MONTREAL THIS WEEK: Grand Prix 2024 activities, YUL detours, must-try frozen coffee and more

Hi, Montreal! 👋 Happy first week of June.It's Ilana from MTL Blog here with a brand-new edition of MONTREAL THIS WEEK, a newsletter-style article rounding up everything you need to know to crush the seven days to come (aka your guide to #NoFomo).

How was everyone's weekend? I hope you had the exact number of run-ins with Tour la Nuit and Tour de l'Ile that you wanted: many, if you're into watching cycling, and none if you needed to drive somewhere or simply cross the street.

How was my weekend? Oh, gee, thanks for asking. Well, I am still recovering from my birthday (you can read more about that in last week's issue), but I did manage to get outside and enjoy the gorgeous weather. I also finally got to try Tacos Don Rigo, a Mexican taqueria that's well worth a trip to the West Island. I'll go into more detail on that further down below.

Finally, on Sunday night, I checked out local prog-rock group John Hubcap Band's album release show with special guest Jerkswitch at L'Escogriffe Bar Spectacle.

I haven't gone to see live music in so long... and, I'm not sure if you guys know this, but that sh*t slaps. Not only did I dig the band's over-the-top party tunes influenced by the likes of Frank Zappa, Primus and more (their showmanship is equally entertaining), but l'Esco also had such a vibe with its cozy-yet-grungy basement feel: a stone wall behind the stage, posters plastered everywhere, graffiti all over the bathrooms. It's exactly the kind of place you want to be while dancing your heart out, as you support the local arts scene.

Speaking of the Montreal arts scene, with the city's festival season in full swing, there's so much to see and do and eat and drink this week. We've got the weather, top stories, staff recommendations, trivia and more for you right here, so keep on reading.

WEATHER

It's about to get hot hot hot. If that's how you like it, take advantage of the first half of the week and get outside while you can! The forecast shows the weather taking a stark turn from 30+ degrees and sunny to cloudy and rainy as of Thursday. Things will cool down on Friday, with predictions suggesting a high of 20 degrees and a low of 16 degrees. The rest of the weekend looks similar.

☀️ Sunny days are expected Monday through Wednesday with highs ranging from 31 to 32 degrees.
☔ Showers are projected to take over Thursday through Sunday, as temperatures cool, with highs ranging from 29 to 20 degrees.
💨 As of Monday, Air Quality was at a level three. While this is considered "low risk," it is slightly higher than the level one and level two ratings we've typically seen over the past several weeks.

You can find the full seven-day forecast on the Environment Canada website. Predictions are subject to frequent change.

📣 WHAT TO KNOW

DETOURS EN ROUTE TO/FROM YUL
Headed to (or back from) the airport? From June 2 to 6, there will be complete or partial night-time closures in the Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport area due to construction on the Dorval Interchange. Detour routes will be marked with signs. For help planning your trip, consult Québec 511 and YUL's travel tips & tricks site. Taxi, UBER, EVA, and the 747 bus are all available to provide transportation services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. ✈️

🚧 Closure of the ramp leading from Roméo-Vachon boulevard (Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport) to Highway 20 eastbound. Monday to Thursday nights, from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
🚧 Closure of Highway 20 westbound, between exit 56 (Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport) and the entrance from boulevard Montreal-Toronto. Monday to Thursday nights, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
🚧 Complete closure of boulevard Bouchard (overpass over Highway 20), between fire station 63 and the Dorval roundabout. Wednesday to Thursday nights, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
🚧 Closure of Highway 20 eastbound between exit 56 (Pierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport) and the entrance from boulevard Bouchard. Sunday to Thursday nights, from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.

🍽️ WHAT TO EAT & DRINK

Slushy Iced Coffee at Café Gentile

"I’ve been a fan of Gentile for a while now, but it was only recently that I discovered their frozen coffee. During a lunch break, I decided to try it out and it’s safe to say I’ll be getting another very very soon. It was an elevated iced cappuccino with an addictive creamy coffee taste. Tip: Don’t be like me and take quick sip after quick sip — you will get a brain freeze. Take it slow, savour the flavours and feel the coffee kick set in." 📍4134, rue Saint-Catherine, Westmount & 9299, av. Park — Mike Chaar, Assistant Editor, MTL Blog

Red Velvet Croissant at La Cave à Manger

"La Cave à Manger in Old Montreal is a true hidden gem. The basement bakery/café under Marché Bonsecours delivers croissants that are flaky, layered and unexpectedly flavoured. Their creative combinations steal the show. The red velvet croissant filled with cream was a personal favourite — lighter and more palatable than a chocolatine on a hot day. Their crookie lives up to the hype but is too heavy to beat the light airy-ness of a classic croissant. With coffee, wine, and other pastries on offer, this spot is a must-try for anyone serious about their pastries."📍386, rue Saint-Paul E. — Sofia Misenheimer, Editor, MTL Blog

