Montreal/Tremblant/Laurentians, Canada

Eating out in Montreal/Tremblant/Laurentians, Canada

Wonderful French food abounds in Montreal's more than 4,000 eateries. Authentic French recipes made with Canada's fresh fish and produce results in flawless culinary delights. A new crop of "next generation" chefs enjoys adding dramatic presentation for your dining entertainment.

Gourmet

Jongleux Café offers contemporary French food on two dining levels set under Milanese-style wire lighting. The waiters and waitresses are exceptionally upbeat, and the menu offers updated versions of traditional bistro dishes, including paella of snails and crisp-fried sweetbreads, and salmon tournedos in a tapenade crust with saffron-chickpea ravioli. 3434 rue St-Denis.

Highly Recommended

Toque! offers superb contemporary French food and dazzling presentations. Bright but undaunting colors and minimalist fixtures create an elegant setting. Post-nouvelle is the best way to describe the plentiful and delicious dishes, and the menu varies to make room for seasonal ingredients, such as duck, veal, quail, venison, salmon and Arctic char. A wide selection of French cheeses precedes dessert. Most diners dress up to come here and you can expect to wait at least an hour. 3842 rue St-Denis.

Local Flair

Les Halles is laid-back, friendly, and downright fun, and the savory French food has made it one of the most popular in the city. Patrons love the Paris-market décor created by mirrors and murals. Alberta beef, Quebec lamb, snowy halibut, and walleye are simply prepared and undeniably delicious. The wine cellar has more than 400 different wines. 1450 rue Crescent.

Romantic

La Maree is tucked into an 18th-century stone house with fireplaces, paintings, and furnishings that recall the era of Louis XIII. Candlelight and fine silverware add to the ambiance. In the kitchen, the chefs prepare such delicious seafood creations as trout stuffed with salmon and lobster mousse and lobster with tomato and fresh basil. 404 Place Jacques Cartier.

Going party in Montreal/Tremblant/Laurentians, Canada

The nightlife in Montreal offers the perfect combination of social and cultural diversions. Bars and cafés are spread throughout the city, and clubs feature all types of music, as well as comedy and dancing. You can also try your luck with casino gaming, and catch your choice of performing arts, like theater, dance, opera, and more.

The Cirque de Soleil

This show in Vieux-Port continues to gain popularity. The magical union of theater and physical skill includes tightrope walkers, trapeze artists, contortionists and, of course, clowns.

The Centaur Theater

The home of Montreal's primary English-language theater. Presentations include classics, foreign adaptations and works by Canadian playwrights.

Comedyworks

Everything from open-mike night to improvisation to headliners from Canada and the US. Always draws a big crowd.

Le Pierrot/Les Deux Pierrots

These are sister clubs joined by a terrace. Le Pierrot is an intimate French-style club with bilingual performers that interact with the crowds. The larger Les Deux Pierrots hosts live bands that play in English and French.

Salatheque

This has long been a popular dance spot. A large upstairs room with bouncing, glittery lights keeps dancers moving. Music ranges from mambo to merengue. The house band comes on around 11:00pm.

Montreal Casino

This Ile Notre-Dame gaming hall has more than 100 tables, including blackjack, baccarat, and roulette, and some 3,000 slot machines on several floors. Non-gamers can visit the casino's restaurants, bars, live shows, and gift shops. Gamers must be 18 or older, and attire should be at least "smart casual.".

Common events in Montreal/Tremblant/Laurentians, Canada

La Fete des Neiges

Montreal's snow festival, features a dizzying array of outdoor events, including harness racing, barrel jumping, canoe races, snowshoeing, skating and cross-country skiing. Snow and ice sculptors amaze! January - February.

La Tour de L'lle de Montreal

More than 45,000 cycling enthusiasts gather in Montreal for this all-day race cheered by some 120,000 spectators in attendance. June.

Molson Grand Prix of Canada

Major international Formula 1 drivers speed around the Gilles Villeneuve racetrack on Ile Notre-Dame. June.

The Festival International de Jazz de Montreal

Past performers have included jazz greats like Miles Davis, Chet Baker and Dizzie Gillespie. Hundreds of other equally exciting concerts are free and take place on the streets and plazas of the city. June - July.

Festival Juste pour Rire (Just for Laughs Festival) This event brings a variety of comics to the city. Some performances are free, others require tickets. July.

The Festival des Films du Monde

This world film festival hosts about 500 screenings over 12 days, including 200 feature films from more than 50 countries. August - September.

"Cite des ondes" 5th International Video and Electronic Art Event Multidisciplinary programming interactive installations, several conferences and a multi-network distribution involving art, video, architecture, urban planning and the electronic arts. September.

14th season launch concert - Le Nouvel Ensemble Moderne FREE concert by the Nouvel Ensemble Moderne. Performances of Schoenberg's Kammersymphonie, Donatoni's Arpeqe, Guttierez son del Corazon and Domaine Forget's Rencontres. September.

Festival International de la Nouvelle Danse

is a 12-day showcase of troupes and choreographers from Canada, the U.S. and Europe. October.

The 2003 Montreal Auto Show

Public exhibition of new cars and light trucks as well as auto-related products and services. November - December.