Bon Appetit

My first night in Montreal was like spending time with an old friend - comfortable and familiar.  We are in  the village of Pointe Claire - near the airport and Bombardier, where Eric is taking a class.  The area is nothing special until you get closer to the St. Lawrence River.  The drive along the river is beautiful with the river on one side and grand old homes lining the other side. The village is quaint with old stone buildings filled with shops, pubs and restaurants. I'm obsessed with the French street signs - street names, stops signs, parking signing signs along the narrow little streets.  Everything feels very French.

We had dinner at Le Gourmand, a restaurant in an old stone building that used to house the village blacksmith.  The food was as fabulous as we remembered.  Our 3-course meal started with a steaming bowl of snow crab and shrimp bisque.  Honestly, I would have been content with just the soup, but I'm glad we didn't stop there.  Course two - a salad of greens topped with shaved apple and fennel and drizzled with a vinegarette.  There were several good choices for the main course so we got different ones so we could share.  Eric had the veal paparika - a smoky, hearty dish that made my Hungarian taste buds salivate.  However, my duck confit topped with a scallop was my favorite.  I've never had a properly cooked scalloped - buttery smooth in texture and taste.  And, the duck...sooo good. What a treat!  A fabulous meal in a cozy, warm setting on a cold drizzly gray day was a good way to kick off my vacation.  

Today's plans - after some time in the flight similator and a test, Eric gets out early today.  I will be hanging out at Bombardier's training center this afternoon waiting for him.  Then, we are driving to Quebec City for the weekend.  Very excited to go somewhere we haven't been.  Let the adventures begin!!