Spring Food Tour Itinerary
Hello! I am travelling to Montreal in May, and I am planning to eat it up. You can go to my past post to see my first kick at the cat with my itinerary, and my dietary and culinary preferences and background.
https://www.reddit.com/r/MTLFoodLovers/s/ez5fYEAw3b
My time in the city expanded by a week, so I’m lucky to get some time in Griffintown, Little Italy, and Westmount that I hadn’t planned in my earlier post.
My goal each day is to travel to a district and spend the day there exploring and taking in the food, parks, art, and culture at a fairly easy pace. I prefer not taking cabs/Ubers due to anxiety, and it would feel much more like a vacation to me if I stuck to walking and public transportation. I'm also transferring hotels on day 7 from Downtown/Ville-Marie (Fairmont) to Old Montreal (Hotel Place d'Armes).
So here’s the plan. Menu items are current, but it’s really going to depend on my mood and how hungry I am each day. I’m also conscious of trying not to duplicate dishes so I can try as many unique flavours and experiences as possible (within the classical/modern French realm), Steak et Frites notwithstanding. I don’t have a budget. Reservations are all made. (Super bummed about Joe Beef).
Yes, there is a lot of hotel dining, but as I mentioned in my other post, that's important for me as a former chef with Fairmont/Canadian Pacific and Delta hotels. I want to experience several hotel meals/buffets/teas. Also, most of my breakfasts are planned before 8:00am and my suppers typically end by 7:30pm. I'm an early bird.
Montreal Day 1 (Hotel arrival by 8:00pm)
Supper: Roselys | Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth (Fine Hotel Continenal/French Dining)
Carte Blanche Table d’Hôtel Menu; Sparkling Water
Heavy supper
———
Montreal Day 2
Districts: Centre-Ville, Golden Square Mile, Ville-Marie
Breakfast: Roselys | Fairmont Reine Elizabeth (Fine Hotel Continenal/French Dining)
Canadian Breakfast
Light breakfast
Morning Activities: English Service at Mary Queen of the World Church; exploring, photography of historical buildings/locales
Sunday Brunch: Renoir Restaurant | Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile (Fine Continental/European Dining)
Sunday Brunch Buffet
Heavy brunch buffet
Afternoon Activity: HOHO Loop – City Tour from Dorchester Square and loop back
Late Afternoon Activity: Explore RESO the Underground City; rest and recharge at hotel
Supper: La Grande Table Gastronomique par Jerome Ferrier (Michelin-starred Luxury Modern French Fine Dining)
Menu Degustation; Sparking Water
Heavy supper
———
Montreal Day 3
Districts: Mount Royal, Golden Square Mile, Ville-Marie
Breakfast: Maison Boulud Buffet | Ritz Carleton (Fine Hotel Continenal/French Dining)
Breakfast Buffet
Heavy breakfast buffet
Afternoon Activity: HOHO Loop – to St. Joseph's Oratory, explore St. Joseph’s Oratory
Lunch: La Sainte-Fringale | St. Joseph’s Oratory (Quebecois Cafeteria-Style) [only if hungry]
BLT Bagelwich; Bottled Water
Light lunch
Late Afternoon Activity: HOHO Loop – to Mount Royal, explore Mount Royal views and vistas (Kondiaronk Lookout)
Supper: Restaurant Henri | Hotel Birks (Fine Hotel French Brasserie)
Salmon Rillette with Toast; Poulet Supreme; Sparkling Water
Heavy supper
———
Montreal Day 4
Districts: Le Plateau, La Fontaine Park, Rue Mont-Royal
Breakfast: La Binerie Mont-Royale (Traditional Homestyle Quebecois)
1 ŒUF, Servi avec bacon, jambon et saucisse, cretons maison, fèves au lard, patates rôties maison et pain crouté cuit sur le poêle; pouding Choumer; Coffee
Heavy breakfast
Morning Activity: Parc La Fontaine, walk around park, rest and relax
Lunch (Snack): Patisserie, Boulangerie or Cafe on/around Rue Mont Royal (e.g., Kouign Amann)
