I've moved my blog to WP: idefiningi.wordpress.com
June 12, 2011
m.m.l. (n.)
Recently, I've taken to distinguishing from my "regular" life and "my Montreal life" (henceforth, MML).
I feel like there's so many differences that I have to mention the difference when talking about either. Neither wins over the other. Vancouver is overflowing with some of the greatest friends and good times a girl could ever wish for. Montreal is filled with some of the greatest food and entertainment a girl could ever wish for.
Vancouver Vish is yoga-seawall-snowboarding-beach-bum-Naam-"corner-store" and hookah Vish. Montreal Vish is 4am gnocchi-triple-gin-bike-shopping-crazy-bakery-pillaging Vish.
Both are pretty awesome and happy. But it's hard to combine the two worlds. So, for now, I divide them and expect different things. For now, the summer is gonna be festival-crazy and just plain fun all around because so far, I like worktime and playtime :)
In spirit of MML, I've decided to compile a list (that I'll be updating) of Montreal-must do's, as I do them or plan to.
Here goes.
- Crescent Street: Sir Winston Churchill Pub (the site of poor Barney Panofsky's downward spiral) & Brutopia (the site of apricot beer - but only on the 1st floor...)
- Bixi-ing down to the old Port and all around on secure bike paths.
- St. Viateur's Bagel (is better than Fairmount! They're more fluffy and .. voluminous?..)
- Bluegrass at Barfly. A bit of a dirty bar, but nevertheless.
- Free Museum Day. Free culture!! Google it.
- Craigslist, thank you for my cheap (but quality coffee-worthy) coffee maker. What did we do before you?
- Patiti Patata poutine (=D)) [Yup, that's my attempt at making a unicode double chin]
- Dunn's kreplach and matzah ball soups at 3am; Schwartz's smoked meat sandwiches....the line is always worth it.
- The bar at the The W is pretttyyy wunderbar and worth a visit :)
- the Montenegro bar on St. Laurent: the owner Soki is very hilarious and really knows how to treat the real "locals".
- Ye Olde Orchard (on Prince Arthur) has awesome live music on most days. One night, Ben and I stumbled into a rockabilly-themed night.
- Marche Lobo (on Parc and Milton) - a budget grocery shopper's dream. It's worth a visit just to see the prices (and the food's healthy and often organic!)
- $2 Street "Chew Mein": it's the talk of the town (still!) Thanks to my dear friend, Mikey, the Historian. Unfortunately, the historian special is no longer available.
- Festival Mondial de la Biere. There's another one in Strasbourg- so it must mean that it's good. Plenty of beer (kinda expensive, but hey! where else can you drink up on many many many types of beers and hoola hoop to live music while chewing on bison?!)
- Crescent St. during the Grand Prix. Don't miss it if you like crowds, promo products, and of course, cars.
- Clubbing in the Gay Village - east St. Catherine. Wish I could remember where we wound up that night... but I'm sure they're all great.
- Caffee in Gamba. The best coffee in town. Especially great on an early Sunday when it's not busy. Biscotti is not optional, (I say).
- O Noir. Blind waiters, what!
- Sweet Lee's. Apparently, this rustic bakery, while currently only a travelling stand at select art fests (like Puce Pop), is opening a Montreal location in 3 weeks. I am suuuppperrrr stoked because, I know my dessert, and man oh man, I couldn't get enough of their carrot cheesecake (all fresh and wholesome ingredients, including pineapple!)
- Simons - a department store that speaks to my taste and budget. (Side note: The Bay in Montreal is amazingly well-stocked with quality designer labels and the shoes go on pretty good sales!!)
- By far, the best gypsy (country, blues) folk I've ever heard: The Unsettlers - I caught them for free @Pl. des Ameriques, when they opened Fringe Fest - and they blew me away! Very Nick Cave/Bregovic/Tom Waits-ish, but happier (or at least tragi-comedic). Listen to "Dead and Gone".
- And naturally, the Jazz Festival is on my list (starts on the 25th though), with 3 free Unsettlers shows!!
- Cheskie's Bakery in Outremont. 6 types of rugelach, challah the size of Ben's head.... sigh. :) Don't leave empty-handed.
- Romado's Rotisserie on Parc. Best Portuguese BBQ. Massive amounts of chicken, potatoes and rice for cheap. Order some custard pies on the side.
- Jardin Nelson.. best terrace ever. @Pl. J. Cartier in the Old Port.
- Suntanning and reading at Parc la Fontaine or at the McGill Campus.
- Tam Tam Sundays at Parc Jeanne-Mance :)
- I know this isn't any sort of "establishment", but my bed is so comfy. Comfy beds are so important, in regular life and in MML. (Which reminds me, it's time to go to bed.)
------------------------ to be continued ------------------------
July 25, 2011:
Because all good dictionaries get updated, here is an even more expanded definition of "MML":
- Bixi bikes have increased my enjoyment of MML to the nth degree - the joy I get from a night's breeze in my buzzed face on my way home down St. Urbain is magnifique.
