Kings of the Road

We woke up a bit late today…the cheese curd on the poutine last night really turned us into zombies.
We got a complete “American” Breakfast at the cafe in our hotel this morning. Thank god, really, because I really didn’t want to eat a Canadian Breakfast.
We decided to start the day with a visit to the Biodome, at the old Olympic Village in Montreal. From the architecture, you might think the Olympics were here in 1970, but I actually think they were held here in 1986. So, getting to the Biodome required navigating the Montreal metro system–all in French, of course. We managed to buy the tickets, insert them into the proper slot, and get on the right train!
The Biodome was cool–we saw lots of exotic animals, like the weird, smelly, hairy, pig-like creature.

We did not see Pauly Shore, which was a big disappointment. Doesn’t he live in the biodome? Maybe he was hibernating.
We then took the metro to the “Mile End” neighborhood, and we got bagels at the Fairmont Bagel maison, one of Montreal’s most famous bagelries. Little known fact: Montreal is known for its bagels, a lighter, sweeter, chewier version than the ones we are used to in the US. The bagels were so good. We ate them in a park, while the sky became darker and darker.

On our walk home, we came across an enticing restaurant bragging “100 bieres” (100 beers). We couldn’t resist. (Although interestingly, none of their 100 beers were from the US.) As we drank, it rained and rained. 2 beers later, we made a run for it to the nearest metro.
We decided to check out Fourquet Fourchette for dinner–the restaurant the serves Unibroue beer, one of Larry’s favorite breweries. I had a conversation completely in French with our concierge, and she made a reservation at the restaurant for us. It was a good thing, because when we got there, there was a large table of about 30 guests, and a man playing guitar and singing Quebec folk songs to them VERY LOUDLY. But, the other 100 tables in the giant restaurant were completely empty. We don’t quite understand why, because the food was very good. Larry had in house-smoked salmon and a Caribou filet, and I had pate and a “bravette” of beef, whatever that is.

The only explanation for the empty seats is that the city is “between festivals”, as the concierge said when I told her the story (in French, of course.)
We’re sitting at a cafe now, eating gelato and planning out tomorrow. We’re going to check out the art museum, go to Old Montreal, and then to top off the day, we’ll be eating dinner at Au Pied de Cochon, the magical foie gras goodness restaurant.
Oh, P.S. to Aunt Char, Rhett Miller is my favorite singer/songwriter. I heart Rhett!