CHINATOWN

CANDID SHOTS OF CHINATOWN

Lady in Sun Yat-Sen Square

One of the only places in the world that sells dragon beard candy.

Troika "Russian Food in Montreal"

Anyone seeking Russian flamboyance in a dramatic setting has found the right place. The décor is wall-to-wall red and gold velvet—somewhat decadent and spy novel secretive. It makes for a cozy yet intriguing evening, especially when influenced by a couple of flavoured vodkas. The menu is Franco-Russian exile-style, exemplified by a revisionist blend of Beef Stroganoff on linguine with a side of broccoli, carrots and snow peas. Service is friendly and professional, and the vodka smooth.

I was very impressed by the decor it was very luxurious. The plates were monogramed and the serving pieces and utensils were a fantastic hand hammered pattern. Even the bathroom was nice.

I am a Caviar kinda gal

For my starter I had a beet Borsht which was very good. My husband had a brothy soup with meat stuffed dumplings. My husband is the Connosieur of Russian Food since he has worked in Russia for many years. He loved the homemade bread rolls they served with real butter.

For my main course I had Salmon topped with Caviar and watercress with a creamy sauce ,snow peas and asparagus. It was absolutely fabulous and it was the best meal of the entire trip. For Dessert I had a Crepe filled with ricotta cheese and raisins and coffee from the samovar.

My husband had the famed Beef Stroganoff and he was not disappointed, It was wonderful.

We would both whole heartedly recommend Troika. The ambiance was perfect. The service impeccable and the food was the best in Montreal. It is also one of the oldest restaurants in Montreal.

Montreal Poutine....Recipe

Montreal Poutine Recipe

makes 4 side servings

or 2 main servings

4 large russet potatoes

oil for deep frying

salt

2 cups beef stock

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup flour

1 1/2 cups cheese curds

1. Peel and slice the potatoes into thick fries (at least 1 cm thick).

2. Soak the potatoes in ice water for about 30 minutes. Remove and drain well.

3. Heat oil for frying to about 325F and deep fry potatoes for about 8 minutes.

4. Remove from oil and set on paper towel. Turn the oil up to 375F.

5. In a saucepan melt the butter and stir in the flour. Add the beef broth and stir over medium-high heat until thickened. Reduce heat and keep hot. (I use a tiny bit of gravy browning to get that nice dark colour).

6. Return the french fries to the oil and continue frying until golden and crispy. This should take about 5 more minutes. Remove fries to drain on paper towel and salt to taste.

7. Assemble the poutine quick while everything is still HOT. (Poutine is best made in a bowl or other container which will contain the heat and help melt the curds. Also, the curds should be at room temperature before assembling the Poutine). Start with a layer of fries. Put some cheese curds in the middle. Add more fries and top with more cheese curds.

8. Ladle gravy over the fries and cheese curds.

I had heard about poutine a while back from some Canadian Researchers on my husbands ship. So on this trip to Montreal my husband and I found it everywhere even Burger King...lol. We actually tried the Burger King version as well as the well publicised Montreal Poutine. It was actually very good. Its simple to make and would be perfect with Beer and Bowling.

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary to Gene & June

We wished we could have been there!

The Hard Rock Cafe Montreal

Est. September 20, 1990

Built in the early 1900's, the sky-lit, stained-glass home of Montreal's Hard Rock Cafe is located only minutes away from the city's famous "Old Montreal" district. In a town sharply divided by old and new, the East End and the West End, the French and the English, it's refreshing to find a sense of peaceful unity in the world-famous Hard Rock Cafe. With gourmet delights to satisfy the most discriminating of bon vivants, rooms filled to the brim with rock 'n' roll artifacts, and a dance floor large enough to attract a Celine Dion entourage, the Hard Rock Cafe Montreal is the place to check when in Quebec

My sweet Baby Boy and Me at the Hard Rock Cafe in Montreal

Notre Dame Basilica of Montreal

Notre Dame Basilica is the church where Celine Dion was married.

They have a 3 year waiting list for weddings.

They have an 8000 pipe , Pipe Organ.

The same organist has been playing it for 30 years.

This is Mass and confession schedule.





The interior of the church is lavish.
The wood work ,stained glass, and statuary
is the most beautiful I have ever seen.






The craftsmanship and care that has gone
into making such a treasure,
has been lost in our time.

These are the tickets to vew the church. It cost $5 CAD to visit.

The fee goes towards the upkeep of the church.




This is my sweet husband.

St. Joseph's Day

St. Joseph is my families patron saint. For over 137 years my family used to always do the St. Joseph's Altar. Things have changed now as everyone who held true to the tradition has passed on. This day is in my heart always.

This year my husband took me to the St. Joseph's L'Oratoire in Montreal. The dome is the second tallest in the world, and it is the highest point in Montreal.

My husband and I were blessed by a visiting Cardinal from New York and we lit candles in the votive chapel for our personal intentions. We also attended mass here.