My family (wife and 2 adult daughters) are vacationing in Montreal and Toronto next month. Going to be quite a change in weather for us San Francisco residents
Anyone know of a good/great place to dine in either or both cities? We usually spurge for 1 dinner at each place we visit when we’re on vacation. Something within walking distance of the Montreal Embassy suites (208 Saint Antoine Ouest) and the Toronto Fairmont Royal York (100 Front St West) would be great since we’re not renting a car.
We’re opened to most types of food if that helps any.
Thanks for the suggestions. Both places look good but Gibby’s has the advantage of being within walking distance of our hotel, which is a major plus for it.
You might like the view from your table at 360 Restaurant.
It’s the revolving restaurant at the observation deck level of the CN Tower.
Easy walking distance from your hotel in Toronto.
In Toronto the Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse is highly regarded and a little walk from the Royal York. Hope you have a suite there, little better than the rooms, stayed in both and the suite is far superior.
Never been to Ruth’s Chris personally but it is fairly expensive, bur supposed to be worth it.
I’ve been to the Ruth’s at home a number of times and it was always good. Nothing like butter dripping from the meat to make it tasty :partying_face: . Perhaps we’ll check out the one in Toronto so that we can compare them.
Not sure what type of room we’re getting. My kids made the reservations and they like to save money even though we pay for all our vacations. It’s a wonder to me that they economize even though they’re not spending their money. That’s a good thing I guess, except when it affects my comfort :person_facepalming:
They seem to have undergone renovations since I stayed there. The rooms were fairly small, the suite had a sitting area which was better. Situated in a good area though, plenty of things around to explore.
We’re OK with small rooms. The important things for us is that we’re in an area with things to do and also safe for us to walk around in. We’ve been on a few vacations where I wished I was armed walking around at night
Next month?? In february?? That’s literally the worst time of year to visit Canada. I strongly encourage you to reschedule. Even if you can push it back just a month
For Montreal restaurants, do you speak French? Or can pick up a few phrases? If not, take the first restaurant that will serve you. Some won’t. Or you’ll get very poor service. They might seat you but never take your order. If you can learn a few phrases you’re ok tho. Or if you speak another language besides English that’s just as good. Anything that’s not English.
Toronto you’ll feel totally safe walking around at night. Id be comfortable enough to just grab a pillow and sleep anywhere downtown, if there’s not somebody already sleeping there. But not in February, you’d freeze and die. Montreal less so, though it’s more just dirty than dangerous. But in February you won’t be walking around montreal at night, you’ll freeze and die. Btw, you can’t be armed anyways that’s illegal. Not even pepper spray or a pocket knife if it’s concealed (ie, in your pocket)
Safety is not the big issue in Toronto/Montreal. You don’t need to be armed.
Also Toronto has a good subway system so you don’t need to only do walking distance places.
There are also buses. And rideshare and cabs and car rentals.
That said February is peak snow month. Its cold, windy and snowy. Make sure you have warm winter clothing, believe me you will need it.
Due to work considerations with my 2 daughters we’re locked into Feb. It will definitely be much different weather from San Francisco where it rarely gets into the low 50’s (or 10C). However we’ve been to Iceland a few times in Dec and Jan so hopefully that has prepared us a bit for next month. I do remember it being awful cold though. This trip I’m bringing a down jacket that I’ll put under another heavy jacket, and then a lined wind breaker on top of them. I was thinking that was over-kill but now I’m thinking that’s not the case
One of my kids is thinking about getting spiked traction cleats for when we’re walking around. Does that make any sense? Or is she over-thinking things?
Yeah…no pepper spray or carry knife for me on this trip. Just an 18650 flashlight to light my way
We don’t speak any French but do speak some Chinese. Of course that might not be any better for us than going with English
Just make sure to get some light base layers and you’ll be fine with the cold alonside some wind proof layers.
You’ll be served just fine in English. Just be patient and understanding.
Fortunately I have thermal underwear left over from our Iceland trips. I also bought some fleece pants this month since I remembered my legs being cold back then :weary:
We’ve been fortunate to have been able to travel overseas a bit and understand that patience, etc is a big part of making our trips enjoyable. Nobody likes to deal with rude or inpatient tourists so we try not to come across like that
I’ve been to Montreal a few times, always felt very safe. Only once in a restaurant did I feel I was treated lesser due to english… little did he know I knew enough french to understand it. Everywhere else was great.
I always stayed on the edge of Chinatown in a boutique hotel, amazing place and close to everything I wanted.
It will be cold, but even in Toronto they have The Path system that is underground that goes from Union Station (across from the hotel) to the Eaton Centre Mall (easy to get disoriented though )
It often amazes me how many people assume someone doesn’t understand them when they speak a language or dialect that they think the person they’re talking about/insulting doesn’t understand. I remember my parents insulting the help in Cantonese in Beijing because they assumed that everyone only spoke Mandarin
But in any case I’m sure we’ll have a good time in Montreal and Toronto. Safety actually isn’t a big concern for me especially in Canada. I haven’t always felt that way in other countries (changing a flat tire in lion country springs to mind) but we’ve greatly enjoyed the vast majority of our times on vacation.
