Picked this chicky up from the airport and away we go! (and no, we didn't plan color-coordinating outfits)
I surprised her with Union Square Donuts for the road (maple bacon ftw!)
In Vermont (or was it New Hampshire?) we stopped at a cute little antique shop and did a photo opp with these gorgeous flowers
Just a bit of sunning
Because we were making a pit stop in Frelighsburg we took the scenic route to get to the border...
...and got to see a GORGEOUS area of Vermont. Everyone should visit Cambridge, VT.
Because we weren't going the more popular way to Montreal, we ended up at this little border patrol - so cute!
Our destination: La Fournee Des Sucreries de l'erable
Oh. My goodness. They might not look like much, but goodness gracious they are HEAVENLY
*cheese*
The Maple Pies. A MUST. I'm going to go see if I can order delivery right now...
Made it to our Airbnb apartment! Just like the pictures - it was so cute! Our host, Nick, was very nice and accommodating - I'll definitely be back.
If you need an affordable and cute place to stay, the listing is [here]
Much coffee was made here
Breakfast Friday morning - Mamie Clafoutis
Carbs!
And more carbs!
Our little smorgasbord of pastries
Classic ;-)
Like I said...classic (tee-hee)
Om nom nom nom
So....this happened. An older gentleman claimed he 'didn't see me' and swerved into my lane, hitting my back driver's side door. We were less than half a mile from our destination :( No one was hurt, thank goodness, but now I have to file an insurance claim womp womp
After filing a police report for the accident and going on our way, we finally made it to Jean-Talon Market
First stop - the oyster bar!
Sooooooooooo excited
I love oysters!
Madeline...wasn't really a fan.
I crack up every time I watch it
My favorite (will be finding these to get again!)
:)
Gorgeous produce everywhere!
Lunch - Creperie du Marche
Om nom nom nom (potatoes, tomatoes, raclette cheese, egg)
(cheese, ham, apples, maple syrup)
PUMPED
:)
Dessert - maple butter and apples
Looked like little veggie bouquets!
We thought that the botanical gardens had a topiary exhibit...turns out that was last year (oh well) but the gardens were still gorgeous
Photo op
Funny thing about traveling as a duo - lots of pictures that are the same but taking turns posing haha
Chinese garden - I think this was my favorite part
So serene
:)
I could camp out here all day with a book and an iced coffee
Seesters!
Cool shot
Bonsai Tree Garden - this one is over 150 years old!
:)
She wanted to take this one home...
GORGEOUS - I also love the contrast of the zen garden with the Biodome in the background
Ginormous koi fish
So pretty!
Oh just chillin on my oversized couch...
Nature shot
Love the color contrast here
Hahaha I felt like Alice in Wonderland in the Queen of Hearts' garden
I want my own flower garden
Mirroring the lattice design in the Chinese Garden
Yippee!!! We're in Montreal!!!
Get ready...for the most lush meal you've ever seen...at Au Pied de Cochon
To start - a cider and a beer
Warm crusty bread mmmmmm
Our table wasn't ready but there were open seats at the bar with a prime view of the kitchen - so exciting to watch!
We decided to stick to the tried-and-true recommendations. First up, poutine with foie gras. Verdict: delicious indulgence to the max
Soooooooo happy
Madeline got the Duck in a Can - oh my goodness the flavors were AWESOME. The cabbage is what made it...every morning the duck gets boiled in the can with foie gras and cabbage and then they open it at your table and dump the contents over cheesy mashed potatoes and crostinis
I took on the signature dish, Au Pied de Cochon. The platter was the size of a serving dish, the food enough to feed a small army. And yes, that's foie gras front and center. Oh. My. Goodness. I thought I'd died and gone to hog heaven (tee-hee)
Absolutely delicious. You can read my full Yelp review [here]
Happy customer 1
Happy Customer 2
Action shot of the line - thank you all for a delicious meal!
