We had a lovely stay here - definitely didn't do everything there was to do. Summer would be glorious, but I'm guessing busy.
Until next time...
XOXO
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Basilique Notre-Dame de Montréal
Since it was raining, we got here later in the afternoon after the rain stopped, and just before it was closing. There was a long line, and we were freezing, so we opted not to go in. Now that I am reading on Wikipedia about it, we should have.
Wikipedia Information:
The interior of the church is amongst the most dramatic in the world and regarded as a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture.[1] The vaults are coloured deep blue and decorated with golden stars, and the rest of the sanctuary is decorated in blues, azures, reds, purples, silver, and gold. It is filled with hundreds of intricate wooden carvings and several religious statues. Unusual for a church, the stained glass windows along the walls of the sanctuary do not depict biblical scenes, but rather scenes from the religious history of Montreal. It also has a Casavant Frères pipe organ, dated 1891, which comprises four keyboards, 92 stops using electropneumatic action and an adjustable combination system, 7000 individual pipes and a pedal board.
It looks like Notre Dame in Paris in the front with the two huge towers. Quite a thing in the middle of the city.
Wikipedia Information:
The interior of the church is amongst the most dramatic in the world and regarded as a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture.[1] The vaults are coloured deep blue and decorated with golden stars, and the rest of the sanctuary is decorated in blues, azures, reds, purples, silver, and gold. It is filled with hundreds of intricate wooden carvings and several religious statues. Unusual for a church, the stained glass windows along the walls of the sanctuary do not depict biblical scenes, but rather scenes from the religious history of Montreal. It also has a Casavant Frères pipe organ, dated 1891, which comprises four keyboards, 92 stops using electropneumatic action and an adjustable combination system, 7000 individual pipes and a pedal board.
It looks like Notre Dame in Paris in the front with the two huge towers. Quite a thing in the middle of the city.
Beers on Saturday
After Marché Jean-Talon, we headed, via a nauseating Uber drive, over to Benelux...where they didn't open for an hour and a half. After another nauseating Uber drive, we landed at Vices and Versa.
40 beers on tap, a nice little menu, and we hit it just right for a tap takeover by Brasserie Dunham. So that was kind of a cool treat!
We tried 9 different beers - some were outstanding, most were really great, a few were...meh.
We tried these 9, and #11 (Assembly #6) was the clear winner.
40 beers on tap, a nice little menu, and we hit it just right for a tap takeover by Brasserie Dunham. So that was kind of a cool treat!
We tried 9 different beers - some were outstanding, most were really great, a few were...meh.
We tried these 9, and #11 (Assembly #6) was the clear winner.
- 7 - TROPICAL IPA: IPA with fruits
- 11 - ASSEMBLY # 6: Raspberry Season, Cherry Season and Berliner Weisse with Cherries, Aged in Barrels
- 12 - ASSEMBLY # 7: Drei and No Tahoma Rustic Season, aged in barrels
- 21 - WIT OF OUF: Blanche with spices and Brett
- 23 - RUSTIC SEASON MISTRAL: Belgian season with hops Mistral
- 31 - RUSTIC EEPA | 7: Rustic IPA Brett
- 32 - SEASON PINACLE RESERVE BLACK RASPBERRY
- 34 - RESERVATION SEASON: seasonal blend and Léo's matured in barrels with Brett
- 35 - BERLINER BLACK RASPBERRY: Berliner Weisse with black raspberries
It was a great way to spend (another) rainy afternoon. Had a salad for a change - there is something about their vinaigrette...something...je ne sais quoi. It was delicious. As were the frites with beer mayo. Yum.
Eating and Drinking in Cold and Windy Montreal
We slept in on Saturday, given we had gotten up at 4am the day before, and set out for a very leisurely day.
First stop? Marché Jean-Talon! It's a huge indoor market with cheese, meat, charcuterie, fish, flowers, olives, syrup, fruit and veggies, vendors...it was wonderful! I mean, look at those gorgeous strawberries!! And bustling. People were there to pick up their groceries, have a bit to eat, and some were tourists like us.
We just walked around the place for a while, checking out the stall and the beautiful produce.
We then had samosas (DELICIOUS) and shared a piece of pizza.
I asked Chris why we didn't have these at home, and he thought it was a cultural American thing - the super market is very different than more of this market concept. I'd like to figure out how to use the Midtown more - but since I just ordered my Instacart groceries last night for delivery this afternoon when we get home...probably not. American as apple pie.
