On Monday July 25, we ate breakfast in the Palm Court at the Ritz Carlton. (Maison Boulud is closed on Monday and Tuesday). I truly missed seeing the ducks and beginning our day outdoors in the garden – oh well- we sucked it up and carbed up on French toast and crepes and chatted with a lovely young couple from New York City. This was the second occasion that we met folks from NY staying in the hotel. The first time – we were waiting for the elevator and our conversation went something like this – Them: Where are you from? Us: Florida…you? Them: South Carolina, but originally NY. Me: Us too! Them: Where in NY? Us: Long Island. Them: Us too! Where? Me: Middle Island, but I grew up in Stony Brook. The Wife: I grew up in Stony Brook!
Oh my goodness…it was like old home week…the poor husbands just stepped aside as we talked about the elementary school we both attended and tried to find friends in common – although we attended different high schools- we graduated in the same year. They were so sweet, we were sad to learn that they were leaving the next day. Anyway, here are some photos that I took of the Palm Court before the place started jumping. No food pics…you’re welcome.
After breakfast we packed up for our picnic. I wish I had taken pics of Tim carefully wrapping up the plates, silverware and wine glasses that the concierge sent up the night before- (as we returned from dinner, the evening concierge asked us what we had on our agenda for the next day…Tim mentioned that we were headed to Parc Royal for a picnic and voila!…15 minutes later someone from room service appeared with a note from the concierge and the plates and most importantly – the wine glasses – I really, really love this hotel). Anyway, here’s a photo I took once Timmy had all the picnic essentials properly secured.
We enjoyed super weather throughout our trip and Monday in the park was no exception. Our Uber driver dropped us at a pedestrian entrance to the Parc du Mont-Royal. This entrance is located in a residential neighborhood of beautiful homes. How lucky are these folks? They live in a lovely peaceful neighborhood, atop a small mountain, just a few steps from an amazing green space. I’d spied this side of the mountain on my previous hikes and immediately knew that I wanted to come back for a picnic with Tim. Montreal was named for this highland – Mont Royal. And it truly is regal. We settled on a spot near a couple practicing Tai Chi, overlooking Beaver Lake.
I said ”You should unpack…you know how it all went in…it’ll be better that way”
We’d made such great choices at the cheese store, market and bakery. The cherries were beyond juicy and that wine was spectacular with the cheese. All essential elements for a wonderful picnic.
Timmy sometimes tires of me taking his photo…here he grabbed my phone and said “Hey, Kathie, give me a pose”. …I’m including thus photo here, not to encourage him…but because I like the way my hat looks.
A perfect lazy afternoon…hours went by in a flash…was it really a flash or did we nap after we shooed a squirrel from the blanket?
So here’s Timmy on a rock at the end of the day…communicating with the Uber driver…explaining why we can’t walk down the hill to meet him. Thank goodness for GPS…the driver plugged in our coordinates and eventually found us.
Back at the hotel, we might have stopped at the Palm Court for a cocktail…but there’s no photographic proof…so it probably didn’t happen. Anyway, we relaxed for a bit, cleaned ourselves up and left for a late dinner at Tiradito.
Tiradito is a Peruvian tapas bar in downtown Montreal. It is an absolute gem. If you’ve been paying attention, you know we like tapas and Peruvian food (shout out to Almazonica and Selva in Sarasota) so Tiradito was a must try for us.
We’d made reservations in advance, and to our delight, were seated with Simon. Simon is a talented bartender and a wonderful human. Simon loves his work and radiates joy. He was quite busy, yet throughout the evening, he maintained a lively conversation with us and engaged in humorous banter with his colleagues Jacob and Pascal.
The cocktails were super, but the tapas were sublime. Beyond sublime…they were majestic, fabulous, extraordinary and a ton of other adjectives thrown in. We were having so much fun, that I only thought to take a couple of photos. I do remember that the ceviche was outstanding.
Such a wonderful way to end a super day. Every day with Timmy is a joy, but this day was extra.
Thanks for following along, I appreciate the folks who have sent me messages this past week inquiring about more Montreal posts…we are fine, and back in NY…I have lots more to share, and hopefully life won’t intervene too much and I will catch up with this blog♥️
