Back to answer my own question. Just found pressed cottage cheese at Segal's. This brand: http://www.westerncreamery.com/en/pro...

Today is Shavuot! Time to make blintzes. Where can I find farmer's cheese in Montreal (Plateau ideally)? I've used ricotta or cottage cheese in the past, but hoping to find something locally produced.

I'm just above Prince-Arthur. Please tell!!

Nope, not French! I wish we could sit outdoors there- just like 3 more degrees!

Please help me last minute. I'm going to a work dinner at Ferreira at 7 pm. I need to take our visiting guest out for drinks/glass of wine beforehand very nearby. Where should we go? We could make our way to Dominion Tavern, but are there any other restaurant or hotel bars that people like?

I have seen the Artisana coconut products at Bioterre on St. Viateur. They make a pure coconut butter.

Or if you have a professional blender (Vita-Mix or the like) you can make it yourself out of shredded coconut.

I have been twice and there are always kids there. We took our 1.5 year old without incident and will take her again (at 3.5).

A la carte too. But for our party of 8, they would only do tasting menu. And I didn't look at the a la carte menu. but I would go back to try things we didn't get. Only misstep was the overly sweet dessert.

Tasting menu:

AMUSE BOUCHE- Duck heart skewer

CEVICHE WITH LECHE DE TIGRE

Lime and coriander emulsion – fish – seafood (catch of the day) – yellow potatoes – ají amarillo

CRISPY SHRIMP

Crispy giant shrimp – avocado purée – chicha syrup

ORGANIC CHARLEVOIX BOUDIN & CHORIZO

Cornbread – jalapeño – apples – hazelnuts – beurre blanc with cider

BRAISED BISON SHORT RIBS
Array
Butternut squash – Kenyan beans – mushrooms – maple and aji panka glaze

MAPLE POUDING CHÔMEUR
Array
Vanilla ice cream (Bilboquet)

Tasting menu was $39-- very reasonable. Wine prices are about average- $42+/bottle.

Just ate at Mezcla last night-- birthday dinner for 8 with the tasting menu. It was a fantastic meal. 5 courses + amuse bouche. I want to go back and try a few other things! There was a bit too long of a wait between courses 3, 4, and 5, so the meal lasted 2.5 hours, which was a little slow.

Juliette & Chocolat? A bit more than a cafe, but the St. Laurent location has a ton of room and can reserve a large table in the back. If everyone is willing to order a coffee drink (more expensive than other places), it should be fine.

They looked to be cooked in fat to me!

Yes, that is true. It's not cheap! Still cheaper than Icehouse tacos though. And SF burritos are now about $6-$7.50 + tax (but that usually includes all extras too.)

Well, that's a little hard to say. They are using a SF Mission model as the business model, where you follow the burrito down the line to choose what goes in it. They are the size of SF burritos, but the flavor profile is different. SF burritos are usually grilled meats and have mexican rice and pinto beans (although you can usually get black beans) and usually pico de gallo as the salsa. Here it's the meat (well-flavored and marinated) that shines. It's really not Cal Mex.

Went for lunch. Big thumbs up. Totally superior to all other options. I've posted in restaurant openings thread with lots of details.

The Burrito Shop @ 3686 St. Laurent (just below Pine) is open! Went there today. Super friendly and enthusiastic ownders. It is Day #2 and they are still just figuring things out, but I can tell you that the food is great! I really hope this place makes it. I will be doing my best to patronize it.

Order burrito, tacos (3), or salad and get choice of meat for $7.95 Offerings today included: carnitas, pollo a la parrilla (grilled), carne asada, cochinita pibil, and pork verde. Burritos include flour tortilla, black beans and white rice. Tacos are corn tortillas,meat (and you can choose three different ones), a cilantro and onion relish, and salsa. Huge choice of salsas: salsa verde, salsa roja, pico de gallo, a spicier salsa nortena, and then an even spicier one salsa ariel. Guacamole is extra. Crema and cheese also available. We tried all the pork (cochinita pibil burrito and then three pork tacos) with the various salsas. Super flavorful. Each one with a very different flavor profile.

