Canadians - Montreal - Victoria Day

[Krazy Kruizers]

Victoria Day

 

We know that Victoria Day is Monday, May 24th. What kind of celebrations will there be? What will be open? What will be closed? Will the celebrations last the weekend?

 

We will be in Montreal at that time.

 

Thank you.

 

[gardencat]

Lived in Montreal for many years but have been away for about 10 now so my info may not be up to date.

As I remember there are not likely to be big celebrations. It is the first holiday weekend of the 'summer' season (although weather can be unpredictable that time of year in Montreal). If it is nice weather you may see a lot of action on the popular nightlife streets. Crescent is (or was) a main bar/club street for English speaking Montrealers and St Dennis for French speaking. (there is a lot of over lap here and you probably could feel comfortable on either street but just more likely to hear one or the other language spoken more frequently depending where you are.)

The sidewalk terraces will probable be open and active. Also likely to be lots going on in 'Old Montreal' area but again not real organized festivities just lots of Montrealers glad to be out enjoying the first warm weather holiday weekend after a long winter.

There might be fireworks somewhere but that is more likely to happen on June24 ( St. Jean Baptiste day) or July 1, (Canada day).

As I remember Victoria Day was commonly referred to( I was in University then please remember) as May2/4. Due to the frequent practice of picking up a 24 case of beer and heading to someone's house for a party.

[CaptData]

It is just like a birthday party (for the Queen). We celibate with opening of beaches and all the campgrounds open on this weekend. There use to be fireworks but most places only do this on 1 July (Canada Day) now.

 

Like the above poster said you will hear both langages here. Try Sheppards pie here. Also go to Old Montreal if you have time, most cafes will be opened. You picked a good time to go as there will be a lot of activeity on the water front.

 

Hopfully a Hawiian Cruise

 

 Until we sail away on the ocean blue

 

 

 

Navigator of the Seas Western Crib 08/03

Dawn Princess - Eastern Carb 01/03

Dawn Princess Panamal Canal 11/02

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

 

Thank you for the speedy and informative replies.

 

[gardencat]

Oh! and if you are not worried about fat or cholesterol try poutine! (French fries and cheese curds smoothered in gravy) I know it probably sounds disgusting (and in some ways it is) but in a good way And Montreal style smoked meat sandwiches ( if you're looking for gourmet obviously forget this advice and try one of the many excellent restaurants)but if your just cruising the streets and feeling hungry these are great choices, the 2 things my kids most look forward to when we return to montreal.( okay me too!)

[tef43]

Mmmmmmmmmm ..... poutine!

 

The first 100%-cholesterol food!

 

Tom <--- Curmudgeon of the Seas

 

 

 

Eleven cruises so far. Up next:

Shhhh, it's a surprise!

 

Dance like it hurts, love like you need money, and work when somebody's watching.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks

 

Thanks for the food tips but we are more into French pasteries - goes better with wife's Nexium.

 

[camelia]

Hello Krazy! I am from Montreal, lived here all my life but for one year in England. Welcome to my hometown!

 

Victoria Day is actually called Patriots Day in the province of Quebec, but I won't get into politics! There are no celebrations of any kind. I believe everything is open. It is the start of the gardening season - whoever is talking about beaches must be a polar bear - it is WAY too cold to go to the beach.

 

Forget about sheperd's pie and poutine! My husband's a chef and I travel very frequently to France, so food is real important to us. Montreal has some of the best restaurants in North America. If you want to know more about such places, post again with your preferences and I'll point you to some places you may like.

 

Have a great cruise! If you want to know more about Montreal, I'll be happy to provide additional information.

[gardencat]

Oops! sorry Nexium nixes poutine I would say.

 

Oh well, like I said, if you are looking more for gourmet there are many great restaurants in Montreal. I'll leave the list of the best ones to Camelia since her experience is more recent ( and her husband is a chef!). Hopefully you will be the recipient of nice weather in the great weather pool. I can remember studing for exams in April in shorts some years (in Montreal) and I can also remember freezing in early June so that's a bit of the luck of the draw.

It is a great city though, a little bit of Europian flavor in North America, and as my husband always said some of the best looking girls in North America too. Of course that may have just been flattery on his part.

[wwinfl91]

H all.

 

My wife and I will be arriving in Montreal on the Maasdam on May 22 and are staying in a B&B in Old Montreal for a couple of extra days. I would be very interested in some suggestions for lunches and dinners in Montreal. We are staying at the Auberge Les Passants du Sans Soucy and will be in Montreal until the afternoon of May 25 when we will board a flight back home.

 

Thanks in advance for suggestions for places to dine in Montreal.

 

Have a great next cruise.

