So why not spend a special weekend on the Main, curling up in a sexy hideaway and exploring some of Montreal’s Plateau and Mile End neighbourhoods on foot?

Lower Main

The Opus Hotel, at the corner of the Main and east-west thoroughfare Sherbrooke Street, is a slick boutique hotel in a heritage building that has been a Montreal landmark for over a century. Their Valentine’s package includes a stay and a tasting menu at their restaurant, Koko, prepared by guest New York chef, Jay Federer. (There are lots of foodie developments going on at Koko- they recently appointed Michele Forgione as their new Executive Chef and, during the High Lights Festival, will welcome Chef Anita Lo into their kitchen.)

While you may want to stay in for your special night, there’s lots to do if you decide to venture out: Buzz recommends an oyster shooter or two at Maestro SVP, followed by an art film at Montreal’s avant-garde film palace, the Cinema Parallele.

Upper Main

If you choose to move into the Mile End neighbourhood, things will get a little more handmade. Casa Bianca, on Rue de L’Esplanade across from Mont-Royal Park, is Montreal’s most stylish and modern-romantic B + B.

From there, you can take a stroll a few blocks up the Main where an afternoon coffee at Casa Del Popolo can turn into a steamy tête-à-tête— and you may want to come back later for an intimate show. (Casa also has a small hotel, Pensione Popolo, upstairs.) For a more interactive musical experience, record yourselves singing a karaoke version of “your song” upstairs at Studio Loco.

A further stroll up St-Laurent will bring you to the indie shopping mecca of St-Viateur.  Maybe she’ll find a red dress for tonight at Local 54, a dress shop that features local designers, vintage boots and ingenious handmade jewellery.

Also, don’t forget to pick up the traditional trappings of romance, for later back at the hotel. The florist Sophie Doval takes a creative, seasonal approach to floral design, and Chocolats Genevieve Grandbois has gorgeous handcrafted bonbons that have been a staple in the neighbourhood for years. (Tip: her hot chocolate is basically sex in a cup, but arrive early, because she tends to sell out by mid-afternoon.)

Finally, if what you really want for Valentine’s Day is a bone in your pie, Lawrence Restaurant has you covered—this brand-new dining spot featuring Brit-influenced, whole-animal cookery on the Main is the neighbourhood’s best-kept secret—their Beef and Bone Marrow Pie with watercress salad is a winter wonder.

Guest blogger: Melora Koepke

The post LOVE ON THE MAIN appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

St-Paul is the oldest street in the city, named after its founder, one Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve who had a home here in the 17th century. These days, St-Paul Street is filled with contemporary boutiques, charming boutique hotels, rustic chic restaurants, as well as lively bars and cafés.

Let’s start on the eastern side of the spectrum at Marché Bonsecours, where inside you’ll find Boutique des metiers d’arts Quebecois (350 St-Paul East, #400), a hub for local artisans and artists, such as jewellers, glass blowers and apparel designers. More great pieces of art can also be found at L’impreinte Coopératif (272 St-Paul East).

Walk westward and step into Delano Design (70 St-Paul West), a goldmine for local fashion designers, accessories and fine art. A few blocks further is Ssense (90 St-Paul West), which is the physical store for one of the country’s biggest (and most stylish) on-line retailers, carrying heavyweight, international labels. If Italy is more your go-to country for clothes, shoes and sunglasses, get your fill of all things Italian at Lola et les Autres (165 St-Paul West) with Armani, Gucci, Missoni, Prada, Cavalli and D&G. Opening soon on the other side of the street is the boutique for local enfant terrible Denis Gagnon (170 St-Paul West), whose avant-garde style garnered him an exhibit at the Montreal Museum of Fine Art last October. I should add that Gagnon’s slot is sandwiched between Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaultier; it closes February 13.

Gagnon fans will also feel right at home at Reborn (231 St-Paul West, Suite 100). The multi-brand store is curated by style-maven Brigitte Chartrand who favours labels such as Rick Owens and local legend Rad Hourani. More hot designers are waiting at Espace Pepin (350 St-Paul West), a gallery-boutique owned by painter Lysanne Pepin. Speaking of fine art, why not pick up some Inuit selections at Galerie Elca London (224 St-Paul West). If décor is more your priority, À Table Tout Le Monde (361 St-Paul West) carries high-end tableware. And male shoppers can get their dandy vibe on by checking out Michel Brisson (384 St-Paul West).

To refuel, there are several great eateries on St-Paul Street. Try the Cuban sandwich at Olive et Gourmando, classic local fare at Montreal Poutine or simply get a sugar fix at Les Délices de l’Érable. When it’s time to rest your shop-weary body, two fabulous boutique hotels also on St-Paul Street are Nelligan and Le Petit Hotel. In the evening, a new happening little wine bar and resto called Bocata recently opened up next to hip hotspot Barroco. Both of them are great places to show off your newest fashion scores and drink in the joys of Old Montreal.

Le Petit Hotel, photo credit: Gleb Gomberg

The post SHOPPING ON RUE SAINT-PAUL appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

After winning the Miss America 2011 pageant, Teresa Scanlan, a charming Nebraska-native of Croatian decent, made her way up to Montreal. On the morning of a wind-driven snowstorm, Scanlan was warm, welcoming and press-ready in the penthouse of the chic Opus Hotel.

