Consider the best of the best, Les chocolats de Chloe is a tiny artisanal shop in the Plateau selling extraordinary homemade chocolates. There are intriguing flavor combinations that make these chocolates standout. Try raspberry, honey, orange, pistachio, caramel, coffee, praline truffles. Or try the homemade marshmallows hand-dipped in succulent dark chocolate or the hollow chocolate fish filled with baby chocolate fish. You can buy any quantity you like and the store will gift wrap your purchase. These chocolates are more expensive than others but a little goes a long way.

Located in one of the historic buildings of old Montreal, Master Chocolatier offers handmade luxury chocolates created by Nada Fares. Raw cocoa beans are combined with sugar and vanilla to create classic truffles. More exotic chocolate is also offered: Guanaja from South America, Manjari from Madagascar and Jivara from Ecuador. Try traditional dark, milk or white chocolate infused with wines, spices and fruit. You can also enjoy milk shakes, smoothies or even a shot of pure chocolate.

Suite 88 is an actual chocolate lounge where the chocolates are displayed in showcases. Go for the traditional or be adventurous try the jalapeño, chili-cayenne, ouzo, sake, and mojito chocolate. The café in the back serves up brownies, gelato, and a killer cayenne chili hot chocolate.

Juliette et chocolat in the Latin Quarter is a reinvented coffee shop serving rich and indulgent chocolate based drinks and desserts. Indulge in old-fashioned hot chocolate and milkshakes, smoothies, white chocolate coconut brownie, chocolate cake. There is also a tasty lunch menu with goat cheese crepes, sandwiches, salads and even chocolate chicken and a choco-mojito.

Shooting pool at the Sharx Club

Looking for a fun place to hang out, shoot some pool or even enjoy some retro fun with bowling? Montreal has some great clubs to hit the eight ball or get a strike. You’ll have to use the French terms: billiards = pool and quilles=bowling.

Voted Best Pool Bar of Montreal year after year, Sharx is an upscale billiard and snookers parlour offers 35 pool tables and 3 bars in the main room. There’s an additional 2 tables and bar in the VIP room. For some retro fun, check out the Disco Bowling Alley with 10 lanes and a lounge area. The restaurant offers light fare at reasonable prices. Located in the basement of the Faubourg Ste Catherine and is opened late.

Laurentian Lanes Bowling Centers have been opened since 1959 and offers a fun place for families to bowl. The 48-10 pin lanes have been modernized with digital and computer scoring. There’s Bumper Bowling for the small kiddies and for bigger kids of all ages there is the Cosmos Bowling that combines light and music. There’s also billiards, arcade games and mini golf. There’s two locations, on Montee de Liesse on Thursday at Laurentian Jean-Talon.

Salon de Billard de Montréal has open for 40 years and has a wonderful authentic feel wit that Plateau buzz. It’s is a mainstay for professional billiards and snooker players with many tournaments held here throughout the year. The salon has eight pool tables and eight snooker tables, a full bar, a restaurant serving great home cooked meals with home cooked meals. This The widescreen T.V. is usually turned to the hockey game. A great place to hang out, meet the locals and shoot some pool.

Quilles G Plus is a company managing all the older bowling alleys in the Montreal area. There is the retro Rose Bowl in the NDG neighborhood with 36-10 pins lanes and 36 duckpin lanes. Also on site is a video arcade, and several large pro-size tables. It also has the best prices in town: $10 for three games. Be sure to bring your 50s bowling shirt with you. The second location is in the Plateau with 24 duckpin lanes. On Friday and Saturdays after 10 pm there’s moonlight bowling with music and lights.

El Jumelgi billiard and Poker bars offers a trendy place to play done up with urban jungle décor. Shoot some pool, play foosball, indulge in a game of poker or watch the game on the giant HD screen. At the Ontario Street location billiards are free if you buy drinks and there’s a dance floor with tunes spun by the DJs. The Plateau location also holds special tournaments and is popular with locals.

Skating on Castor Lake. Photo by Zalgon, Flickr

Skate on the mountain

Skate on the mountain at Lac des Castors (Beaver Lake) pond. Located in the heart of Mount Royal Park, this 2,500 square metres is popular with locals. This rink gets really busy on the weekends. The nearby Bistro Le Pavillon serves tasty Mediterranean-style bistro cuisine and plenty of hot chocolate. Mont-Royal Metro Stop. Hours: Sunday to Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free admission. Ice skate rental $8.50 for 2 hours, locker lock rental. (514) 843-8240 ext 235 or (514) 280-8989

On the Plateau

In the winter Parc La Fontaine’s oblong pond is transformed into a long meandering ice rink which is ideal for freestyle skating. The rink is flanked on either side by large trees so you’ll feel like you’re in a forest while skating.  3933 avenue du Parc-Lafontaine. Sherbrooke/Berri  Metro Stop. Open: Weekdays 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; weekends 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free admission. Ice skate rentals $8, locker lock rental $3. (514) 872-0311.

