Ahh, October. The beginning of one of my favorite seasons and another reason to jet off ...
Day 1, Tuesday, October 4 - I head off to Dorval to catch a flight to Philly. Arriving earlier than my friend's flight, I have some time to explore this HUGE terminal, staffed by some of the friendliest staff I have ever encountered in an airport. After his flight arrives, we head to the funky Aloft Hotel. Just walking into the reception area, with its hip bar tucked away into a corner of the lobby, tells you this is a different kind of hotel. Walking into the washroom into your room confirms it. Once you wrap your mind around the idea of a sliding bathroom door (?!?), you marvel at the size of the glass and tile shower, which could easily accommodate me, my friend, the bellboy and another two people from room service. (Yeah, don't ask how I know these things, ok?)
Day 2, Wednesday, October 5 - I am treated to lunch at Chipotle, which is only fitting seeing as my friend is the one who got me hooked on the place. That afternoon, we hit the highway for our road trip to AC. Atlantic City, a vacation spot of my childhood; the last time I was there, I lost Jordan (but that is another story for another day!) We check in at Caesar's and get ready for our dinner with Terry and her hubby, Tom. We celebrate Tom's upcoming birthday at Bobby Flay Steak at The Borgata.What a night! Besides getting to see Terry again, finally meeting Tom, we dined like royalty! I start with the lobster-crab cake (a baseball-sized delight) served with a basil vinaigrette and lemon-habanero tartar sauce, then go on to the porterhouse lamb chops, served with a red wine sauce and mint pesto. (My mouth is watering even as I write this!) My date and I share a sweet potato gratin and creamed spinach sides before we battle forks over a key lime pie. Great food and even greater company. It was a terrific evening and one I look forward to repeating again.
Day 3, Thursday, October 6 - We check out and head over to Mickey Dee's to leech off their free Wi-Fi. I overhear some Quebecers speaking French at the next table over ... it really IS a small world! My friend and I head to the boardwalk for a leisurely stroll, making our way to the beach and the water's edge. The water is warmer than I imagined and there were even people surfing! We head back to the car, off to the airport and onto a plane ...
Day 4, Friday, October 7 - Ahh, Montreal. We enjoy a leisurely lunch at Arahova and then cross the street for a mandatory stop at St-Viateur Bagel. Later, we drop in for a visit with my friend's babcia before heading back my my neck of the woods to see Jordan and Julia. We continue eastward and sup at L'Ange Cornu in L'Assomption. (I had the monk fish (which I have since discovered to be THE ugliest fish ever!) on a plate that easily measured a foot long. Deeelicious!)
Day 5, Saturday, October 8 - After lolling around, we head off for another road trip, this time to St-Sauveur. We lunch at the original location of Moe's before continuing onward to Mont-Tremblant. We battle through the traffic, comprised of the entire population of Quebec (because everyone in the province was there that day, I am sure and not doing too brilliantly at all with the roundabouts!) After parking, we hitch a lift halfway up the mountain on one of the gondolas and start to make our way through the village, stopping for a beer on one of the many terraces. Before long, the afternoon sun is fading and it is time to think about dinner. We happen upon Coco Pazzo, a lovely Italian place that is tucked away but doing a healthy business. I pig out on linguini pescatore (spelt flour pasta with shrimps, scallops, clams and mussels in a reduction of white wine, anchovy, garlic and clam broth). Thankfully, there is room for dessert because the torta di cioccolata (a heavenly creation of marbled dark chocolate and white chocolate truffle ganache) is something I would drive up there for daily. On a bicycle. With a flat. While in labour. It was just ... that ... freakin' ... good!
Day 6, Sunday, October 9 - We meet up with friends for lunch at Lawrence. A tiny hole in the wall of a restaurant with a nonstop stream of customers. The wait for a table was 45 minutes but the weather outside was nice and we don't mind. (The owner pops out from time to time with chocolate-filled beignets, which doesn't hurt!) The servings are generous and the food is great. Before too long, it is time to make our way back to the airport for our flight to TO. Dinner that evening is at the Lion and Firkin, which just happens to be hosting a 'Who is the worst karaoke singer?' contest. (Note: everyone was a winner!)
