Ableton Forum

I'm going to Canada this weekend! I'm looking for suggestions for stuff to do. My girl has to go for a business trip, and it's her birthday weekend, so I'm tagging along so she doesn't have a lonely birthday.

I'm psyched because I've never been to Montreal and I love French stuff. Also, I'm a bit of a broke bastard right now, so the cheaper the suggestions the better.

Tell me about:

Record stores (vintage, new, DJ, thrift, any place with vinyl please!)

Gear shops (I can't afford to buy anything but I'm always curious)

Food (I like to eat. French stuff. Non-French stuff too maybe. Local stuff that only locals know about.)

Activities (My girl is doing work stuff during the day, so I have to entertain myself)

If any of you forum people want to meet up let me know! is there any good music happening in Montreal this weekend? Any good dance clubs?

Oh yeah, I went digging for my passport the other day and I didn't find it. I just looked it up and apparently a US citizen can enter Canada without one:

http://gocanada.about.com/b/2006/02/14/ ... canada.htm

Is this correct?

Thanks!

Sales Dude McBoob wrote:I'm going to Canada this weekend! I'm looking for suggestions for stuff to do. My girl has to go for a business trip, and it's her birthday weekend, so I'm tagging along so she doesn't have a lonely birthday.

I'm psyched because I've never been to Montreal and I love French stuff. Also, I'm a bit of a broke bastard right now, so the cheaper the suggestions the better.

Tell me about:

Record stores (vintage, new, DJ, thrift, any place with vinyl please!)

Gear shops (I can't afford to buy anything but I'm always curious)

Food (I like to eat. French stuff. Non-French stuff too maybe. Local stuff that only locals know about.)

Activities (My girl is doing work stuff during the day, so I have to entertain myself)

If any of you forum people want to meet up let me know! is there any good music happening in Montreal this weekend? Any good dance clubs?

Oh yeah, I went digging for my passport the other day and I didn't find it. I just looked it up and apparently a US citizen can enter Canada without one:

http://gocanada.about.com/b/2006/02/14/ ... canada.htm

Is this correct?

Thanks!

That used to be true, but no longer:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html


I've visited Canada quite a bit, but more in Toronto area, Montreal just once-- about the best I can tell you to is try Tim Horton's donuts Oh, and you should try poutine, and the outdoor grilled sausage sandwiches are good.

Ah, and don't ask for a napkin to wipe your mouth, ask for a serviette. Napkin == sanitary napkin.


Mike

Tim Horton's is an English Canadian thing....no self respecting Quebecker would be found dead in one!

As I lived 10 years in MTL, I'll give you some insider tips:

- Schwartz - this is probably the best smoked meat in North America. It's super famous, the sandwiches are fantastic, and it's about $7 for a sandwhich and fries.

It's a crowded hole in the wall diner and it's always packed. Do not try to go around lunch time on the weekend because their is a line a block long.

BTW: They only take cash, No credit cards.

- Fairmount bagels. Go there and buy incredible bagels to take home with you fresh out of the oven. Another Montreal institution.

- Go and walk around the Old Port in Old Montreal. You will think you are in Marseille.

- For audio gear, go to Moog Audio (right near Schwartz). They have Jomoxes, Machinedrums and all other electronic stuff.

- InBeat Records is right next to Moog Audio and is the landmark electronic music store in MTL. It's been around for 20-25 years.

- Further up the street is the Laika Bar where the first edition of Mutek was held.

- At Inbeat & Moog you will get the flyers for the parties. They are really cool so just let them know that you are from out of town and what do they recommend.

- For a great breakfast, lunch, or dinner, you can eat at Coffee Shop on St.Laurent. It's kitchen is open really late also. Great vibe and great food.

- For a nicer more upscale meal, try out Cafe Melies. Cafe Melies also has the best brunch in Quebec (this was awarded by the tourist association). This is on sunday and reservations are imperative. About $50 for 2. Not bad considering the croissants are flown in from Paris.

This is a hidden gem because it's surrounded by other restaurants that are more flash, but cafe Melies is a locals hot spot (just like Coffee Shop).

