Tourisme Montréal Blog » terrasse http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog Fri, 24 May 2013 21:50:43 +0000 en-US hourly 1 7 GREAT ROOFTOP PATIOS IN MONTREAL http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/7-great-rooftop-patios-in-montreal/ http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/7-great-rooftop-patios-in-montreal/#comments Tue, 16 Aug 2011 12:36:29 +0000 Guest / Invité /blog/?p=4853 You say patio, we say terrasse. Whatever you call it, when the weather is nice the place to be is under the open sky. And what’s better than a terrasse in Montreal? Why, a rooftop terrasse in Montreal! Here are some of my faves. TERRASSE + HAPPY HOUR + PANORAMIC VIEWS Altitude 737, Terrasse Place d’Armes, and Terrasse Nelligan: After a hardcore Canadian winter, Montreal’s favourite pastime is simply chillin’ outside with good friends and choice libations. If you’re new to the city, you may want to head first to Altitude 737 Restaurant Club Lounge atop the Place Ville Marie, which is that downtown skyscraper built in the shape of a cross. In good weather on Thursdays and Fridays, enjoy a cinq-à-sept drink (“happy hour” from 5pm to 7pm), 47 floors up in the air!  You’ll also discover a restaurant (open for lunch and dinner) and nightclub that offer panoramic views of the city, putting you at eye level with the peak of Mont Royal. If you’re looking to hang out with the cool crowd, venture into Old Montreal to Terrasse Nelligan – the cherry on top of Hotel Nelligan.  Rub elbows with the city’s young professionals and take in... / Read More →

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]]> You say patio, we say terrasse. Whatever you call it, when the weather is nice the place to be is under the open sky. And what’s better than a terrasse in Montreal? Why, a rooftop terrasse in Montreal! Here are some of my faves.

TERRASSE + HAPPY HOUR + PANORAMIC VIEWS

Altitude 737, Terrasse Place d’Armes, and Terrasse Nelligan: After a hardcore Canadian winter, Montreal’s favourite pastime is simply chillin’ outside with good friends and choice libations. If you’re new to the city, you may want to head first to Altitude 737 Restaurant Club Lounge atop the Place Ville Marie, which is that downtown skyscraper built in the shape of a cross. In good weather on Thursdays and Fridays, enjoy a cinq-à-sept drink (“happy hour” from 5pm to 7pm), 47 floors up in the air!  You’ll also discover a restaurant (open for lunch and dinner) and nightclub that offer panoramic views of the city, putting you at eye level with the peak of Mont Royal.

If you’re looking to hang out with the cool crowd, venture into Old Montreal to Terrasse Nelligan – the cherry on top of Hotel Nelligan.  Rub elbows with the city’s young professionals and take in the urban skyline around you. This posh patio closes at 11pm, so if you’re up (no pun intended) for a night-cap, walk over a few blocks and take the elevator at Suite 701 straight up to the Terrasse Place d’Armes at Hotel Place d’Armes, which is open till 3am, weather permitting. They’ve recently added a nice retractable awning, so don’t let the rain keep you away. Cocktail tip: I like the raspberry mojito.

TERRASSE + FREE OUTDOOR POOL + PAID BAR

La Terrasse Magnétic: Hotel de la Montagne’s La Terrasse Magnétic is a much more lively spot (read: pick-up joint) with enough good-looking people and hard bodies to make you feel like an outsider if you fit into neither category. There’s no change room or locker, so you’ll have to do your quick change in the washroom and keep your stuff by your side. Here, it’s BYOT (towel), or you can borrow one with a $10 deposit. The pool has a capacity of 57 and is open from 11:30am to 3am until Labour Day weekend (Sept. 4, 2011), and gets crazy busy whenever the sun is out. They only allow up to 203 people up there, so check the weather report in advance if you hope to nab a good spot. Admission is free but you have to order something at the bar or resto. And it’s 18 years or older only after 8pm. Best nights for happy hour are Wednesdays through Saturdays, but if it’s hot on a Monday, you can bet it’s a happy – and crowded – Monday.

