Asparagus salad with fried egg and Pecorino Romano cheese at Farine in Montreal’s Mile end neighbourhood
I can’t believe it’s already June! The past 6 months have gone by so fast! Quite a few restaurants and cafés have opened since my last Current Crush and I can’t keep up anymore but I’m sharing the few that I have had time to visit. Enjoy this edition and don’t forget to check out the other Current Crushes here!
LA BÊTE À PAIN GRIFFINTOWN
195 Young / +1 514 509 8937
Tuesday to Friday: 7am- 7pm / Saturday & Sunday: 8am – 6pm
Brunch at La bête à pain in Griffintoen
La Bête à pain’s reputation has been very well established since the opening of its first spot in Ahuntsic. This second store is gorgeous and just as delicious! Fresh bread and pastries abound, so do tasty salads and brunch and lunch specialties. The bakery is adjacent to the must-visit Must Société, a space dedicated to home and garden furnishings as well as kitchenware. And don’t forget to order a cannelé while you’re at La Bête à pain; they’re the best in town!
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ÉPICERIE HÀO
255 Rachel East
Tuesday to Wednesday: 12pm – 4pm / Thursday & Friday: 5pm – 9pm / Saturday: 12pm – 9pm
Dumplings and buns at Hào
Hào is a tiny, minimalist, new spot in the heart of the plateau and once you discover it, it will become your new favourite place to grab a quick bite. The three young owners have had help from Trilogie’s Anita in designing the all-white space that’s spare yet welcoming and reminiscent of those tiny Hong Kong culinary gems. The succinct menu consists of a variety of buns, which you can enjoy in store at the small counter or on the bench outside Hào or to take home. These buns are definitely some of the best I’ve had in Montreal and will quickly become addictive.
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FARINE
102 St-Viateur West / 514 439 9223
Delicious brunch spread at Farine
I visited Farine when it first opened about a year ago and I honestly wasn’t impressed, but only fools don’t change their minds, right? So I went and visited again for brunch not long ago and I highly recommend it! The Roman-style pizza was delicious (although I do prefer less crust) and the pastas absolutely succulent! Their brunch spread of cakes and pastries is impressive and the menu was seasonal and fresh. I had a simple yet well seasoned asparagus salad topped with a fried egg and pecorino Romano that screamed spring and made me happy to be there on a sunny day. I just added Farine to my ongoing list of best pizza in Montreal.
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Below are a few of the new independent coffee shops I’ve visited lately.
Le Butterblume
5836 St-Laurent Boulevard / 514 903 9115
Tuesday to Sunday: 8am to closing, dictated by the sun!
The avocado toast at Le Butterblume is delicious!
This must be one of the cutest, most Pinterest-worthy cafés in town! I spent a few hours at the light-filled, spacious Butterblume (Buttercup in German) on its opening day and I loved the experience. The menu (breakfast, lunch and snacks) includes soups, salads, homemade granola, German ravioli stuffed with pork and spinach, tons of homemade cakes and pastries and more. I highly recommend the smoked avocado mousse, poached egg and mushroom tartine topped with a fresh herb salad on homemade bread. Everything from the bread to the pastries is made in house. Partners Julie Romano (an Olive & Gourmando and Pâtisserie Rhubarbe alum) and Nadine Boudreau (a Pullman alum) do a great job at offering an impeccable welcome to anyone walking in and a flawless service. The store also sells wild Quebec flowers by the stem as well as a few local magazines and items. Sit in the sunny back area by the open garage door and enjoy a few leisurely minutes in this new adorable space.
CAFMTL
187 Place d’Youville / 514 419 6799
Monday to Friday: 8am – 5pm / Saturday & Sunday: 9am – 5pm
Italian-style coffee at CAFMTL in Old Montreal
Located in the heart of Old Montreal, this Italian-style café has all the charm and warmth of an Old Montreal establishment, complete with wood column and a working fireplace. The large, centennial windows let the light in and the cozy seating is perfect to enjoy a sandwich or a delicious affogato made with their homemade ice cream and delicious, Italian-style espresso (a darker roast).
Café Pista
500 Beaubien Street East / 514 903 8257
Monday to Friday: 7:30am – 8pm / Saturday & Sunday: 9am – 6pm
Nice latte art at Café Pista
Another gorgeous new café has opened on Beaubien Street. The former bicycle-powered Café Pista is now a brick and mortar space with beautiful gold accents, delicate light fixtures, an intricate tin ceiling and aqua green banquettes. The sunny space is a great space to wile a few hours in and you can still find their mobile, bright red, bicycle powered café on the streets during the summer months.
These 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.
I have recently written an article about the significance of the three coffee waves. It’s quite simplified but I think it explains it well and puts it all into perspective.
