DESTINATION: STE. FLAVIE

Hotel lobby painting, a little Chagall-esque

I have been fortunate to visit the Gaspésie three times now, and for me it always begins with the Marcel Gagnon art complex at Ste. Flavie. A family run business that includes first and foremost art, and secondly a great view of the Saint Lawrence, has been a highlight since I first saw it. M. Gagnon is Quebec's Gaudi. His home is covered in statues and mosaics,  and the art gallery extends out into the water with his famous collection of statues called Le Grand Rassemblement or The Big Gathering, and into the lobby and restaurant on walls and tables, down to the key chains and outdoor seats. This time, I noticed new wooden statues on rafts on the water of the changing tide, and for the first time, I stayed in the hotel and ate breakfast there, both a treat I hope to repeat in future visits. My daughter was thrilled to show her art to Guillaume and Ghislaine, and this year we met Marcel and Ghislaine's grand-daughter!It's a feast for the eyes, even if you stay for two full days!

 Another place I never miss is the Vieux Moulin, Hydromiel, and pick up honey, honey meade, and this year, soaps, in that perfect hexagonal shape that seems to be everywhere, from Birks jewelry to the  honeycomb!

Yummy rhubarb bubbly wine for dinner. I've never found it elsewhere!

My daughter's cheese melt on crusty bread. It was an expensive sandwich, and when I asked them to hold the lettuce and tomato that comes with it, the just made it into a side salad, which she didn't eat. 

Pizz'art!

It seems a shame, but these happy tables are often covered over with dinnerware!

Breakfast with a delicious rhubarb strawberry jam that you can buy to take home with you!

My daughter's ample breakfast with fresh strawberries

Playing on the rocks with Le Grand Rassemblement. Kids can slide down to the beach in a bright yellow slide (adults too, if you dare!)

Even the room key had M. Gagnon's art. Chamber 4 is on the highway. I would try and stay beachside next time, but that would require booking in advance!

Wood and stone. Notice the pregnant statue to the right in the mid-ground.

A cheery face

Sunset from the restaurant. If you are two, you can often get a seat by the window.

More conventional art in the hotel room, but un véritable Marcel Gagnon quandmême!

Le P'tit Prince de Ste. Flavie, a little run down, but still magical.

ART DECO MONTREAL

I have found over the years that we have a handful of art deco buildings in Montreal, and its style always makes me think of New York City and the grand Empire State building. The first building I ever recognized in this style was the Aldred Building in the Old Port, and later I came to realize that the Atwater market and the University of Montreal were a prominent example as well. Later, I found a way to walk to work and pass Pierre Elliot Trudeau's house called Maison Ernest Cormier, on Pine Avenue, which has an exquisite standing female motif that echoes a sitting one with caduceus (medical cross with snake) on the Montreal General Hospital.

Northwest entrance to Livingstone Hall off Cedar Avenue

Consulting an online list of others, I have started to get to know a few others. I will post my pictures as I gather them.
Here are some more links I am finding as I research online.

http://artdecobuildings.blogspot.ca/2012/11/crescent-building-montreal.html

http://artdecomontreal.com/buildings/

Montreal Botanical Gardens Administrative Pavillion

Drummond Medical Building - note the ironwork balcony and marquee, and the brick "crosses" under almost every window, and the ribbons of vertical brick interrupting the coupled columns of windows, so typical of the style.

Dominion Square Building, v
iew from Ste. Catherine Street. Classic design with insets to allow for more natural light. 

Beautiful doors

Exterior window with lantern 

Seahorses and shell motif in brass

Front lobby from 2nd floor

Amazing interior chandelier

Banister

Griffins in coloured interior motif

McGill's Roddick Gates' clock tower

Lady Amy Redpath Roddick was a writer of 17 books, and many are online, like The Romance of a Princess. She  donated the gates to McGill in memory of her husband, who was a physician and dean of the Faculty of Medicine from 1901- 1908. They say she wanted a clock because he was a punctual man, but there are reports of all four clock faces showing different times!

