Montreal Weekender: February 10 through 12, 2012

This weekend we are keeping you in and around the Plateau (for the most part).  There are so many little nooks in these streets worth exploring so we wanted to help you navigate a weekend full of notable eats and drinks in one of our favourite neighbourhoods in the city.

Friday night after work start off with a beer or two at Benelux, a local brew pub famous for their own brews (offered on tap of, course). Their own stuff is uniquely Belgian in style and similar to pale ales. Ask for Carmelena, one of their best bartenders, she will know how to best direct you to your beer of choice.  After a few pints, head for food at Pintxo, a Spanish tapas restaurants in the heart of the Plateau.  Our favorite items on the menu are their bison sparerib and their goat cheese square with marinated cherry tomatoes. For an evening of drinks, head by foot to St. Laurent’s newest hot watering hole, Big in Japan Bar, opened by the owner of Big in Japan just down the street. This bar is represented by just two Asian symbols and is not very easy to find, but ask people hanging around at the corner of St. Laurent and Rachel… they will know where to direct you.

Saturday morning, indulge in brunch at Le Comptoir for one of their famous weekend brunches. New to the Montreal restaurant scene, Le Comptoir is famous for its house-cured charcuterie and also offers up some of the best brunch dishes around. From here, we are going to spin you to just outside of the Plateau, a bit further east, to the Biodome, where you can check out Montreal’s famous indoor ecosystem. Head back to the Plateau for a lazy Saturday 5 a 7 at Dieu Siel at Clark and Fairmont, an amazing place to decompress and prepare for another night on the town. Walk over to Icehouse for tacos and to catch the hockey game, and then spend the rest of the night indulging in old school authentic cocktails at Sparrow, located in the Mile End area.

Spend Sunday morning slow dining on brunch at Le Chien Fumont. Their menu changes weekly, so be prepared to be wowed and surprised by one of their decadent and rich brunch dishes. Afterwards, work off your weekend of eating and drinking at the skating rink in Parc Lafontaine. 

Photo courtesy Pintxo