We had some wild evenings… drinks before dinner at the W Hotel and the Ritz-Carlton, followed by not-to-be-forgotten dinners at Toque, Pintxo and Au Pied de Cochon. And this doesn’t include brunches at Olive et Gourmando, coffee at Cafe Veritas, and walks around Old Montreal.

Even after Howard and Donovan returned to the US for the holiday, we were pleased to have Bob and Michael with us for dinners at Otto and Gandhi, and a performance by Cirque du Soleil.

Now, Michael and Bob tell us they might join us in Montreal again for a few days. We’re pretty happy about this, not only because we greatly enjoy their company, but we have a few new restaurants we’d like to explore. It’s also a city best shared with friends.

I like the idea of a solitary vacation in Montreal, but it’s not as easy as it used to be. The Old City is changing every year, and even though my first holiday there was in 2004, I’ve noticed each year that, not only are there more businesses and boutiques in Old Montreal, there are more people there around the holidays, or so it seems. I’m sure part of it was the romance of the Old City, but on Christmas Eve 2004, I felt like we were the only ones there. It was a great experience that I’ve sought since then without achieving it.

After all that stuff about solitary vacations, I also like having friends around. I went in 2004 at the invitation of friends, participating in their annual Montreal tradition. As they moved on, I revived the tradition for myself, and I’ve found that I enjoy it more each year, especially as we’ve been able to welcome other friends to the tradition.

It’s hard to predict the impact of having friends with us again this year. I expect us to continue and expand our exploration of bistro food in Montreal. But we might do some touristy things this year – like going to Schwartz’s, for instance, or making the bagel tour of St. Viateur and Fairmount that we’ve always talked about. We’ve not trekked up Mont Royal since Christmas 2005. That was an invigorating, enjoyable walk for Christmas Day; perhaps it will return.

Montreal is a wonderful city. It represents all that’s best about the people and culture of Canada, with a Francophone joie de vivre that exists nowhere else.