Light lunch or snack
Afternoon Activity: Exploring Avenue Mont-Royal; Plateau Mont-Royal Library; Shopping
Supper: L’Express (Classic French Bistro – Locals Spot)
Celery Remoulade; Steak et Frites; Tarte Citron ou Ile Flotante; Sparkling Water
Heavy supper
———
Montreal Day 5
Districts: Mile End
Breakfast: Fairmount Bagels (Traditional Jewish/Quebecois)
Warm Sesame Bagel; Cream Cheese
Light breakfast
Breakfast #2: Wilensky's Light Lunch (Local Spot, Historical)
Wilensky Special Sandwich; Regular Fountain Soda (Diet Cherry Cola)
Light breakfast part deux
Morning Activity: Explore Blvd Saint-Laurent, surrounding neighbourhoods
Lunch: Schwartz's Deli (Local/Tourist Spot, Traditional Jewish/Quebecois, Historical)
Smoked Meat Sandwich; Big Pickle; Coleslaw; Diet Coke
Light lunch (sample bites, not the whole she-bang)
Afternoon Activity: Explore Blvd Saint-Laurent, bus back down Blvd Saint-Laurent to Saint-Laurent/Laurier; Exploring Avenue Laurier, St. Viator Catholic Church
Supper: Leméac
Crab cake, gribiche sauce & cucumbers; Boudin, celery root purée, cider sauce (appetizer size); French toast, dulce de leche ice cream & maple caramel
Heavy supper
———
Montreal Day 6
District: Little Italy, Jean Talon Market
Morning Activity: Explore Jean Talon Market
Breakfast/Brunch: Jean Talon Market
Sampling Food from Market
Light breakfast
Late Morning Activity: Wandering Little Italy, Rue Jean Talon
Lunch: Jean Talon Market (to go for a picnic)
Sampling Food from Market
Light lunch
Afternoon Activity: Madonna della Difesa Church; Dante Park; Boulevard St. Laurent shops
Snack: Pasticceria Alati-Caserta (Super Italian, Local Spot)
Whatever I’m Feeling; Bottled Water
Light sweet snacks and pastries
Supper: Ratafia (Modern Italian/French Wine Bar)
Savoury Item; Sweet Item; Sparkling Water
Moderate supper
Cocktails: Bar Nacarat | Fairmont Reine Elizabeth (Jazz Night, Fine Hotel French Dining)
Spiced Nuts; Marinated Olives; San Pellegrino with Lime
Light snacks
———
Montreal Day 7
District: Westmount
Breakfast: Le Bisco | Hotel Bonaventure (Continental Hotel Dining)
American Buffet
Heavy breakfast buffet
Morning Activity: Travel to Westmount; Explore notable architecture near Avenue Melbourne and Avenue Metcalfe
Lunch: Pâtisserie Alex Platel (Fine French baking and pastries) [Picnic lunch for Parc Westmount]
Jambon Beurre; Palmier; Dark Chocolate Bar with Fruit and Nuts; Water
Heavy lunch
Afternoon Activity: Explore Parc Westmount, Westmount City Hall, Westmount Public Library
Supper: Ile-de-France | Le9e Eaton Centre (Classic French Bistro, Historical)
Salade (Bibb Lettuce, Mimollette, Mustard Vinaigrette); Pan seared Sea Bream Filet; Sparkling Water
Light supper
———
Montreal Day 8 (Late Afternoon Hotel Transfer)
Districts: Centre-Ville, Place Ville Marie, Quartier Des Spectacles
Breakfast: Restaurant Henri | Hotel Birks (Fine Hotel French Brasserie)
Le Henri; Almond Milk Latte
Light breakfast
Morning Activity: Explore McGill Campus; Photography
Lunch: Afternoon Tea at Roselys | Fairmont Reine Elizabeth (Fine Hotel French/Continental Dining)
Afternoon Tea; Prosecco
Heavy lunch
Afternoon Activity: Relaxing at hotel; taking photographs; hotel transfer and settling in
Supper: Monarque (Upscale Modern French/Quebecois Brasserie)
Gougeres and Side Salad; Bone Marrow with Burgundy Snails (for main course); Passion Fruit Pavlova; Sparkling Water
Heavy supper
———
Montreal Day 9
Districts: Place des Arts
Breakfast: Brasserie 701 | Hotel Place d’Armes (Fine Hotel French Brasserie)
Bacon and Eggs; Almond Milk Latte
Moderate breakfast
Morning Activity: Explore Place des Arts, Promenade des Artistes, Murals, Art Installations, Photography
Lunch: Food Court | Complexe Desjardins [only if hungry]
Whatever I'm feeling...
