Montreal Restaurant Tips by yooperprof

Vallier: Excellent bistro in Old Montreal

Vallier is an excellent bistro on Rue McGill in Old Montreal, close to the Media City neighborhood. I had a tasty and completely satisfying cheeseburger with frites, but the real highlight of my meal was the dessert. The "Pain Perdu" is a Quebeçois specialty. The menu translated it as bread pudding, but I think it was much more like a very rich French Toast, served with a maple glaze and a little dollop of ice cream. Superbe!

Address: 425 Rue McGill

Comparison: about average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Local

Website: http://www.restaurantvallier.com/

Java U: At the head of its class!

Great coffee-nook in Old Montreal. There are 17 other locations throughout the city. This one is on Rue McGill, close to the harbor. They have a sleek modern interior in an old space. It's long and narrow, but with comfortable seating up front as well as at the rear.

Address: 124 rue McGill

Comparison: least expensive

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Coffeehouse

Cafe les Entretiens: Neighborhood Cafe with live music

A lovely nieghborhood cafe and bistro on Avenue Laurier Est, about a ten minute walk from the Laurier Metro station. Good food and drink, and live music in the evenings. Brandon, a former student of mine, now lives in Montreal and has a regular gig there playing the piano (jazz). It was fun to surprise him - he had no idea I was coming to Montreal, so when I walked into the cafe and took a seat close to the piano, he had to do a double-take to make sure it was me.

Address: 1577 Avenue Laurier Est

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

Website: http://A lovely cafe and bistro on Avenue Laurier Est, about a ten minute walk from the Laurier Metro station. Good food and drink, and live music in the

Thali: Tasty Indian Vegetarian near Concordia

Vegetarian/vegan friendly spot, evidently popular with the student crowd, easy on the wallet. Very appetizing for lunch. 1409 St. Marc, close to St. Catherine's Street Ouest

Address: 1409 St. Marc

Comparison: least expensive

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Indian

Website: http://thalimontreal.com/

Les 3 Brasseurs: Busy Brewpub on St. Denis

"Les 3 Brasseurs" is a popular chain of brewpubs in Montreal - I went to their busy location in the Latin Quarter. The business started in France, expanded to Quebec, and will soon be making its first foray into Ontario. Maybe the place was a little bit too busy for me - it lacked the charm of the other beer establishments I visited here. The beer wasn't as good as "Dieu du Ciel" in the Plateau neighborhood, and the food and ambience wasn't as individual or unique as at "L'amere du biere" right across the street on Rue St. Denis. Don't get me wrong: the beer is fine here, fresh and drinkable. Just not as well-cared for as at some of the establishments with more of a "boutique" feel. But if you want a sports-bar ambience with decent pub food, perhaps this place will be perfect for you.

Note: I ordered the barbecued chicken from the menu. But it was not at all what I expected. Interesting: it came with not even a hint of a tomato-based baste! Apparently, here "barbecue" covers any kind of grilling.

Address: 1660 Rue St. Denis

Comparison: about average

Directions: Latin Quarter

Phone: 514-845-1660

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Pub/Brewery

Website: http://www.les3brasseurs.ca/eng/st_denis.php

Second Cup: Local coffee chain with many outlets

I like Second Cup - it's good to drink a local blend when you are here. "Second cup" shops seem to be located in prominent positions in most neighborhoods: it looks like Montrealers have long enjoyed the pleasures of a good coffee.

The Second Cup where I took this snap was in the very student-y heart of the Latin Quartet - it's located at the intersection of St. Denis and Maisonneuve.

Address: 1551 Rue St Denis

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Latin Quarter

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 3

Theme: Coffeehouse

Le Petit Moulinsart: Charming cafe/bistro in old Montreal

Not surprisingly perhaps, mussels are a specialty at this pleasant cafe/bistro on the western side of Old Montreal, but there are a number of other appetising choices on the menu. A comfortably classy interior, combined with superior (yet simple) fare make this excellent value for the money. Not a place to rush through your meal - not that it will take all afternoon or evening either, but you don't want to come here unless you have the time to "savor" the "savoir faire" behind this charming establishment.

I had lunch - my favorite dining experience while in Montreal. Nice (affordable) wine list, and a range of those excellent local beers as well.

Address: 139 Rue St. Paul ouest (west)

Comparison: about average

Phone: 514-843-7432

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: French

Mysore: Good Indian near Parc Mont Royal

I was very pleased to stumble across "Mysore" while walking along Saint Laurent on a rainy Sunday night. I discovered excellent food in a pleasing atmosphere with helpful and attentive service. The pilaf was especially good.

Address: 4216 rue Saint Laurent

Comparison: about average

Phone: 514- 844-4733

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Indian

Chez Jose: Cute Portuguese Cafe in the Plateau

Cute little Portuguese cafe located in the artsy indepedent Plateau neighborhood - I found it by luck on a Sunday morning. Excellent chicken sandwiches - and nice fresh squeeze orange juice. Great for a nice brunch - cozy interior.

Address: Rue 173 Duluth Street

Comparison: less expensive than average

Phone: 845-0693

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 4

Theme: Eclectic/International

L'Amère à Boire: Lovely brewpub cafe in the Latin Quarter

Great brew-pub restaurant on St. Denis - the student quarter - with 10 to 12 of their own beers on tap at any given time. The options run the gamut of brews, from lagers to stouts, with some emphasis on the more potent mixes. Their food menu is full of robust choices that pair well with the hearty varieties of beer available. Tasteful interior with lots of exposed wood. Good experience.

Address: 2049 Saint-Denis

Comparison: about average

Directions: a few blocks up from Rue St. Catherine

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 5

Theme: Pub/Brewery

Website: http://www.amereaboire.com/