Not all of us like spending time on Christmas day cooking, baking, cleaning up the mess and cozying up indoors. In fact, quite a few young professionals enjoy stepping out of the holiday zone and having everything prepared with them amongst a crowd of holiday-happy strangers. With Montreal being such restaurant-crazed city, a lot of the establishments here thought ahead and are keeping their doors open most of the day for those not-as-traditional folks. Here are some of our picks:
Chez Leveque: A chic little French Bistro and one of Montreal’s original on the trendy Laurier Street. The atmosphere is always bustling and if you come after 9 pm, you can get their $21 menu that includes a starter, main course and dessert. One of the only places open in Outremont on Christmas and well worth a stop, even for a few of their yummy oysters.
Coco Pazzo: Up north for the holidays? Stop by Coco Pazzo where you will taste the flavours of the Italian countryside at the foot of Tremblant Ski Resort. Their menu is full of homemade pastas, creamy risottos and succulent seafood; they’re known for their fresh ingredients. Viva Italia!
Kashmir: Located in the beautiful Old Por, lies a fine Indian Restaurant called Kashmir that uses the finest fresh produce and meat, as well as tasty treats that tantalize the eye and the palate. Offering vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, they create the best of Indian fine dining. The atmosphere is very calm and relaxed, perfect for a quieter meal filled with some spice!
La Coupole: For a more elegant festivity, La Coupole, A French brasserie concept restaurant inside the Hotel Crystal, is the ideal pick. They are offering a wonderful $50 dollar holiday menu featuring anything from red deer carpaccio to beef contre fillet – Christmas indulgence at its finest!
Hambar: Meat, meat and more meat! For the Christmas carnivores, look no further but Hambar. Located on the corner of McGill and St.Paul, it is a restaurant with outstanding style and a trendy feel. The extensive menu features ‘cuisine du marché’ dishes, a gastronomic ham tasting experience, as well as a fantastic wine list designed by renowned sommelier Philippe Poitras.
Wood 35: In a more upbeat party mood, even on Christmas? Wood 35 might be the answer. Italian with a twist is the concept here, casual dining with passion for the sophisticated young professional crowd. The menu offers everything from Filet Mignon to Chilean Sea-Bass and a funky popcorn ice cream sandwich!
Ye Old Orchard Pub: Celtic Pride? Stop by Ye Old Orchard for some bangers & mash, Welsh pork and apple pie, Fish n Chips and many more foods from the Irish homeland. A fun, laid-back vibe for the casual Christmas goers!
