Now that I have two kids of my own, I can *so* relate. Somehow, a simple, two-nights' stay in Montreal over Easter weekend required a massive amount of luggage: stuffies, diapers, all-purpose weather gear, snacks, travel bed, full line-up of kids' movies for the drive, more snacks, sippy cups, bathing suits ... We crammed it all into the car with room to spare for sitting, and off we went!
This was our first hotel-based trip with both girls. I didn't know what to expect, and planned plenty of activities to keep them occupied. In the end, I should have followed their suggestion to spend the entire time in the hotel swimming pool.
And when it was all over, and we were finally sitting down to have lunch around 2:30 in the afternoon, we asked the kids if they'd like to go back to the hotel for a swim.
I swear, I have never seen their energy come back so quickly. Wish ours had as well. Note for next time: all it takes is a hotel pool. Leave the extra gear and sightseeing plans at home.
Drank / bought some good finds over the weekend:
Les Trois Brasseurs La Belle Province Amber Ale - Golden-brown colour, fairly mellow, with a kickback of bitterness balanced by pleasant sweetness from caramel malt and maple syrup. I haven't been to the 3Brewers location on Sparks yet; if it's anything like the one in Montréal, they'll do well for themselves. The poutine, in particular, is delish, as were the flammekeuches, an Alsatian take on flatbread pizza.
After a drawn-out debate over where to go to dinner (and how we were going to get there; "Why don't we just take the car?" says the eldest child) we wound up at Boccocino's. It reminded me quite a bit of Macaroni Grill, both in ambiance and offerings. Not exactly haute cuisine, here. (When you're travelling with children, 'family-friendly' dictates where you will eat.) But the food was good: generous bowls of piping-hot penne, fettucine and spaghetti hit the spot in a big way.
After a drawn-out debate over where to go to dinner (and how we were going to get there; "Why don't we just take the car?" says the eldest child) we wound up at Boccocino's. It reminded me quite a bit of Macaroni Grill, both in ambiance and offerings. Not exactly haute cuisine, here. (When you're travelling with children, 'family-friendly' dictates where you will eat.) But the food was good: generous bowls of piping-hot penne, fettucine and spaghetti hit the spot in a big way.
Before heading home, we stopped in at the SAQ so I could stock up on some 'William' white from Vignoble Rivière du Chêne and other Quebec gems. Sadly, the SAQ seems to have the same mentality as the LCBO about promoting local products. It took 20 minutes and two staffers to track down the William, and they finally realized that the Quebec wines were under the section of "other Canadian and international wines", a mere two-shelved stand bearing a few bottles of Mission Hill and a bunch of cellared-in-Canada crap. Sigh ...
Oh dear. What is it with liquor stores? Now I know who to call before I go to Quebec next. I know nothing about Quebec wine.
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