Changing Table South Shore
Hello From Montreal - Part 4 : Dining And A Bit Of Jazz At Modavie
June 29, 2006
Hello from Montreal: Dining and a Bit of Jazz at Modavie
After my initial introduction to Montreal through my driving tour, my next step was to explore the city on foot. I set out on my first walk through Old Montreal (Vieux Montreal). Literally five minutes from my hotel is the Place d'Armes, one of the most historic locations of Montreal, highlighted by the impressive Basilica of Notre Dame. I strolled eastwards on rue de Notre Dame towards Place Jacques Cartier, Montreal's main square, that is surrounded by historic buildings, featuring many restaurants, as well as by Montreal City Hall, an excquisite Second Empire architectural beauty elevated on a ridge overlooking the port area on the St. Lawrence River.
My own European heritage always makes me appreciate historic architecture, and Old Montreal's layout, with its narrow cobble-stoned streets reminds me very much of European cities. It's just the perfect spot for a stroll. The centre of the square houses numerous vendors selling flowers, souvenirs and 10 minute portrait artists. Thousands of locals and visitors alike enjoy this atmosphere and Place Jacques Cartier was very busy and the restaurant terraces were brimming with people.
I walked east to the Marché Bonsecours, formerly Montreal's public market. After its closure in 1960 due to the proliferation of supermarkets, the market housed municipal offices and exhibition hall and since 1996 it now features a variety of merchants selling arts and crafts. The late evening sun was reflecting off the silver dome of the market and the mood was set for a gorgeous evening.
I strolled along St-Paul Street, a narrow cobble-stoned street featuring multiple restaurants, clothing stores, souvenir shops and galleries, one of Montreal's oldest streets until at 1 St-Paul Street I found my dinner location for the day: Modavie Restaurant, a two-storey eating establishment located in a historic building right at the corner of St-Laurent and St-Paul Streets. I had a chance to spend some time with Christine, manager of Modavie, to find out a bit more about this restaurant.
Modavie is one of several restaurants and hotels owned by the Antonopoulos family. Tony and Costa Antonopolous have won numerous awards for their contributions in revitalizing Old Montreal. Their portfolio of hospitality establishments includes the Restaurant de Vieux-Port, the Hotel Nelligan, the Hotel Place d'Armes, the Auberge du Vieux Port, as well as Galianos. There are actually two Modavie locations: one in old Montreal and one on the South Shore on the south side of the St. Lawrence River.
The building housing Modavie dates back roughly to the 1890s and was originally an inn primarily accommodating sailors. Christine explained that the name of the restaurant comes from "mode de vie" or "lifestyle". The building is located just steps away from Montreal's waterfront and Montreal's Science Centre is a few steps south at the King Edward Pier. The Circque de Soleil is also located in the port and will return next summer. They are currently performing a new show in Las Vegas: "Love", a show about the Beatles.
Christine explained that Modavie is actually well situated for watching some of the many fireworks displays that are launched in Montreal's port area. I lucked out with one of the best tables of the house: a corner table upstairs with a view south and eastwards, apparently a favourite table for wedding proposals.
The décor is Mediterranean in style with lots of wood and a warm atmosphere. When you come into the restaurant downstairs you are facing the bar with tables to the right and into the back of the restaurant. Christine showed me their wine cellar which features more than 1000 bottles from all over the world, including wines from Italy, California and France. Modavie even features one Canadian wine - from Ontario no less.
Christine mentioned that Modavie's welcoming atmosphere is reflected by the staff's attention to detail and they take great care in making the customers feel comfortable. She herself has been at Modavie for seven years now and although she left a couple of times she keeps coming back. She originally started out at age 18 as a waitress and 11 years later she has worked her way up to being the manager of a 100 seat restaurant. Christine explained to me that their menu has changed over the years and that Modavie originally offered sandwiches and pizza. As time went on things got a bit fancier, more choices were added and tablecloths appeared.
What attracted me to Modavie was that it features live jazz music on a daily basis. While I was there, the Greg Cleyton Trio was setting up and they started to entertain the growing crowd from about 7:30 onwards. As the evening progressed people kept streaming in from the street and the restaurant filled up to capacity.
As I chatted with Christine I had a chance to peruse the extensive menu and decided to start the meal of with a warm goat cheese salad with almonds and a peach and mango vinaigrette. A delicious course of ravioli stuffed with Portobello mushrooms in a tomato and mascarpone sauce followed. And Christine surprised me with a special desert: a "crepe baluchon" with pears. Crepe is always one of my favourite desserts and this nicely wrapped up ball of sweet dough definitely hit the spot.
Being located in such a prime area, Modavie sees a wide range of customers. During the summer it is frequented by Canadians from all over the country, Americans and Mexicans. Fall is a very popular season with European travelers and during winter there are a lot of conventioneers as well as travelers from Germany. The day-time crowd consists mainly of lawyers who come here for a tasty lunch from the courthouses which are located close by. Modavie features a different lunch menu every day and at a reasonable C$15.95 it includes a soup or a salad, a main dish and coffee.
Modavie is a beautiful spot with a warm welcoming atmosphere. My packed agenda included a Montreal Ghost Tour next, so I did not have time to sit back and relax, but Modavie was a great introduction to dining in Old Montreal.