Quesabirria Tacos from Tacos Don Rigo

"I don't normally suggest trekking out to the West Island, but Tacos Don Rigo is well worth the trip. As I pulled up to the taqueria — a small bright blue and orange counter-service restaurant adorned with sombreros, skulls, cacti, piñatas, chairs made from saddles and Cumbia Para Bailar playing from the overhead TV — it felt like my 30-minute drive had brought me to Mexico rather than to Pierrefonds. This joint is best known for the delicious dish I ordered: Quesabirria tacos, slow-cooked Mexican stew with cheese wedged between crispy tortillas and served with a consomé for dipping. But the large chalkboard menu shows a wide range of taco, burrito, quesadilla and torta options, including all the classics. There's also a variety of Jarritos flavours, Mexican drinks like horchata, and mouthwatering cocktails on offer. Help yourself to some pickled onion, jalapeño and salsa from the self-serve bar, grab a seat on the lovely terrasse and buen provecho. Warning: There tends to be a line-up out the door on weekend evenings, but it moves quickly." 📍4740, boul. Saint-Jean, Pierrefonds, QC — Ilana Belfer, Senior Writer, MTL Blog

🎲 WHAT TO DO

• Montreal Fringe Festival (Now until June 16 in the Plateau-Mont-Royal): The St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival is back with an exciting program of nearly 100 shows, which includes 500+ artists performing in 20+ venues! Thanks to Fringe's lottery system, the affordable ticket prices and the fact that proceeds are returned to the artists, this fest — versions of which take place annually around the world — is the ultimate celebration of artistic freedom and accessibility within the local theatre, dance, music, comedy and visual arts scenes, fostering unmatched creativity you won't want to miss. Don't forget that between June 6 and 16, Parc des Amériques transforms into FRINGE Park where you can catch concerts, drag races, Mini Fringe (for kids) and more, all TOTALLY FREE.
  
  • FRINGE MTL DETAILS & TICKETS
• MURAL Festival (June 6 to 16): "Mural Festival in Montreal, an annual celebration of urban art, transforms the cityscape into a vibrant canvas. Renowned artists from around the world converge to unleash their creativity, adorning walls with breathtaking murals that reflect diverse cultures, ideas, and perspectives. Explore the surreal universe crafted by artist Chloé Biocca, the visionary behind the captivating visual identity of the 12th edition of the Mural Festival," writes MTL Blog reporter Mike Chaar of this vibrant event, which kicks off Thursday. While you have to pay to attend the block parties, it won't cost you a dime to see street art masterpieces crafted before your eyes — plus, there are other FREE ACTIVITIES, including performances, planned for the Saint-Laurent Zone.
  • MURAL FEST DETAILS & TICKETS
• Formula 1 Grand Prix du Montreal 2024 (June 7 to 9): While F1 weekend is officially this Friday to Sunday, there are Grand Prix events taking place throughout the city starting as early as Monday. As thousands of people — from car aficionados to celebrities — descend upon Montreal, the city will play host not only to motor races but to themed parties, red carpets, family activities, brand activations and more. So start your engines and gear up for a racy weekend.
  • EVERYTHING YOU CAN DO IN MONTREAL DURING THE GRAND PRIX

Good Deal (and Good Deed) of the Week

The Montreal SPCA is offering free and reduced adoption fees this week

The exterior sign of the Montreal SPCA. Right: A bunny rabbit up for adoption at the Montreal SPCA.Mike Chaar | MTL Blog, @spcamontreal | Instagram

Cost: FREE (rabbits, exotic and small animals), $50 (adult cats and dogs)

When: June 5 to 9

Where: Montreal SPCA – 5215, rue Jean-Talon O. Montreal

Learn more

ICYMI: Last week's top story

A popular Montreal restaurant serving comfort food in Little Italy has closed for good

Dinette Triple Crown owners Nicole and Colin. Right: The Montreal restaurant's famed fried chicken and waffles.@dinettetriplecrown | Instagram, @dinettetriplecrown | Instagram

An announcement on May 25 marked the end of a 12-year era for a community eatery in Little Italy, cherished for its fried chicken and waffles, creamy mac 'n' cheese, and buttery biscuits with gravy.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

POLL

"Prochain station, [insert terrible name here]!" But of all the poorly-named Montreal metro stations, which is the worst? So far, Pie-IX has taken the lead with 50% of the vote because who in the heck uses Roman numerals anymore? That said, votes are sparse so — if you think Angrignon sounds too angry, Square-Victoria-OACI has too many words or L'Assomption is reminiscent of death — there's still time to weigh in. Head to ASKMontreal to vote or comment.

A screenshot of an ASKMontreal poll.ASKMontreal

VOTE NOW

PUB TRIVIA (AT HOME)

Brought to you by Quizmaster Brian

🎉 Last week's answer: 525,600 minutes

🤔 This week's question: On Broadway in 2014-15, Emma Stone starred as Sally Bowles in a revival of which musical?

Tune in next week for the answer and a new question!

Thanks for reading Montreal This Week. What did you like (or dislike) about today's edition? And what other information do you need to start your week off right? You can reach me with all feedback at ilana.belfer@mtlblog.com.