TERRASSE + FIREWORKS + ENTERTAINMENT

Terrasse sur l’Auberge: People always ask me where’s the best spot to watch the fireworks. Personally, I like to go to Pont Jacques Cartier or La Ronde. I did recently go, however, to Terrasse sur l’Auberge to try their dinner-plus-fireworks special. This is a hidden gem that fills up very quickly so make sure to reserve ahead. Guests get a fixed menu, bar service and the opportunity to enjoy the fireworks with an unrestricted view – and all this while comfortably seated.

A

THE DETAILS

Altitude 737 Restaurant Club Lounge, 4 Place Ville Marie, (514) 397-0737

Bar Soleil, 900 rue de la Gauchetière ouest, (514) 878-2332

Terrasse Magnétic, 1430 rue de la Montagne, (514) 288-5656

Terrasse Nelligan, 100 rue Saint-Paul ouest, (514) 788-4000

Terrasse Place d’Armes, 701 côte de la Place d’Armes, (514) 904-1201

Terrasse sur l’Auberge, 97 rue de la Commune East, (514) 876-0081

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]]> http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/7-great-rooftop-patios-in-montreal/feed/ 4 5 SECRET MONTREAL PATIOS http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/5-secret-montreal-patios/ http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/5-secret-montreal-patios/#comments Wed, 06 Jul 2011 15:03:26 +0000 Guest / Invité /blog/?p=4559 Montrealers like nothing better than a patio (or “terrasse”) in summer, our long winters make sure of that. But while the city’s sidewalk culture and the thriving see-and-be-seen patio scene screams “look at me, I’m super hot!”, there are still plenty of us that prefer a quiet place to call our own, sip our drinks and check each other out in a more surreptitious way. Here, we share some of the more off-the-beaten-track-places to enjoy a cold drink, or several… Pub Le Sainte Elisabeth: Ask pretty much any seasoned Montreal drinker where their favourite outdoor drinking spot is and they’re likely to point you in the direction of this classy little joint near the Quartier des Spectacles—near, but not too near, if you get my drift. The bar describes itself as a “European-style pub”, by which they probably mean their locale is pretty, and classy, but you can still get your drink on. Their tree-lined terrace (pictured above) is a Montreal classic, with enough greenery to make you breath easy on those hot summer nights. The beer is especially cold too. 1412 Rue Sainte-Elisabeth, (514) 286-4302 La Croissanterie Figaro: When I was an undergrad, this place was called La Croissanterie,... / Read More →

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]]> Montrealers like nothing better than a patio (or “terrasse”) in summer, our long winters make sure of that. But while the city’s sidewalk culture and the thriving see-and-be-seen patio scene screams “look at me, I’m super hot!”, there are still plenty of us that prefer a quiet place to call our own, sip our drinks and check each other out in a more surreptitious way. Here, we share some of the more off-the-beaten-track-places to enjoy a cold drink, or several…

Pub Le Sainte Elisabeth: Ask pretty much any seasoned Montreal drinker where their favourite outdoor drinking spot is and they’re likely to point you in the direction of this classy little joint near the Quartier des Spectacles—near, but not too near, if you get my drift. The bar describes itself as a “European-style pub”, by which they probably mean their locale is pretty, and classy, but you can still get your drink on. Their tree-lined terrace (pictured above) is a Montreal classic, with enough greenery to make you breath easy on those hot summer nights. The beer is especially cold too. 1412 Rue Sainte-Elisabeth, (514) 286-4302

La Croissanterie Figaro: When I was an undergrad, this place was called La Croissanterie, and it’s where I brought my west-coast parents to make them feel like they were in Paris. They changed the name about a decade ago; they still have croissants, it still feels like Paris, and it’s still the best place to hide away in leafy Eurobliss under scarlet parasols in the Mile End. It’s tucked away on the corner of Hutchison and Fairmount; that’s what makes it secret. 5200 Hutchison, (514) 278-6567