- For shopping, you want to walk up Blvd. St Laurent north of Sherbrooke up to about Marie-Anne. It's on this strip that you also have Cafe Melies, Coffee Shop, Moog Audio, Inbeat, and Schwartz.

Also cruise up St. Denis for more great shopping. Lots of cool boutiques that your girl will love. Again start at Sherbrooke and walk north.

You absolutely need your passport to get back into the states (if I remember correctly).

I went last year during pop montreal, beautiful city.

I can recommend an awesome middle eastern restaurant on the corner of fairmont and hutchison st. diagonally opposite the ukraine federation (sorry don't know it's name!)

also... second hand shops are what Montreal does best! best found in the block around St. Denis, Rachel, Mont Royal and St Laurent... also a great cafe on Rachel (again, sorry can't remember it's name)

good coffee and eating down near the corner of Ontario and St. Denis too.

I wouldn't bother going down Ste. Catherine. Boring... like any other city, with crap touristy and mainstream shops, and kids hassling you for money. You could go down to the harbour, but apart from the 'ye olde' buildings, it's a bit lameo.

re:gear shops... i also wouldn't bother. cheaper and better in the states.

have fun! and learn some french!

:)M

siddhu wrote:You absolutely need your passport to get back into the states (if I remember correctly).

Yeah... I gotta dig through some boxes when I get home. Man, if I botch up this trip girlfriend is going to be pissed.

Thanks for the tips everybody. I will follow in your footsteps. Hopefully.

Go to Québec city !!

In Montreal, there is a sizeable number of ENGLISH speaking (non French background) Quebecers (and a fair number of Indian/South Asian background and Afro Caribbean backgorund). You can get around just fine in most places in Montreal without needing to speak French, but I encourage you to speak some where possible, you know 'when in rome' etc.

Talk about stereotypes (no self respecting Quebecer would be found in a Tim Hortons) The sales figures prove this to be incorrect.

English speaking/background Quebecers are just as valid as French ones - what you gonna do if you get a seperate Quebec - pack up Montreal brick by brick and send it to Ontario ????

And yes, Quebec City is a beautiful place and well worth a visit.

Raphaël Hamelin wrote:Go to Québec city !!

yes, if you can take a sidetrip, definitely.

look into the passport thing, i know it affected planes before driving,

i went to mexico 6 months ago without one, i think we are on the cusp of that law kicking in.

i lived a few years in montreal and i love the city.
around the corner there was a great brunch place: le toasteur on laurier est, close to parc laurier (metro laurier).
try the 'crepe champetre'. with maple syrup of course.

you need a passport now. you used to be able to get into canada with just a license or a birth certificate (if you were driving from detroit to windsor, for example) and you still might, BUT, you WILL NOT be allowed back into the u.s. without a passport. so if you go up there without a passport, you might want to get ready to extend your stay indefinitely.

also, if you want tim horton's, just go to detroit! no need to cross the border, detroit has about one per 50 square feet.

CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available in spring 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
LATER:
As early as June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html


it's looking like passports for air only until June 2009

Shit I have not posted here in ages... Montreal is a great city... Here are some places...


You have to get yourself some artery clogging poutine...


http://www.montrealpoutine.com/

Gear store you can check out Moog Audio on St. Laurent while on St. Laurent eat at famous Schwartz's Deli for a smoked meat sandwich...

http://www.moogaudio.com/contact_us.php ... 822f5685bd

Here are some resto pics that I was going to try at New Years but never had a chance...

Restaurant
Le Roi du Plateau

Puffs of wood smoke, high temperatures and sounds of sizzling let you know immediately upon entering that Le Roi du Plateau is a classic Portuguese grill.


51, rue Rachel Ouest
Montreal, QC H2W1G2 Phone: (514) 844-8393
Party Atmosphere

In a casual dining room decked out with wooden panelling and soccer paraphernalia, this family-run churrascaria is often filled to the brim with enthusiastic patrons. Fuelled by meaty meals and carafes of house wine, the ambience is free-flowing and celebratory. Though it’s suitable for an evening of rustic romance, Le Roi du Plateau is often the site of group birthday celebrations for residents of this longstanding Portuguese neighbourhood. A strolling guitarist adds to the atmosphere, serenading the tables with songs from faraway locales.