Skating with History

Bonsecours Basin in the Quays of the Old Port is set against the backdrop of historic Old Montreal. Located at the end of de la Commune Street, this rink is perfect for a Sunday skaters and families. It’s also très romantic in the evening with its special lighting. The ice is well maintained and music is played throughout the day and night with a different theme for each day of the week.  Champ des Mars Metro Stop. Open: Monday to Wednesday: 10am to 9pm, Thursday to Sunday: 10am to 10pm. Admission: Adults, teens and seniors : $6/ Children (6 to 12) : $4 / Family: $15. (514) 496-PORT.

Before heading out be sure to check the ice conditions at the Ville de Montreal website.

Courtesy of Tourisme Montreal

Montréalers love a good party and New Year’s Eve is an evening when the whole city celebrates. Whether you want to listen to jazz, dance the night away, watch a cabaret, listen to some poetry or dress up, this city has a venue for you. Here are some suggestions to help you decide where to party! There’s plenty more to choose from, so use this list as inspiration to get out an party Montréal style!

Skate into a New Year

Head down to the Old Port in Vieux Montréal on Saturday for the TELUS Fire on Ice fireworks display and the Port’s Grand Bal du Nouvel An. There will be Quebec traditional music by Bernadette and whole port is lit up with displays firework artists and on Dec 31 the them will be a tribute to the 400th birthday of Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve, one of the founders of Montral. Rent skates at the Bonsecour Basin skating rink and be on the pond while the pyro-musical lights up the holiday sky. From 5pm to 9pm, kids can skate alongside their favorite life-size cartoon characters. No fee.

Dance away 2011

There’s a lot to choose from when it comes to dance clubs in Montreal. Almost every club is going to have some kind of party going on – you just have to decide what kind of music you want to listen to for the New Year. Stéréo Nightclub is a favorite for its internationally renowned sound system with a shock absorbent dance floor. It’s embracing the New Year with a “In Gold We Trust” event. D-Formation and ESP will be spinning their gold hits so throw on your gold jewellery, clothing and accessories. Free champagne upon entry, and the first 100 tickets are only $50 when purchased online at the club’s website. Winnies on Crescent Street will be hosting DJ, Sandy Duperval, one of Montreal’s favorite DJs who will spinning house and her own mixes. Your $75 ticket (purchased online or at the door) includes all-night access to an open bar from 9pm until 3am plus entry into Karina`s Club Lounge, featuring DJ Danny Boy. The kitchen will be open until 11pm and the bar until 3 am.  Go Hollywood at the Jello Martini Lounge for their Glitz and Glamour Party where partygoers dress up as their favorite 1950s stars. There will be live R&B/soul music courtesy of Dessy Di Lauro and her orchestra starting at 11pm. Advance tickets are $30, or $45 at the door.

Vintage sounds at a vintage venue

Theatre Rialto has enlisted hometown rock hero Michel Pagliaro (hits like Lovin’ You Ain’t Easy, Rainshowers) to join forces with the Beatles tribute band REPLAY The Beatles. It promises to be an evening of fantastic performances. Afterwards DJ Harold will be supplying danceable music. Your $100 ticket also gets you canapés and champagne all night, and the first 300 tickets will be awarded reserved table seating.

Naughty but nice

Cirque de Boudoir presents a Carnavalesque New Year’s Fete. This club hosts themed parties year round and to bring in 2012, they’re holding a Venetian Carnaval Theme Party. Put on your Venetian mask, don any outlandishly creative outfit  (burlesque/baroque/Victorian/medieval period styles, jesters, circus, freak show) and join the party at Bain Mathieu (2915 Ontario East). Expect the best in Electro/Techno/Minimal/House with DJs and performance pieces by Bella Obscure, Mimi Cherry, Bunnygut and host The Richard.  $85 get up an open bar and tasty treats, $50 get you non-alcholic drinks all night. Party starts at 9 pm and goes until 3 am.

Get home safe!