Casa Del Popolo: This happening café, bar and live-music venue is a famous outpost in the Mile End, however their back patio is somewhat secret, being in the back and all. All lit with twinkly string lights that make us feel like we’re in Italy or something, this patio is the best place to cool off from a packed show or just a packed DJ night, or just cool off. 4873 Saint-Laurent, (514) 284-3804

Le Dépanneur Café: Their backyard is more modest than some of these other well-established playas of Montreal’s terrasse set, but it’s cute and sweet and, well, pretty secret. This Bernard Street café is known for folk acts in the afternoons and delicious grilled cheeses. 206 Bernard West, (514) 271-9357

MYSTERY PATIO: This leafy lettuce-lined back porch is by far my favourite place in Montreal to sit in the open air right now. Long banquette tables are lined up under a canopy, lined by brimming boxes of greens, lettuces and chicories. They’re far ahead of the curve in terms of urban agriculture, these guys. Can you guess where this terrasse is?

Hint #1: You may get smells wafting over from Fred Morin’s smoker, or from the wormwood they have growing in the yard for basement batches of homemade absinthe…

Hint #2: Read this post about Restaurant Patios in Montreal…

If you think I’ve missed some great Secret Patios in Montreal, feel free to leave your suggestions in the comment section!

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]]> http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/5-secret-montreal-patios/feed/ 4 MONTREAL’S BEST RESTAURANT PATIOS http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/montreals-best-restaurant-patios/ http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/montreals-best-restaurant-patios/#comments Wed, 29 Jun 2011 14:43:42 +0000 Guest / Invité /blog/?p=4526 When it comes to restaurant patios in Montreal (known here as terrasses), there are really two different sorts. The front patios, which are basically extensions of the restaurant itself, on which diners can eat their meals while watching the world go by (and the world, in turn, watches their meals while going by). Otherwise, you have the back patios, the inner sanctums of a restaurant where kitchen secrets bloom in private. Sitting on a restaurant’s back patio is a chance to access a leafy secret garden of bliss at the back end of a favourite dining spot. Below, we’ve picked the gold-medal standard of both front and back patios in Montreal, as well as a few alternates. Brasserie T! : Putting it all out there Ever since Chef Normand Laprise (of Toqué! Fame) and Charles-Antoine Crete opened Brasserie T!, their more “accessible” version of the Montreal institution right smack in the middle of Festival Central, the brasserie’s patio has been the best seat in town for fireworks, festivals and all sorts of riotous summer activity. Not to mention the food, which is pretty awesome, too. But their new addition to the summer menu will soon be legendary: A seafood platter... / Read More →

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]]> When it comes to restaurant patios in Montreal (known here as terrasses), there are really two different sorts. The front patios, which are basically extensions of the restaurant itself, on which diners can eat their meals while watching the world go by (and the world, in turn, watches their meals while going by). Otherwise, you have the back patios, the inner sanctums of a restaurant where kitchen secrets bloom in private. Sitting on a restaurant’s back patio is a chance to access a leafy secret garden of bliss at the back end of a favourite dining spot. Below, we’ve picked the gold-medal standard of both front and back patios in Montreal, as well as a few alternates.

Brasserie T! : Putting it all out there

Ever since Chef Normand Laprise (of Toqué! Fame) and Charles-Antoine Crete opened Brasserie T!, their more “accessible” version of the Montreal institution right smack in the middle of Festival Central, the brasserie’s patio has been the best seat in town for fireworks, festivals and all sorts of riotous summer activity. Not to mention the food, which is pretty awesome, too. But their new addition to the summer menu will soon be legendary: A seafood platter to end all seafood platters (or, as our waiter put it, not just your usual lobster-and-mussels sort of thing).