First stop? Marché Jean-Talon! It's a huge indoor market with cheese, meat, charcuterie, fish, flowers, olives, syrup, fruit and veggies, vendors...it was wonderful! I mean, look at those gorgeous strawberries!! And bustling. People were there to pick up their groceries, have a bit to eat, and some were tourists like us.
We just walked around the place for a while, checking out the stall and the beautiful produce.
We then had samosas (DELICIOUS) and shared a piece of pizza.
I asked Chris why we didn't have these at home, and he thought it was a cultural American thing - the super market is very different than more of this market concept. I'd like to figure out how to use the Midtown more - but since I just ordered my Instacart groceries last night for delivery this afternoon when we get home...probably not. American as apple pie.
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Second Beers in Quebec City
Next stop - Korrigane. We walked over there, and got there about 7 minutes after it started to sprinkle, so our timing was outstanding!
This place was wonderful. We were there for about 4 hours, so we just kept ordering things.
First, the beers. Really good and unique. I think we hit almost all of them on the menu! I mean, that isn't hard for us, especially after being there for 4 hours.
We ate lunch there too - the salad was amazing! And the mac and cheese good too. But the salads here have been outstanding. I'm not sure what it is exactly? I'll have to think on that and try and replicate.
We played cards for most of the time we were there, and then I got sleepy and fell asleep at the table. So I ordered a cappuccino. The beers were better. But it had the caffeine kick I needed.
All in all, a simply wonderful day in Quebec City. I would love to come here sometime when the weather is warmer - although I imagine the crowds would be insane. But just walking around the city and exploring every street seems like a great way to spend a day.
This place was wonderful. We were there for about 4 hours, so we just kept ordering things.
First, the beers. Really good and unique. I think we hit almost all of them on the menu! I mean, that isn't hard for us, especially after being there for 4 hours.
We ate lunch there too - the salad was amazing! And the mac and cheese good too. But the salads here have been outstanding. I'm not sure what it is exactly? I'll have to think on that and try and replicate.
We played cards for most of the time we were there, and then I got sleepy and fell asleep at the table. So I ordered a cappuccino. The beers were better. But it had the caffeine kick I needed.
All in all, a simply wonderful day in Quebec City. I would love to come here sometime when the weather is warmer - although I imagine the crowds would be insane. But just walking around the city and exploring every street seems like a great way to spend a day.
First Beers in Quebec City
We walked from the funiculaire to a great little brewery: Bar L'Inox Brasserie. It was a good walk, and for most of it we were out of the wind, thank God. We walked past the Citidel, which was kind of cool. And parks. Parks everywhere with statues. I think there was one of Ghandi at some point. For real.
Inox had really nice beers, and an amazing cheese plate. It was nice to sit and warm up. We had the Blache Belge, Sour IPA, Dunkelweizen Bock Brune, and the Double Brut IPA. They were all really solid.
By the time we left, the whole place was completely full - seems we picked the right joint.
Inox had really nice beers, and an amazing cheese plate. It was nice to sit and warm up. We had the Blache Belge, Sour IPA, Dunkelweizen Bock Brune, and the Double Brut IPA. They were all really solid.
By the time we left, the whole place was completely full - seems we picked the right joint.
Quebec City
We took the train to Quebec City yesterday, about a 3.5 hour trip each way. We got up about 4:30 for our 6:20am train (I don't know whose idea that was), and we were on our way.
After napping for 2 hours, we arrived!
It was about 42 degrees with a 30 mile an hour wind - so you know, perfect weather for walking around and seeing a city that you've never been to before. At least it hadn't started raining yet!
We walked over to the Rue due Petit-Champlain, a street with shops and restaurants. We never walked down that street. Because we came upon the funiculaire! If you don't know what a funiculaire is, it's essentially a diagonal elevator that instead of going straight up and down goes slantways up and down. It's the Wonkavator people. The Wonkavator.
We paid our fare, then hopped in for our ride to the top! It took about one minute, but you could then see some really pretty views of Quebec City. Not alot of great pictures and if you blinked it would be over, but fun nonetheless.
The funiculaire takes you up to the Saint-Louis Forts and Chateaux, a national historic site in Canada. We walked around, but as I said, it was really really cold and not pleasant. So we ducked into a Starbucks and figured out the next steps.
I think Quebec City in July would be mad with people, but completely beautiful.
After napping for 2 hours, we arrived!
