Montreal, Canada

A few

Denis Ch�nard, Orl�ans, Ont.

>There's Langevin & Forest on Pie IX, Chas. Genmantel On St-Laurent (I think), probably others.

Bob Dodge or Frank D. (among others) know more about these than I do.

HTH,

DC

Montr�al is a wonderful city, make sure to go to the good food venues, definitely worth it... Too many to mention...

Oh, and the women are so beautiful...

DC

Who left Montr�al for a job 17 years ago

Montreal, Quebec, My Home Town

Jim Shaver - Oakville, Ontario

>Hi Jim,

Well I hope while you are there you get out to see teh city, it is my home town. My favorite places to see are the city from the Mount Royal Look Out, St Joesephs Oritory, Notre Dame Church in Old Montreal, Schwartz's for smoked meat, Rue St Laurent, St Denis, Prince Arthur, St Catherine, Sherbrooke etc...

You may find some great wood sources referenced from other Montrealers, but you will sadley not find a Lee Valley store.

Enjoy your self...wonderful places to eat and sites to see!

take care,

Jim

Mmmmm... Schwartz's...

Denis Ch�nard, Orl�ans, Ont.

>Gotta love that smoked meat, the best I've ever tasted (don't take "lean", choose "regular", tastier)...

For the uninitiated, that place, which hasn't changed decor for 75 years or so, has people lined up one block or more outside the restaurant on weekends. It's funny to see people in suits next to a punk (hair spikes and all), no class distinctions, they're there, elbow to elbow, to savour the food.

Unique experience...

DC

Re: Montreal, Canada

Frank D. in Montreal

>Hi Jim,

Denis gave you the two best ones, especially for hand tools.

Here's the site for Langevin Forest if you want the address:

http://www.langevinforest.com/fr/home/contactus.asp

They have a very large selection of carving tools and various hand and turning tools (a few nice tools, nothing too special). They have a few nice Clifton shaves, Clifton planes, some standard Stanley stuff, and I heard they also now have some LN stuff (but I haven't seen it yet). Some nice Japanese carving-marking knives, and some pretty good Japanese saws with the disposable blades (Z-saws). They have other stuff as well... They also have quite a large selection of tropical hardwoods.

The other place is Chas Gentmantel et fils, 10085 St-Laurent Blvd., just north of Sauv� St. (also north of H-way 40). The store is small and the selection is not huge, but you can find some goodies there like Ulmia bowsaws and planes, A few Lie-Nielsen items, Various wooden planes and Gauges, nice Gyokucho Japanese saws with the disposable blades (Razor, Sun Child etc.), Heidtmann carving gouges, Lamello biscuit joiners, a few Japanese odds and ends, but not too much more (other than machines and powered hand tools). Don't hesitate to ask Denis or Kurt if you have something in mind because they sometimes keep stuff in the back. This store has no Web site, it's like going 30 or 40 years back in time, no computer system, very slow but very helpful service, and you can even smoke in the store.

In the city limits that's about it. If you think you'll be going into the burbs or north of the city just drop me an E-mail and I can give you a few more addresses.

Do try Schwartz's if you can.

Hope you enjoy your stay.

Frank

Re: Mmmmm... Schwartz's...

Jim Shaver - Oakville, Ontario

>Hi Denis,

AS you know inside they sit you all at common tables (old arbourite tables), often with strangers and you make your own sandwiches from the pile of smoked meat they put on your plate and the bread at the table. Last time I was there I sat down to eat at a table, George Springate was the stranger at my table.

For those who don't know who George is, he was a Montreal City police officer, later a Pro Football player with the Montreal Alouette's in the 70's (lineman and place kicker) then a famous city politician.

I once saw Dr. David Suzuki there as well....another famous Canadian.

Take care,

Jim

Re: Montreal, Canada

Mark Nowicki

>Jim

E-mail me if you could use a guide for a day. I am self-employed so I would not mind taking a day off from whatever I will not feel like doing.

Regards

Mark Nowicki

Re: Mmmmm... Schwartz's...

Brent Smith

>This is considered sacriledge, and I may have to move from the city, but having grown up in the west end of Montreal my vote for best smoked meat in the city is a Snowdon Deli medium old fashion. Melts in your mouth.

Oh yeah, as for tool stores, Frank covered the good ones in the city, unfortunately we don't have a Lee Valley (yet?).

