T and I went out to dinner the other night; for a meal which we had to dress up for. This was dressing up of a different kind though: no little black dress and heels needed; rather ski trousers, hats and gloves...
This is one place where you don't take your coat off to eat!
The reason for this 'industrial strength' dining attire was that we were eating at Montreal's Snow Village; North America's only ice village. This cold creation includes a 25-room hotel, a chapel, and a ice restaurant and bar (which was our destination).
We were visiting a week after it first opened to the public, and so there was still work going on which meant that we could take a nosy peek at the hotel. Each of the hotel rooms walls were intricately carved and was a work of art, the room was filled by a huge block of ice carved into a bed. There wasn't much else in the way of furniture, but with the inside temperatures about -6 degrees, it is not a hotel in which you come to spend most of the time in your room!
We were visiting a week after it first opened to the public, and so there was still work going on which meant that we could take a nosy peek at the hotel. Each of the hotel rooms walls were intricately carved and was a work of art, the room was filled by a huge block of ice carved into a bed. There wasn't much else in the way of furniture, but with the inside temperatures about -6 degrees, it is not a hotel in which you come to spend most of the time in your room!
Sleeping bags are a must in this hotel!!
The restaurant was housed in another giant igloo, and off to one side was a smaller igloo, which housed the bar. We arrived early, so went to have a cocktail before dinner. No dainty glasses here - it was plastic tumblers all the way (I think you could drink out of a glass made of ice, but we only found this out afterwards...). There were about five carved ice tables to stand around, the first one we picked was a bit wonky and so our glasses slid from one side to the other (maybe that's the reason for the plastic glasses?!). The next table seemed to be pretty flat and our glasses stayed put, no chasing required.
In the restaurant, all the furniture - as in the whole village - was made out of huge blocks of ice that had been beautifully carved to the required item. Thick wooden boards were used as place mats to prevent the hot food dishes from melting the ice, and the seat were covered with faux fur blankets.
The food choice was limited, not surprisingly, as the kitchen appeared to be in a tent. Dishes were mostly hearty winter fare such as soup and posh takes on casseroles; and the cheese course was fondue. Pudding was caramel and pear sponge with a piping hot chocolate sauce. There was no longing for ice cream or sorbet, that's for sure!
Sipping a glass of champagne, the last mouthful which, usually warm, was far colder than when it had just been poured! Self shilling champagne - I like it!
In the restaurant, all the furniture - as in the whole village - was made out of huge blocks of ice that had been beautifully carved to the required item. Thick wooden boards were used as place mats to prevent the hot food dishes from melting the ice, and the seat were covered with faux fur blankets.
The food choice was limited, not surprisingly, as the kitchen appeared to be in a tent. Dishes were mostly hearty winter fare such as soup and posh takes on casseroles; and the cheese course was fondue. Pudding was caramel and pear sponge with a piping hot chocolate sauce. There was no longing for ice cream or sorbet, that's for sure!
Sipping a glass of champagne, the last mouthful which, usually warm, was far colder than when it had just been poured! Self shilling champagne - I like it!
The restaurant
There was one slight problem though: on the day we were there, the outside temperature was hovering around freezing, rather than being the -10 degrees which is more usual for the time of year, therefore the tables and chairs were melting a tad, and there was a sheet on the doors to keep the heat OUT rather than the usual keeping it in. Despite this 'warmth,' the two hours we spent there were long enough and our fingers and toes were beginning to go numb by the end.
But it was an amazing experience!
But it was an amazing experience!
Not the best photo, but the blue lights really set the atmosphere.
Come the end of March, it will melt away and be all but a distant memory come summer...
