyatt is a nice hotel, no complaints, and we thought the location perfect. Our package included a full breakfast, and some shopping coupons and admission to the casino. We took advantage of the breakfast but not the other stuff.
We had no real plans, just planned on wandering around seeing the city.
After checking in (yeah, the room was ready even that early), we walked down St. Catherine Street. As it was quite cold, I ducked in La Baie and bought a hat. We visited St. Patrick's church which was just gorgeous. DH and I love intricate woodwork, and were just blown away by it here. After spending some time in and around St. Catherine St., we decided to walk up to the Plateau area and find a place for lunch. We really liked this area, and wandered in and out of the shops for a bit. We found a Greek restaurant on Prince Arthur that was offering a buy one get one lunch and was BYO. Food was good, and they had a nice fireplace going, which was great on the cold day. After lunch we wandered over to St Denis and walked back to the hotel. We also like this street very much. That night we had dinner at Bonaparte, which was excellent. We asked the concierge to make the reservation for us and he requested and got us a window table. DH had the 6 course tasting menu for $62, and I had the rack of lamb. The food and service were excellent.
Sunday was a bit warmer, so we decided to head to Little Italy and the Marche Jean Talon. Lots of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, chocolates. It was fun to roam around the market and just people watch and take it all in. We purchased some cheeses at Hamel and chocolates that were sublime. After that we took the Metro to Place D'Armes to wander Vieux Montreal for a bit. We visited Notre Dame where a mass was taking place, and marveled at the altar. We were a bit put off by the fact that there is a $4 admission fee to the basilica but with mass going on you couldn't wander the church anyway. We wandered the old town for a few hours and then made our way back to St. Catherine Street for lunch. We remarked that it was much more lively today and figured because it was much warmer than Saturday. We had lunch at 3 Brasseurs and ended up sitting at the bar watching the Jet game and then some of the Patriots game.
That night we decided to wander St. Denis for dinner and ended up at a small Italian place. It was perfect as we split an appetizer and a pizza for two. It was quite lively in the area, and we came upon a movie or TV shoot taking place.
We left the next morning after breakfast. The flight and trip home was uneventful. It was a great city for 2 days, and we found it to be relaxing and charming. We would return.
I would be happy to answer any questions, and thanks to all who assisted me.
We arrived early which was nice and immediately got a taxi to the Hyatt. The fee was a flat $35. The Hyatt is a nice hotel, no complaints, and we thought the location perfect. Our package included a full breakfast, and some shopping coupons and admission to the casino. We took advantage of the breakfast but not the other stuff.
We had no real plans, just planned on wandering around seeing the city.
After checking in (yeah, the room was ready even that early), we walked down St. Catherine Street. As it was quite cold, I ducked in La Baie and bought a hat. We visited St. Patrick's church which was just gorgeous. DH and I love intricate woodwork, and were just blown away by it here. After spending some time in and around St. Catherine St., we decided to walk up to the Plateau area and find a place for lunch. We really liked this area, and wandered in and out of the shops for a bit. We found a Greek restaurant on Prince Arthur that was offering a buy one get one lunch and was BYO. Food was good, and they had a nice fireplace going, which was great on the cold day. After lunch we wandered over to St Denis and walked back to the hotel. We also like this street very much. That night we had dinner at Bonaparte, which was excellent. We asked the concierge to make the reservation for us and he requested and got us a window table. DH had the 6 course tasting menu for $62, and I had the rack of lamb. The food and service were excellent.
Sunday was a bit warmer, so we decided to head to Little Italy and the Marche Jean Talon. Lots of fruits, vegetables, cheeses, chocolates. It was fun to roam around the market and just people watch and take it all in. We purchased some cheeses at Hamel and chocolates that were sublime. After that we took the Metro to Place D'Armes to wander Vieux Montreal for a bit. We visited Notre Dame where a mass was taking place, and marveled at the altar. We were a bit put off by the fact that there is a $4 admission fee to the basilica but with mass going on you couldn't wander the church anyway. We wandered the old town for a few hours and then made our way back to St. Catherine Street for lunch. We remarked that it was much more lively today and figured because it was much warmer than Saturday. We had lunch at 3 Brasseurs and ended up sitting at the bar watching the Jet game and then some of the Patriots game.