Wherever you decide to party, be sure not to drink and drive. Montreal has the amazing Operation Nez Rouge programwhere a team of volunteers pick you up and drive you in your own vehicle to the destination of your choice, for free. Of course, donations are welcome. Contact them at (514) 256-2510. You can also call a cab (5140-273-6331/514-637-4444, 514-931-6666, 514-252-1313) or take public transit which stays open all night.  Have a fun New Year’s Eve but get home safe and sound.

Photo by Stéphan Poulin, courtesy of Tourisme Montréal,

Montréal is a city that embraces Christmas and gets into the spirit of celebrating. If you find yourself in town during the holidays and want to join in the fun, here are some events to get you into the spirit.

Skate under a brightly lit night

Head down to the Old Port in Vieux Montréal on Saturday for the TELUS Fire on Ice fireworks display. The whole port is lit up with displays by internationally recognized firework artists. Each week there is a different theme. Rent skates at the Bonsecour Basin skating rink and be on the pond while the pyro-musical lights up the holiday sky. From 5pm to 9pm, kids can skate alongside their favorite life-size cartoon characters. Show up a early on January 7 for the fire-dancing spectacular. No fee.  December 24, 20,  8 p.m, Alice in Wonderland, December 31, 2011,  midnight, Paul Chomedey de Maisonneuve’s 400th birthday. January 7, 2012 8 p.m., The Little Mermaid.

Sugar plum fairies and mice

The Nutcracker is another beloved holiday classic performed by Les Grands Ballets. This year there are over over 150 sparklingly costumed characters to enjoy along with the magnificent choreography and Tchaikovsky’s ravishing score. Les Grands Ballets have become equally famous for their wonderful sets and costumes as well as for their exquisite dancing. Come to a pre-show reading of Hoffmann’s tale with your children for  “Mouse of the Day” where a child is chosen to appear on stage during the show’s first act. Place des Arts, December 11 until Dec 30. 

Make nice with Scrooge

The Plateau’s Rialto Theatre is producing Charles Dickens’ classic novella, A Christmas Carol in a live theatre format with 16 traditional songs added to the script. The theatre is one of the last art deco theatres in Montreal, the perfect backdrop to this classic tale. Proceeds to the show are being donated to the community charities. 5723 avenue du Parc, December 20 until Dec 30. Check website for times and ticket prices. The show has both an English and French version.

Join the revellers

Brave the cold and come experience Noël dans le Parc (NDLP), a celebration of music, dance and theatre enjoy in Montreal’s Parc Lahaie in the Plateau. Enjoy live music and street entertainers, buy some comfort food and warm up by the bonfire. There are 40 free concerts being performed by 34 musical artists. A great way to experience a Québécois Christmas. From December 1 until December 25th.

Catch an Xmas circus

Dralion is Cirque du Soleil’s newest show fusing the 3,000 year old Chinese acrobatics with the modern style of this Quebec circus. The show features four characters who represent Fire, Air, Earth, and Water looking to the Dralion (combo of the Eastern dragon and the Western lion) for harmony between humans and nature. Look for the gravity defying stunts and feats of amazing acrobatic and gymnastic routines. A bit of circus magic for the holidays. Bell Centre, December 11 until December 30th.

Star and flower gazing

Montréal’s Botanical Gardens offers a magical display of flowers for the holidays seasons. This year the Main Exhibition Greenhouse will be full of some inventive creations by recycling artists amidst the flowers. Carolers wander the gardens and perform in the main lobby. In the evening amateur astronomers from the Société des Amis du Planétarium set up telescopes so you can peer at the sky and search for the Christmas star. December 8 until January 8, 2012.

Happy Holidays!

Enjoy a Christmas Classic

Westmount Park United Church Community Centre and Rialto Theatre are holding a benefit concert on Sunday, Dec 11 at 2pm of the immortal classic A Christmas Carol. This is a musical adaptation with 16 traditional songs blended into this classic play. The 1930 church will be decorated for the event and there will be a Christmas Café selling homebaked goodies. All proceeds go towards helping the Community Centre programs which include a Senior Drop-in Centre, the Scouts and Beavers of Canada and a variety of other arts programs. Can’t make the Dec 11 performance? The Rialto will be staging the event at their theatre on Parc Avenue from Dec 16 until Dec 23 with proceeds going to four local charities.

