Hello - we will be flying into Montreal, spending 2.5 days there, taking the train to Quebec City for 2.5 days and then flying home. Its a quick trip and I've mapped out the sites we definitely want to see after scouring Fodors and Frommers. Would like to get some suggestions on restaurants where two can dine for under $100usd including a moderate (under $30) bottle of wine. We're staying at the Westin Montreal and Clarendon in Quebec; will not have a rental car. In our late 50's, not interested in the hip, loud, scene at all. Just looking for good food (pls don't suggest indian, thai or greek!)
Thanks!
Restaurant suggestions for Montreal and Quebec City
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Had a very nice dinner here:http://mbrgr.com/english.html
in Montreal.Lots of stylish choices on menu.
For old style ambiance in Montreal also visit :http://montreal.about.com/od/foodwine/gr/gibbys_steak.htm.
make sure you get to the underground shopping mall which connects miles of stores, especailly if its cold or rainy.
There is also a fantastic food market:http://www.yelp.ca/biz/march%C3%A9-jean-talon-montr%C3%A9al-3
to get right to the farmers and surce of great products.
You can pad your dining budget by bringing your own bottle of wine to certain restaurants with special licences. BYOB translates into AVV, roughly apportez votre vin. Some big places offer the service but it is more often found in small bistros which spend their capital on food ingredients rather than stocking a bar. Which means the meals can be great. Corkage fees are virtually unknown.
Corner stores sell wine but are restricted to down-market products, often from Southern France, Chile or Argentina. There's sure to be one around the corner from the cafe you just discovered. For finer dining, shop at the the government liquor stores known as SAQ.
There are plenty of restaurant guides on-line. I like http://www.restomontreal.ca/index.php?lang=en which searches by area as well as by AVV.
.
Montreal dining - wow, where to begin! Our favorite way to dine out in Montreal (especially in nice weather) is to stroll up to St. Denis and Duluth, go into the SAQ near the corner for a bottle of wine and peruse the area's many byob restaurants - many have a back outdoor patio, or are open to the sidewalk. You will see French, Italian, Asian, Greek ( I know you you are not into Greek, but Jardan de Panos has very good brochettes and great ambiance), etc. Not counting your own wine, a dinner for two will be about $50-$70.
Another option would be a good French bistro like L'Express on St. Denis or Au petite extra on Ontario. Montreal has a mind boggling selection of good dining. The only places I might avoid are some of the more touristy looking ones in the old city, or on Prince Arthur St.
In Quebec City, the one that you should not miss is Aux Anciens Canadiens, which is in the upper part of the Old City. Quite expensive, but fantastic food. My wife and I dined there two nites running last year, which we have never done before, anywhere in the world. Specialty is game, and they have wonderful game pies as well as salmon.
Really memorable meals.
http://www.auxancienscanadiens.qc.ca/
Oops. Just noticed your budget. The restaurant I suggested will be well over $100 for the two of you with wine. I don't believe they are open for lunch. However, they do have an early-bird special, which may bring the price down.
Quebec City is expensive for dining, so if I were you, I'd splurge here, and then have an inexpensive lunch the next day to average out your costs.
My wife and I love Le P'tit Plateau in the Plateau district. We had one of the nicest meals we have ever had there for the princely sum of $35. It is a BYO place so you can buy your own wine and bring it in. No corkage fee. Our other favourite is Le Poisson Rouge. I think it is licensed, but I cannot remember. Look both places up on the web and you will see the menus. The price was around $40.