The morning after the hockey game the weather had improved but it was still snowing. This was the site right outside our hotel. I felt so bad for those who had left their cars on the street.
We had boots so we decided to venture out and check out the aftermath of the storm.
Surprisingly, most businesses were open including Cafe Veritas were we enjoyed some yummy crepes. Schools were closed but other than that, it looked like business as usual at least until we walked down towards the waterfront.
Somewhere under my feet there is a sidewalk I’m sure of it! Businesses at this end of town were closed for the most part. We were a bit concerned because we had a reservation for a nearby restaurant that evening (my brother and sister-in-law had arranged the reservation for my birthday). We walked past the restaurant, which is nestled on a little side street, and low and behold someone was already digging out the sidewalk! Hooray! We ended up taking the metro back up to the shopping district again and found the sidewalks up there a bit better.
Montreal has such beautiful architecture. We ended up spending quite a bit of time browsing for some gifts for the family and before we knew it, we were heading back down to the hotel to get ready for dinner.
This tiny restaurant is called Garde Manger and its owner is Chuck Hughs, a Canadian chef featured on the Foodnetwork in Canada. Eric and Katie had heard great things about it so they set us up with a reservation and even sent us a gift certificate! It was so cozy and quaint, with only a few tables. The menu changes all of the time so they just have it written on a chalkboard. Bryan decided to start with a Ceasar (like a bloody mary but with clam juice mixed in).
They garnish it with crab legs so it’s almost an appetizer!
Bryan decided on the sturgeon dinner. It consisted of a beautiful piece of sturgeon, potato dumplings, a Japanese egg and pork belly with a lovely broth poured over top. Not your average dinner for sure. Bryan thoroughly enjoyed it.
I opted for the hanger steak with pommes annes and greens. So yummy! The whole experience was top notch!
The last place we visited was Chateau Ramezay. It’s a house that was built in 1705 for the governor of Montreal, Claude de Ramezay. It has been turned into a neat museum and we spent a couple of hours just wandering through. After that we had a bite of lunch and headed to the airport. All in all it was an amazing and unforgettable trip!
Shauna says
Sounds so perfect: Relaxing and easy-paced, yet exciting and full of memories! So glad you got away 🙂