I love these two swans.
Last month, I spent the Victoria Day long weekend in Montreal with my good friend. It was a girls’ weekend away, and we had a great time! In addition to sleeping well in the luxe Hotel Birks and being entertained by Pink, we ate our way through the city. Oh, what fun! We did our food research by searching online, polling our Montreal friends, and asking for recommendations from our hotel concierge. We were not disappointed with any of our choices! Here are the restaurants we visited (in alphabetical order), and my reviews of them.
Arthurs
We took an Uber from our hotel to Arthurs where we feasted on breakfast on the patio in the May sunshine. After our meal, we walked to Atwater Market to browse the food and flower stalls. Arthurs is a great option for breakfast and lunch, and the vibe is fresh, local, and retro.
Bar George
We walked to Bar George from our hotel. It’s located right off Saint Catherine, so it’s an ideal stop for pre- or post-shopping during the day or a pre-dinner cocktail. The food is fine, but the decor and history is amazing. I found it pricey for brunch, but if you’re a sucker for decor (like me), then it’s worth it. The vibe is historical, moody, and chic.
Café Parvis
Café Parvis is located just off of Saint Catherine sort of behind the Bay. It is less than a 5 minute walk from Hotel Birks which makes it a great option if you stay at the hotel. I was pleasantly surprised by this restaurant. The restaurant is filled with plants, and the atmosphere is comfortable and friendly. This is a great option for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or cocktail hour. The vibe is inviting.
Drogheria Fine
Drogheria Fine is near the Outremont neighbourhood, so we took an Uber from our hotel downtown on Saint Catherine. This was one of the highlight meals of the entire weekend. Here, you order a $5 container of gnocchi from a walk-up window and find a spot (bench, park) to eat it. After your meal, you can walk around the neighbourhood and pop into vintage stores and boutiques. This is an awesome place to go for lunch (or breakfast, dinner, or snack if you love gnocchi as much as I do!). The vibe is uber casual as you’re eating gnocchi out of a box on the street! Don’t forget to ask for hot chili flakes if you want added spice
Le Pois Penché
Fashion blogger Jessica from Westmount Fashionista recommended Le Pois PenchĂ©. It did not disappoint! This French brasserie offers classic French food like moules frites (mussels and fries). It’s a great option for lunch, cinq-Ă -sept (pre-dinner cocktail) or dinner. We opted to go here for dinner before the Pink concert as it is a short walk from the Bell Centre. The vibe? French, bien sur!
Nora Gray
Nora Gray is on so many “top restaurants of Montreal” lists we consulted, so we had to try it. It’s small, so reservations are a good idea. Nora Gray is about a 20 minute walk from downtown. It’s a great option for cocktails or dinner. The vibe is moody, hip, and fashionable.
Olive & Gourmando
Olive & Gourmando is in Old Montreal, and it’s a great option for breakfast and lunch. The servers are friendly, and the place is constantly packed. The vibe is bright, fresh, and healthy(ish).
Tommy
Tommy has not been open for too long, but it has grown quickly and steadily. There are now three locations in Montreal, and we went to the original location in Old Montreal. Tommy is great for breakfast or lunch. The vibe is bustling, beach chic, and garden fresh.
I would go back to all of these restaurants the next time I go to Montreal. I don’t think I can pick a favourite because each one has something special to offer. Drogheria Fine is certainly calling my name, and I’d like to try the pizza at CafĂ© Parvis.
1.Gift Guides. Last week, Daniela shared this awesome Father’s Day gift guide for White Cabana readers. I love that she focused (as per usual) on Canadian brands. Go back and look at it if you’re still on the hunt for a gift idea as Father’s Day is this Sunday. And if you’d like even more ideas, browse these guides by Jacquelyn Clark, Katie Considers, Rambling Renovators, Rachel Parcell, and Oh Happy Day.
This week, Daniela shared an impressive gift guide for teachers. It has been the most popular gift guide yet! If you missed it, have a look at it here.
