themontrealguide:

A Festival for Cinephiles and Art Aficionados

The festival that celebrates art through film is back for its 26th run in Montreal. The International Festival of Films on Art, which is not only unique in North America, but also the largest of its kind in the world, will feature the best 290 art films selected from almost 700 submissions. These films stem from about 30 different countries, and cover 27 different disciplines, such as art history, dance, painting, photography, fashion, literature and even circus arts. The films are conveniently...

February 29th, 2008 | Montreal | Read More

Three Straight Days of Museum Hopping

Ten dollars here, fifteen there, visiting all of Montreal’s attractions and museums can leave you way over budget. If you purchase a Montreal Museums Pass, however, you can have access to 30 museums for 3 consecutive days for only $45 per person. What’s best, the card includes unlimited access to public transit so you can go from one museum to another as many times as you’d like, which makes for even greater savings. A pass that excludes the use of public transit can also be purchased...

February 25th, 2008 | Montreal | Read More

Montreal Bagels Live up to their Reputation

Montrealers claim their bagels are the best in the world. Sure, taking pride in one’s city can sometimes bend the truth, but one taste and you’ll quickly understand why Montrealers stand by their bagels. The fluffy, round-shaped globs of dough you find on the supermarket shelf are not bagels, desipte what it says on the packaging. They are bagel imposters and so oversized, you’d think they were somehow on roids. Montreal bagels are smaller and dense, and contain a hint of sweetness....

February 18th, 2008 | Montreal | Read More

An Option for Vegan Vacationers

Veganism doesn’t have to mean scanning a menu at a restaurant only to decide, “I can either have the garden salad starter or … the garden salad meal.” Go to Aux Vivres, a popular vegan restaurant in the Plateau, where you’ll spend more time choosing what you want to eat instead of eliminating what you can’t. Aux Vivres provides refreshingly creative vegan meals, desserts and smoothies. No limp lettuce will find its way onto your plate—only fresh, colorful...

February 11th, 2008 | Montreal | Read More

Leave your Hang-ups about Insects Behind

We get squeamish at the sight of them, poke and prod them, and even go so far as to squash them. Few take the time to understand insects and how fascinating they really are. Instead of avoiding insects, face them full-on during your visit to Montreal. Not in your bed sheets, of course, but at the Montreal Insectarium. The Montreal Insectarium is home to a variety of beetles, giant walking sticks, spiders, butterflies, and much more. You’ll discover insects from all around the world,...

February 5th, 2008 | Montreal | Read More

Who you Callin’ Cupcake?

Other than leaving with a loot bag, the best thing about going to a birthday party as a child was the cupcakes, even more so than the birthday cake. Fluffy, moist, heavily frosted with icing, cupcakes rarely disappoint. What’s not to love? The cupcake trend has snowballed since its appearance a few years back. You no longer have to crash a kid’s birthday party, nor add water to a boxed cake mix, to enjoy these nostalgic treats. A great place for cupcakes in Montreal is Cocoa Locale,...

February 2nd, 2008 | Montreal | Read More

When City Dwellers do the Outdoors

Even devoted urbanites grow tired of the bustle of the city. Sometimes you want to see more trees than you do people. This is why when Montrealers get the rural itch but don’t want to go too far, they visit Mount Royal Park. Located on Mount Royal just north of downtown, Mount Royal Park is one of Montreal’s largest green spaces. The park, which opened in 1867, was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape designer who designed New York City’s Central Park. If you’re...

January 23rd, 2008 | Montreal | Read More

Escape to the Caribbean While in Montreal

When winter gets rough, Montrealers dream about fleeing to a tropical oasis. Then reality sets in. The next best thing to leaving the country is going to Mango Bay, a Caribbean restaurant that will help fight the winter blues. The downtown Montreal restaurant has a warm feel, painted in bright yellows and oranges and strewn with plants. With reggae beats playing in the background and a tropical drink in hand, you can sit back, relax, and be taken away to another place. The menu includes traditional...

January 22nd, 2008 | Montreal | Read More

Finger-Lickin’ Good Chicken and Ribs

If you’re a meat lover you’ll certainly enjoy going to the Bar-B-Barn, where the menu is kept to a minimum. You pretty much know what you’re going to order before you even enter the restaurant: chicken, ribs or a combination of both. Considered a Montreal institution, the Bar-B-Barn opened its doors in 1967, in time for the city’s famous Expo ’67. And nothing much has changed since: the décor has been left untouched, with low ceilings, unattractive wood paneling...

January 20th, 2008 | Montreal | Read More

Gear up for The Montreal International Auto Show

Every year, car enthusiasts flock to The Montreal International Auto Show to witness the new and admire the old. The show is a platform for car companies to showcase their latest models while also displaying some of their timeless classics. To celebrate the show’s 40th year, the special attraction “Still Hot… 40 Years Later”, will feature the greatest cars from the era of the show’s beginning. So while checking out the cars of the future, you can also take a step back...

