In that spirit, we headed out to a different neighbourhood – downtown – to eat somewhere I’d usually be less likely to try, seeing as I live here– a hotel restaurant. And we ate well! We elected to try the TASTE MTL set-menu at Le Montrealais Bistro-Bar, the casual resto in the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth hotel. The bistro is open late and has lot of space for families and large groups.

Because it’s a hotel restaurant, there’s this pleasant in-transit feeling, like maybe I’m eating there because I’m about to go on an exciting trip. The menu is a four-course set-menu, with two choices for each of the courses. Since there were two of us, we were able to try one of everything.

Our menu started off with two refined entrees: A white-tuna and arctic char carpaccio that looked like a mosaic (very pretty), and a duck foie-gras crème brulee flavoured with sortilege (a maple-flavoured, whiskey-like spirit.)

Then, we both had a saffron shellfish bisque with this little fella, a Quebec crawfish, perched on top.

The mains were both refined and simple: A rack of lamb with salted herbs from the lower St-Lawrence region, so tender I could cut it with a fork, and a filet of sweet-salty black cod with a tomato, olive and caper sauce.

The desserts were quite special, too: A chocolate/meringue fondant and pistachio macaroon sandwiches with raspberry sorbet filling.

And all this, for under $40 per person! TASTE MTL goes until November 11, check out all of the menus here.

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Though Montreal has some truly incredible restaurants, it’s no secret that they can be pretty expensive. But, with a little planning and schedule flexibility, you can eat some of best food in Montreal at a price that won’t leave your wallet in shock…. 5 Great Resto Deals in Montreal

Leméac : Laurier is a pretty swanky street, so it makes sense that the restaurants overlooking its sidewalks are not cheap, and, during the day, this elegant French resto is no exception. But after 10pm, you can eat an appetizer and main course for $22 from a menu that includes truffle oil salmon tartare, duck leg confit and a slew of other dishes that you’d be hard pressed to find for that reasonable a price. All you have to worry about is figuring out what to do until 10. 1045 Laurier, (514) 270-0999

Club Chasse Et Pêche : I’ll start by saying that the taster’s menu (or “degustation”) I had here last summer was a dizzying culinary experience. That, thank god, someone else paid for. This spot in Old Montreal has an entrance you might miss and a comfortable, private club feel to it, but the cuisine is absolutely high-end and they have some of the most knowledgeable staff in the city. The mains (this week’s menu includes grilled octopus and spatzel) run anywhere from $14-$25 during lunch, which is a great deal considering that, during the dinner service, they generally start at $30. 423 St-Claude, (514) 861-1112

La Montée de Lait : Though they recently moved from their downtown location to a small but busy spot in the Mile-End neighbourhood, the people from La Montée were good enough to keep their lunch special intact. It’s a Quebecois-influenced French resto that features daily specials, so you’ll have to wander in with an empty stomach and an open mind to find out what’s for lunch. But, given that you can eat an appetizer and main for $20 (half of what you’d pay during dinner service), you really have nothing to lose but a great meal. 5171 Saint-Laurent, (514) 273-8846

Au Cinquième Pêché : Like Chasse et Pêche, I can still clearly remember the last meal I had in this small seafood-specializing bistro on Mont-Royal (and not just because I ate seal from the Îles de la Madeleine). Though it is one of the more affordable places on this list, their lunch special borders on the insane. A 3-course table d’hôte, with coffee or tea, for under $20??? How much was that salad you just bought again? The only catch is that it’s only offered on Fridays, so make sure to call well in advance… 330 Mont Royal, (514) 286-0123

Milos : Montreal’s most well known Greek restaurant is also home to one of the city’s most beloved lunch specials. Milos, which specializes in fresh fish cooked perfectly, is fairly expensive for dinner, but during their “Quick Delicious” lunch, available 12:00-3:00pm every Monday through Friday, you can have an appetizer (like crab cakes, octopus sashimi, spanakopita) and a main course (like organic Scottish salmon, lamb chops, lobster pasta) and a dessert (like the wonderfully named yogurt martini) for $20. 5357 Parc, (514) 272-3522

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