Light my lantern, light my fire!

I am not a big fan of flowers. I find them cute but that's about it. But when I go to the Montréal Botanical Gardens - by the way ranked as one of the largest of its kind in the world - I can spend hours and hours, walking, smelling and observing. This beautiful oasis is only about 25 minutes by métro from Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth. If you include the Biodome, the Insectarium and the Olympic Tower, that will take you almost a full day and you will see just another memorable attraction that Montréal has to offer.

Until November 1, 2009, you will be charmed by The Magic of Lanterns in the Montréal Botanical Garden's Chinese Garden. Exceptionally for this event, the Chinese Garden remains open daily until 9:00pm. In this year’s 17th edition, the theme is Traditional Chinese Astronomy, lots of colors, forms and lights. With over 700 traditional lanterns, along with themed lanterns illuminating the fall sky, you will feel like in a “compte de fée’. Keep you eyes wide open!

Don’t miss out on every Thursday evening in the Chinese Garden, you can explore the sky's secrets too, as amateur astronomers will be setting up telescopes.

Not very far from there, approximately a 7 minute walk from the metro station “Préfontaine”, (on your way to or from the Gardens) you will find the Tex-Mex restaurant. You will feel like you have been transported to Mexico, in this authentic resto! Nothing fancy here, only locals, mexican decor, good service, I should say ''yougoforthefood.com''. To get the fire roaring, approximately 10 different hot sauces from mild to “100% Pain” are brought to your table (Believe me – I have tried them!) You have an excellent choice between Enchiladas, Burritos, real Chili, Fajitas, and for some comfort food, the french fries are fantastic. With the arrival of autumn and the thermometer going down, why don't you heat it up with a good resto out of the ordinary, Tex-Mex. Oh, I forgot, if you go there, stick to their mexican specialities, don't go for the steak...

Hasta luego!

It's all about D-M!

What do James Bond, “Sex and the City”, “Julie & Julia” and Les Voyageurs all have in common?


It is not a flashy car, nor designer clothing, neither Boeuuuuuuf Bourguignon. It is the most ''well aged'' cocktail: the Dry Martini! One of my favourite cocktails - with gin, of course, extra dry, stirred not shaken, with one olive.



At Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, you will find the Les Voyageurs Bar, with its engaging service and cool-cat ambiance, which is authentically local to Montréal. Discover the cocktail menu with Les Cocktails Signature du Voyageurs - The Fairmont Artistic Mixology Experience. Or simply let yourself be seduced by Les Martinis du Voyageurs selection: the Mangotini, the Lychee Martini or the real Dry Martini Classique – just to name a few. Every Thursday, you will be charmed by the live entertainment, offered by Melina from 9h00 to midnight with both piano and vocals.


You work hard! Now end your day at Montréal’s best address – Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth!


Santé,


Benoît

Check out Tourisme Montreal's Katerine Rollet's epicurean blog on Jean-Talon market

Katenie Rollet is a fellow epicurean...click here to see her report on Jean-Talon market.

Montréal to Italy within 25 minutes!

I like to suggest different places off the beaten path, always depending how many days your journey in Montréal is. So when people ask what to do - something different - one of my favorite suggestions is Petite Italie with the Marché Jean-Talon.

Taking the subway from the hotel, you will be in Italy in only 25 minutes. There you will find St-Laurent boulevard with the Milano supermarket, abundant with scents, sounds & products imported from Italy; the Quincaillerie Dante, full of every kitchen gadget imaginable to help you unleash that inner "Pasquale" you know is inside - the Jean-Talon market has every thing you are looking for! You can buy foie gras from La Ferme Basque, (ask me for my foie gras recipe with maple syrup and bluberries......very yummy!)

Or why don't you grab a bottle of Pinot Grigio from the SAQ - the liquor store - located on the north side of the Marché and have one of the best pizzas that Petite Italie has to offer? Pizzeria Napoletana is Montréal's first pizzeria, established since 1948. Choose between 34 Italian-style pizzas and pastas, ending with a good espresso with a homemade tiramisu. It is a no frills restaurant, with good service, well decorated in green, red and white, of course!

Buon appetito e ciao!
Benito

Jamais deux sans trois!

Last night at the concierge desk, like every night, our distinguished guests came to see us for our recommendation for dinner. Montreal offers over 2600 restaurants, so when a guest asks us for a great recommendation , we too have some questions to ask!

What kind of food are you looking for? Within walking distance? Upscale? Is this a special occasion?

Last night I had two women visit me at my desk to tell me that my recommendation of previous night’s Restaurant Julien was amazing! They were pampered, the waiter asked how was there stay at the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, the food was very good, the atmosphere was excellent with a “french accent” and on top of that, at a decent price. This french bistro is located within 5 minutes walking distance from the hotel. So my ''la barre était haute'' I asked them what did they feel like tonight? They were not sure, they wanted suggestions from me. Well my first thought was one of our restaurants, Le Montréalais, excellent food, great service etc... no luck here - they wanted go outside for a walk but not too far, so I asked them how about sushi? pasta? steak? fish? French bistro? microbrewery? So one of them looked at the other and said ''I don't mind going back to Julien'' and her friend answered ''This is where I wanted to go back and I know exactly what I am I going to have tonight!'' So I told myself with all the choices Montréal has to offer Restaurant Julien should be at the top of my list.

Thanks Julien !

Two wheels are better than four!

Why don't you bring your bike to Montréal when traveling with Via Rail? Or, if you prefer, there are two other ways we can help you find two-wheeled travel.

All members of the Fairmont President's Club can benefit from complimentary bicycle rentals from the main lobby of the Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth. Not a member of Fairmont President's Club? Click here and join today, free of charge!

Another way to discover the hundreds of bicycle paths that Montréal has to offer, for a nominal fee, why not try BIXI, located just outside of the hotel?

Did you know......? Ask your Concierge!

Welcome to my blog!

Today, September 8th 2009 is the first day of my blog and hopefully not the last one!, Let's start my journey.

Although I have been in the hotel industry for over 20 years, I have just recently begun working as a Concierge at the fabulous Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth in the heart of Montréal.

This blog will provide everyone with an enviroment to exchange: what, where, who, when, how, why......It's all about Montréal! Ça va?

Some things you may already know, some things you may have never heard of, some things you will find in tourist guides, some things are off the beaten path.

You are invited to share your feedback, your coups de coeur, your memorable experiences.

On y va!

Yesterday I had one of the best breakfasts ever.
Located in an up and coming neighbourhood called Hochelaga-Maisonneuve (Ho-Ma for the locals) is Le Valois. Potatoes risolées, with a hint of duck fat.....amazing! Not to mention the porc breast bacon... Please don't tell your cardiologist, but sometimes you just have to spoil yourself. The Eggs Benedict, with a generous portion of fresh ham, on a toasted sesame bagel... ooo-la-la! All this on an outside, spacious, heated patio. Preceded by a couple of bowls of hot chocolate & café lattés, the service was attentive and efficient, our full breakfast for four cost approximately $60 before tip. Well worth it - we left with full bellies!

Stay tuned for more experiences in one of Canada's most dynamic & beautiful cities!