WAITING FOR THE TRAIN IN THE FALL

LE MOUTON VERT IN NDG

A colleague who lives in NDG suggested to try a new restaurant close to where she lives. Neither of us had ever been there, but she is often game to try out a new vegetarian restaurant and this place had been recommended to here by a colleague. Its inspiration is from its greek owner, and they had a very vegan sensitive staff who was very helpful in recommending food that suited our diverse palates.
I was recommended the zucchini feta burger (although philosophically vegan, I adore cheese too much to be anything but a lacto(ovo)vegetarian). The bun was thin and larger, so it was more like a panini burger, with spicy sauce, lettuce, tomato, and olives. It was very decent, and I appreciated the friendly staff, and home feel of self serve lemon water in mason jars and cutlery in a common bucket.

SIMPLE SUPPER WITH CUPCAKE CAB SAUV

Yesterday, I had a very long day of work, and no leftovers except an open bottle of red wine. I was up at 6, on the commuter train at 6:52, and home at 22:15. I made the mistake of pouring myself a bowl of harvest crunch with a handful of organic California raisins, which in and of itself is a rare out of breakfast act, but turns out a bad combo with wine. Tonight, with a similar dilemma, I took my colleague's suggestion and had a fresh tomato and cheese on toast. It went much better!

ONE AFTERNOON WITH SQUIRRELS

We were looking forward to corn cobs and cucumbers and sunflower seeds, but one day, the sunflowers broke over the garden, and the family of squirrels getting ready for a long winter went cray-cray! Alas, no surviving corn, cukes, or sunflower seeds. Apparently beans are safe. To remember for next year! 

DESTINATION: BAIE STE CATHERINE'S CAFE CHEZ SAM

Restaurant at the front of the auberge

Fresh Montreal Bagels and cream cheese made by Sonja's loving hands

Yummy barley soup

Refreshing strawberry spritzer

Menu at Chez Sam

On the Saguenay - St. Lawrence Marine Park and one of seven lighthouses

Fjords at Saguenay River

DESTINATION: KAMOURASKA'S MAMIE PATATERIE

A menu I hope to return to

Didn't have to wait, but I did giggle!

Perfect poutine with my girl on a warm rainy terrace and a great ginger beer

S'more than enough to share, but the bottom graham square didn't line up quite right, so it was quite a mess!

THIS YEAR'S CHINESE LANTERNS AT MONTREAL'S BOTANICAL GARDENS

On cue, a crane. It flew off carrying its long legs across the water. Spectacular!

Not as magical as at night, but still wonderful!

One of my favourite art deco buildings with our own reflecting pond. Is that father time?

NABILA'S CATERING

My friend is a great cook. She decided to start a home catering service to help make ends meet in their busy household. My parents were coming to visit me and I ordered dinner for a couple of easy meals to compliment my vegetarian dishes. They were, as expected, amazing meals. The fish soup with shrimp was advertised as amazing, and it did not disappoint!

Cottage pie (did you know Shepherd's Pie is with lamb?) aka Hachis Parmentier

Mediterranean salad with hard boiled eggs

Seafood quiche with tuna and shrimp

Chicken Mushroom Béchamel stuffed  Crepes with a side of Russian Salad (that means diced carrots, peas, potatoes in mayo with eggs). Yummy!

PILSBURY SPOOKY CAT COOKIES

Our neighbour had a lemonade and bake sale to raise money for the ecomuseum animals. My daughter made these easy bake cookies we found in the grocer fridge and rolled them in orange sanding sugar to make them more sellable. It worked! Yum! They made over $100.

GREAT FOOD, EVERY OTHER DAY!

When foodies collide: you may have seen the bruschetta on the left before, and I just showed you my salad - mix with a quinoa bean coriander salad and Veganessa lentil soup that was a little too lemony for my liking, but it was nice to share!

Shepherdess pie with grated balderson 2 year aged cheddar on top

2 minute pizza - broiled portobello, red pepper and broccoli on naan and garlic tomato sauce 

Fettuccine alfredo, french style (béchamel and aged cheddar) with arugula salad and macintosh apple

Microwave potatoes with avocado eyes, maple beans for hair and grated cheese for a kid. Why don't I ever do this for myself?!