Light and healthier lunch
Afternoon Activity: Opera de Montreal
Supper: Montreal Pool Room (Local Spot, Quebecois, Historical)
Small Poutine; Hot Dog Steamie; Hot Dog Toastie; Diet Coke
Heavy supper
Cocktails: Terrasse Place d’Armes | Hotel Place d’Armes (Fine Hotel French/Continental Lounge)
(Menu not available)
Light snacks
———
Montreal Day 10
District: Old Montreal
Breakfast: Crew and Collective (Local Spot, Continental, Historical)
Bagel BLT; Almond Milk Latte
Light breakfast
Morning Activity: Bank of Montreal Museum
Lunch: Bouillon Bilk (Upscale Contemporary French/Modern)
Table d’Hotel Menu (4 Course); Sparkling Water
Heavy lunch
Afternoon Activities: Montreal City Hall, Champs de Mars, Château Ramezay
Snack: Le Petit Dep (Local Spot, French/Quebecois Pastries)
Pastry and Cafe
Light Snack
Evening Activity: Aura at the Cathedral Notre Dame
Supper: Stash Café (Casual Polish/Eastern European)
Dill Pickle Soup; Cabbage Rolls; Diet Coke
Moderate supper
———
Montreal Day 11
District: Montreal Olympic Park – Parc Olympique
Breakfast: Gazette | Le Westin Montreal (Continental Hotel Dining)
Breakfast Buffet
Heavy breakfast buffet
Morning Activity: Explore Montreal Olympic Park, Biodome, Stadium
Lunch: L'Insolite - Espace Gourmand | Olympic Stadium (Quebecois Cafeteria-Style) [only if hungry]
Whatever I’m feeling…
Light lunch
Afternoon Activity: Jardin Botanique, Olympic Park
Supper: Helicoptre (Modern Québecois Market Cuisine)
Tasting Menu; Sparkling Water
Heavy supper
———
Montreal Day 12
District: McGill/Ville-Marie/Golden Square Mile
Breakfast: BAR GEORGE | Le Mount Stephen Hotel (Modern British/Contemporary Dining)
Canadian Breakfast; Almond Milk Latte
Light breakfast
Morning Activity: McCord Stewart Museum; explore the McGill Campus and Golden Square Mile; The Word bookstore
Lunch: Afternoon Tea at Palm Court | Ritz Carlton (Fine Hotel Continenal/French Dining)
Afternoon Tea
Heavy lunch
Afternoon Activity: Montreal Museum of Fine Arts
Supper: Brasserie 701 | Hotel Place D’ Armes (Fine Hotel French Brasserie)
Table D'hôtel Menu (3 Course) - Onion Soup; Boeuf Bourguignon; Chocolate Lava Cake or Creme Brulée; Sparkling Water
Heavy supper
———
Montreal Day 13
Districts: Lachine Canal, Locks National Historical Site, Little Burgundy
Breakfast: Le Cartet (Casual Upscale French-inspired Cafe)
Canton Skillet (Scrambled eggs, homemade bone-in ham, chipolata sausage, bacon, roast potatoes, baked beans, and country bread); Almond Milk Latte
Heavy breakfast
Morning Activity: Explore Lachine Canal National Historic Site, Walk along the canal
Lunch: Bagels Le Trou [only if hungry]
Tuna Bagelwich, Iced Latte
Moderate lunch
Afternoon Activity: Exploring shops on Rue Notre Dame Ouest; Réjean-Ducharme Public Library; bookstores, cafes, antique shops, murals, jazz history
Supper: Liverpool House (Modern French/Quebecois Upscale Pub)
(menu not published)
Heavy supper
———
Montreal Day 14
Districts: Old Montreal and Old Port
Breakfast: Tommy Cafe (Local Spot/Classic Cafe)
Suzy Avocado Toast; Almond Milk Latte
Light breakfast
Morning Activity: Pointe-à-Callière Museum, Promenade de Vieu-Port, exploring the different harbours and piers
Lunch: Boulangerie Caviste or La Cave a Manger (Traditional French/Quebecois baking and pastries)
Pastries or viennoiserie; San Pellegrino/Perrier
Light lunch
Afternoon Activities: La Grande Roue de Montréal, walk around Old Montreal, Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel, Bonsecours Market, photography of historical buildings
Supper: Restaurant Bonaparte | Hotel Bonaparte (Classic French Fine Dining)
Tasting Menu - Mixed greens salad with pine nuts and parmesan cheese; Homemade smoked salmon served with truffle oil; Rabbit confit in a phyllo pastry, red wine sauce; Pear and tarragon sorbet, sparkling wine; Breast of duck flavoured with maple syrup and wild berries; A symphony of homemade desserts; Sparkling Water
Heavy supper