January 20th, 2008 | Montreal | Read More

First-Rate Film in Montreal

Going to the movies may not be the first thing that comes to mind when traveling. After all, why waste your precious travel time doing something that can be done back home? But if you’re a movie buff, or simply have an appreciation for exceptional cinema, it is well worth investing a couple of hours at Cinéma du Parc. Nestled in an unassuming mall on Parc Avenue, this repertory cinema gives you a sense of what the movies used to be like before overpriced megaplexes took center stage....

January 13th, 2008 | Montreal | Read More

Taste a Tiny Persian Treat

The first thing you notice when entering into Nocochi is the color—or rather the lack thereof. The walls, floor and furniture of this café/pastry shop are stark white. What would otherwise be a sterile environment is in fact inviting thanks to much needed colorful accessories. Brightly colored cushions and art have added a touch of warmth to this modern space. After a long morning of shopping in Sherbrooke Street’s upscale boutiques and art galleries, stop into Nocochi for a little...

January 8th, 2008 | Montreal | Read More

Calling All Chocoholics

Endless streams of chocolate make their way into households during the holidays. If you are able to stomach the sight of truffles after your supply has depleted, you are a true chocoholic. And true chocoholics go to Suite 88 Chocolatier to get their fix. Suite 88 Chocolatier is Montreal’s first chocolate lounge and boutique. It has succeeded in creating a lounge feel, with its modern design and comfy leather chairs encircling low tables. But at this lounge you don’t order a fancy...

January 5th, 2008 | Montreal | Read More

Coffee with a Bite

Many cafés serve great coffee but their food menus are dull, with unimpressive panini and bland salad choices. Likewise, some restaurants are celebrated for their meals, but their coffee is reminiscent of the swill that comes from an office machine. For those who want the best of both worlds, there is Toi, Moi & Café. Toi, Moi & Café is a micro-roaster that supplies retailers with a vast range of specialty coffees and teas from around the world. Luckily, there are two...

December 30th, 2007 | Montreal | Read More

Lace up Your Skates for a Good Time in Montreal

With everything blanketed in white, Montreal is a beautiful city in winter. At times, however, it gets too cold outside, even for the most enthusiastic winter athlete. Instead of letting your fingers and toes go numb this winter, visit The Atrium Le 1000 De La Gauchetière for indoor skating at its best. Located in the heart of downtown Montreal, this skating rink boasts a giant glass dome so natural sunlight comes streaming in for an outside feel. Whether you are an expert skater...

December 24th, 2007 | Montreal | Read More

A Taste of Montreal’s Famous Smoked Meat

Montreal is known for its succulent smoked meat—thick slabs of juicy beef smoked to perfection and served on rye. The iconic Shwartz’s Delicatessen, situated on the historic Saint-Laurent Boulevard, has been serving some of Montreal’s best smoked meat since 1928 and not much has changed since. The oldest deli in Canada, it takes pride in serving non-preserved meat that is smoked daily. It has always used the same old-fashioned recipe that keeps customers coming back for more, including...

December 20th, 2007 | Montreal | Read More

Traditional Beer Brewed Before You

Les Trois Brasseurs, French for “The Three Brewers,” is a micro-brewery and restaurant whose drink list is too extensive for even the waiters to memorize. The chain, originally from France, serves fresh, non-pasteurized beer that is brewed in-store. Climb the stairs of the large, two-floor St-Catherine St. location, and you’ll discover the massive tanks that hold the smooth beer found in your glass. Try one of their four main beers: blonde, amber, brown or blanche. If you cannot...

December 3rd, 2007 | Montreal | Read More

Laugh the Night Away at Comedyworks

Sometimes there is nothing more pleasurable than surrendering to a good laugh: slouching in a chair, drink in hand, and watching a bold comedian take the stage. Montreal is a comedy hub best known for its annual Just For Laughs festival, where the world’s most talented comedians come together to crack us up. But comedy in Montreal is alive and well all year round, so you don’t have to mark your calendars. On Bishop St. in downtown Montreal is the cozy comedy venue, Comedyworks. It is...

December 3rd, 2007 | Montreal | Read More

Welcome to Montreal

Bonjour! Montreal is like many cities built into one, where unique neighborhoods come together to form a diverse city, bustling with activity. Generations of immigrants of all backgrounds have left their mark on Montreal. Walking down the street, you will hear people speaking French, English, and many other languages. Living in a multicultural city is a privilege because you witness the customs and traditions of all its citizens. Come to Montreal and experience the sites and tastes of places from...

November 29th, 2007 | Montreal | Read More