When I spoke with the owner he said that the concept is from SF-style burrito stands. But the recipes themselves are Mexican (not Tex Mex). And this was indeed the case. I have never had a cochinita pibil burrito before (and I am from California). The tacos seem like a better deal then the burritos-- all meat and salsa! And the burrito could have been more tightly wrapped. But I'm sure things will improve as staff gets more experience.

We had it for lunch and wanted to go back for dinner! Great addition to the neighborhood. I would even say that the tacos give Icehouse a run for their money, especially if you're getting stuff to go.

Argh. Missed the opening (even though it's one block away.) Did you make it? Will the special continure through today?

Hard to go to Les 3 petits bouchons and not spend $$ on wine!

I was recently at Le Comptoir with a group and with wine we each paid $50+tip per person and ate well. I'd say without wine it was about $35+tip (some folks only had one glass).

I also bought two bushels from this vendor and canned them whole. Used one jar last week and it was great. I'm thinking about doing more this weekend-- do you think there will still be more tomatoes?

Em Cafe on Parc and Bernard is very stroller and baby-friendly. Lots of moms go there after classes at the Y.
Juliet et Chocolat on St. Laurent and Prince Arthur- lots of moms+babies hang out there. Big space, easy to fit strollers, etc.
Byblos on Laurier E. is very kid-friendly. They have a box of toys for kids.

I live right on the other side of St. Laurent; I am very familiar with it, but it is a bit too far to get there with a large group, have lunch, and then get back for the afternoon part of our research meeting. (And I would argue that the south part of St. Laurent @ Prince Arthur does not really have stellar options anyway-- Frite Alors? Marche 27- but all guests really have to like tartare? Most of the other places aren't open for lunch, afaik.)

Thanks! I was thinking about all 3 of those! I do think that Vasco de Gama is a little too hectic for a group lunch.

While we are talking about this area, I am looking for a lunch option for 7 people near McGill. We will be on the east side of campus (by Milton and University), so hoping for something convenient to there. Is Lola Rosa the only option? Any other downtown options people can think of? I'm looking for something less upscale, cheaper, and quicker than Ferreira or the like, but not a food court (need table service).

And the food has gone way downhill in the last two years as well (and prices have gone up). And as of this week, they are still checking for membership.

Just a note that La Salle a Manger is on Mont-Royal-- perfect for people watching and a before or after dinner stroll. Call ahead though!

I am hosting a two day research meeting for my project team from out of town. There will be 8 of us total. When they were in town about two years ago we went to Holder one night and Pintxo the other night. Both were a big hit, with uniform praise for Pintxo. Holder was a tad loud. Where should we go this year? Some constraints: one pescetarian/vegetarian (but very flexible), moderately priced (similar to above restos), traditional plates are preferred over shared plates/family style, and generally easy to get to from downtown.

I was thinking of La Salle a Manger for one of the dinners, but it might be a tad too expensive. Club Chasse et Peche, same story, I think. Where would you go? It's fun to show off Montreal's food scene to others!

Thanks again, everyone. I had a great stay in Miami. Made it to Michael's Genuine (with some friends of friends!) and had a great meal. We ate pretty lightly (warm night) and everything was fresh and delicious. Had lunch at Zuma which seemed very overpriced for what it delivered ($6 iced tea?!), but fish was fresh. Dinner at the Fratelli milano bar was lovely. Very nice service, nice seafood pasta.

How about Nouveau Palais for lunch or dinner? Every time I've been there for an early-ish dinner, there are kids there. Food is very, very kid friendly, but mom-friendly too.

http://www.nouveaupalais.com/wp/fr/

This is all great intel. Thanks so much. I will make Michael's Genuine for sure. Glad to know that Zuma is good and close -- perhaps for an evening when I'm burnt out from the conference. Thanks also for lunch recs. I'll try to report back.