A few weeks ago I asked my mom to come visit and watch the boys for an evening while Simon and I went out for supper. We were going to stay around here and maybe try out the new restaurant that opened last year but when Simon told me that he would want to go see a movie in Montreal I decided that it would be fun to head to Montreal instead and we could go out for supper and then I could hang out with Wilhelmina while he heads to the theatre.
We got ready and I decided to dress Wilhelmina up for the first time in a little dress… it felt so weird to put a dress on one of our children, I am so used to having boys that it just didn’t look right for a minute, but she was so adorable and I can see how dresses will be great for ECing…
(all dressed up and falling asleep while I was getting ready)
We left soon after my mom arrived, and headed to Montreal deciding on the way to go to a little Tibetan restaurant that we used to love to go to together in our early days as a couple. After we drove around trying to find a parking space in the heart of downtown Montreal, we finally decided to just get a space in an expensive parking lot right near the restaurant. It was just after 6pm and we got there just before the restaurant started to fill up, and with about a dozen tables, it doesn’t take long for it to do so.
We started out with “po cha” (Butter Tea) which is made of red tea, butter and milk and is rich and a bit salty and then ordered cheese momos (steamed buns with a sweet cheese blend inside) which come with marinated veggies and curried potatoes and we also took a side of steamed bread and smaller beef momos.
Wilhelmina slept soundly in our arms while we ate and talked and just enjoyed our supper, ending with a complimentary pot of green tea and we were planning our next move when Simon decided that he wouldn’t go to a movie after all and that we would go walk a bit together and find a place to sit and have a coffee and dessert…
We headed onto St-Denis to walk and as soon as we hit the corner we heard loud bangs and then realized that it was fireworks in the old port which we could see from the east side of the street. Of course even without the fireworks, Montreal is alive in the dark and the people and lights make for an atmosphere that is stimulating and never boring…
While we walked and looked into store and restaurant windows we noticed a little restaurant/pastry shop with the most delicious looking treats and decided to head in on the way back. We kept on walking and of course being in Montreal, the city of Festivals, we walked right into a mix of two festivals. The Festival of lights which was in the old port (hence the fireworks) with light shows on buildings at various places in Montreal and a Québecois film festival that included a replica of the snow fort from the classic “La Guerre des Tuques“…
The light show on St-Denis used a church as its canvas and the images and colours were impressive to see…
We then started to head back for coffee and dessert and a bit of warmth, though it was not too cold, it was humid and the warmth of the pastry shop felt nice.. I ordered a bowl of “Café au Lait” and Simon had an espresso and we shared a chocolate mouse/praline cake and the largest rum ball I have ever seen…we talked with each other and a couple sitting next to us and sipped our coffee and warmed up until we decided to start back home…
Though I don’t miss living in the city and love having a yard and space for the kids to play at a price that a single income family can afford, I do miss being close to the life that Montreal has to offer. The amazing restaurants, the night life, the people and all the things that are always happening…
It is rare that Simon and I go out without the kids but it really felt good to slow down and enjoy a relaxing meal, a walk and a treat… knowing that the boys were in great hands and happy at home with my mom and I am so glad that we did it…
I am also looking forward to bring the boys to Montreal more this year, sharing this great city with them… walking and soaking up the festivals, the people and the scenery that makes Montreal an amazing city to be in…
I’ve been to Montreal twice and have to agree with you. There is just no where else like it. It is so alive…no matter what time of the day you venture out. So much culture and sophistication. Great food and art and music. Oh…maybe I need to take a little trip. 🙂
I really enjoy Montreal too and it’s my goal to go every summer with the kids. Last year we went to the Biodome. Gotta love those penguins!
What an incredible night! I wish we had gone out with the twins when they were that little… oooh, I totally got to check out that Guerre des tuques fort!