Day 7, Monday, October 10 - After popping by my friend's office for a quick boardroom meeting, we dine on monkey brains at Cynthia's for dinner. The service and presentation at this place are impeccable! Back at the hotel, we watch The King's Speech. (Great, great movie - watch it if you haven't already.)
Day 8, Tuesday, October 11 - Quick lunch at the Sunset Grill and I am stuck with the song in my head for the rest of the afternoon. That evening, we pick up Robbie for dinner and discover Cava, a Spanish tapas restaurant on Yonge Street. We make the wise decision to let the waiter run with the menu; he makes excellent choices for us, a few of which are even brought out by the chef himself. Some of the things we sample: pincho of gamay-poached foie gras with plum mostarda, papas fritas (spicy french fries with sage and rosemary), grilled squid with fingerling potatoes, green onions and romesco, and roast quail filled with chicken and served with moorish chickpea stew. We all dig into a warm, chocolate lava cake and a puffy, clafouti-type dessert. Service is terrific; the waiter appears with my jacket before I can even ask for it!
Day 9, Wednesday, October 12 - We stay in for the evening for our traditional pizza/Rummy 500 night. I win for the first time ever but I think it's because my friend's too sick with a cold to mark the deck.
Day 10, Thursday, October 13 - Quiet day; dinner at the Lion and Firkin, where not a karaoke'er is to be heard.
Day 11, Friday, October 14 - Lunch at Mary Brown's. (Think the Colonel before he started serving everything but the kitchen sink with his chicken ... but better!) Then (sadly), off to the airport and home. (Then again, considering the way I ate on this trip, it was prolly for the best - I'll need a complete wardrobe overhaul at this rate!)
It was a whirlwind of a trip this time around - two states, two provinces, two countries ... and all over too soon ...
Day 1, Tuesday, October 4 - I head off to Dorval to catch a flight to Philly. Arriving earlier than my friend's flight, I have some time to explore this HUGE terminal, staffed by some of the friendliest staff I have ever encountered in an airport. After his flight arrives, we head to the funky Aloft Hotel. Just walking into the reception area, with its hip bar tucked away into a corner of the lobby, tells you this is a different kind of hotel. Walking into the washroom into your room confirms it. Once you wrap your mind around the idea of a sliding bathroom door (?!?), you marvel at the size of the glass and tile shower, which could easily accommodate me, my friend, the bellboy and another two people from room service. (Yeah, don't ask how I know these things, ok?)
Day 2, Wednesday, October 5 - I am treated to lunch at Chipotle, which is only fitting seeing as my friend is the one who got me hooked on the place. That afternoon, we hit the highway for our road trip to AC. Atlantic City, a vacation spot of my childhood; the last time I was there, I lost Jordan (but that is another story for another day!) We check in at Caesar's and get ready for our dinner with Terry and her hubby, Tom. We celebrate Tom's upcoming birthday at Bobby Flay Steak at The Borgata.What a night! Besides getting to see Terry again, finally meeting Tom, we dined like royalty! I start with the lobster-crab cake (a baseball-sized delight) served with a basil vinaigrette and lemon-habanero tartar sauce, then go on to the porterhouse lamb chops, served with a red wine sauce and mint pesto. (My mouth is watering even as I write this!) My date and I share a sweet potato gratin and creamed spinach sides before we battle forks over a key lime pie. Great food and even greater company. It was a terrific evening and one I look forward to repeating again.
Day 3, Thursday, October 6 - We check out and head over to Mickey Dee's to leech off their free Wi-Fi. I overhear some Quebecers speaking French at the next table over ... it really IS a small world! My friend and I head to the boardwalk for a leisurely stroll, making our way to the beach and the water's edge. The water is warmer than I imagined and there were even people surfing! We head back to the car, off to the airport and onto a plane ...
