Haven't been to Montreal ( or Quebec) in over 20-25 years.
What a blast. Headed up on the train for 3 nights, wife had some business meetings so I tagged along. Train ride was excellent, took Via Rail business class, good food and drink and didn't have to deal with idiot drivers. Just have to remember when I ask for a Scotch neat that they don't give it to me in a plastic cup (even though it was Ballantine's).
Stayed at the Holiday Inn near McGill University. Great location, near Rue Sainte-Catherine, where all the shops are located. Weather was ***** so didn't stray too far, maybe 3 or 4 block radius. Found my hiding place during the day when my wife was at work, it's called Crescent St. A plethora of Pubs and fine dining. Can't remember them all but Ziggy's Pub was cool, a little place that reminded me of one's dream basement. There was also London Pub, Winston Churchills, Brutopia etc. etc to get a pint AND, they have Happy Hour!
Did Les 3 Brassuers (The 3 Brewers) on Sainte-Catherine but didn't like the beer at all, especially the Blonde. It tasted like mineral spirits, couldn't even finish it.
Ate at Weinsteins, Thursdays and a couple other places that I can't remember the names. Even the restaurant in the Holidy Inn had fanatastic food and wine. Nothing like a Rothschild to go with your Strip Sirloin. Only in Quebec have I seen 6 men next to us in their 30's and 40's get cross-eyed on a dozen bottles of wine...
Did lot's of shopping, liked the styles for men but can't get over the images of middle-aged men wearing sneakers with straight-legged leather pants, pink shirts and white silk scarves...The women on the other hand were smokin' hot, especially the blondes and red-heads. Never saw sealskin coats up close, very swanky.
I highly recommend it. Still can't believe the effortless switching people had from French to English and back. I felt really embarrassed at my remedial French skills but my wife is much more fluent thankfully. One elderly Asian lady was talking in (I assume) Mandarin to her co-worker then switching to perfect English for us and then to perfect French to the lady beside us. Pretty amazing.
Heading back in May, hopefully can do a little more exploring.
Sorry for the wall of text, I actually pared it down.
What a blast. Headed up on the train for 3 nights, wife had some business meetings so I tagged along. Train ride was excellent, took Via Rail business class, good food and drink and didn't have to deal with idiot drivers. Just have to remember when I ask for a Scotch neat that they don't give it to me in a plastic cup (even though it was Ballantine's).
Stayed at the Holiday Inn near McGill University. Great location, near Rue Sainte-Catherine, where all the shops are located. Weather was ***** so didn't stray too far, maybe 3 or 4 block radius. Found my hiding place during the day when my wife was at work, it's called Crescent St. A plethora of Pubs and fine dining. Can't remember them all but Ziggy's Pub was cool, a little place that reminded me of one's dream basement. There was also London Pub, Winston Churchills, Brutopia etc. etc to get a pint AND, they have Happy Hour!
Did Les 3 Brassuers (The 3 Brewers) on Sainte-Catherine but didn't like the beer at all, especially the Blonde. It tasted like mineral spirits, couldn't even finish it.
Ate at Weinsteins, Thursdays and a couple other places that I can't remember the names. Even the restaurant in the Holidy Inn had fanatastic food and wine. Nothing like a Rothschild to go with your Strip Sirloin. Only in Quebec have I seen 6 men next to us in their 30's and 40's get cross-eyed on a dozen bottles of wine...
Did lot's of shopping, liked the styles for men but can't get over the images of middle-aged men wearing sneakers with straight-legged leather pants, pink shirts and white silk scarves...The women on the other hand were smokin' hot, especially the blondes and red-heads. Never saw sealskin coats up close, very swanky.
I highly recommend it. Still can't believe the effortless switching people had from French to English and back. I felt really embarrassed at my remedial French skills but my wife is much more fluent thankfully. One elderly Asian lady was talking in (I assume) Mandarin to her co-worker then switching to perfect English for us and then to perfect French to the lady beside us. Pretty amazing.
Heading back in May, hopefully can do a little more exploring.
Sorry for the wall of text, I actually pared it down.