Admission: $15 adults, $12 students/seniors,  $10 children under 10
Date: December 11
Time: 2 pm
Location: Westmount Park United Church: 4695 boul de Maisonneuve, Westmount

Get Crafty with Santa’s Elves

Old Skool Crafts presents a Winter Fair of Artisan Elves at St. Michael’s Church. Discover 110 Artisans to showcasing unique jewelry, natural bath & beauty products, skilled woodworkers, hand crafted toys & ornaments, photography, illustrations, paintings, adorable baby items, pottery, greeting cards, designer clothing, knit-ware, baked goods and many more great finds. Non-perishable items will be collected to donate to seven local charities.

There will also be Cupcake Raffle with all proceeds gong towards the Rock Camp for Girls.

Admission: Free
Date: Dec. 10th- 11th, 2011
Time: 11:00 – 6:00
Location: St.Michael’s Church: 105 St.Viateur W. (corner St.Urbain)

Courtesy of the Weather Network. AutoPortrait au Bassin Peel avec Irene by Martin Reisch

Hurricane Irene blew through Montreal last night with winds of upwards 90 km/h (55 mph) and the city emerged relatively unscathed.

There were some trees that came tumbling down onto cars parked in the wrong spot and on Monday morning there were still close to 166,000 households with no electricity due to downed power lines. But, considering the strength of the hurricane, Montrealers are feeling lucky having escaped with some minor inconveniences.

So, today with the sun shining and just tiniest hint of autumn in the air, it’s time to head out to the terrasse and enjoy a cold brew. Here’s a list of six great pubs to celebrate surviving Irene.

The neighborhood of NDG (Notre Dame de Grace) was the first to lose electricity during the hurricane. That hasn’t stopped Ye Olde Orchard Pub from opening. This favorite Celtic watering hole offers great pub grub and imported and local brewed beer served on a terrace where you can watch all the action along Monkland Avenue.

L’Amere a Boire on rue St Denis has a mini-terrace in front to watch the world pass by near the Latin Quarter. The pub serves 14 types of ales and lagers with tongue-twisting names like Boucanier, Vollbier, Kozak, and Maibock. Pub grub comes in the form of small plates – burgers, cheeses, and tapas.

Further up the street is the gorgeous Bières et Compagnie in a refurbished 1872 bank with mirrors, candles, high ceilings, muted lighting and plush booths with an selection of Belgian imports and local microbrews. A great place to soak up some of the famous Montreal ambience and check out the award winning architecture.

Located in the heart of downtown, along Ste Catherine Street, Alexandre et Fils is an institution in the city not only for its excellent French food but also for Alexandre’s, the cafe-bistro side of the business. Mingle with the locals and enjoy 13 imported beers on tap.

Photo by Serouj, Creative Commons

It’s not a visit to Montreal unless you check out the action along Crescent Street—a.k.a party central. The street’s most famous watering hole is Sir Winston Churchill Pub which has been serving up a whole lineup of great beers and food for more than 30 years. This is a lively place, always full and the terrace is a great place to see and be seen. It’s main claim to fame: it has never closed early no matter what the weather!

Five minutes away on Bishop Street is McKibbin’s Irish Pub. A much loved spot for students and professors from Concordia University (about five minutes away from the pub). Crowds come for the great, inexpensive food as well as the Irish sports on TV and the 18 imported beers served on the terrace or in the lounge with a fireplace. Wednesdays, ladies drink for free and Sunday offers traditional Irish music.

Be sure to ask the locals how the survived Hurricane Irene!

Photo courtesy of Soceite de developpement du boulevard Saint-Laurent

Everyone has a favourite piece of clothing bought for a pittance that gets you plenty of compliments. This weekend, find more fashion bargains and shop ‘til you drop at the end-of-summer vente trottoir along Saint-Laurent Boulevard, a.k.a. The Main.

The Mix’Arts Sidewalk Sale will be happening from August 25 until Sept 28^th with over 200 merchants offering some great deals on housewares, clothing, jewelry and other accessories. The street is shut off to traffic between Sherbrooke and Mount-Royal Avenue so merchants can set up their tables and booths right in the street. Restaurants and bars also expand their terraces to provide seating for everyone who comes to check out all the bargains and partake in the great street food.

Photo courtesy of Soceite de developpement du boulevard Saint-Laurent

The street has been decorated with dance, sculpture and music all with a street circus theme. Street musicians will keep things lively as well. Once your feet are tired head over to Parc des Amériques for the Petit Mix’Arts offering everything Opera, hip-hop, rap, magic shows, fire breathers, comedt and dance. Admission is free. The park is located at the corner of St Laurent and Rachel Street West, just a few blocks from the sidewalk sale.

Check out the website for a full schedule.