Day 4, Friday, October 7 - Ahh, Montreal. We enjoy a leisurely lunch at Arahova and then cross the street for a mandatory stop at St-Viateur Bagel. Later, we drop in for a visit with my friend's babcia before heading back my my neck of the woods to see Jordan and Julia. We continue eastward and sup at L'Ange Cornu in L'Assomption. (I had the monk fish (which I have since discovered to be THE ugliest fish ever!) on a plate that easily measured a foot long. Deeelicious!)
Day 5, Saturday, October 8 - After lolling around, we head off for another road trip, this time to St-Sauveur. We lunch at the original location of Moe's before continuing onward to Mont-Tremblant. We battle through the traffic, comprised of the entire population of Quebec (because everyone in the province was there that day, I am sure and not doing too brilliantly at all with the roundabouts!) After parking, we hitch a lift halfway up the mountain on one of the gondolas and start to make our way through the village, stopping for a beer on one of the many terraces. Before long, the afternoon sun is fading and it is time to think about dinner. We happen upon Coco Pazzo, a lovely Italian place that is tucked away but doing a healthy business. I pig out on linguini pescatore (spelt flour pasta with shrimps, scallops, clams and mussels in a reduction of white wine, anchovy, garlic and clam broth). Thankfully, there is room for dessert because the torta di cioccolata (a heavenly creation of marbled dark chocolate and white chocolate truffle ganache) is something I would drive up there for daily. On a bicycle. With a flat. While in labour. It was just ... that ... freakin' ... good!
Day 6, Sunday, October 9 - We meet up with friends for lunch at Lawrence. A tiny hole in the wall of a restaurant with a nonstop stream of customers. The wait for a table was 45 minutes but the weather outside was nice and we don't mind. (The owner pops out from time to time with chocolate-filled beignets, which doesn't hurt!) The servings are generous and the food is great. Before too long, it is time to make our way back to the airport for our flight to TO. Dinner that evening is at the Lion and Firkin, which just happens to be hosting a 'Who is the worst karaoke singer?' contest. (Note: everyone was a winner!)
Day 7, Monday, October 10 - After popping by my friend's office for a quick boardroom meeting, we dine on monkey brains at Cynthia's for dinner. The service and presentation at this place are impeccable! Back at the hotel, we watch The King's Speech. (Great, great movie - watch it if you haven't already.)
Day 8, Tuesday, October 11 - Quick lunch at the Sunset Grill and I am stuck with the song in my head for the rest of the afternoon. That evening, we pick up Robbie for dinner and discover Cava, a Spanish tapas restaurant on Yonge Street. We make the wise decision to let the waiter run with the menu; he makes excellent choices for us, a few of which are even brought out by the chef himself. Some of the things we sample: pincho of gamay-poached foie gras with plum mostarda, papas fritas (spicy french fries with sage and rosemary), grilled squid with fingerling potatoes, green onions and romesco, and roast quail filled with chicken and served with moorish chickpea stew. We all dig into a warm, chocolate lava cake and a puffy, clafouti-type dessert. Service is terrific; the waiter appears with my jacket before I can even ask for it!
Day 9, Wednesday, October 12 - We stay in for the evening for our traditional pizza/Rummy 500 night. I win for the first time ever but I think it's because my friend's too sick with a cold to mark the deck.
Day 10, Thursday, October 13 - Quiet day; dinner at the Lion and Firkin, where not a karaoke'er is to be heard.
Day 11, Friday, October 14 - Lunch at Mary Brown's. (Think the Colonel before he started serving everything but the kitchen sink with his chicken ... but better!) Then (sadly), off to the airport and home. (Then again, considering the way I ate on this trip, it was prolly for the best - I'll need a complete wardrobe overhaul at this rate!)
It was a whirlwind of a trip this time around - two states, two provinces, two countries ... and all over too soon ...