The platter odes of course include mussels and lobster (the latter a plump half-beast from the Magdalen Islands) as well as Gaspesian whelks in tomato and aioli, Matane shrimps, Oysters, a scallop Ceviche with basil and strawberries, and the piece de resistance: Rimouski sea-urchin in a delicate cream. Irresistible and original, this seafood platter raises the bar for summer food in the city. As a bonus, order Brasserie T!’s other summer special: a Guédille aux crevettes de Matane. A Guédille being a classic Quebecois sandwich in a hotdog bun, kind of like a lobster roll but with shrimps instead.

La Buvette Chez Simone A “buvette” is a French word for a casual drinking establishment, but this sweet spot is just as known for its wine-friendly small plates as for its bevvies: Fried zucchini flowers and charcuterie make for perfect summer-night nibbles, while the lights on Parc Avenue dance past.

F Bar Brasserie T’s neighbor in the heat of the action is run by Montreal’s premier Portugese chef, Carlos Ferreira, who also has a fancier joint on Peel St. F Bar, also opened last summer, specializes in bitoque, tacho casseroles and a mean beet salad.

Joe Beef: Deluxe kitchen garden

Chefs Dave McMillan and Fred Morin opened Joe Beef a few years ago, to instant accolades: the resto has been featured in the NY Times and Bon Appetit, which called it “cheeky and rambunctious”. And indeed, Joe Beef is usually party central for the downtown crowd, though the meat-centric menu stands up to even the most discerning diners. The owners recently launched an oyster bar to herald summer, but the real tribute to the steamy season is on their leafy back patio, which is a verdant respite from the bustle of Notre-Dame Street.

Not only is their roomy back space a green oasis, it’s also a totally productive salad garden: Fred Morin, who lovingly curates the collection of chicory, lettuce, microgreens, strawberries and other delicacies that make up his summer salad dishes, that grow alongside you as you bask in the backyard photosynthesis: The current trend is for urban agriculture, but as usual Joe Beef were ahead of the curve. Bonus extra: The smell of smoky meat wafting over from Morin’s legendary smoker, in pride-o-place in the backyard.

Hecho in Mexico brings a Cinco de Mayo-type vibe to their back terrasse off Wellington Street, with true-to-life specials straight from the cervejarias of the D.F (what Mexico City residents call Mexico City) including Tacos al Pastor (pork piled on soft tacos, topped with pineapple) and carnitas. They also make a mean margarita, and rim the glasses with Tagin (a Mexican premixed spice).

Tuck Shop expands their packed dining room for summer into a sweet back patio that doubles as a kitchen garden, with all the grown goodies spilling out from

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]]> http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/montreals-best-restaurant-patios/feed/ 4 MONTREAL’S HISTORIC PATIOS http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/montreals-historic-patios/ http://www.tourisme-montreal.org/blog/montreals-historic-patios/#comments Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:54:22 +0000 Guest / Invité /blog/?p=2219 Some of Montréal’s historic patios date back 300 years. Cool off in the shade of old trees, beautiful gardens, and thick brick walls. —————————————————————————————————————— TERRASSE MOUNT STEPHEN CLUB Sip in the shade of a turn-of-the century mansion, the former home of Lord George Stephen. A heritage property, one of the finest examples of this kind of architecture in Canada. Have lunch or dinner under huge red parasols. Brunch on Sundays is renowned. There are two sittings, and a wonderful harpist entertains.  This is a private club, but the outdoor terrace is open to the public, as is sunday brunch. It’s a neat way to see this amazing building where, incidentally, scenes of The Mummy Returns with Brendan Fraser were filmed. Crowd: young executive. 1440 Drummond Street. Metro:  Peel (514) 849-7338 www.clubmountstephen.com —————————————————————————————————————— MCKIERNANS Situated in a charming building with a heavy iron door leading to the patio, McKiernans is a fave of locals and attracts the young and the restless as well as the city’s tastemakers – from chefs to CEOs. Sit in the shade and admire the herbs and flowers growing in the lovely backyard garden. Crowd: happening- young, older, jeans, suits. 2485 Notre Dame West (514) 759-6677 www.joebeef.ca Lunch... / Read More →

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]]> Some of Montréal’s historic patios date back 300 years. Cool off in the shade of old trees, beautiful gardens, and thick brick walls.

