This thread just reminds me how shameful it is that we don't have a quick rail link between Trudeau and downtown.

I also like Napoletana for what it is. A fun atmosphere in Little Italy and a BYOB (very handy). That being said, ironically, despite its name, it isn't really Neapolitan style pizza. The crust is much thinner and crispier...maybe something closer to Roman style.

The closest thing I've found to real Neapolitan style is Bottega. Magpie was OK but way too saucy. The entire table was damp from two pizzas.

Ha - so very true, Cosmos being a great example.

Tried Fortune Dumplings a couple of weeks ago and thought it was just OK. I prefer the dumplings at both Qing Hua and Mai Xiang Yuan in Chinatown, and with QH so close by, I wouldn't really have any reason to go back to Fortune (although the interior is very nice, bright and clean and the open kitchen is a nice touch).

Tried the pancake and while it was decent, it just wasn't really my speed.

Service was very friendly and I wish them much success nonetheless.

I don't think APDC is open for lunch.

Passed by today and it was closed - with a sign thanking the clientele. A very big loss for the neighborhood. I had been going for there for more than 15 years.

Got a pretty favourable review in the Gazette last weekend:

http://www.montrealgazette.com/life/S...

Any thoughts?

According to their website, In Gamba is supposed to carry them but I went today and the woman working there (who admittedly didn't seem to know what she was doing/talking about) said they didn't have them (this despite having an enormous Caffe Vergnano-branded clock right next to the front door - maybe not the best marketing technique...)

Anyway - can anyone tell me where I might find them?

Thanks

PA has vacuum-packed sliced Canadian prosciutto on sale. Quality is decent.

Talk about a misleading title.....

The little bar area at Thomson House has good prices and decent service.

Otherwise, despite the lack of other options nearby, Thomson House is a waste of time for food. I have also found that the service is terrible. There is usually one interesting dish on the menu - otherwise it's just pre-assembled food that has been sitting there all day. And I don't find the atmosphere that endearing either. Beautiful mansion on the outside yes - but pretty run-down and basic on the inside much like all of McGill's Golden Square Mile mansions.

For the last request, Whisky Cafe in Mile-End. Pricy but very nice atmosphere and probably the best cigar lounge in the city.
http://www.whiskycafe.com/en_home.html

It should be open by 6:30 at the latest, especially on a Saturday morning in late summer when there will be so many people going to the market.

I think it's the best coffee in the city - but of course that is a combination of objectivity and having grown up going there all the time. The quality varies slightly depending on who the barista is, but on Saturday they usually have at least one more "senior" person working the bar. In any event, I don't think you can be disappointed by the coffee there.

Caffe Italia

Universel on Peel below Sherbrooke has decent breakfast.

To be absolutely sure that particular Giants game will be on, you can go with Champs at the expense of horrible food. That is one place that will definitely have every game available. They have decent deals on pitchers but the beer list itself isn't great by any stretch of the imagination. Champs is on St. Lawrence just below Rachel.

Also, as mentioned above, Station des Sports on St. Catherine and Fort would probably show it as well.

If the local American affiliate of any of the networks is showing the Giants game (FOX possibly, as CBS usually shows the Patriots), then you can ask for it to be turned on at any pub/resto that has a TV and might have better food.

When you go to the jean talon market take the time to make the five minute walk to Caffe Italia. The coffee is better there than at any of the other places mentioned herein. In my opinion anyway. And it is a Montreal institution.

So I was gifted one of these "Smartbox" gift cards that offers me a free meal at one of a variety of choices. I hate using gift cards at restaurants, but I would feel even worse turning down a free meal, so I digress....

There's a couple of dozen choices and at this point I'm trying to decide between Lemeac and Les Infideles. The food at Lemeac interests me more but Les Infideles has the advantage of being a BYO (which would make the entire evening THAT much cheaper...).

Here's the link with the list of the available choices, in case anyone would like to suggest something they think is even better:

http://www.smartbox.com/ca/?menu=box&...

Thanks!

Myriade definitely has great coffee, but I'd personally feel bad spending 4 bucks and taking up a table in that tiny space for hours to study, especially for the next 6 months as the terrace will be closed. It's a small business that needs quick turnover...it's not a huge place with a thousand locations like Starbucks or Second Cup. If you want to take up a table for a while, sacrifice better coffee and just go to run of the mill chains. When you want to enjoy a good coffee, go to Myriade.

Bottega

-----
Bottega
65 Rue Saint-Zotique E, Montreal, QC H2S1K7, CA

Wow, your day 2 was truly epic. I think I'd be full for a week. Thanks for the report.

....or Cosmos.

Absolutely agree with you. +1

Yeah, I agree. On the one hand I'm glad that the restaurant owners who WERE skimming are hopefully going to have to pay their fair share. I know through many associates in the industry just how common (and in some cases substantial) the evasion was. On the other hand, Quebec has chosen a typically stupid way of tackling the issue. The registers are extremely expensive and even though they are partially subsidized in some cases, the upfront cost needs to be covered immediately and completely by the owners. The article was just a sampling, but I can see how this is going to have a huge effect on small businesses.
And really, in the end, its always the consumer who is going to bear the final cost, as is exemplified by the recent increases. The alternative is that a lot of Montreal favourites might have to shut their doors - that's just how common and widespread the skimming was.

Like I mentioned in the thread about rugelach and babka, I love Cheskie's and especially their cinnamon danish.

The Polish donuts from Wawel (I go to either St Mark downtown or Sherbrooke in NDG) are also a personal favourite.

The new law has nothing to do with including tax or not, that was just an additional change Napoletana had made.

The new law which is coming into full and total effect November 1st is that all restaurants (with very few exceptions) must purchase and use a Revenue Quebec approved register (at substantial cost) and produce new standardized receipts for all transactions. It's going to be all digitally monitored by Revenue Quebec (the machines have to send monthly cash reports).
The government brought these new regulations in to combat all the undeclared, under the table cash flow in the restaurant industry. It's extremely common (or perhaps was) that restaurant owners skim off the top to lower declared income. They are finally cracking down on it.
Here's a link to Revenue Quebec's explanation:
http://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/a-propos/evasion_fiscale/restauration/mesures/

And here's a story in the Gazette about how it's hitting some small-businesses hard:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/C...

And all related is the fact that I've slowly been noticing many places are increasing their prices accordingly - that is to make up for what was previously partially undeclared income.

Not in NDG/CSL but Cheskie's!!!! On Bernard corner Park.
Otherwise I'm sure there's somewhere in the Cavendish mall. But nothing beats Cheskie's in my opinion, and while you're there get a challah!

I'm curious to know whether any other frequent restaurant-goers have noticed any price changes as a result of the new receipt and register laws for restaurants in Quebec.

Personally, I was absolutely blown away by the price increases at Napoletana. You're looking at upwards of 18$ for what is frankly only decent pizza. Not to mention the sticker shock I got when I realized that the menu prices no longer include tax there.

I also noticed that at many of my favourite quick lunch spots in Chinatown 2 near Concordia, the prices of dishes that used to be $6-7 are now all about $10.

It adds up!!!....

How much will an espresso set you back?

I can 99.99% guarantee you will have absolutely no problem if those Ontario bottles "happen" to turn up at the event somehow and are consumed.
You've done enough by getting the permit (something a lot of people would have skipped entirely).
Drink the wine you want to drink. I promise no one will raid the wedding.