My December Current Crush post is ready just in time for you to explore some of these over the Holidays! Just a quick reminder that these “Current Crush” posts are here so I can share a few of my latest coups de cœur with you. Some of these spots may be new, some a bit more honed but they’re all fantastic and definitely worth a visit. Enjoy this edition and don’t forget to check out the others here!

BACON & MASON
Addenda, April 7th, 2015: Bacon & Mason has unfortunately closed
102 Saint Viateur West
Monday to Wednesday: 10am – 4pm / Thursday & Friday: 9am – 9pm / Saturday: 10am – 6pm / Sunday: 10am – 3pm

Ethically sourced meat and various edible local products is what you’ll find at this bold, Mile End spot. A partnership with Berlin Reed, aka The Ethical Butcher, this venture includes great sandwiches, Southern-inspired sides (the greens are delicious), house infused bacon, “microcharcuteries” and a bacon club to which you can adhere to receive your well-sourced monthly slab.

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THAZARD
5329 Saint-Laurent Boulevard / 514 802 8899
Tuesday to Saturday: 6pm – 2am / Wednesday to Friday: 11:30am – 2pm

A Japanese menu with a French bistro look and old-school tableside cart service is what awaits you at this newly opened Mile End restaurant. This is the reincarnation of Izakaya Iwashi with chef Hachiro Fujise at the helm cooking up some of his now-famous luscious ramen soups as well as a slew of other Japanese delicacies, including housemade meat and fish charcuteries. A note for all you night owls, Thazard is open until 2am!

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TRILOGIE
8521 Saint-Laurent Boulevard
Monday to Friday: 11am – 3pm

I was still in Hong Kong when I saw that my Instagram friend Anita had opened a Chinese restaurant in my neighbourood. I have since been twice. Trilogie is a family-run restaurant with Anita’s aunts in the kitchen and her sister and her tending to the dining room. It’s only open for lunch weekdays for now and serves Chinese “comfort food”, mainly dumplings with different fillings. The space is lovely, the food is simple and delicious and the service so friendly.

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PÂTISSERIE PETIT LAPIN
342A Victoria Avenue / 514 507 4077
Tuesday to Friday: 11 am – 7 pm / Saturday: 11 am – 5 pm / Sunday: 11 am – 5 pm

One would think that a cupcake that’s “gluten free, lactose free, allergy free (nut free, soy free, dairy free, etc.) and vegan” would have the textured of cardboard but one would be wrong when it comes to these particular sweet treats. I was happily surprised by how moist and tasty the Petit Lapin cakes and macarons are. If you or anyone you know are allergic to anything, head to Westmount to this cute little shop that will make anyone with a sweet tooth happy.

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MEI RESTAURANT
1425 Mackay Street / 514 238 1314
Monday to Saturday: 9:30am – 10:30am / Sunday: 11am – 10pm

I just got back from Hong Kong and was craving xiao long bao, the soup-filled dumplings that I ate on a daily basis while in Asia. So I naturally turned to Jason from Shut Up and Eat for a  recommendation. Mei Restaurant is in the heart of the Concordia ghetto and although the dumplings’ wrappers are not as delicate as the ones in Hong Kong, they are very tasty. The menu is extensive with dozens of “Chinese tapas” available for you to try.

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I have visited quite a few new (or new to me) cafés since my last Current Crush.

DISPATCH COFFEE
267 St-Zotique West
Monday to Friday: 7:30am – 5pm / Saturday & Sunday: 9am – 5pm

Dispatch just moved into their new digs in the Mile Ex. If you loved their coffee truck, you’ll love this space just as much, and bonus, they will be roasting their own beans on the premises!
Dispatch also has a spot on the McGill campus, at 3480 University Street.

CAFE 8 OZ.
5851 St-Hubert / 514 303 8008
Monday & Tuesday: 8am – 6pm / Thursday to Sunday: 8am – 6pm

A cute new café with great coffee, pastries from Patrice Demers (try the kouign amman!) and tons of books and magazines to flip through while taking a caffeinated break.

CAFÉ SFOUF
1250 Ontario Street East / 514 507 8777
Wednesday to Friday: 8am – 6pm / Saturday & Sunday: 9am – 5pm

Located in the heart of Montreal’s Village, Café Sfouf is an airy and light-filled space offering beverages as well as light snacks, like the labneh and zaatar tartine pictured here, which is such a taste of home for me. Friendly people, comfortable couches as well as a large communal table for you to work at.

CAFÉ MYRIADE
1000 Sainte-Catherine Street West / 514 939 1717
Monday to Friday: 8am – 9pm / Saturday: 9:30am – 6:30pm / Sunday: 11am – 6pm

Café Myriade just opened their third location inside the new Club Monaco flagship store at 1000 Sainte Catherine Street West in downtown Montreal. I haven’t been yet but Myriade serves excellent coffee at their other two locations and I’ve heard this one is just as great.

They have all been added to my map of Montreal’s best independent cafés. You can also follow my twitter list of Montreal independent cafés here.