In Montreal: Fireworks at La Ronde

La Ronde amusement park is host of the Loto-Quebec's International Fireworks Competition. Events are on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 pm (rain or shine), with competitors representing a different country each time. This Saturday, July 19, will feature Howard & Sons Pyrotechnics Australia. You may buy a ticket and go watch the fireworks on site, but I would rather suggest you just walk East on Ste-Catherine Street to Papineau Street near the Jacques-Cartier Bridge (it's a nice ~15 minutes walk from the Palais des Congres area) and the whole street is blocked to cars from St-Denis Street. Follow this link to see some gorgeous pictures from this year's previous events.

In Montreal: My personal restaurants address book

As I am a local, I thought it would be interesting to share my personal restaurants address book. I hope this will inspire you...

Au Pied De Cochon: Quebec modern "terroir" food. This place is absolutely unique...
Located on Duluth street, east form St-Denis.

Steak et Frites (bring your own wine):
3 locations: L'hotel W (downtown), St-Paul street, Laurier street (Cote-des-Neiges and Parc)

M. Burger: Very innovative, "customizable" burgers
Located on Drummond, north from Maisoneuve.

For Grec food, the place to be is Duluth street, east from St-Denis. Several "bring your own wine" places.

Little Italy neighborhood is located around the Jean-Talon metro station (orange line). It's not downtown but it's the place to be for great Italian food (St-Laurent, corner Jean-Talon).

For some great Cuisine Francaise restaurants, I suggest to go on Rachel Street, east from St-Denis. Several "bring your own wine", very classy but affordable (CAN$ 20-30) restaurants (especially when you bring your wine). The "917" and "Poisson Rouge" are particularly recommended.

Last, not the least: Poutine! You have to try it, it's a local, greasy meal unique to Quebec. I suggest "La Banquise" corner Rachel and Papineau. See more at Montreal Poutine.

In Montreal: Fantasia Film Festival

For those looking for something to do in the evenings, I highly recommend the Fantasia Film Festival, which is currently happening in and around Concordia University in the downtown area. This is Montreal's premiere alternative film festival. Sunday night I saw "Be a Man! Samurai School" (a comedy?), and I can definitely recommend it. The director was on hand and gave us an impressive martial arts display.