- Chez Jose('s, haaa) houses what is may be one of the most amazing meals I've had (especially, for $9). Perhaps is was the colourful, grafitti-esque decor, the fruity smoothies (Yuniki is the bomb) or the avocado and cheese mix with the Portugese chicken, it's hard to say. Perhaps it's all three.
- This may seem a funny one, but: NYC. It's really great to have the city of cities only a 6.5 hour drive (i.e. weekend-trip) away, while getting to enjoy the benefits of living as a Canadian.
- Vintage shopping at it's best, (and I don't even like vintage shopping).
- The biggest outdoor terrace in North America: Le Saint-Sulpice in the Latin Quarter (though the Latin Q should also get it's own shout out!) It's like drinking beers with a football field filled with people.
- Rooftop pools + Friday afternoons off = a great start to a weekend.
- Concerts. While I'm sure I'm biased because it's summer and the city is teeming with festivals on every street at every hour, the concerts in Montreal are superb - from the free ones, to Osheaga, to the fact that I had the chance to watch Bono throw white roses at me from 3 rows away for $70 in the open air, while the Edge skirted around with his guitar metres above my head.
- Mont Royal. The view is spectacular, the lac is wack, there's pedal boats and dragon flies and lots of forest greenery to cool you off on a hot Montreal day. The "hike" is also doable in Birkenstocks (I have banned socks this summer so this is quite important).
- Checking out a game at Stade Molson is a must, for non-football and football fans alike. The view of downtown is spectacular once the sun sets if you get seats on the south side. It's especially cool because they allow in's and out's....which is even more cool if you lived kiddy corner to the stadium, like I did.
- Cafe Milton breakfasts - and pretty much any other Montreal breakfast. These people really know how to serve up their eggs, sausages, waffles, crepes, thick-cut toast, potatoes, orange juice and coffee. (And it's great after nights at places like St. Sulpice...)
- La Distillerie. If I became an alcoholic, I would blame the Planter's Punch, served in a clunky jar with chunks of pineapple, fresh-squeezed juice, and 2 oz of heavenly booze with lemon and grenadine.
- The old port at night is a place like none other. The cobblestone and lighting is romantic, the ice cream is plentiful, the artisan alleys are open late, and if you've planned it right, you can also catch some fireworks, then bike home in a warm breeze with a $20 caricature done of you, rolled-up in your basket waiting to be framed at home so that all your friends can laugh at you.
------------------------ to be continued ------------------------
I feel like there's so many differences that I have to mention the difference when talking about either. Neither wins over the other. Vancouver is overflowing with some of the greatest friends and good times a girl could ever wish for. Montreal is filled with some of the greatest food and entertainment a girl could ever wish for.
Vancouver Vish is yoga-seawall-snowboarding-beach-bum-Naam-"corner-store" and hookah Vish. Montreal Vish is 4am gnocchi-triple-gin-bike-shopping-crazy-bakery-pillaging Vish.
Both are pretty awesome and happy. But it's hard to combine the two worlds. So, for now, I divide them and expect different things. For now, the summer is gonna be festival-crazy and just plain fun all around because so far, I like worktime and playtime :)
In spirit of MML, I've decided to compile a list (that I'll be updating) of Montreal-must do's, as I do them or plan to.
Here goes.
- Crescent Street: Sir Winston Churchill Pub (the site of poor Barney Panofsky's downward spiral) & Brutopia (the site of apricot beer - but only on the 1st floor...)
- Bixi-ing down to the old Port and all around on secure bike paths.
- St. Viateur's Bagel (is better than Fairmount! They're more fluffy and .. voluminous?..)
- Bluegrass at Barfly. A bit of a dirty bar, but nevertheless.
- Free Museum Day. Free culture!! Google it.
- Craigslist, thank you for my cheap (but quality coffee-worthy) coffee maker. What did we do before you?
- Patiti Patata poutine (=D)) [Yup, that's my attempt at making a unicode double chin]- Dunn's kreplach and matzah ball soups at 3am; Schwartz's smoked meat sandwiches....the line is always worth it.
- The bar at the The W is pretttyyy wunderbar and worth a visit :)
- the Montenegro bar on St. Laurent: the owner Soki is very hilarious and really knows how to treat the real "locals".
- Ye Olde Orchard (on Prince Arthur) has awesome live music on most days. One night, Ben and I stumbled into a rockabilly-themed night.
- Marche Lobo (on Parc and Milton) - a budget grocery shopper's dream. It's worth a visit just to see the prices (and the food's healthy and often organic!)
- $2 Street "Chew Mein": it's the talk of the town (still!) Thanks to my dear friend, Mikey, the Historian. Unfortunately, the historian special is no longer available.- Festival Mondial de la Biere. There's another one in Strasbourg- so it must mean that it's good. Plenty of beer (kinda expensive, but hey! where else can you drink up on many many many types of beers and hoola hoop to live music while chewing on bison?!)
