​Montréal Mode | DAY 3: (Pt. 2) Chez Suzette + Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal

Read Part 1 HERE !

​While the shops along Rue Saint-Paul swayed in the direction of further investigation, our visting window for Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal was gradually diminishing.

​Without dallying too much on the cobblestone laneways, we arrived at Chez Suzette around the 2:20 PM mark for a late lunch.

​Initially, I had been concerned about wait times, given the level of tourist foot traffic in the area. Though, once within the space, it was learned that seating was ample, for it spanned not one floor but the second and third levels above as well.

Unaware of the existence of the upper floors, we had pointed in favour of a cozy spot near the entrance. In hindsight, the other dining quarters would have proved more comfortable, for gusts of chilly air would grace our presence with every swing of the door.

From the low-key laminated menus to the smooth, lacquered table and woven chairs, the homey ambience was undeniably reminiscent of The Apricot Tree Café. That said, the assortment of offerings at Chez Suzette was far beyond what was capable of the suburban spot back home.

​Besides their signature selection of sweet and savoury crêpes, the establishment was also home to fondue sets and bistro fare such as salads and quiches.

Of course, we hadn't specified the eatery for items outside their realm of expertise. The French Onion Soup had been noted in countless reviews, making it a no-brainer aspect of our order.

​In place of wines, coffee, and even hot chocolate, we opted for water. Cold fluids were presented in plastic cups (à la BR), while hot in lightbulb-shaped glasses like those used by Terroni. The choice was likely to promote steeping of lemon wedges - citrusy additions that were regrettably discarded with our request for cleaner, stain-free ceramic mugs.

​Approximately fifteen minutes would pass before the glorious arrival of the French Onion Soup. Beautifully golden all over with a torched surface, the starter already garnered extensive appeal from its visuals alone. The eatery hadn't skimped on cheese one bit! The stoneware vessel was wholly covered in the stringy, delectable goodness.

But beyond its enticing appearance was the most scrumptious French Onion Soup to grace our tastebuds. Amazingly complex, the concoction offered heartiness in an unbelievably delectable broth. Undetectable was the excessive briny-ness of other similarly classified soups. Instead, Chez Suzette's rendition leaned towards the acidic side with two nicely submerged slices of baguette and softened bits of onion at the bottom of the ramekin. The abundance of quality cheese was also greatly appreciated, for the higher fat content (and lower percentage of starch-based stabilizer) enabled the topping to preserve its marvelously malleable consistency throughout the consumption process.

​Shared between us was the Suprême de Poulet Crêpe, a sizable envelope of chicken and sliced mushroom in a creamy Béchamel sauce.

For the average person, half a crêpe may not have sufficed. Though, the single portion was more than adequate for those with small appetites. The wispy wrapper retained a certain degree of elasticity, contributing to its overall palatability. It was also fragrant, in sheer contrast to the doughy, flour-heavy sheets I had grown accustomed towards in the less European side of the country.

​We, or rather I, managed to deplete the spread before venturing off to our next stop.

With various Christmas Mass sessions scheduled, Notre-Dame Basilica of Montréal had anticipated to be busy leading up to Christmas day. To facilitate entry into the space, tickets were secured online in advance of our visit.

​The decision was soon discovered a prudent one, for the queue for on-site ticket purchase was treacherous.

A second adjacent lineup had intended to be used for those with QR code-based tickets. However, poor queue management - the first instance witnessed during the trip - caused spillage of one group of visitors into the other, consequently obscuring signage and hindering visitor flow.

​When we finally received acknowledgement from the staff, we were gestured through the white tent separating the doors of the church to its street-level access. Within a few footsteps, we came face to face with the landmark's brass and royal blue interior.

Frankly, I wasn't sure what I had expected when entering the facility at a price of fifteen dollars per person. There was, in essence, a scarcity of points of interest beyond admiring the structural elements of the church interior.

After marvelling at the spiraled stairwell and stately organs directly beneath the roof, I began to explore the perimeter of the space. Candles were positioned throughout, usually on tables before stained glass murals. It should be noted that these candles weren't merely for display, but served as potential charitable offerings priced between five and ten dollars.

​Pamphlets positioned near the entrance were also not complimentary. Prayers were labelled at two dollars a sheet and pamphlets in various languages at five.

Notre-Dame was beautiful to behold, yet not in the remarkable or thought-provoking sense like art. During times of external frigidity, the bounty of benches would assume a solid respite from the cold. But, alas, there simply wasn't much else to do.

Perhaps the destination would have assumed a highlight destination for those more appreciative of architecture, or even those in search of a serene space for reciting prayers. For me, it constituted a historical landmark for perusal, with little significance beyond tourism.

Read Part 3 HERE !