——————————————————————————————————————

TERRASSE MOUNT STEPHEN CLUB

Sip in the shade of a turn-of-the century mansion, the former home of Lord George Stephen. A heritage property, one of the finest examples of this kind of architecture in Canada. Have lunch or dinner under huge red parasols. Brunch on Sundays is renowned. There are two sittings, and a wonderful harpist entertains.  This is a private club, but the outdoor terrace is open to the public, as is sunday brunch. It’s a neat way to see this amazing building where, incidentally, scenes of The Mummy Returns with Brendan Fraser were filmed.

Crowd: young executive.
1440 Drummond Street. Metro:  Peel
(514) 849-7338
www.clubmountstephen.com

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MCKIERNANS

Situated in a charming building with a heavy iron door leading to the patio, McKiernans is a fave of locals and attracts the young and the restless as well as the city’s tastemakers – from chefs to CEOs. Sit in the shade and admire the herbs and flowers growing in the lovely backyard garden.

Crowd: happening- young, older, jeans, suits.
2485 Notre Dame West
(514) 759-6677
www.joebeef.ca
Lunch Tuesday to Friday
Brunch Sundays
Evenings Wednesday to Saturday

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VAUVERT

This little –in fact, tiny! – patio is opposite Montréal’s old Custom House, and is part of, and nestled beside -  the St.Paul Hotel.  The best part is the view of the St. Paul, a boutique hotel built in a former bank, dating from the early 19th century.  Sip and gaze up at the building’s beautiful Beaux-Art façade.  Great music! Cool and intimate.

Crowd: beautiful people, models.
355 McGill
Metro:  Place Victoria
(514) 876-2823
www.restaurantvauvert.com
Monday – Wednesday 11:30 – 11 pm
Thursday – Saturday 11:30 – 1 pm
Sunday 11:30 – 10 pm

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PLACE JACQUES QUARTIER – Orchestre Métropolitain on Sundays

The heart of Montreal’s beginnings, this beautiful open plaza was named in 1847 for the French explorer who was the first European to sail up the St. Lawrence River, arriving in Montreal.

The historic cobblestone square for pedestrians only is surrounded on almost all sides with fun outdoor terraces.  At one end, take a photo op with Admiral Horatio Nelson’s column (1809) commemorating the victory at the Battle of Trafalgar.  At the other, you can gaze down at the Old Port, where the horse-drawn carriages await.

Place Jacques Cartier restos offer a range from poutine to ice cream and of course both fine and fast dining. The terraces are beautifully shady under protective awnings, and are in old mid-19th century grey stone buildings.

Most restaurants don’t need reservations. Place Jacques Cartier isn’t huge, so you can easily find a place to your taste in about 3 minutes.

FREE!  Montreal’s Orchestre Métropolitain plays during Sunday Brunch.Take a calèche (carriage) ride to wherever!

Crowd: young couples, families, tourists..
Tip:  This area is paved with pretty but wobbly cobblestones, so ladies, stow the stilettos.

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LE LOCAL (our photo)

About a 20 minute walk from Place Jacques Cartier, Le Local is hot for lunch, dinner and drinks.  Seated under the greenery-clad awning is the place to see and be seen.  Even though it is right on the street, this little haven is an oasis. The perfect place to discover the centuries-old industrial district of the city.

Crowd: Hip. Young and older.  Close to Multimedia offices, which says it all.
740 William. 514-397-7737 (Reservations advised)
www.resto-lelocal.com

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