Why, you might wonder, is Miss America here in La Belle Province? Funny, I asked myself the same question. Turns out, her official fashion designer is none other than Joseph Ribkoff, a septuagenarian Montrealer who has made an international name of his eponymous, locally-produced brand, which is headquartered here in Dorval (not far from the airport). As Scanlan and a pair of models showed us, the sophisticated line features prêt-à-porter separates, as well as eveningwear fit for, well, Miss America!

I couldn’t resist asking the young lovely a hometown hockey question: Did she know of Carey Price, the handsome, 23-year-old goalie of the Montreal Canadiens? I even offered to set them up for her 18-year milestone, reminding her that she could drink in bars here at that age. She didn’t know the heartbreaker Hab and politely declined. Sorry Carey, I tried for you too.

A

THE DETAILS

Looking for Joseph Ribkoff clothes in Montreal (or anywhere else in the world for that matter)? Go to his website or call 1-800-361-1839 for a location near you.

The post MISS AMERICA IN MONTREAL appeared first on Tourisme Montréal Blog.

Montreal is known for her sassy collection of boutique hotels. And I’m often asked, “Which one should I book?” Since each one has a distinctive personality, it’s an important question, because where you check in can set the tone and pace of your ladies’ night out. Here’s a little cheat sheet to guide you in the right direction.

Downtown

FOR THE NIGHTLIFE DIVA : Opus Hotel

Situated at the base of nocturnal hotspot Saint-Laurent Boulevard, the Opus Hotel also stands alone as its own party palace. Home of swish, all-white supperclub Koko and downstairs night club Suco, you and your gals will have more than enough places to party without ever having to step foot outside—a sure boon on those minus 30 winter nights. Rooms are painted in bright lollipop colours, so think sweet retreat.

In the area: The shops and bohemian cafes on francophone Saint-Denis Street.

FOR THE ART AFFICIONADO : Loews Hotel Vogue

The Old School decor of these sophisticated digs give guests a taste of Mad Men in the heart of downtown Montreal. Dark wood panelling, marble bathrooms, canopy beds and fireplaces set the scene for cosy gossip sessions. Fine art fans can walk to the Museum of Fine Art, as well as all the private galleries along Sherbrooke Street and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

In the area: Pois Penché, an elegant Art Deco brasserie plucked right out of Paris has red velvet seats and waiters that sport les tabliers, those long black aprons.

FOR THE HOCKEY FAN : Hotel Le Crystal

Ladies, we all know the real reasons for your hockey obsessions, namely the handsome young Price, Cammilieri, Lapierre… The oh-so-convenient and contemporary Hotel Le Crystal is merely a slap shot away from where the handsome Canadiens take to the ice. The downtown location is also a choice spot if you and your besties have tickets to one of the many concerts also showing at the Bell Centre.

In the area: Le Queue du Cheval, which is just down the street (very walkable in heels), is a popular spot for male bonding, including stag parties, thanks to the restaurant’s dry aged steaks and tony cigar lounge. And so, a prime spot for singles mingling.
Also: Main drag shopping on busy Sainte-Catherine Street West is just a couple blocks north.

Old Montreal

FOR THE SEXY HISTORIAN : Hotel Nelligan

Saint-Paul Street is Old Montreal’s busiest thoroughfare, laid with picturesque cobblestones and lined with character buildings dating back to the early 1900s. So it’s not unusual that many of the rooms at the Nelligan have stonewalls and fireplaces. Live out your ultimate princess fantasies in swank, sophisticated surroundings—also enjoyed by Hollywood royalty Catherine Zeta Jones and hubby Michael Douglas.

In the area: Avant-garde fashionistas will want to check out Reborn just a short scenic stroll down the street. Amidst the mainly black stock, you’ll find hometown hot stuff Rad Hourani’s unisex collection.
Also: The Old Port, Cirque du Soleil, and Place Jacques Cartier

FOR THE URBAN HIPSTER : Hotel Saint-Paul

An icy alabaster fireplace at Le Saint-Paul provides a warm welcome into the design-conscious hotel. Very New York in style, you and your Sex and the City entourage will feel right at home in the tall, square rooms adorned with wooden shutters, Parisian flea market antiques and Gendron chocolates.

In the area: No need to roam very far. Downstairs Le Vauvert has one of the chicest happy hours in town. Then stick around for dinner and let an 80s electro DJ provide your evening soundtrack.
Also: Most of the popular supperclubs, like Garde Manger, L’Orignal, and Barroco.

FOR THE OLD WORLD ROMANTIC : Hotel Place d’Armes

Located on Saint-Jacques Street (Montreal’s version of Wall Street back in the day), Place d’Armes’ historic exterior is as beautiful as the people who flock to the rooftop terrasse in summer or the elegant ground floor bar on any other given night of the year. Luxury linens, high-tech amenities and ultra-modern washrooms (and the co-ed hammam at in-house Rainspa) make this a hotel an all-out pampering experience.

In the area: Visit the Notre Dame Basilica where fairy tale weddings took place like that of Montreal Diva herself, Celine Dion. Just outside you can hire a horse and carriage to tour you around one of the most picturesque areas in Canada.

Guest blogger : Patricia Gajo

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