If there are two of the many things my family looks forward to it would be the March break and a vacation to Montreal. The March break is usually on the 2nd week of March – from the 10th to the 16th. It is a much needed break from the cold of winter. The 20th is our son’s birthday and on the 21st is the official start of Spring. Montreal, a 6-hour drive from Toronto, is a perennial city. Preserved. Romantic. Magical. Historical. We just don’t get tired of Montreal.
We decided to go to Montreal this March break (2024). The last time we went there was before the pandemic. We wanted something different after 4 years. Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake are short drives so it’s easy to get there. Montreal is a good 6 hour drive, with stopovers at different OnRoute stops, it would be around 8 hours.
We have gone to Montreal a couple of times in the past. We have taken the St. Lawrence River Cruise once, did a walking tour around Old Montreal, visited the beautiful Notre Dame Cathedral, and tried the Italian restaurants.
Montreal is still very much French. My wife and kids suggested that we try something French and what could be more French than crepes and bagels! My kids did their research and came up with a must-go-to restaurant. I must say, any trip to Montreal always comes with gastronomic discovery. This year we discovered Chez Suzette.
When we went in the staff greeted us cordially and asked how many we were. ‘Group of five,” I said. We were then directed to the second floor of the restaurant and seated by the window where we can see the people and the shops on the street. It was a split level floor. It took me some time to get used to it. It was spacious and well-lit. The natural light coming from the large windows helped, too.
We were each given a menu. The challenge of choosing our meals has begun. We find it always challenging to choose an item on the menu especially if it is the first time we go to a place. We can always ask the waiter for recommendations. My wife did and ordered what the waiter suggested the Crepe Suzette, and her favorite French Onion Soup.
I got the spaghetti with tomato sauce. How could one go wrong with a dish as simple as this? This was excellent! Spaghetti was cooked al dente. The tomato sauce had the perfect blend of herbs and spices. The texture and consistency was perfect for the spaghetti.
Our second daughter always tries out the sandwiches whichever restaurant we go to. She tried the Chicken Pesto Sandwich with Mozzarella. The chicken was grilled perfectly. It was very tender and moist. The pesto sauce gave a perfect balance with the softened mozzarella cheese. And to top it all off, the bread was perfectly toasted. A side of salad and tomatoes compliments the sandwich.
Our youngest is adventurous. He got the Escargot and Quebecois-the Ham and Cheese Crepe. He has never tried escargot so he ordered it. It was served in warm melted butter with bread. The Quebecois was also excellent!
It is not surprising that Chez Suzette is a very popular restaurant to go to in Montreal. They not only serve excellent crepes but also other dishes that you may fancy. But if you have a chance to visit Chez Suzette their crepes is a must. My family enjoyed the place. It is intimate, laid-back, and not too loud so you can have good conversation. So when you are in Montreal drop by Chez Suzette for excellent food and crepes.