Brent

Re: Montreal, Canada

Bob Dodge

>Hiya Jim,

Well, the guys pretty well gave you the better woodworking stores in the city. I've been doing business with Chas. Gentmantel and Sons, since the 70's. Only two people on the floor, the owner Kurt, and his right-hand man Denis. These guys are walking machinery encyclopaedias. They've forgotten more about machinery than I'll ever know. Been in business since the 20's. These guys NEVER rush you. They take the time to inform you fully on every possible detail, including comparisons between various brands. They'll cover even the most minute details of how a shaper shaft on a General, compares to a King, and the bearing quality, etc.

Langevin & Forest is closer to Montreal's east end. More tools on display, and a nice selection of handtools.

About 35 miles north of Montreal, in St. Jerome, is Centre D'Electricite Jeromien. They are one of the largest stores around. Not much in the way of handtools though.

On the south-shore of Montreal, you'll find Outils Pierre Berger, or OPB. They also have a huge selection.

In the west-island of Montreal, you'll find Machinerie Continental. Lots of General, and General International machinery there.

Other names to look for might be Machinerie Plus, or J.J. Carriere. which is very close to downtown Montreal.

When I'm hopping around the city, one of my favourite eateries, is Chalet Bar-B-Q, on the corner of Sherbrooke St. and Decarie Expressway. Food is great, service is ultra fast, and the price is dirt cheap. Great for businessman's lunch from 11:00 til 3:00 pm. Best chicken and fries in town. 1/4 chicken,fries,gravy, coffee, $7.

Another great place, not expensive, and "bring-your-own-wine", is a Greek restaurant named "Marven's", on the corner of Stuart and Ball, near L'Acadie Blvd. The Calmari and Tsatziki sauce, is out of this world. Grilled Lamb, yummmmmm.

Want a great view of the city??? Go to Altitude 737, at the top of Place Ville Marie. You're eating at 737 feet above the city streets. Good music, wonderful ambience, excellant food, and spectacular view. You can see all of Montreal and the surrounding communities on the east-end, and south shore. It's right downtown.

China-Town is also very close to the downtown hotel district. LOTS of choice there.

Schwartz's Delicatessen, well, what can I say, they are a pillar of Montreal. Ben's, is another one. Moishe's is another. You'll also find great food in many of the bistros on St. Denis St. Also, the "brasseries" at lunch-time. Brasseries, is another word for "tavern", but with food.

Crescent St. and surrounding area, is also a great place to visit. Try to get to McKibbin's Irish Pub if possible. The food is great, good relaxed atmosphere, and any brand of Irish beer you can imagine.

The Bar-B Barn, downtown, is great if you like chicken and ribs. Yummmmmmm. Fall-off-the-bone, melt-in-your-mouth ribs.

If you want to catch a show (music) you can try Theatre St. Denis, or my favourite, The Spectrum. You may find Leonard Cohen, or Bruce Cockburn, leaning on the bar, having a beer. ;-))

In the West-Island, you can try "Bourbon St. West."

Have a great visit Jim, and if you ever get a chance to visit Montreal in June, be sure to take in the Montreal International JazzFest. It's now one of, if not THE world's largest Jazzfests. Runs 12 days straight, and the atmosphere is sooo relaxed and pleasant. Free open-air concerts all day long, on many stages located right downtown. A 6 block area is cordonned-off to traffic. Any kind of music you can possibly imagine, from Diane Krall, to a local Montreal blueman named Jimi James. (awesome bluesman/guitarist) to Trevor Payne's Montreal Jubilation Gospel Choir. I never miss it. Hundreds of acts from all over the planet.

Bienvenue a Montreal.

All the best, Bob

Re: Montreal, Canada

Brent Smith

>Geez Bob....get around town much? LOL ...The city should hire you as info officer.

Brent

Re: Montreal, Canada

JIm O'Neal

>Thanks so much for the names of places to visit and restaurants. I just moved back south after living in Minnesota for 12 years, so I wasn't much enthused about going back into snow country, but now I'm looking forward to my trip to Montreal!

Jim

Re: forget the smoked meat...

Dean in Burlington

>Head to the local Steamed Hotdog joint....Lafluers if you can....you've never had a hot dog like a Steamie!!!!!!!!

Re: forget the smoked meat...

Jim Shaver - Oakville, Ontario

>Dean,

Yes...also consider the Montreal Pool Room for a couple of Steamies!!

Take care,

Jim

I agree with the virtues of Montreal you mentioned

HC Sakman

>

Re: Mmmmm... Schwartz's...

HC Sakman

>Been there, done that. Great food with great views! (I was there at the F1 weekend!)

Chico...