About the Author
Susanne Pacher is the publisher of Travel and Transitions (<a href="http://www.travelandtransitions.com">http://www.travelandtransitions.com</a>), a popular web portal for unconventional travel & cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new section featuring FREE ebooks about travel.
 |
 South Shore Peak a boo Changing Table in Royal Cherry 2246 334  US $115.99
|
 South Shore Andover Changing Table 3580 330 US $179.99
|
 South Shore Angel Changing Table in Chocolate 3559331 US $166.98
|
 South Shore Furniture Angel Espresso Finish Changing Table US $166.97
|
 South Shore Precious Changing Table in Royal Cherry 3346333 US $249.98
|
 South Shore Sweet Morning Changing Table in Florence Maple 3275 331 US $189.99
|
 South Shore Andover Changing Table in Pure White 3680331 US $178.99
|
 South Shore Andover White Finish Changing Table US $179.99
|
 Peak a boo Changing Table by South Shore US $145.43
|
 South Shore Cotton Candy Compact Changing Table in White 3250 332 US $219.00
|
 South Shore Andover Changing Table 2280 331 US $219.00
|
 South Shore Cotton Candy Three Drawer Changing Table in White 3250 333 US $248.99
|
 South Shore Andover Wood Baby White Changing Table US $189.99
|
 South Shore Andover Changing Table in Espresso 3519330 US $198.97
|
 South Shore Sweet Morning Changing Table Royal Cherry NEW US $169.99
|
 Pure White Changing Table by South Shore US $285.00
|
 3 Drawer Changing Table by South Shore 3250333 US $345.00
|
 Pure White Changing Table by South Shore 3580330 US $239.00
|
 South Shore Changing Table in Pure White Finish 1 Shelf NEW US $189.99
|
 South Shore Precious Collection Changing Table Royal Cherry NEW US $259.99
|
 South Shore Sweet Morning Changing Table Florence Maple NEW US $164.99
|
 South Shore Peak a boo Changing Table Royal Cherry NEW US $109.99
|
 South Shore Furniture Peak a Boo Collection Baby Changing Table US $99.95
|
 South Shore Cotton Candy Four Drawer Chest and Compact Changing Table US $389.00
|
 South Shore Sweet Morning Changing Table in Royal Cherry 3246331 US $169.89
|
 South Shore Angel Changing Table Chocolate US $251.84
|
 South Shore Newbury Collection Wood Changing Table US $179.99
|
 South Shore Sweet Morning Wood Royal Cherry Finish Changing Table US $184.99
|
 South Shore Cotton Candy Dr Wood White Changing Table US $189.94
|
 South Shore Summer Time Changing Table in Pure White and Maple 3263332 US $179.99
|
 South Shore Peek A Boo Wood Cherry Changing Table US $109.96
|
 South Shore Sweet Morning Wood Maple Changing Table US $184.98
|
 South Shore Cotton Candy 3 Drawer Wood White Changing Table US $248.98
|
 South Shore Sunny Baby Royal Cherry Finish Changing Table US $268.99
|
 Sweet Morning Changing Table by South Shore US $259.00
|
 Compact Changing Table by South Shore US $259.00
|
 South Shore Summer Time Changing Table White NEW US $174.99
|
 South Shore Cotton Candy Changing Table Pure White NEW US $189.99
|
 South Shore Cotton Candy Changing Table With Shelves Pure White NEW US $249.99
|
 South Shore Angel Changing Table Espresso NEW US $179.99
|
|
|
South Shore Furniture, Peak-a-Boo Collection, Changing Table with Drawers, Pure White $159.70 Finish:Pure White This elegant changing table with fresh clean lines, will highlight your baby's bedroom decor. Features Greater changing-area depth Decorative molding Profiled edges on tops, drawer fronts and kickplate Wooden knobs Stylized decorative kick plate Plenty of drawer storage space Adjustable shelf behind the door Three drawers, one door and one open storage space ... |
|
|
South Shore Furniture, Peak-a-Boo Collection, Changing Table, Royal Cherry $99.00 Finish:Royal Cherry This Peak-a-boo collection offers you this very practical changing table. Features Easy access opened storage perfect for diapers and any other baby products Profiled shaped tops for increased security Nice and simple decorative kick plate Five year warranty... |
|
|
South Shore Furniture, Cotton Candy Collection, Changing Table, Ebony $269.99 This Cotton Candy collection offers a classic look that will grow with baby. This collection is one of our most versatile ever as when removing the changing station from the changing table it becomes a regular chest.... |
|
|
South Shore Furniture, Door Chest, Pure White $171.45 Finish:Pure White The country-style Savannah Door Chest features slatted drawer fronts with an exterior trim and plenty of storage space, making this a practical storage solution even as your child grows. Two practical drawers Drawer interior dimensions : 13.5'W x 14.25'Back-to-Front Two adjustable shelves create convenient open storage space Five shelves behind the door (three adjustable and... |
|
|
Pure White Changing Table With Drawers And Cabinet $156.85 The pure white Contemporary changing table with drawers and cabinet from South Shore Furniture is the answer to your baby product storage needs. The changing table features 1 adjustable shelf behind the cabinet door and 3 spacious drawers. The changing table is constructed of high quality Multi-Density Fiberboard (MDF) composite wood. Its pure white laminate finish will match well with any room de... |
|
|
Furniture $159.74 Our Shaker Style contemporary bedroom set is wrapped in a majestic natural maple paper veneer finish and adorned with simple yet distinct wooden knobs and shaped kick plate base moldings that provide styling for today's living. This shaker collection includes a roomy 6-drawer double dresser and matching mirror, tall, slender 5-drawer chest, nightstand with drawer and book cubby, mates bed box, a s... |