- Crescent St. during the Grand Prix. Don't miss it if you like crowds, promo products, and of course, cars.
- Clubbing in the Gay Village - east St. Catherine. Wish I could remember where we wound up that night... but I'm sure they're all great.
- Caffee in Gamba. The best coffee in town. Especially great on an early Sunday when it's not busy. Biscotti is not optional, (I say).
- O Noir. Blind waiters, what!
- Sweet Lee's. Apparently, this rustic bakery, while currently only a travelling stand at select art fests (like Puce Pop), is opening a Montreal location in 3 weeks. I am suuuppperrrr stoked because, I know my dessert, and man oh man, I couldn't get enough of their carrot cheesecake (all fresh and wholesome ingredients, including pineapple!)- Simons - a department store that speaks to my taste and budget. (Side note: The Bay in Montreal is amazingly well-stocked with quality designer labels and the shoes go on pretty good sales!!)
- By far, the best gypsy (country, blues) folk I've ever heard: The Unsettlers - I caught them for free @Pl. des Ameriques, when they opened Fringe Fest - and they blew me away! Very Nick Cave/Bregovic/Tom Waits-ish, but happier (or at least tragi-comedic). Listen to "Dead and Gone".
- And naturally, the Jazz Festival is on my list (starts on the 25th though), with 3 free Unsettlers shows!!
- Cheskie's Bakery in Outremont. 6 types of rugelach, challah the size of Ben's head.... sigh. :) Don't leave empty-handed.
- Romado's Rotisserie on Parc. Best Portuguese BBQ. Massive amounts of chicken, potatoes and rice for cheap. Order some custard pies on the side.
- Jardin Nelson.. best terrace ever. @Pl. J. Cartier in the Old Port.
- Suntanning and reading at Parc la Fontaine or at the McGill Campus.
- Tam Tam Sundays at Parc Jeanne-Mance :)
- I know this isn't any sort of "establishment", but my bed is so comfy. Comfy beds are so important, in regular life and in MML. (Which reminds me, it's time to go to bed.)
------------------------ to be continued ------------------------
July 25, 2011:
Because all good dictionaries get updated, here is an even more expanded definition of "MML":
- Bixi bikes have increased my enjoyment of MML to the nth degree - the joy I get from a night's breeze in my buzzed face on my way home down St. Urbain is magnifique.
- Chez Jose('s, haaa) houses what is may be one of the most amazing meals I've had (especially, for $9). Perhaps is was the colourful, grafitti-esque decor, the fruity smoothies (Yuniki is the bomb) or the avocado and cheese mix with the Portugese chicken, it's hard to say. Perhaps it's all three.- This may seem a funny one, but: NYC. It's really great to have the city of cities only a 6.5 hour drive (i.e. weekend-trip) away, while getting to enjoy the benefits of living as a Canadian.
- Vintage shopping at it's best, (and I don't even like vintage shopping).
- The biggest outdoor terrace in North America: Le Saint-Sulpice in the Latin Quarter (though the Latin Q should also get it's own shout out!) It's like drinking beers with a football field filled with people.- Rooftop pools + Friday afternoons off = a great start to a weekend.
- Concerts. While I'm sure I'm biased because it's summer and the city is teeming with festivals on every street at every hour, the concerts in Montreal are superb - from the free ones, to Osheaga, to the fact that I had the chance to watch Bono throw white roses at me from 3 rows away for $70 in the open air, while the Edge skirted around with his guitar metres above my head.- Mont Royal. The view is spectacular, the lac is wack, there's pedal boats and dragon flies and lots of forest greenery to cool you off on a hot Montreal day. The "hike" is also doable in Birkenstocks (I have banned socks this summer so this is quite important).
- Checking out a game at Stade Molson is a must, for non-football and football fans alike. The view of downtown is spectacular once the sun sets if you get seats on the south side. It's especially cool because they allow in's and out's....which is even more cool if you lived kiddy corner to the stadium, like I did.- Cafe Milton breakfasts - and pretty much any other Montreal breakfast. These people really know how to serve up their eggs, sausages, waffles, crepes, thick-cut toast, potatoes, orange juice and coffee. (And it's great after nights at places like St. Sulpice...)
- La Distillerie. If I became an alcoholic, I would blame the Planter's Punch, served in a clunky jar with chunks of pineapple, fresh-squeezed juice, and 2 oz of heavenly booze with lemon and grenadine.
- The old port at night is a place like none other. The cobblestone and lighting is romantic, the ice cream is plentiful, the artisan alleys are open late, and if you've planned it right, you can also catch some fireworks, then bike home in a warm breeze with a $20 caricature done of you, rolled-up in your basket waiting to be framed at home so that all your friends can laugh at you.
------------------------ to be continued ------------------------
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment