Car Hire Montreal Canada and Montreal Dining

Montreal has never really been a place to embrace new and exotic foods. A generation ago, just about every restaurant in the city served strictly French cuisine. While the standards were high, the city' simply lacked a flare for food. But that was then, and this is now. Thanks to immigration and the notion of food fusion, Montreal is now the perfect place to go for inspired dining and ethnic offerings. Montrealers now routinely indulge in exotic edibles from all over the world, including Thailand, Indian and Japan. Of course, you can still find a few fantastic souffl� around town, so really, what's a hungry car hire Montreal traveler not to love?

Tips on discovering Montreal's dining scenes

The best restaurants (or restos in the colloquial) are often clustered together in neighbourhood settings within the city. Once you discover one, chances are good there are another three located right down the street. This makes for easy dining decisions, especially if your hotel is located within walking distance. Another important thing to remember is that price isn't necessarily a marker of quality in this city; car hire Montreal travelers can find outstanding fare within the city's moderately priced bistros and cafes. Plus, nearly all restaurants post menus outside, allowing for quick and easy comparison shopping. Finally, it's a good idea to make reservations if you're planning to eat out at one of the city's trendier establishments. If you're weary of French speaking hosts, simply ask the concierge at your hotel to call for you.

A note on pricing

If you're looking to splurge on taste but not on price, TransCanada Car Hire Montreal highly recommends ordering from a table d'h�te or "fixed price" menu. Most restaurants in the city offer full two- or four-course meals, often with a beverage, for just a little more than a regular a la carte item alone. Even the best restaurants offer these menus, so why not dine in style during your upcoming car hire Montreal vacation? Other ways to cut down the cost of eating out in Montreal is to order inexpensive regional specialties. Never heard of a poutine? You don't know what you're missing until you've tried one!

Local treats make for a feast

Speaking of regional specialties, here are just a few items worth trying on your upcoming car hire Montreal trip:

Bagels: Think New York is the only place to get great bagels? Think again. The doughnut-shaped rolls of Montreal are smaller, chewier and quite frankly, far more delicious than their Big Apple brethren.
Cretons: It may seem like a strange combination - a p�t� of minced pork, allspice and parsley - but one taste and you'll be a believer.
Poutine: Traditional Quebec comfort food - French fries doused in gravy and cheese curds.
Queues de Castor: This literally means "Beaver tail." But it's actually a large deep-fried pastry topped with chocolate of cinnamon.
Smoked Meat: The perfect sandwich (the taste is somewhere between pastrami and corned beef).

Odds and ends on dining in Montreal

Montrealers consider a 15% tip of the check (before taxes) to be fair. Want an easy trick on how to calculate this number? Simply add together the federal and provincial sales taxes; they total 15%. If you're planning to drive your car hire Montreal vehicle to a restaurant, be sure to call ahead for details on parking. Valet parking is often the only option, as spaces are extremely limited in most of the city's restaurant districts. And finally, if you were hoping to light up during your meal you're out of luck. While Quebec has a long standing smoking culture, the habit has been banned from bars and restaurants since 2006. Car hire Montreal travelers will have to step outside to enjoy their cigarette.