Monreal is AWESOME

Man, they aren’t kidding when they say that Montreal is like a little bit of Europe in North America. It definitely was in many ways very much like France except WITHOUT the snobbery. The people in Montreal were really friendly. I was there for our break after exams for just two days and had at least three encounters with the friendly French Canadians. For example, one guy across from us on the train platform signalled to Jane that she had dropped her hat even as he boarded the train going the other direction. In addition, we ran into a family sitting next to us at L’Express (a really good french bistro btw) who talked to us for sometime (The grandpa even spoke to me in Japanese). Even right before we left, the gas station attendant was teaching me how to say how are you in French! It was really great.

The city itself is really awesome! Lots of amazing food of all kinds (they are like a Hub for immigrants from Francophone countries, North Africa, Vietnam, Middle East). In two days, we at the following menu:

Lunch at L’Express (french bistro) of Foie Gras, Steak Tartare with fries, Fish soup (which was amazing) and Goat cheese salad

Dinner at Isakaya (Japanese Izakaya) of Amaebi (not that great), Miso ramen (not bad), Gobo tempura (very good), okonomiyaki, Isakaya salad (very good)

Brunch at a Creperie at the Old Port in Old Montreal
Snack Pho in Chinatown

Dinner at Le Croissanterie Figaro (THE french bistro, highly recommended) – THEY HAVE THE BEST ALMOND CROISSANT YOU’VE EVER HAD and awesome very very fresh salads (I got the avocado salad myself) and great coffee. Definitely a great place to sit and chat and drink a coffee and have a snooty french meal. Great service too

The best part of all is that its really accessible from here, only 2h 40min by car . . . and seriously, I feel totally rejuvenated after this weekend and eating a chocolate croissant from Figaro and middle eastern lunch from Amir’s that we brought back.