2. Netflix. I finished watching two seasons of David Letterman’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction. I hope more seasons are in the works. My favourite interviews from seasons 1 and 2 were with Ellen Degeneres, Barak Obama, George Clooney, Malala Yousafzai, Tina Fey, and Lewis Hamilton.
3. Food. I made this quiche last weekend for lunch guests, and it’s a winning recipe. I’ve made it before (and it was a winning recipe then, too). Asparagus is now in season, so it’s a perfect time to make the quiche!
4. Books. I’m reading Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. It’s an easy read, so I’m going through it quickly. In between my reading time, I’m thinking about her stories. What would happen if you started saying yes to things that made you nervous/uncomfortable/move out of your comfort zone/anxious? You’d face and overcome new challenges, and be open to opportunities for learning new things. This is one of the messages that’s coming through the book so far.
5. We the North. The Toronto Raptors won the NBA championship game last night. And if social media is any indication, many Canadians are very excited! As for me? Well, I tuned in last night when the score was 91-91 and there were about 10 or 15 minutes left in the game. I figured I should keep watching, so I did. That has really been the extent of my viewing of basketball this season. I liked following along the commentary on Twitter, too. And I’m grateful to my friends and students who kept me informed throughout the season.
Have a great weekend!
I was in Banana Republic over the weekend, and there were so many pretty dresses in the current collection. I was only at the mall for a quick stop, so I didn’t have time to try anything on, but I’ll be going back to see what I might like the best this season. Just look at this collection of summer whites. Pretty, yes?
Although the weather isn’t a great indication, we are nearing the end of the school year. When I was an elementary school teacher, I was definitely tired and done by the time June rolled around. I was itching to enjoy lazy days of summer and finally take a vacation. The work that teachers do is admirable. And I am happy to shine the spotlight on them today. Daniela’s gift guide is well-researched and perfectly varied. If you’re looking for a teacher’s gift, read on!
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Hi everyone!
Many of us are trying to find that perfect gift for our children’s teachers this month. Since I struggle with what to buy my daughter’s preschool teachers, I took to the streets and asked a number of teachers both in elementary and high school environments about favourite gifts they have received. I have to tell you I was hoping for creative answers from them, but I got a whole lot of “I’d appreciate a gift card” responses.
The number one gift request by all of my teacher friends and acquaintances is a gift card. Most of them had these stores as their most coveted: LCBO (and, yes, they prefer a gift card to a bottle of wine), Starbucks, Dollarama, Indigo, and The Keg.
Because I really love buying and receiving tangible gifts, I pushed my teacher friends to give me some things they would like, and I have listed them below.
Consider a personalized item. People love having something with their initial or name on it. For this, I recommend Minted. Independent artists design all products purchased from Minted.
Ready to hang art or an inspirational message are great for their classrooms and have a personal touch.
Karisa Marley’s piece called “I can” would be fitting for a teacher who has truly inspired your child.
Does your child have a teacher who is always wearing a nice scarf either as a fashion statement or because they are cold? Add to their collection!
Nice pens are another great idea for teachers. After all, they do a lot of marking and writing! Having a nice pen to do that with is always welcome by teachers!
Read about why this pen is the best.
This fun set of pens not only write well, but they even have fun sayings on them!
Does the teacher in your life carry her ID and keys on a lanyard? If so, one of these products would make a great gift.
There was a big divide on teachers who absolutely hate getting a mug or insulated water bottle – and those that love this gift! Insulated bottles not only keep teachers’ water or cold drink cold, but they can also keep a tea or coffee hot for hours. If you’ve read my other gift guides, then you’ve seen this next brand already. I am once again recommending my favourite Canadian insulated water bottle company Green’s Your Colour.
Almost all the teachers I spoke with mentioned the best part of a gift is if it comes with a personal message in a card. These meaningful cards written by students is the best part of the gift, so make sure whatever you decide to do with regards to a teacher gift, write a thoughtful note in the card! It’s a must!
I hope I made your teacher gift shopping a little easier with this gift guide! In the end, you can never go wrong with a gift card!
Happy Shopping!
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Thanks, Daniela! These are useful gifts for teachers, but they’re also great for friends and loved ones, too!