It was about 42 degrees with a 30 mile an hour wind - so you know, perfect weather for walking around and seeing a city that you've never been to before. At least it hadn't started raining yet!
We walked over to the Rue due Petit-Champlain, a street with shops and restaurants. We never walked down that street. Because we came upon the funiculaire! If you don't know what a funiculaire is, it's essentially a diagonal elevator that instead of going straight up and down goes slantways up and down. It's the Wonkavator people. The Wonkavator.
We paid our fare, then hopped in for our ride to the top! It took about one minute, but you could then see some really pretty views of Quebec City. Not alot of great pictures and if you blinked it would be over, but fun nonetheless.
The funiculaire takes you up to the Saint-Louis Forts and Chateaux, a national historic site in Canada. We walked around, but as I said, it was really really cold and not pleasant. So we ducked into a Starbucks and figured out the next steps.
I think Quebec City in July would be mad with people, but completely beautiful.
Thursday, April 25, 2019
PSA for the ladies.
You know, I get it. You don't want to sit on the seat. Fine. Squat away.
But when I come in, and the seat is COVERED in liquid, and I have to wonder, is it just a really aggressive flush, because that could happen, and then when I flush (after squatting because god help me I have sat down before in someone else's pee - bitch from coach who used the first class bathroom...but that is another story), there is not spraying.
Even if you wipe it off, I get it. Still a seat that was covered in pee at one time.
But you know what? What we don't know won't hurt us.
But when I come in, and the seat is COVERED in liquid, and I have to wonder, is it just a really aggressive flush, because that could happen, and then when I flush (after squatting because god help me I have sat down before in someone else's pee - bitch from coach who used the first class bathroom...but that is another story), there is not spraying.
Even if you wipe it off, I get it. Still a seat that was covered in pee at one time.
But you know what? What we don't know won't hurt us.
Dinner in Montreal
Well, as you would or wouldn't expect...we were without a plan for dinner. So after the poutine (and I know what you are thinking, that was NOT dinner), we just started walking.
After beers at l'Barouf, we found a place next door. Le Hachoir.
It was fantastic. In fact, it was so good I forgot to take pictures of anything but the beers. Blanche due Chambly in Montreal is WAY better than it is at home - just FYI.
I had a slider trio, and the first two were great but typical slider fare (cheese burger and bacon BBQ cheeseburger). But the third. THE THIRD. It was a fried chicken bahn mi. And dear god in heaven...it was SUPERB. And I do mean superb. Put this place on your list.
After beers at l'Barouf, we found a place next door. Le Hachoir.
It was fantastic. In fact, it was so good I forgot to take pictures of anything but the beers. Blanche due Chambly in Montreal is WAY better than it is at home - just FYI.
I had a slider trio, and the first two were great but typical slider fare (cheese burger and bacon BBQ cheeseburger). But the third. THE THIRD. It was a fried chicken bahn mi. And dear god in heaven...it was SUPERB. And I do mean superb. Put this place on your list.
Why isn't this what I'm doing?
Little bar we walked by...l'Barouf.
So lovely, so many Quebec beers.
So nice to just sit and drink and let the time pass.
I need to open one of these when I retire.
One Word: Poutine
OK, I'll say it. I don't like poutine. I mean, it's fine, but I'd rather have regular fries...and regular cheese curds...and my gravy on mashed potatoes.
So we had this. And it was fine.
So we had this. And it was fine.
Dieu du Ciel!
After our food tour, we stopped in for a beer. Alex, another one of our food tour attendees was there too. He was from Sydney, Australia, and had been visiting friends in Toronto and was just seeing where things took him for about another week until he needed to be back in Australia.
First, I'm kind of in awe of people who can do that. It's just not in me. But he seemed to be having a great time.
The beer was lovely, and hit the spot.
First, I'm kind of in awe of people who can do that. It's just not in me. But he seemed to be having a great time.
The beer was lovely, and hit the spot.
Mile End Food Tour
We had such a lovely time on our food tour!
We had:
We had:
- Falafel sandwiches
- Chocolates
- Bagels (apparently famous Montreal bagels)
- Gnocci with amazing small batch tomato sauce
- Charcuterie
- Champignon (lovely white chocolate rolls)
We walked about a mile and a half, met some really nice people from all over the world, and were harassed by a fella that just wouldn't stop trying to pester two young women we were with. "Rare and exceptional" was what our guide called that interaction.
So there you have it. Memorable is what I call it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)