About Montreal Poutine

Poutine (French pronunciation [puts?n]) is a diner staple which originated in Quebec and can now be found across Canada. Classic Poutine consists of French fries topped by fresh cheese curds and covered with brown gravy sauce.

While there are some delicious poutine that can be found in Toronto, I knew I had to try the authentic poutine on my trip to Montreal. I decided to pop into one of the little whole in the walls in Old Montreal for some yummy classic poutine with added mushrooms. Soooo good!

But if you’re in Toronto and wish to get some good poutine without having to go up to Montreal, you definitely can. Here are some hot spots which have been tried and tested and I recommend myself :)

1. Smoke’s Poutinerie
   218 Adelaide Street West, Toronto
   This place has both the home cooked feel and taste with some interesting versions of the classic such as Pulled Pork, Chilli Beef, Curry Chicken. There are many beef, chicken, pork or veggie options.
   http://smokespoutinerie.com/
2. Duggan’s Brewery
   75 Victoria Street, Toronto, Ontario,M5C 2B1
   The curry chicken poutine here was recommended by a friend and it was so fresh and deeeelicious.
   http://www.duggansbrewery.com/
   

Restaurant Review: Marche De La Vilette

This place was recommended my horse carriage driver. He said you can get the best french onion soups in town from this place. Upon hearing this, I was craving nothing but french onion soup. Oooohh, just thinking of the goodness *mmmm*

This place is small and extremely busy! I was lucky enough to steal a spot inside just as I arrived but soon after there were lines going out the door. Not only is this place a restaurant but a general store and a butcher too. Saw some awesome cheeses on sale as well.

 Marche De La Vilette Food & Restaurant Photos

As soon as I was seated – I knew exactly what I wanted. French Onion Soup! I couldn’t understand the menu at all, but I saw something that resembled onion and soup and quiche and got it and this is what I got. Doesn’t it look delicious!

French Onion Soup!

Quiche!

While this place had some great food – it didn’t offer the best service in the world. In fact they were quite rude to me probably because I didn’t know any French and they were just too busy to offer any service. I waited for ages for a bill then was just showed that they accept payment at the register…. Nevertheless – if you’re after good food (especially great French Onion Soup) then I recommend this place for sure.

Marche De La Villette

(Old Montreal, Quebec, Canada)

324 Rue St.-Paul Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Les Glaceurs is located in Old Montreal, close to the Notre Dame Basilica. They serve gelato, cupcakes and macarons in their brightly coloured shop! This place is hard to miss, with their matching colourful window!

Here are their beautifully created cupcakes!

Macarons!

Gelato!

This was the best tasting gelati I’ve ever had and it really lasted on such a hot day. I love that it didn’t just melt away quickly. I could devour this for a long time.

I love that you can sit down on the lounge and enjoy your dessert at this place.

The Notre-Dame Basilica is located in the historic district of Montreal (Old Montreal). The interior of this church is bold in colours and dramatic in detail. The intricate carvings and amount of religious statues are stunning.

The sanctuary is stunning to the least and also houses a pipe organ and various other prayer rooms (below).

Even the staircases is full of detail.

There is another room which is for weddings.The lighting in this room really contrasts the main room but does not lack in detail at all!

Celine Dion was wedded here in 2000. The basilica used have free admission, but now charges $5.00 for those who wish to view the building and are not attending a mass.

The Notre-Dame Basilica is an incredible building. You absolutely cannot miss to see this for yourself in your life. There is just something very different feel to be in inside. There were a lot of people just sitting around and soaking up the atmosphere.

On my first morning in Montreal, I asked the bellman at my hotel where the best place to have breakfast was. He recommended a French bakery not far from the Marriott Chateau Champlain (where I stayed).

Au Paine Doré is located on the North East corner of Saint Catherines and Peel. It is hard to miss with all the yummy looking bread in the window!

Once inside you’ll find many other delicious things to eat!

And out of all the above selections, I went with a Croissant and an Apple Pastry.

The croissant and the apple pastry was delicious! The pastry was so fresh and crisp. Really filling.

Look what I also took to go.

Macarons and a chocolate eclair! Yum!

The macarons weren’t as good as I expected however, but they were still tasty.

Old Montreal is the oldest area in the city of Montreal, Canada, dating back to 1605 (405 years ago!) when “New France” was colonised by France. In 1964, Old Montreal was declared a historic district by the Ministère des Affaires culturelles du Québec in attempt to preserve and restore the buildings as they were. Abandoned buildings were renovated and some were  converted into offices, hotels or residential condominiums. In turn, residents returned to the area and become home to tourists. Hotels and condominiums are now very expensive in this area as nightlife and entertainment is now flourishing.

Montreal has kept its European feel. While still a French speaking city, restaurants and culture is still very European-like. Even to the type of television shows that are broadcast. When arriving in Montreal you will definitely feel like you are in a completely different country to the rest of Canada.

Montreal has a very different feel with the cobblestone roads which remind you of Montreal’s earliest days as a settlement where transport was horse-drawn.

Here’s a cute Crepe & Fondue place in Montreal.

This street is known for their street vendors, street performers.

Not far from the street vendors and performers are the street artists.

Old Montreal is full of lovely restaurants with lovely patios

Here are some photos of the magnificent French architecture in Old Montreal. As mentioned, many are expensive hotels and expensive residential condominiums. They are known to reside many very famous celebrities.

I love this – it reminds me of the one in New York City!

At the beginning of August 2010, I flew to Montréal for the long weekend. I was pretty lucky because the weather is amazing! I flew Friday night and stayed at the Marriott Chateau Champlain which was really lovely.

Montréal is really beautifully set up with some gorgeous parks. It has a nice laid back feel which reminded me a little bit of Melbourne.

So green! Sigh!

How cute is this squirrel! It was just running around in the park. Squirrels always amuse me, as I’m not used to them just running about!

Look at the stunning architecture! Montréal is a very old city and has kept a lot of their builders in their original design.

Montréal City Hall

What I love most about Montréal is their transportation that you can hire! You can rent bicycles or the little cart like above! Love it!! Such an easy cruisy way to get around the city!

LOVE

At the Old Port, is the Centre Des Science De Montréal (Science Centre of Montreal) which also has an IMAX theatre.

Vieux Port (Old Port) is such a beautiful part of Montréal. So calm and fresh.

If you wish to see the city on horse carriage, you can! Pick a horse at the Old Port and off you go!

Giddyup!

Here’s me taking a phot of myself on the horse carriage (har har).

In all, I really recommend seeing Montreal on horse carriage! I decided on an hour tour which took me around Old Montreal and the Old Port. I really enjoyed learning about the history of Montreal and the horse was slow enough to be able to see everything and you could get into those little streets where tour buses can’t. I was able to relax my feet a little, soak up the sun and enjoooooyyy. =)