Alinea....a second time

Last weekend I dined at Alinea for the second time in less than a
year since my first visit (the first visit was a selfish treat to myself, but my dining companion had such a great experience, I chose to ensure this time it would be for her birthday). My concerns were somewhat obvious (would they be able to impress a second time, especially so soon) and were obliterated as we were both just as
impressed as were were on our first visit (not a small feat). I tried singing happy birthday after sucking the helium out of the apple balloon desert and started laughing so hard I couldn't keep going, but it was a site to behold.
We also went to Aviary after our meal and our
experience was unfortunately not as pleasant. The first drink was quite nice (we
ordered a flight of 3), and the first sip of the second was wonderful (it was a
cherry smoked drink), but after that, it completely died in flavor. The final
drink which was a take on root beer was far too sweet for our palates and we had
a difficult time extracting any root beer elements from it, so left most of it.
This was a big
learning experience for us. I suspect next time, we'll come up with a way to
communicate our tastes better upon the initial order.The following evening we ended up at the Purple Pig which was quite fun and flavorful. We tried the same day reservation at "Next" but were unsuccessful. I have to admit, I was disappointed as they were serving "modern chinese" especially after trying the soup from their Thailand menu. So, it's moved up on our want to visit list.
If you haven't been to Alinea, I highly recommend it. Especially this forum. It will inspire you to think about what you do in your own kitchen (home or professional). Of course, it also gets you looking up where to obtain other things like a rotovap, LN2 etc etc. :-) in addition to all the ingredients that are not so easily obtainable. Bottom line? Go if/when you can and enjoy.

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Comments

christopher_12897

Im going to Chicago in a couple of weeks. My 30th birthday will happen there. I wish I had 400 dollars extra and months ahead to buy a ticket/or make a res or whatever

tshewman

I was fortunate to only have to worry about tickets (which is an excellent system IMHO)

Samuel_68313

I've been meaning to go for a while but my restaurant budget/fund has taken a hit recently and I have a couple of expensive meals here in Montreal planned soon.

Truthfully I'll probably make it to a couple of top NYC places before there, but we'll see.

Brandon_Byrd_40557

I was hoping to take the misses there for our 5 year anniversary which is coming up at the beginning of August. Sadly, the only tickets that are available are three weeks after the date on a Wednesday. One day! Glad you got to have the experience -- twice, no less!

tshewman

Keep an eye open for seats/tickets, they are constantly changing. I found this much easier than Per se, TFL or Daniel (we don't take vacations, so a weekend away if we can squeeze it). If any one has preferred dates, let many people know and they'll usually keep an eye open and grab for you as the tickets are transferrable.. Food for thought.

Brandon_Byrd_40557

Thanks for the tip Todd! I'll keep my eyes peeled!

lfmichaud

My experience at Alinea a few years ago is still in my top five of my most memorable meals. Actually the best one in north America. I would love to go back. I had a very fun experience at he Chef's table of the Aviary but the only problem was that ten cocktail is really too much! The root beer wasn't unforgetable but out of ten drinks that's OK. Out of three that's another thing... Thanks to Todd tip I may try a last minute meal at Next soon. @SamuelG - Where have you planned to eat in Montreal? For NY I may recommend going to WD50 before they close down. This one is in my top ten ;-)

Samuel_68313

@Louis-Frederic Europea for sure, and Park Restaurant, maybe Le Club Chasse et Pêche.

I went to Maison Boulud a few weeks ago, wasn't overly impressed to be honest!

christopher_12897

@Louis-Frederic

you think there is any minute chance of eating solo at WD-50 without a reservation? Like wait outside for an hour before?

lfmichaud

@SamuelG -- I had a great experience at Maison Boulud a couple years ago but it was a special event for Montreal en Lumiere. Daniel Boulud cooked a fun meal with Mauro Colagreco. Each plate had an interpretation of both chefs. Le Club Chasse et Peche is a very good table. I never was disappointed there.

Samuel_68313

The food was excellent in general, but there were a lot of little things that just weren't right that at that price point should be. The best meal I have had in Montreal is still probably at Impasto.

What are your favourites?

mike.minasian

I really loved the classics while I was there: Joe Beef, Au Pied de Cochon.

I also had fantastic meals (brunch and dinner) at Le Comptoir Charcuteries et Vins. Sit at the chef's counter and make friends with the awesome staff.

lfmichaud

We have lot of great restaurants in Montreal. The PDC and Joe Beef are two great examples. Laurie Raphael and Toque are more classical. When the LR oppened in Montreal they had a lot of elements that really made us think about the meals at we had at El Bulli and Celler de can Roca. But they moved back to something more traditional but always good. For something simpler but always fun you can try Tripes & Caviar in Verdun.

tshewman

My experience at Europea wasn't as pleasant as many others. An "A" for effort, but less so for actual delivery. So much potential but I had been spoiled comparatively so. Montreal has some excellent restaurants and off the beaten path places to eat. Just a wonderful place to visit.

lfmichaud

I believe that we have a lot of great restaurant and are probably one of the best city for quality/value. But maybe because it's too familiar for me I have problems finding THE restaurant that I would recommend especially for somebody from out of town...

Samuel_68313

It's because Montreal is heavily focused on casual fine dining. Really high end hardly even exists in Montreal, there are probably 15-20 superb restaurants worth visiting but not any worth a specific visit to Montreal for. Last time I went back to England I traveled 150 miles north to go to L'enclume, I wouldn't say there is a Montreal restaurant worth travelling 150 miles for.

Manfred_18311

Guess I’m

lucky then, I can foot walk 20min to a **Restaurant.

In the

absent of high class places I would consider to travel that fare. 50 km I do

quite often.

Samuel_68313

Ahh, the Michelin Guide isn't in Montreal, if it was they'd almost certainly be one or two ** restaurants here I would have thought.

lfmichaud

We would probably have a couple of ** tables but don't forget that Michelin is really about the traditional high class restaurant. Noma in Copenhaguen only get two starts and Le Chateaubrian in Paris get none. Probaly because there's no tablecloth. ;-)