Montreal moments
Great dining and magical discovery reward visitors to dynamic city
Montreal has been celebrating its birthday this year and she’s not looking bad for 375.
But this town doesn’t need an excuse to have fun. It’s always in party mode.
Which is what it makes it the perfect destination for a getaway with some pals.
It’s amazing what you can do and see in this amazing city in just a few days, from exploring all its great neighbourhoods — including historic Old Montreal, downtown’s Golden Square Mile or the eclectic Plateau and Mile End districts — to grabbing just- out- of-the-oven bagels or having high tea at the Ritz- Carlton Hotel.
Day 1
Our wonderful two- and- a- halfday tour of Montreal, hosted by Tourism Montreal, started when we checked into the beautiful and exceptionally well appointed Hotel Le Germain.
I was lucky enough to stay at Hotel Le Germain in Baie- St- Paul a few years back, so was not surprised at the level of service and comfort at the boutique- sized establishment, which has relaxed check- in/ checkout times, beautiful linens and finishings as well as a gourmet restaurant in the Laurie Raphael.
The downtown location is great, close to Mount Royal if you want a good leg stretch, and smack in the middle of some great shopping above or below ground in the city’s extensive ( 32 km!) network of underground malls.
You’re also in the ’ hood of the Golden Square Mile, so- called for its upscale history as the address of the ultrarich anglophones of the day. Considered “uptown” from Old Montreal, it is the home of amazing period architecture, hotels, restaurants and museums.
After a few hours of exploring, it was time for a cocktail and a great meal. We walked to Brasserie Le Pois Penché in the heart of the Golden Square Mile, a true Frenchstyle bistro with on- point service and a mouth- watering menu.
We were treated to uber- fresh oysters at the bar, wonderfully delicate house- made pasta and steak tartare, all the while being schooled in organic and natural wines by passionate sommelier Anne Malhere.
Day 2
After a delicious breakfast from the hotel’s exquisite buffet, it was time for some pampering at the amazing Bota- Bota Spa located in a transformed ferry docked at the Old Port on the St. Lawrence River.
A gorgeous and very unusual Nordic- style spa with cold and warm pools plus other amenities, it was a great place to spend a couple of hours relaxing and rejuvenating before the next round of exploring.
Later, we attended the eye- popping Aura show at the Notre- Dame Basilica. The event lasted about 45 minutes, starting with a selfguided tour of illuminated tableaus of the majestic building’s history displayed along the walls of the church. Then came the main event, a feast for the eyes and ears in a spectacle designed by multimedia giant Moment Factory.
Nothing like a magical light and
music show in a historic church to make you want to whack the top off a bottle of champagne with a sword, right?
So off to La Champagnerie in Old Montreal, where we were treated to a delicious dinner of meats and cheeses on magnificent charcuterie boards and plates of seafood and oysters, all accompanied by recommended champers, the specialty of the lively restaurant.
Montreal’s first and only champagne bar, it has a long and varied list of bubbles, along with the opportunity to “sabre” a bottle, a funny if somewhat startling experience as the cork flies into a suspended piece of burlap.
Day 3
In the final few hours before heading home there was still time for visits to two very different museums, including one in a shopping complex.
I’m not a Barbie girl and I don’t live in a Barbie world. But who knew the Barbie Expo, which includes hundreds of Barbies done up in custom couture gowns by renowned designers and themed outfits, could be so fascinating?
Located in the aforementioned mall at Les Cours Mont- Royal, the free exhibit is a lot of fun, eliciting a laugh here and a wow there as we admired the intricacy of the tiny outfits.
Nearby was the more traditional but also fascinating McCord Museum, which focuses on the history of Canada, its First Peoples and its home city.
So do the birthday girl a favour and stop by to learn more about her vast and colourful history.