Pathfinder Tall Ship

On September 14 at 4 pm six majestic tall ships will be sailing into the Old Port of Montreal for a spectacular display of marine history. The ships will then dock at the Jacques Quartier Quay from September 15 until 18. Advance tickets are on sale now for this popular event, which sells out fast.

These elegant ships with their full sails have captured the world’s imagination and have become a symbol of freedom and adventure on the high sea. “Tall ships” is actually a generic name coined in 1956 during the first International Tall Ships’ Races and can include a variety of ships from different eras and different styles. But, they all have share the basic elements of a wooden hull, rigging made from ropes and chains and tall white sails.

You can choose to tour the ships between between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. or between 2 and 6 p.m., Thursday to Sunday.

The St. Lawrence II Tall Ship

The Maritime Village alongside the Quay offers additional events including exhibits and guest speakers. Get to know the St. Lawrence Seaway through the exhibits from the many organiza­tions working to keep the river wild including The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) and the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM). The special exhibition The Port: A People Place, shows the history of the port and its people. The Quebec Sailing Federation will be on hand along with National Defense and special nautical know workshop. The Navigator’s District will feature guest speakers who are passionate about sailing and have a few nautical tales to tell.

Pirates on the Tall Ships

Kids can be entertained in the Children’s District with the street animators, including clowns, magicians and mascots. The Laurentian Bank will offer artistic make-up for kids, and Souffle Artistique will show kids how to become painters. Saturday and Sunday, the “parcours du moussaillon” (path of the cabin boy) obstacle course for kids between 3 and 12 years old to complete in order to become a good pirate.

Restaurants will be selling their wares are well, ranging from Italian to Asian cuisine. And for the stressed out there is the Bota Bota spa-sur-l’eau, a boat converted into a spa. If the evening enjoy live shows with music followed by fireworks.

The 2011 flotilla comprises six majestic ships, each with its own tales of adventure:

• The Niagara: A wooden brig with a total length of 198 feet (60.4 m), dating from the War of 1812. Home port: Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
• The Pride of Baltimore II: A wooden topsail schooner, a 157 feet (47.9 m), a merchant ship armed for the War of 1812. Home port: Maryland, U.S.A.
• The Challenge: A steel three-masted schooner, 96 feet (29.3 m) long in all. A 20th-century pleasure and excursion ship. Home port: Toronto, Canada.
• The Lynx: A wooden topsail schooner, with a total length of 122 feet (37.2 m). A merchant ship armed for the war of 1812. Home port: California, U.S.A.
• The Pathfinder: A steel brigantine, 72 feet (22 m) long in all. A mid-19th-century merchant ship. Home port: Toronto, Canada.
• The St. Lawrence II: A steel brigantine, 72 feet (22 m) long in all. A mid-19th-century merchant ship. Home port: Kingston, Canada.

Tickets are on sale at the Jacques-Cartier Quay or you can call their ticket hotline at 1-877-496-4724 or 514-496-4724. Prices are Adults  $ 10, Children (4 to 17) $ 7 and Families $30 (2 children, 2 adults or 1 adult, 3 children).

A $25 VIP Pass includes an exclusive ship tour on Friday between 7 and 10 pm with access to the Officers’ Mess and its patio, with an exceptional view of the illuminated ships and stage shows. Tickets sell fast so book yours today.

Photo courtesy of Montreal World Film Festival

It may not have the glitz of Cannes or the hype of Toronto, but the Montreal World Film Festival delivers. From August 18 until 28, the 35^th MWFF offers 383 films from over 70 countries. The mandate of the festival is to offer film lovers and professionals a chance to view films from around the world. What it lacks in Hollywood stars and blockbusters it makes up for in cultural diversity and creativity.

But there will be some stars at this year’s festival. The festival will pay tribute to the icon of French cinema, Catherine Deneuve who will be honoured with the Festival’s Grand Prize of the Americas. French screen star Vincent Perez and director/producer Claude Lelouch will also be attending. Lelouch will be giving some master classes in  cinematography.

The films will be shown at Théâtre Maisonneuve, Cinéma Impérial and Cinéma Quartier Latin. All theatres of the MWFF are within walking distance of the Festival’s headquarters, not to mention hotels and restaurants..

The best part is that this festival is accessible and affordable. A $65 pass will get you into 10 films. The Cinephile pass for $250 gets you into all films and workshops, voting privileges at public awards, an official festival catalogue and this year’s poster designed by artist-illustrator Claude Robinson.  Part of the festival includes Loto-Quebec’s Movies Under the Stars. This year’s theme is Hollywood/Bollywood offering a number of classics from both film centers.