NF--1st Trip To Montreal (And Respecting The Local Culture)

[woodenboater]

don't need to repeat all the good words about Montreal but agree with the language being more important outside the city (I found anywhere from a couple of hours east and beyond was very trying). I haven't been yet but if you get a chance and have the pocketbook, go to Au Pied de Cochon. on my list of places I MUST try.

 

and lastly, take a gander at this very informative thread....http://ontariofishingcommunity.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=70852&hl=poutine

 

have a great time !

[mercman]

only bad experience was the separatists treating staff like crap, pretending not to understand English, but speaking English

Did they have little name tags saying "Hi I'm a Seperatist" ??? What a joke. I'm wondering how much of this is real, and how much is contrived

[Lungelarry]

http://www.smokemeatpete.com/

This is the BEST smokemeat on the planet............

[brw]

Wow thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. Looks like I have a ton of homework to do and some logistics to plan. If anyone ever wishes to visit Canton OH, I'll make sure to return the favor!!! (but I'm not expecting a flurry of activity from my OFC friends on that score--and it will be a much shorter list--and no good fishing downtown!!!)

 

Cheers!

Edited September 10, 2013 by 4eyes

[brw]

Whoops typo I meant my OFC friends...........

Edited September 10, 2013 by 4eyes

[brw]

Darn it damn editing option didn't work I meant OFC friends! Sorry!

[brw]

OFC!!!!

[brw]

Guys I'm sorry every time I type an N it comes out a C...WTH....

[Jigs]

Did they have little name tags saying "Hi I'm a Seperatist" ??? What a joke. I'm wondering how much of this is real, and how much is contrived

 

It's called Xenophobia Paul, and it's unfortunate that it's still prevalent in 2013. Some people can't help themselves the second they see the words French or Quebec. But then again when you're comfortably anonymous behind a keyboard it's the easy thing to do.

 

Anyway, I work in Montreal and I can guarantee you that language won't be an issue. I would even go as far as saying that English is more prominent in the downtown area. St-Laurent boulevard is a traditionally known divide line between East (more francophone) and West (more anglophone) in the city. Typically you'll find more French is spoken East of St-Laurent and more English West, but by no means should you avoid any area. The city runs on tourism and you won't be the only American tourists here by any means so no worries there. The restaurants are fantastic as others mentioned and there are really good suggestions in here. If you like asian food there are a lot of really amazing places for Vietnamese Pho, dumplings, dim sum (which is like a Chinese buffet except they carry trays and bring food to your table) etc. Tons of small, hidden gems like this one spot I love called Khyber Pass (Afghani) that serves the most amazing, fall off the bone Lamb I've ever tried. There are ridiculously good Indian restaurants that will cost you nothing too. These are away from the traveled areas a bit up on Jean-Talon but well worth the trek up if you like Indian food and you don't want to spend a fortune on a meal. h and personally I think the Shwartz thing is overrated, but that's just me. I prefer the Main across the street. Better smoked meat and less chaotic. Also featured on the food network's "You Gotta Eat Here". Anyway you could go on all day about restaurants in Montreal.

 

About the fishing, I've heard some great things, including a unique American Shad run that takes place in Rivière des Prairies each spring and draws hundreds of anglers, but surprisingly I've never tried fishing around the Island. Lac St-Louis and the St-Lawrence river near Montreal are one of the few places where you can still fish for Sturgeon and I know they are caught regularly. I've also seen some Monster walleye and smallmouth caught near and around Isle St-Hélène. I've always wanted to try fishing around the Montreal area but just never got around to it.

[Squid]

If you think Shwartz's is the standard for Montreal smoked meat then your standards are way too low. I tried it years ago because I was told it was the "best" IT was the WORST I ever had. SO dry I threw it in the garbage. Now I am an ex-Montrealer and never ate at Schwatrz's when I lived there for the first 22 yrs of my life. There was way better than that back then and still today. What you should try is a good old fashioned Choux-moutard steamie hot dog!!!

 

Gees even Pete's smoked meat on Ile Perrot sucks compared to other holes that I know.

 

There are rude people everywhere in the world from every culture and not just Quebec. There are plenty of rude folks right here in Ontario so no need to bash Quebec.

Edited September 10, 2013 by Squid