 

HAL Noordam 3/97 West Carib

Hal Westerdam 12/97 East Carib

HAL Veendam 11/98 East Carib

Hal Zaandam 12/00 South Carib

HAL Veendam 10/01 Panama Canal

RCCL Enchantment 09/02 W.Carib

Costa Atlantica 12/02 E.Carib

HAL Noordam 03/03 S.Carib

Golden Princess 07/03 Med

Celebrity Zenith 12/03 W.Carib

HAL Maasdam 05/04 Canada

[camelia]

Here are some suggestions for a great meal in Montreal. Most places will require reservations - the concierge or help desk at your B&B will be able to help with those and avoid disappointment.

 

Toqué! is the most renowed of all restaurants in Montreal, and rightly deserves the praise. It recently opened in a new location closer to Old Montreal than its old St-Denis st. location. I have never been disappointed there. Imaginative French food with a unique Quebec touch. Try the "menu dégustation" with wines matching each service.

 

L'Épicier in Old Montreal (on St.Paul st.), always does well. Very good bistro fare. Otherwise, try L'Express (St-Denis st.), Laloux (Pine avenue), Leméac (Laurier st.) or Le Petit Extra (Ontario st.) which all have their faithful fans. Do not restrict yourself to Old Montreal, as most restaurants are geared at tourists and do not offer good value for money (there are, of course, exceptions - L'Épicier is one of them). Also try to avoid most places on Crescent and St-Catherine st., both generally touristy. Instead, take a cab (not expensive, esp. in Canadian $$!) and go to other areas where you will get more authentic food.

 

For the atmosphere of a French brasserie with a modern touch, go to Brasserie Holder, on McGill st. (close to Old Montreal area). Again, very honest bistro fare with entrees such as tartare, bavette, oysters, and bouillabaisse).

 

For a touch of provence, try Club des Pins on Laurier st.

 

The Cube, in Hotel St-Paul (on St.Paul st.) is a recently opened place with a beautiful, modern design and a raw bar.

 

Latini, on Rene-Levesque st., is one of the most upscale Italian places with great pasta and a wine list to die for. Ask if you can visit the cave downstairs.

 

Café Ferreira, on Peel St. (downtown Montreal) is a portugese place focusing on fish and seafood. It is always busy and the fish is fabulous (and so is the port list!).

 

Jardins du Ritz is very classy and serves afternoon tea. Enjoy the family of ducks that live in the garden. It is a good place for a meal or refreshment after or before going to the nearby Musee des beaux-arts on Sherbrooke st. Or, for a drink in a very classy environment right in Old Montreal, head to Hotel St-James (on St Jacques st) and have a martini.

 

Au Pied de cochon (lit. "Pig feet"), on Duluth st., will satisfy meat lovers. Specialties include, well, pig feet, foie gras, venison and deer, served with a "popular" touch (try the foie gras burger or the deer ribs). The ambiance is very good and it is packed with Montrealers.

 

If the wheather is favourable, try Boris Bistro (next door to Chez Holder) with its beautiful terrasse, or Jardins Nelson for a stop after a stroll in the Old Port.

 

If you are into casinos, the Nuances restaurant at the casino is supposedly fabulous, but I have never tried it.

 

The best steakhouse would have to be Queue de cheval, but be prepared to empty your wallet!

 

To see and be seen, head to St-Laurent st. and try one or the other of the numerous places just north of Sherbrooke st., including Continental, Quelli Della Notte and a bunch of others.

 

If you must have smoked meat, there is no other option than Schwartz', on St-Laurent st. Service and ambiance are mediocre, but those who like that kind of food swear only by the place.

 

I could go on and on, but since you only have a few days, I'll stop here. Other questions? just post again and I'll answer!

 

I hope this helped! Have a great cruise!

 

Véronique

[wwinfl91]

Thanks Véronique. That's one fantastic list and we both really appreciate it. I'm sure our stomachs will appreciate it even more.

 

Have a great next cruise.

 

HAL Noordam 3/97 West Carib

Hal Westerdam 12/97 East Carib

HAL Veendam 11/98 East Carib

Hal Zaandam 12/00 South Carib

HAL Veendam 10/01 Panama Canal

RCCL Enchantment 09/02 W.Carib

Costa Atlantica 12/02 E.Carib

HAL Noordam 03/03 S.Carib

Golden Princess 07/03 Med

Celebrity Zenith 12/03 W.Carib

HAL Maasdam 05/04 Canada

[wwinfl91]

Thanks Véronique. That's one fantastic list and we both really appreciate it. I'm sure our stomachs will appreciate it even more.

 

Have a great next cruise.

 

HAL Noordam 3/97 West Carib

Hal Westerdam 12/97 East Carib

HAL Veendam 11/98 East Carib

Hal Zaandam 12/00 South Carib

HAL Veendam 10/01 Panama Canal

RCCL Enchantment 09/02 W.Carib

Costa Atlantica 12/02 E.Carib

HAL Noordam 03/03 S.Carib

Golden Princess 07/03 Med

Celebrity Zenith 12/03 W.Carib

HAL Maasdam 05/04 Canada