Well stated, unlaced.

Chien Fumant is getting a lot of love here. This is what I was afraid of, it's getting a bit more difficult. :)

ah, but please don't mistake me for one of those New Yorkers that doesn't welcome opinions ;)

thanks again Capt - I've got some decision making to do ;)

annie - part of my problem is that I want SMALLER meals so I can eat at more places. LOL.

Capt, Plateaumaman - both solid advice. I think switching up the breakfasts (or moving OP altogether) is going to happen. Maybe Gros Jambon Sat morning instead? Keep it more local in the morning.

If I'm feeling purist and going for a steak tartare, I could take the advice re: Leveque.

@CC - For drinks, we'd be into something with a lot of character - we'll be doing mixed drinks or wine. More the place, less the scene, if that makes sense.

:)

Thanks Spiff, we're on the same page, I'd looked at them both–400C looks especially up my alley–but no availability.

Thanks to all three so far! I'm taking notes but think I already see a shift coming... it's great b/c you can research all you like, read the menus and look at photos, but nothing beat personal feedback.

Would you keep APdC?

Ok, so I've done my homework (I think). I've read "5 days...", "5 jours....", "2 People.." and pretty much every thread I could find about helping make the best decisions from the great options there are available in a limited timeframe.

In three weeks my wife and I will be staying in Old Montreal for less than two days. We'll have 2 dinners, 2 breakfasts and 1 lunch (thus 42 hours ;) ). I've got a tentative plan, based mainly on reviews I first found here, but am hoping to have this very fun board review and offer suggestions.

We're coming up from NYC and eaten at pretty good places but know firsthand that some of our best meals were at restaurants not listed in Zagats. The background: My wife doesn't eat fish, Italian is made at home, and we have pretty good access to ethnic food. That being said, we're trying to focus on what Montreal does best. So with limited slots we think we should try to do a Bistro and/or French Inspired and/or Farm to table/local. Throw in some tartare, charcuterie, stiff drinks and a lobe of fois gras for good measure and we'll fly home fat and happy. We're late 30s, don't mind traveling around the city and otherwise good and adventurous. Here we go:

Friday Night
DINNER: Le P'Tit Plateau (haven't called yet)
DRINKS: ? (probably the hotel)

Sat
BREAK: Olivier Potier (croissants)
LUNCH: Olive + Gourmando
Jean-Talon and Caffe Italia
PRE-Dinner drinks: Dominion Sq. Tav
DINNER: APdC (9pm)

Sun
BREAK: Kouign Amann

Bye-bye.

So if you had just two days, would this make sense? If I don't get P'Tit Plateau, there's like 5 other competing options that I can't decide on and that really encouraged me to post: Laloux, Lawrence, Le Chien Fumant, Lemeac, Chasse et Peche....maybe even Marche 27 for tartare early and then Lemeac for their 10pm 2 course menu.....sigh so many choices.

Any thoughts appreciated!

Chick

Supposedly it has nice river views and looks to be a nice space, as Michelle noted too. Bistro-y type place.

Well, unless I'm persuaded against it, our group of four will be going next Friday and we can report back.

Stumbled across Bakehouse and except for the Yelpers, don't see much in the way of reviews. It's fairly priced, supposed to have nice river views and good ambiance and I'm always prospecting for a good steak tartare.

We're thinking about going with friends, but with so many GOOD choices, OK food and a decent view isn't going to cut the mustard. Anyone been?

Thanks
-Chick

for anyone interested in the wait for dinner around dinner time (7-9pm) the hostess said two hours when i arrived at 6:50pm. when i confirmed she said, 'probably 2 or 2.5.' our party of four sat down at 9:40, 2 hours and 50 minutes later.

the food is VERY tasty, but would not be particularly impressive if you came from an Itaian-American home where your Momma cooked every day. Like in my family, she routinely cooked 'very tasty/

i should be so lucky.

thanks foodie, that's a big help. i'll try to go with that in mind

Anyone have reports on the wait for an 8pm table for two?

Heading over this weekend, I'll let you know my experience.

Tnx
PC

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Parm
248 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012

Definitely appreciated, but in this scenario I'm working within a pre-set number of options and these are my final two. While your thoughts about level of the food being served is well taken Sneak, going to one of these two is the only choice.

Yes, thanks, in fact your reviews can be partially attributed to my expecting food that would blow me away. My cousin filed a similar report from her dinner experience in December. Competing with this is the sense that being at a restaurant during its 'in the moment' time, can be particularly fun, if you appreciate that energy (previous experiences at Minetta Tavern and Babbo come to mind), if that makes sense.

Thanks H, that's still a valuable personal insight.

This is the dilemma I'm facing.

As a tradition my wife and I will secure a few reservations at special restaurants for the other's birthday. The trick is to chose just one. This year the list has been narrowed down to the two above. Without going to deeply into what my tastes are, because they are quite broad–from Kyo Ya to Parm–I'm interested to know what your recommendation would be.

Personally, I'm torn because I think the food at Promenade would blow me away, yet the experience of eating at ACME right now would be equally memorable.

Any thoughts?

Chick

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Acme
9 Great Jones St, New York, NY 10012

La Promenade des Anglais
461 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011

haha - thumbs up to that UD!

Excellent ideas, thanks people!

I'm gonna go with the Milk Bar cookies - that's perfect, come pre-wrapped, and should travel well - not to mention they're quintessential NY.

Really good idea mm, but I don't think of that as office-friendly (like a finger food)... maybe mini cannoli from veniero's though.

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Veniero's
342 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003

Pretty great idea jkling

I have been to Resto UD, and agree with you 100%. There's a different vibe here though. First off, the prices are much more approachable, second, it's just a hang-out place - that specializes in meat and beer, and it's super casual. Other than being a bit cramped, I think it's an above average joint when food/atmosphere/price are all taken into consideration.

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The Cannibal
113 E 29th St, New York, NY 10016

That's definitely a possibility, thanks, I'll check it out!

Went to The Cannibal for lunch and think this little place is a great addition to the neighborhood.

Sort of a Foodie-Man cave, small, narrow and slightly cramped bar with backless stools as the main eating area notwithstanding, I'd recommend it easily.

10 inspired sandwich choices (ie, Pig's Head Cuban: Slow roasted pig's head, house smoked ham, gruyere, pickles on a cuban roll type thin toasted bread ( $12), tartares, snacks and plates all for less than $14, a deep beer list.

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The Cannibal
113 E 29th St, New York, NY 10016

I want to send a NYC food-based thank-you gift to an office in California with 75 people, but bagels are out.

Not sure cheesecake or cupcakes are a good idea, they may be New York-y, but great examples can easily be found out there. Doughnut plant doesn't ship. Pickles aren't fun:)

I'm blanking on any other ideas. If you've got one and would like to share, that would be really cool.

PC

Thanks for the input - i tried heading down about 30 minutes beforehand in preparation (that's all I had), but it was closer to an hour. My back-up plan (for a casual, inexpensive semi-business lunch) was The Cannibal, and turned out fine.

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The Cannibal
113 E 29th St, New York, NY 10016

Been many times for dinner, never for lunch.
Hoping to take a friend tomorrow - anyone have insight to the wait times, approx 1:30 for two.

Tnx
Chick

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Ippudo
65 4th Ave, New York, NY 10003

Grt thanks Cheery