Cafés and Quick Bites
Cafés
Santropol on St-Urbain
They put too much stuff in their sandwiches for my taste, but this place found its place close to heart in university 15 yrs ago, when I was so impressed with the fresh fruit garnishes and artsy feel of the place. I still enjoy the spirit of the place, the terrasse, and they were the first to sell fair-trade coffee in Montreal, and continue to play an important role in the community. For that alone, they deserve our support.
Shaika on Sherbrooke O. in front of NDG park
Great, dynamic coffee spot where the coffee is fair trade, and care is put into the food and decor (local art..) Laptops abound, but the mood is calm and there is a very communtiy feel to the place, with people of all ages and backgrounds: students, professionals, new moms... all the people living in your neigborhood.
Café Planète on Mont Royal
My favorite internet café. They serve fair trade coffee, the environment is much nicer than any other internet cafés (no kids playing video games here), the tunes are good, and they serve a few good sandwiches.
Laika on St-Laurent
When I want to escape my neighborhood with a few magazines or some writing, and hang out alone undisturbed, I like this cool place. You can have an espresso or a beer, some guac or a baguette, or a daily special, really not bad. A touch grungy, but I like the vibe.
Olive et Gourmando on Notre Dame
Great bread, good coffee, good everything. A great place for lunch or a snack, but get there early, they always sell out of everything.
Le Cartet on McGill
Great concept: café meets épicerie, with good food, Illy coffee, Valrhona chocolate. Big communal tables, lots of quality ready-made food, soups, sandwiches, cheese plates, plus a small ala carte at lunch time. Lots of gourmet goodies on the shelves to look at.
Quick Bites:
Pho Bang New York on St-Laurent near Viger
For the oh so yummy tonkinese soup.
La Paryse on Ontario E.
For the wide selection of tasty burgers.
Frites Alors several outlets on the Plateau
For some good grease in the form of a dressed up burger or merguez sub, poutine, or just fries and your choice of seasoned mayo.
Cluny Artbar in Old Montreal, for lunch.
Titanic in Old Montreal, for the sandwiches.
Foumagerie on Sherbrooke St. O.
For their sandwiches if you like a crusty baguette. I love the carpaccio or the proscuitto with Parm. They squeeze lots of fresh lemon inside, delish. You have to request the butter though, it is Westmount after all. Also a good cheese selection.
Le Fromentier on Laurier E.
Great bread. A vast array of interresting take-out.
Pasta Casarecchia on Sherbrooke St. O.
Good simple Italian take-out.
Bofinger on Sherbrooke O. (and Oxford)
Tasty smokehouse BBQ meats in NDG. Terrific wings and pulled pork.
Rotisserie Italienne on St-Catherines O.
This place and I go back along way, so it is comfort food. The offerings are standard Italian, very simple, and never change. Good fast food is what it is, but very satisfying.
Dad's Bagel on Sherbrooke O.
For the Indian take-out, samosas and late-night staple shopping.
Pushap 5195 Paré, 514-495-0565
Good for the price vegetarian Indian fare in Cote des Neiges.
Bombay Mahal ion Jean Talon O. in Park EX.
Authentic Indian on the cheap..
Pret à Manger on St-Catherine's near the old Forum for GREAT CHINESE
The name is misleading because this is great value delicious REAL Chinese fare, with everything from the ordinary (wonton soup, springrolls and Black bean beef) to the exotic and interesting, with a wide variety of meat, seafood, vegetable and noodle dishes, hot pots and platters. The clientele is largely Chinese, hence the duck claws, eels and shark-fin soup.
Pho Viet on Côte des Neiges
Thai Son on St-Denis (just below Jean Talon)
Tasty and cheap Vietnamese and Chinese, be it a bun or noodles on the go, or a sit-down feast with one of those giant menus. A very friendly and clean family operation, they make me happy.