Winter Barn Owl

Winter Barn Owl
Life's a Hoot !

Monday, March 10, 2014

A weekend in Montreal

Given that we have been surviving through one of the worst winters we can remember in many years, my creative juices have been frozen, but are now awakened and I am ready to share stories and meals enjoyed.  I will start with the most recent and work backwards to make up what was missed!

I grew up in Montreal and go quite often, but when V-Star Lady (see to the right) suggested a road trip to Montreal, I enlisted the help of my sister and we acted as tour guides in our own city (she still lives there, I have been gone for 30 years).

Our first day took us to the Bio-dome,  which is part of the original Olympic village, the site of the 1976 summer games.  One of the pavilions has been turned into climate controlled sections housing everything from simulated tropic to antarctic temperatures.


 Here are some of the residents we visited with.....



 Meet the underwater creatures


Don't forget about the birds and ducks!

not to mention the baby lynx and the penguins...







Our next stop was a stroll down St. Laurent Blvd, which divides east from west and is affectionately known as 'The Main'.  Walking is hungry work, so we stopped into a local hangout (funnily called 'The Main) and tucked into the proverbial Montreal delicacy, 'smoked meat and poutine'...yummm.

 
 Graffiti artists have been busy adorning the buildings.


St. Laurent Blvd boasts many ethnic shops with wonderful selections of culinary delights!



The following few days took us to Mount Royal and the Westmount lookout to capture scenic vistas, but not before fortification in the way of brunch at a local hipster spot call L'Avenue!
 Check out the neon bathroom and motorcycle hanging from the ceiling!




A quick trip through Jean Talon market (one the oldest open markets in Montreal) gave us a chance to stock up on fresh veggies for dinner!



 
We rounded out our trip with shopping on Ste. Catherine St and final lunch downtown at 'Deville', which is a throwback to the diners of the 1950's.





No visit to Montreal would be complete without a stop for 'Montreal bagels' (boiled in honey before baking in a wood fired oven) and french bread for the trip home.

A waterfront stroll as a final goodbye to a wonderful weekend getaway.


9 comments:

  1. B:

    what a wonderful weekend touring Montreal, seeing the sights, playing tour guide and eating. The Deville counter looked empty. Sunshine and very little snow except at the lookout.

    that last photo, is that what it looks like at home? Looks like Winter !

    I was take to THE MAIN last summer. The Deli sandwich was delicious but I never tried the poutine. I don't think I have every had it except for stealing some of Vstar*s back in Quebec City

    bob
    A weekend photographer

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    Replies
    1. Hi Bob,
      We did have a wonderful time. We were the first for lunch at Deville, so not many people until later on. I hear it is more of a dinner spot. I prefer THE MAIN over Schwartz's, where they line up to sit at a table with strangers and choose from a limited menu.
      The last picture is of a frozen Lake St. Louis, on the west island. It was a sunny but crisp day. Great for a walk (and you know that V-Star lady likes her walks!!)

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    2. B:

      In the Old days, not long ago, I used to be able to walk all day too. Now I can't do it. Vstar* Lady is young and still has lots of energy. I fizzle out quickly. The Main was delicious and we got a table right away.

      bob
      A weekend photographer or Riding the Wet Coast

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    3. Don't sell yourself short! You are not old!!!

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