That night we decided to wander St. Denis for dinner and ended up at a small Italian place. It was perfect as we split an appetizer and a pizza for two. It was quite lively in the area, and we came upon a movie or TV shoot taking place.
We left the next morning after breakfast. The flight and trip home was uneventful. It was a great city for 2 days, and we found it to be relaxing and charming. We would return.
I would be happy to answer any questions, and thanks to all who assisted me.
Nov 6th, 2007, 08:16 AM
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Lori, thanks for your trip report. I am happy that you enjoyed Montreal, one of my favorite cities. What an amazing airfare you managed to get!! I fly from Toronto & it is way more than $108 return! Wish Air Canada wld email me such a deal!
I am going to Montreal next week. Where is Bonaparte Restaurant? (exact address). Can you walk there from downtown or did you "cab it"?
I am going to Montreal next week. Where is Bonaparte Restaurant? (exact address). Can you walk there from downtown or did you "cab it"?
Nov 6th, 2007, 08:37 AM
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@ Flem:
In December, temperature in Montreal usually ranges from 0°C during daytime (around 27°F) to -13°C during night(around 10°F).
It gets much (much!) colder between mid-january and mid-february when temperature go down to 5°F.
In December, temperature in Montreal usually ranges from 0°C during daytime (around 27°F) to -13°C during night(around 10°F).
It gets much (much!) colder between mid-january and mid-february when temperature go down to 5°F.
Nov 6th, 2007, 08:47 AM
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Wow,
Restaurant Bonaparte
443 Rue St. Francois-Xavier
514-844-4368
You could definitely walk to it from downtown, in fact we wanted to, but I was freezing. We wanted to walk back after the meal but it was about 30 F and windy, which kills me
. We took a cab both ways and it ran us about $8 each way. On Sunday, we did walk to old Montreal from downtown and went right past it. Call now for a reservation for when you will be there and definitely request a window table.
Restaurant Bonaparte
443 Rue St. Francois-Xavier
514-844-4368
You could definitely walk to it from downtown, in fact we wanted to, but I was freezing. We wanted to walk back after the meal but it was about 30 F and windy, which kills me
. We took a cab both ways and it ran us about $8 each way. On Sunday, we did walk to old Montreal from downtown and went right past it. Call now for a reservation for when you will be there and definitely request a window table.
Nov 6th, 2007, 10:03 AM
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Lori, Thanks! I will make a rez & ask for a window table.
So, now I have Il Cortile on Sherbrooke( recommended by Mitchdesj here on a prior post) for one night, Bonaparte for another. I need a 3rd w/in walking distance of Sherbrooke & Peel. Maybe Guy & Dodo. Any other recs?
So, now I have Il Cortile on Sherbrooke( recommended by Mitchdesj here on a prior post) for one night, Bonaparte for another. I need a 3rd w/in walking distance of Sherbrooke & Peel. Maybe Guy & Dodo. Any other recs?
Nov 6th, 2007, 03:16 PM
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Hi wow,
Not sure if you like sushi/japonese but on Metcalfe between sherbrooke and de maisonneuve there is a place called Shodan, i walk by it daily and it is always full. Two friends of mine went the other week and loved it! I though I would pass on their recommendation since its close to Peel/Sherbrooke.
Layla
Not sure if you like sushi/japonese but on Metcalfe between sherbrooke and de maisonneuve there is a place called Shodan, i walk by it daily and it is always full. Two friends of mine went the other week and loved it! I though I would pass on their recommendation since its close to Peel/Sherbrooke.
Layla
Nov 6th, 2007, 04:32 PM
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Hey wow,
Lol....I was named after his song actually...my dad was HUGE fan. I haven't read the book but my mom was mentioning it to me the other day.
If you need any other tips on the city don't be shy!
Layla
Lol....I was named after his song actually...my dad was HUGE fan. I haven't read the book but my mom was mentioning it to me the other day.
If you need any other tips on the city don't be shy!
Layla
