Shrimp, Scallops and Steak Montreal Style

Just got back from Montreal.  Forgive the long post, but we had two great meals in our day in Montreal.

It took forever to get through customs.  While the system seemed fairly inefficient, the customs line was ripe for some excellent people watching.  Let’s just say it provided much entertainment for our 70 minutes in the customs line…Since we spent so much time in the airport, we skipped dinner (and lunch).  Had a few pretzels in the hotel along with a glass of not so good cabernet.

Got up the next morning and headed straight to work for the day.  Had lunch at a local chain in Laval, Baton Rouge, (chicken with bacon and pommes frites) with some co-workers.  Dinner with co-workers at the Hilton (I had pizza.  Trust me it was the best thing on the menu…).

Thursday was our day to eat and eat we did.  In anticipation, I had a good morning workout in the fitness center and headed into Montreal around lunchtime (we stayed about 35 km outside).  We opted to spend the afternoon walking around old town and the International quarter or what I have affectionately named the “Restaurant district”.

After looking at about 40 options, we decided on a Marche de LaVillette, a quaint charcuterie and restaurant.

The woman next to me had a wonderful looking cassoulet that from my limited French and since I didn’t want to stare, seemed to have chicken, shrimp, heavy cream and potatoes.  Being a sucker for all things brie, I had a brie and gherkin sandwich on a baguette.  Dave had a burger (I know, we’re boring) but we really had to save up for dinner.  The people at the bistro were great.  The ambiance is exactly what we were looking for, except for the kind of cheesy plastic hams and fake grape leaves.  Something local that was fairly tourist-free and menus not in English.  I ordered some good looking soup that never came, but the pleasant yet curt wait staff reminded me of my last trip to Paris. The place was bussling with locals picking up their lunch.

Bonaparte Restaurant

Here’s what we ate.  Many thanks to our dear friend and co-worker Jacques for getting us a wonderful table in our own private dining area and accompanying us on our evening.

Wine: The wine list was extensive, but we settled on a Château Meyney 2004 Saint-Estèphe as chosen by Jacques, our fellow foodie and wine expert.

Starters:

Harmonie de pétoncles et crevettes à la vanille et vin de Muscat (Scallop and shrimps with vanilla and Muscat wine) – I think this was the best dish of the evening.  The scallops melted in my mouth and the shrimp were perfectly cooked.  I thought the vanilla sounded like an interesting accompaniment and boy was it good. There were some sauteed leeks and pink peppercorns that completed the dish.

Lobster bisque with ginger – I think that was my lowpoint.  Though it was good, if you’re going to put lobster in a soup, I prefer having some lobster pieces.  Few chives as garnish.

Lobster salad – This salad included beautiful crab meat and a light dressing.

Suprême de volaille à la crème de sauge et brie fondant (Chicken with sage cream and mellow Brie) – I know it looks and sounds kind of pedestrian, but let me tell you, it was amazing.  The chicken was perfectly cooked and the sage cream and brie was a perfectly complimented with the wine.

Filet mignon de boeuf, sauce aux cinq poivres et cognac (Filet minon with pepper and cognac) – What can i say?  It was a filet that melted in your mouth and was perfectly cooked.  Even the peppercorns were soft and fabulous.

Ended with Mandarin creme brulee and ginger cheesecake with berry compote.  The thing I find with flavored creme brule, it’s difficult to get the correct amount of flavor.  This dessert had the perfect hint of mandarin and vanilla in a smooth and creamy custard and fabulousely torched top.

So thanks to Jacques and the people of Montreal.  We had a wonderful but brief (and cold) trip.  I would definitely go again, if only for the shrimps and scallops.

Note to those flying to Canada any time soon – you cannot take your luggage on board on the way home.  I boarded with only a purse and Dave boarded with only his laptop in a special bag.  Also, allow about 90 minutes to get from the doors of the airport through the four security checks.  That’s if nothing goes wrong.