Next day we rolled ourselves out of bed bright and early to go on a food tour of Old Montreal. First up was Maison Christian Faure for coffee and pastries
Gorgeous, n'est-ce pas?
I loved the clean and simplistic settings - unique way to display the menu
Pretties
Next up was Marche de la Villette to try both duck and pork pates.
Both were delicious, but I think I preferred the duck (on the left)
So colorful!
Loved getting to see the architectural developments of Old Montreal - you can see the distinct outlines of 2 different buildings that used to be there.
This guy - make sure you have him as your tour guide! Ronald is awesome :)
Finished up with some sweet treats at Les Delices de L'Erable
Many many maple syrup products sold here
We tried the gelato :)
We just had little snacky-tastes on the food tour so we went to Lawrence Restaurant for brunch
Mmmm
Unassuming storefront, simple country-chic interior
First up - sugary goodness
Madeline got the chocolate-filled beignets
I was missing London, so I got a scone with clotted cream and jam (it was SO. GOOD.)
...and then I got the Full English Breakfast :) (it's been awhile)
Mad got strawberry rhubarb French toast
Happy customers
We tried to go in to see the Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal but there were a couple of weddings going on that afternoon
The Napoleon exhibit underneath was open though!
What a bed, right?
Stopped into a gallery just to browse
I really liked this artist
All by Diane Fontaine - I'll own one, one day...
Then up to St. Joseph's Oratory
GINORMOUS
The pipe organ was playing!
Just as majestic as I remembered it...
The weather was PERFECT
Hahahaha too much wind!
Parting shot
We decided to do a quick drive around the Notre Dame des Neiges Cemetery
Beautiful...
It seems a little strange to call a cemetery beautiful, but it was in its own way
Chihuly installation at the MFA of Montreal!
I think he's my all-time favorite artist...
Photo-opp
Seesters!
Don't worry - we'll be back the next day
I've been craving this...for 2 years.
Ahhhhhhh the sweet ambrosia that is the Chicken Creation of Boustan
Ecstatic
Madeline finally understands....
Next morning, we had to try the Montreal bagels that everyone raves about (they say they're better than NYC bagels...I say the jury's still out). We headed to St Viateur Bagel - man were they good! It was a bit hectic inside and not like the bagel shops I'm used to in the states where they have a sandwich counter for you to dress up your bagel...basically there were refrigerators with cream cheese and lox and drinks that you picked up on your way to order and then got your bagels. They're hand-rolled and boiled in water with a touch of honey. Mad and I sat on a park bench and chowed down and man were they good!
Back to the Montreal MFA for realz this time
Tee-hee :)
Giant wooden sculptures
And a chest of drawers that looks like a grenade
Love the colors
This was a fun piece - this is the artist's mother and she used sequins in the portrait!
I liked this one too - simple but pretty
The had a temporary exhibit from the Virginia MFA of Faberge Eggs
The teeny-tiny ones
And a big one
I didn't know that Faberge was known for it's floral/botanical pieces as well
I'll take one, s'il vous plait
Last meal - La Banquise for poutine. Apparently the dish wasn't even created until the 40's and 2 cities are still fighting over who can claim they invented it...
Silly seester
The St Ambroise apricot ale Mad got was delicious!
Oh my goodness YUM
A bit more traditional...
Trying to use up the last of our Canadian coins, we went to Au Kouign-Amann Patisserie to try their croissants (that got rave Yelp reviews) and pastry.
Soooooooooo glad we did - they were AMAZING.
After waiting nearly 2 hours to cross the border...bye bye Canada!
Shew!!! So, as you can see, we had a pretty spectacular Canadian vacation full of food, fun, and sites. I will definitely be back - hopefully sooner than 2 years!
Okay, it ate my comment the first time! I am eating lentil soup for lunch, and although it is very good, why, oh why, did I browse the best of Montreal meals during my lunch? All is beautiful and I hope to make that trip someday!
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