Beadraich and Woodsy - Three days of taller hills, steeper pitches and vastly different culinary experiences quickly describes our time in Saint-Sauveur, QC. Our first night in La Belle Province was spent in downtown Montreal where we enjoy the experience of Rue Ste. Catherine on Boxing day. It was incredible, and completed by a visit to the Icebreaker corporate store where we were delighted to find some boxing days sales. Woodsy's research included dining of course, and we were delighted to find that La Queue de Cheval was located across the street from our hotel. WOW... it's the only thing that comes to mind after dining there.
Italian it was, in a little place whose name we never did learn, but when our waiter told us they didn't have wine or beer, we thought he was joking. Upon learning that he was serious, we picked our chins up and decided so be it. Bolognaise sauce to die for, and some other great meals, we were done, and retired to the hotel to explore some more tomorrow.
The Photo above was taken along Rue Prinicpale in Saint-Sauveur during one of Beadraich's morning drives looking for java and some photos.
Our whirlwind tour of Montreal included an icy drive through Old Montreal, and a trip to the Olympic Park. After le petit dejeuner at Chez Cora's, we embarked on our journey north to find ourselves in the Laurentians.
With some time to explore and our usual zest for filling every moment, we ventured north, past Saint-Sauveur to explore Tremblant and grab lunch. The Fairmont seemed a perfect place for a light lunch and a drink. Now, what would a Quebec lunch be without a wonderful plate of Quebec cheeses, and a relaxed view of the mountain? It is definately worth the visit, if you ever find yourself in Tremblant.
On to the destination of choice. We arrived at our hotel in Saint-Sauveur only a few minutes before the friends we were meeting, and quickly unpacked and ventured out to Mont-Habitants for a quick round of night sking. Now the conditions were a mix of challenging wet snow mixing into harder packed and ice after the rain, ice storm, cold weather mix. Tired and satisfied with our first day out, we needed food.
Italian it was, in a little place whose name we never did learn, but when our waiter told us they didn't have wine or beer, we thought he was joking. Upon learning that he was serious, we picked our chins up and decided so be it. Bolognaise sauce to die for, and some other great meals, we were done, and retired to the hotel to explore some more tomorrow.
The Photo above was taken along Rue Prinicpale in Saint-Sauveur during one of Beadraich's morning drives looking for java and some photos.
Morin-Height's Ski area beckoned us for our first full day of sking and any ski area located on Rue Bennett has to be a good place to visit. Conditions were ice, and clumps of ice that were formed when temperatures dropped overnight after the groomers set up the runs. It was a challenging morning that left both of us with tired legs by shortly after lunch. Tired legs and a empty stomach's lead us back to Saint-Sauveur where we enjoyed Sandwiches at a great little coffee shop called Brulerie de Monts which is located right beside the beautiful church in town.
What would a trip to Quebec be without an indulgence at a Creperie? There are at least 3 creperies along Rue Principale and we chose the one that seemed most recommended for dinner that evening and were not disappointed. The menu had pages of Crepes, Raclette's, Fondue's and generally anything else that would make for a happy, yet bursting tummy. Woodsy had a colleague from the area join us for dinner, and she was most helpful in understanding things like the importance of having Bechamel sauce on a crepe. (She was right, it was incredible).
On to sking Mont Saint-Sauveur and Mont-Avila. These two ski hills are joined and you can ski both with one lift ticket, so we started out in the -20C temperatures. Conditions were just awesome, fast, exciting, and great sking on everything they had to offer, except the terrain park. From black diamonds that made you want to race down them to the "Red Bird" which made you just want to enjoy the sking, friendships and views from the top.
By far our favourite day of sking was followed by another local recommendation that we try a little place called Cafe Citrus in Ste. Adele just up the road for the "Best Soup and Sandwich ever" we were not disappointed as we both fumbled our way through the french only menu, and our waitress who barely spoke english was very helpful in working with us to understand. It was tres-bien and lived up to the recommendation!
Our last dinner in La Belle Province was a little disappointing, so I won't bore you with the details, but will say that after a 9 hour drive through such places as Arnprior, Renfrew, Bancroft and Haliburton we are now back in Collingwood looking out the window watching a snow squall.
Bonne Annee everyone!
What would a trip to Quebec be without an indulgence at a Creperie? There are at least 3 creperies along Rue Principale and we chose the one that seemed most recommended for dinner that evening and were not disappointed. The menu had pages of Crepes, Raclette's, Fondue's and generally anything else that would make for a happy, yet bursting tummy. Woodsy had a colleague from the area join us for dinner, and she was most helpful in understanding things like the importance of having Bechamel sauce on a crepe. (She was right, it was incredible).
On to sking Mont Saint-Sauveur and Mont-Avila. These two ski hills are joined and you can ski both with one lift ticket, so we started out in the -20C temperatures. Conditions were just awesome, fast, exciting, and great sking on everything they had to offer, except the terrain park. From black diamonds that made you want to race down them to the "Red Bird" which made you just want to enjoy the sking, friendships and views from the top.
By far our favourite day of sking was followed by another local recommendation that we try a little place called Cafe Citrus in Ste. Adele just up the road for the "Best Soup and Sandwich ever" we were not disappointed as we both fumbled our way through the french only menu, and our waitress who barely spoke english was very helpful in working with us to understand. It was tres-bien and lived up to the recommendation!
Our last dinner in La Belle Province was a little disappointing, so I won't bore you with the details, but will say that after a 9 hour drive through such places as Arnprior, Renfrew, Bancroft and Haliburton we are now back in Collingwood looking out the window watching a snow squall.
Bonne Annee everyone!
I didn't think to tell you about "apportez votre vin" restaurants! I suppose Quebec is unique in Canada regarding alcohol policies: first, that you can get your goodies at the grocery store (although you only find the good wines at liquor and specialty stores) and second, that there are many unlicensed restaurants where you bring your own alcohol and can enjoy a great meal at a better price. Oh well, next time!
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