Hot off the Grill
The vibrant atmosphere heats up even more with the food, delivered by knowledgeable but no-nonsense servers. Caldo verde, a traditional soup from Portugal made with kale, makes for a mild appetizer. It can be followed by a copious helping of grilled chicken, which warms the stomach even further when brushed with hot sauce for extra spice. Steaks are presented in a truly Portuguese manner—with a friend egg on top for good luck! Seafood is another house specialty, benefiting from simple and straightforward preparation. Highlights from the ocean include shrimps in garlic sauce so good you’ll use the crusty rolls to soak it up, mussels doused in tomato sauce and grilled sardines.


Restaurant
Restaurant Au 917

This place is so authentic that you’ll swear you saw a young Ernest Hemingway scribbling away in his notebook over a plate of foie gras and a glass of Merlot.


917, rue Rachel Est
Montreal, QC H2J 2J2 Phone: (514) 524-0094


Paris, Je t’Aime
Based on its mahogany exterior, it looks like Restaurant Au 917 (named after its street number) was plucked straight from a Parisian cobblestone and planted right on Rachel St. in Montreal’s Plateau neighbourhood. Thankfully, it isn’t just a facade as this Bistro embraces its French roots through and through. The mahogany motif continues inside, as wooden arches frame mirrored walls and large windows onto Rachel make for favourable lighting. During peak hours, the clanks of the kitchen and the conversation provide an appropriate soundtrack to the truly French dining experience you’re about to embark on.

French Favourites
If you don’t speak French or aren’t well versed in the richness of its cuisine, you might want to ask the friendly wait staff for hints, because this authentic French menu lacks English descriptions. With menu items like magret de canard et cuisse confite sauce orange, it’s easy to get lost. Menu items include French staples like escargots, foie gras and filet mignon. They also have what they call their ‘plats de resistance’ which include Beef Bourguignon, jarret d’agneau braise a la moutard and medallion d’agneau a l’estragon (to translate these would be a crime).

Let Them Eat Cake
A favourite of locals, Au 917 is a bring your own wine and like all good French Bistros should, has a five-dish sample menu and about fifteen table d’hote items, which is accompanied by a choice of soup of the day, salad, or pate. But the French aren’t all braised duck and pork medallions. It was Marie Antoinette who said “let them eat cake”, and Au 917 proves it hasn’t forgotten with its exquisite dessert menu. The dessert menu includes such trophies as profiteroles au chocolat, gâteau au fromage maison, sorbet and crème brûlée.

Payment: MasterCard, Visa
Directions: Mont-Royal Plateau
Cross Street: Saint Andre
Hours: Mon to Sun 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. (closed Mondays in January)
Atmosphere: Bistro
Cuisine Type: French
Amenity: Bring your own alcohol, Tasting Menus, Table d'hôte
Meal Price: $


Restaurant Au-Tarot

Renowned for its tajines, the Restaurant Au-Tarot managed to make its way into many address books over the past 25 years. It’s now your turn to add it to yours!


500, rue Marie-Anne Est
Montreal, QC H2J 2A3 Phone: (514) 849-6860

Décor and Ambiance
In a modern décor with colours of the Sahara, the owner is pleased to welcome you into the pretty mustard and blue dining room. Inspiring Mediterranean music completes the restaurant’s friendly ambiance. Located in the Plateau Mont Royal region, the restaurant can only accommodate 40 people which means reservations are recommended to ensure quality service and a warm welcome.

A Menu to Try
On the menu you’ll find tajines, a stew that originates from a very ancient tradition. This dish delights the senses with its perfectly measured flavours: olive and lemon chicken, lamb cooked in prunes, apricots, grapes and many other interesting combinations. You can also have couscous and briks (thin crepes with various fillings). Each meal may be accompanied by wine which you can bring from home to save money or splurge more on your meal.

Audacious Dishes
The chef loves to surprise his customers by offering specialties that are far from ordinary. Among these are tortillas and Moroccan dishes full of mixed herbs that give pigeon meat a delicious smell. And, for dessert try a classic oriental pastry or a Praline cake with hazelnuts or even crème brûlée. Then wash everything down with a traditional mint tea that can be sipped slowly and with pleasure.


Payment: MasterCard, Visa, Interac
Directions: Mont-Royal Metro
Cross Street: Berri
Hours: EVERYDAY from 5 :30 pm, two services on Sunday
Atmosphere: Quiet Conversation, Romantic Spot
Cuisine Type: Moroccan, African
Meal Type: Dinner, Lunch
Amenity: Bring your own alcohol, Delivery, Wheel Chair Accessible
Meal Price: $
Note: Residents of the Plateau Mont-Royal can order meals by telephone: Delivery is free. For other customers who visit, there’s parking available near the restaurant


Bistro l'Entrepont

Bistro L’Entrepont is a delightful little eatery where you’re encouraged to make yourself at home.


4622, avenue de l'Hôtel-de-Ville
Montreal, QC H2T 2B1 Phone: (514) 845-1369

Evolution
Opened in 1986, Bistro L’Entrepont’s aim was simple: create an informal little restaurant that serves good food at a reasonable price. Currently, the small refurbished dining room is one of the best bring-your-own-wine eateries in the area.

Great Taste
Bistro L’Entrepont offers courteous service and a menu featuring fine French cuisine. Located just north of Mont-Royal Avenue, Bistro L’Entrepont has created a menu in keeping with its clients’ expectations. Quebec pork filet with a Lac St-Jean pepper sauce, crunchy sweetbread pomme with stew forestier and lamb served with fine herbs jus are just a few of the dishes featured on the menu of this European style restaurant.

Call Ahead!
Because L’Entrepont has forged a solid reputation, so we recommend that you book your table ahead of time. On weeknights, there is a single sitting at 6 p.m., while a second sitting is available at 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Please note that the first sitting ends at 8:45 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Outlook
This intimate bistro, which seats 30, remains a friendly, informal little restaurant that offers sophisticated dishes at a reasonable price. Group reservations can be made: a great idea for the holidays!

Payment: MasterCard
Directions: Mont-Royal Metro / Laurier Bus: 97
Cross Street: Villeneuve
Hours: Opens daily at 6 p.m.
Atmosphere: Bistro
Cuisine Type: French
Meal Type: Dinner
Amenity: Bring your own alcohol, Must Reserve
Meal Price: $$
Reservations: Reservations are suggested.


Couscous Royal (Le)

Opened in 1990, Couscous Royal has become a popular spot on Duluth for lovers of authentic Moroccan cuisine.


919, avenue Duluth Est
Montreal, QC H2L 1B7 Phone: (514) 528-1307


Moroccan Specialties
Opened in 1990, Couscous Royal has become a popular spot on Duluth for lovers of authentic Moroccan cuisine. You can sample delicious traditional foods such as couscous, mechoui (Moroccan leg of lamb), pastille (chicken pastry puff with onion and saffron), homemade merguez, olive chicken tajine and lamb tajine with dried fruit, almonds and harissa. The large variety of dishes will whisk you off to Morocco, a country of contrasting flavours. The menu is table d’hôte, including an appetizer, a main course and tea or coffee. The price varies depending which dishes are chosen. The decor at Couscous Royal is as Moroccan as the food; reminiscent of Berber tents, it accentuates the feeling of being elsewhere.

Groups
Several small groups of people (10 to 15) can be accommodated at Couscous Royal; reserve in advance and enjoy the party atmosphere. Dishes are available to take away and there is also a catering service available for any occasion. Special menus can be prepared for groups if you ask beforehand. Some evenings are made spicier by belly-dancing shows. Bring your own Meknes or other wine and enjoy a deliciously Moroccan evening.

Payment: Cash, MasterCard, Visa, Debit, Travelers Checks, Personal Check
Directions: Plateau Mont-Royal
Cross Street: Saint-André
Hours: THU-SUN 17:00-22:00, can open on other days for group reservations
Fax: (514) 683-1294
Atmosphere: Patio Dining
Cuisine Type: Moroccan
Amenity: Bring your own alcohol, Delivery, Take-out



Restaurant
Restaurant Vents Du Sud

The only restaurant offering genuine traditional Basque cuisine in Montreal, Vents du Sud has mastered the art of making customers feel at ease.


323, rue Roy Est
Montreal, QC H2W 1M8 Phone: (514) 281-9913

Quality Food with a Sweet Finish
Whether customers try the veal stew, side of beef in red wine sauce, tuna à la luzienne or the cassoulet, they’ll be impressed by the generous portions. The owner and chef, Gérard Couret, decided to serve Basque-sized portions. Couret selects the daily dessert according to his mood. Expect to see an Ile Flottante or an authentic Catalonian crème brûlée.

Quality Service
Vents du Sud aims to make diners feel like guests in a home instead of customers. They provide professional service while keeping it simple, without overdoing the frills. Only the bill, although very reasonable, will remind diners they are clients in this Plateau Mont-Royal restaurant, and not in someone’s home.

Decor and Ambience
Vents du Sud is an excellent choice because of its friendly ambience. People not only come here to eat, they also come to bask in a warm atmosphere with soft Basque music in the background. With its capacity of 60 people, Vents du Sud maintains a feeling of intimacy yet offers all the virtues of larger restaurants. It is advisable that clients reserve to ensure they arrive and depart with a smile on their faces!

Payment: MasterCard, Visa, Interac
Directions: metro Berri-UQAM, bus 30 Saint-Denis / Saint-Hubert (going north)
Cross Street: Drolet Street
Hours: Monday – Tuesday: closed; Wednesday – Sunday: 17h30 – 22h
Cuisine Type: French
Amenity: Bring your own alcohol
Meal Price: $$




Pizzeria Napoletana

Some places just smack of contentment and good times; Pizzeria Napoletana, at the corner of two quiet streets in Little Italy, is just that sort of place.


189, rue Dante
Montreal, QC H2S 1K1 Phone: (514) 276-8226

In the Heart of Little Italy
Stop by for a bite on a summer afternoon after a visit to nearby Jean-Talon Market to enjoy a leisurely lunch on the terrace, or to dine in the lively dining room under painted murals. But be prepared to share tables at dinner since peak hours are always a family affair, making for a cozy and friendly evening. Napoletana is the first traditional Italian pizzeria in the heart of Little Italy, having opened in 1948.

Thin Crust
The true stars of the Napoletana menu are the 32, count ‘em, 32 Italian-style pizzas: every variety of thin crust gourmet pies, from the traditional margherita to some wildly fancy seafood numbers, is made with the freshest ingredients and are served piping hot. For diners with soul pasta in mind, the pasta menu offers a reasonable alternative, the tasty penne rosée. The oven-baked pastas such as the lasagna and cannelloni are especially satiating. Napoletana is a great place to bring the whole family so they can see what authentic pizza really tastes like. The hustle and bustle will keep the kids entertained and everyone will feel a part of the action.

Save Room for Dessert
You’ll want to pack in all you can, but make sure to leave some spare room for Napoletana’s excellent home-made sweets. The house tiramisu and the ice cream truffles are spectacular. You might also want to grab some Napoletana sauce or fine ground coffee to go, all available for purchase.

Payment: ATM, Cash Only
Directions: Jean-Talon Metro
Cross Street: De Gaspé
Hours: Monday, Tuesday 11:00am-11:00pm; Wednesday, Thursday 11:00am-12:00am; Friday, Saturday 11:00am- 1:00am; Sunday 12:00pm-12:00am
Fax: (514) 495-2640
Atmosphere: Good For Kids, Patio Dining
Cuisine Type: Pizza, Italian
Amenity: Bring your own alcohol
Meal Price: $


More rest links...

http://english.montrealplus.ca/bars_restaurants/

http://www.martiniboys.com/Montreal/res ... -Montreal/

Don't bother with the Danseuse unless that is your thing... The Plateau district is where the resto's and night life are... A good cheap place for a burger and beer is Patati Patata... Also there is a huge subterrainean mall along St. Catherine if you are into shopping and the Museums are quite affordable...

http://www.montrealfood.com/restos/patati.htm

Au Pied Cochon is a great place to take your wife/GF for a nice meal...

http://www.martiniboys.com/Montreal/Au- ... eview.html


Should be enough to get you started....