persimmondeb

We will be in Montreal/Quebec City for several days next week, assuming that DS's passport ever arrives, and I am looking for restaurant recommendations, both for the whole group, and for just DS and myself. The whole group consists of my 82-year-old father, who likes most things, but can't do spicy anymore and doesn't eat a whole lot of red meat, my lactose intolerant, extremely picky vegetarian sister, and her vegetarian four year old, plus DS and myself. DS and myself are emphatically not vegetarians (even when vegetarian cuisine is well done and tasty, we often don't really feel like we've eaten a full meal afterwards), eat pretty much everything, and like to eat well.

We'll likely have at least a couple of meals by ourselves, since we also eat a lot more than the rest of the party, and I would like to take DS somewhere really nice at least once since it is a birthday trip. We are willing to dress up, but I would prefer not to have to drag a suit for DS with us. He is 15, but eats like an adult with a sophisticated palate (just think a ravenous, teetotalling one). He's also particularly fond of French food, but he likes to vary cuisines, and we enjoy eating outside in fine weather.

I'd like to stay around $60-$80CDN for two people for dinner, figuring that less is always better, and a little more is fine for the birthday meal. We are staying at Fairmount Queen Elizabeth in Montreal, and Chateau Frontenac in Quebec, but I would prefer to avoid hotel restaurants, unless they are really remarkable, and I'm assuming that my budget would be kind of marginal for that anyway.

zootsi

For Montreal:
For a real French dinner that won't break the bank, Au Petite Extra is a good choice. This is a mid priced French restaurant a bit off the beaten path on Ontario St. East. Very French, not many tourists. For more 'bistro' French, L'express on St. Denis is very good. Here's a suggestion for your veggie friends - Le Commensal is a somewhat upscale vegetarian cafeteria with tons of options - Italian, Mexican, Asian, etc. Even non vegetarians will enjoy this place. There is one downtown on St Catherine, and one in the Latin Quarter on St. Denis (which sometimes has live music). Another place everyone might enjoy is Spaggios on Duluth, a very good byob Italian restaurant with a nice outdoor terrace. Lots of interesting byob options on and near Duluth & St. Denis, many have outdoor dining. For someplace really exotic, try Nil Bleu on St Denis, an Ethiopian place where you eat with no silverware, and the food is delicious (I think they offer both veggie and meat options). There are sooo many wonderful choices in Montreal, you will be overwhelmed!

persimmondeb

Sounds delicious! Italian always works, and is usually the only thing that's really easy for everyone. Thanks!

persimmondeb

We actually didn't make it to any of those but we ate well and had a great time, thanks again!

v0yage

why, why, why in the world would you settle for italian food when you're in such a great French food place like Quebec City?
Are you american?

v0yage

A place I highly recommend: Le cafe du clocher penche on St Joseph street.
Went there as a family with 2 kids, enjoyed amazing dishes and pastries, great service, at a reasonable price.

persimmondeb

Of course, I'm american, but we never actually did eat any Italian food (except in Poughkeepsie). We would settle because attempting to feed my sister French food is usually not terribly practical. It did turn out that she likes crepes, though. We ate a lot of those.

zootsi

Voyage, my recommendations for Italian food,etc were for Montreal. Montreal is a melting pot for not only French, but also Italian, North African, Jewish, Portuguese etc, etc. One of the great joys of visiting Montreal is experiencing the culturally diverse mix of places to eat. Quebec City on the other hand has more of a French influence and less diversity in it's cusine.

Daniel_Williams

Up until relatively recently, Italian-Canadians were the third most prominent group after those of British Isles or French descent in Montreal. Quality Italian cuisine has a history in this city.

neiljamieson

I love eating Italian and Greek food in Montreal and in the rest of Quebec. Best place to go for those cuisines in North America!