Plateau area is one of the trendiest areas of Montreal, so I decided to research a bit 'more after my discovery of the Old Montreal. I skipped their hotels in Place d'Armes metro and took the Blue Train north to Sherbrooke. I enjoyed a walk in St-Denis, considered by many as the most typical districts of Montreal. Hundreds of cafes, restaurants and funky boutiques line the street.
Roads in the area characterized by triplexes or apartments that are typical of Montreal in front of the staircase, many of them used to good places to rest and relax in the local community. Many of the homes also have a small balcony to the upper floors, most of which are associated with a little bistro tables and chairs outside to enjoy the resident apartment.
The roof lines of this area is also very rare: branches and false mansard roof add interest to the architecture mixes. The atmosphere is very relaxed, artistic and bohemian. I continued my journey west on a side street appeal Roy Street and entered a Mexican restaurant, La Iguana", which also has a small seating area outside. Everything from my previous trip to Mexico this year, I developed a taste for authentic Mexican cuisine and La Iguana, with its Mexican charm attracted me in.
I sat at a table in the corner with ease a perfect view of the restaurant and the street. Unfortunately, confusion over the sky, and soon after a tropical storm swept over the city, the third day.
To learn more about this restaurant, I asked the owner Fred Saunders, who jointly own restaurant with his wife Julie Chiasson, join me for a bit. More than a Mojito, he began to tell me about The Iguana and how it all happened to. Fred & Julie has traveled to Mexico several times together and fell in love with the country and its taste. Fred says that they have visited many places on the coast, including Acapulco, Ixtapa, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. Fred and Julie both diving and have enjoyed the adventure of the water in Mexico over the past four years.
They started to create your dream Mexican restaurant, and finally, three years ago they opened for The Iguana. Fred said he is open seven days a week for dinner Friday and opens for lunch. Every Thursday to Saturday, shows the place of Cuban music, a series of fun hot Latin rhythms. The Iguana Fred said that also offers catering and rental service, a musician of two musicians in 1921 a new service, which started a couple of months ago. Fred also stated that the restaurant welcomes guests many different hotels and resorts. A few weeks ago,
The Iguana hosts the British Racing team, which was the city of Montreal Grand Prix. Fred said that based on experience, the Iguana as the best Mexican food Ive ever had.
The Iguana is actually quite small restaurant. It seats 64 people total, including tables on the sidewalk and on the terrace, which is also heated in winter. Fred stated that there are many nights when he has 50-60 people away because they simply do not have the capacity to accommodate all guests. For this reason, he and Julie came up with the idea of opening a second &quoThe Iguana. Another place is in the center, and even Fred and Julies dreams of opening more places to expand, and later in different parts of Ontario and Canada, either. Their dream is to open a chain of La Iguanarestaurants, which bring their idea of Mexican food, and from coast to coast Canadian.
large projects are in store for the new issue of Iguana, which should open next spring in downtown Montreal. The new restaurant will be bigger and have a network, allowing customers to a whole fish cooked on the grill. Also, will also house a museum with authentic objects that will be provided by the Embassy of Mexico. In addition, new location will be a showcase for live iguanas and parrots live to create an authentic Mexico.
Talking about the history of La Iguana, Fred shared with me that from the beginning, the restaurant has received much criticism. Their delectable dishes and generous portions may have something to do with it. Fred indicated that their fajitas and burritos are extremely popular.Ceviche, an authentic Mexican seafood dish marinated in lime juice and cilantro also become a favorite. The Iguana Camarones Acapulco consists of a quarter of a kilo of giant prawns with garlic and sprouts of orange with Grand Marnier. This dish is a crowd pleaser and the signature looks like a sun with yellow rays.
Fred describes his cuisine as High Level La Iguana Mexico and adds that the wine list is extensive, with bottles ranging in price from about $ 28 to $ 800. In addition, he and Julie was a research trip to Mexico and return with 35 different types of tequila are all privately imported, another unique feature of the Iguana.
Well, all this talk of delicious I was hungry and wanted to taste the food the Iguana, first hand. I decided to subscribe to The Iguana special platter with stuffed jalapenos, guacamole, potato skins and cheese quesadilla, chicken wings, nopales (cactus) and flautas (egg rolls), served with sweet and sour sauce and spicy. This dish gave me a great overview of the Iguanas food, and I like the specialty Mexico. Fred then surprised me shrimp Acapulco, one of the signature dishes Iguana Jumbo Prawns with Grand Marnier sauce. My appetite is satisfied, but I had to try the Iguana is a fried ice cream for dessert which was a sinner and a delicious way to cap off a very pleasant meal.
A time to relax and listen to a live Cuban music I thanked Fred went out and a warm summer evening. I went down Boulevard St. Laurent, or the "main", Montreal Main north-south link, which divides the city into eastern (mainly French) and Western (mainly English) part. Many restaurants are full of people and street life is lively. I walk through the pedestrian area of Prince Arthur Street, another popular restaurant area, then heading south to Sherbrooke Street, Montreal, a major east-west arteries. From there, I did it in St. Catharines Street, site of the famous Montreal Jazz Festival.
Montreal Jazz Festival is 27 times, and during the two weeks June 28-July 9, 2006 more than 400 concerts took place, most free. BB Kings 80th birthday event was held June 28. It s the biggest jazz festivals in the world and the signature event of the real in the city drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors. The festival is centered on the Place des Arts and Complexe Desjardins, and I packed schedule these next few days, tonight was the only chance to get a preview at the Montreal Jazz Festival. The crowd in front of the main stage, and St. Catharines filled the streets as far as the eye could see and the crowd was swaying rhythms and Afrodizz, Montreal Best Afro Beat group in front of a huge audience to the scene of General Motors.
What began 27 years ago the dream of Alain Simard jazz festival has become the largest jazz fans in the world with stars such as Ray Charles, Chick Corea, John Lee Hooker, Dave Brubeck, Muddy Waters, Dizzy Gillespie, BB King Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, Chuck Mangione, Tony Bennett, Branford Marsalis Wynton Marsalis, George Benson, Holly Cole, Jareau Al and hundreds of others. This program includes a year tribute to Paul Simon, Dave Brubeck appearances of Brad Mehldau, Etta James and The Neville Brothers.
More than 2,000 musicians will travel to the city to excite the crowds. With the evolution of African rhythms in my head was walking slowly back to my hotel, reflecting the superb skills of Montreal and major cities in the world of the festival. I needed enough rest for my visit in early morning bike Montreal.
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