The 411 While Montreal is known for some stand-out restaurants, often there are places that will do a diner service but not be open for brunch. I often wondered how they would approach a brunch menu, and am glad to see Restaurant Les Cavistes has taken up the challenge. Best described as a French bistro placing an importance on wine, I have been following Les Cavistes for years. They even temporarily tried out brunch during the Festival en Lumière and I was quite pleased. So when I heard that they were bringing it back I felt it would be interesting to see how a French bistro handles brunch.

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Every time that spring comes around we are reminded of two things: 1) change the winter tires, and 2) Mother’s Day is around the corner. So this year we would like to offer you some options for that very special person in your life, your mom.

So Mother’s Day is tricky because, although it is the busiest day for brunch, it can be an exercise in compromise and patience. This is something I have had to deal with as well as I try to find the perfect spot for Mother’s Day. Just like there are different kinds of people, there are different kinds of brunches. You have the small personal brunch of 2 people or more, which is simple enough to not need to find a place that can accommodate a dozen people. You have those whose Mother’s Day outings are like mobilizing a small army, filled with various extended families and that require double digit reservations. You also have differing culinary preferences, with those who want something simple and quiet, or maybe even a shiny polished service, while others want an all-you-can-eat extravaganza.
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The 411 For some time now I’ve hear about Maamm Bolduc, the buzz about it has been positive, a breakfast spot where you can get your classic breakfast favourites at a decent price, generous portions and with little or no fuss. These spots are a staple feature of the Montreal brunch scene. Not every spot needs to reinvent breakfast; if you do it well for a fair price and make delicious meals then you have a winner. So now it is time to see if M Bolduc comes into this formula.

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The 411 Foodies…we come in all shapes, sizes, and backgrounds, all with different preferences. Our preferences differ from person to person, but at the end of the day we all love good food. A while ago I contacted a fellow blogger from The Butter Melts out of habbit, whose site I have been following as of recently. We spoke of doing a brunch rendezvous and managed to meet two other bloggers, Gluttoners and the sassy foodophile . Now we have four foodies and need to find a new brunch spot that no one has been to… so, no pressure whatsoever… So, when all else fails I go to my handy list of spots and go over every one and see if it’s foodie enough. Now, the risk of having a foodie brunch is that you may end up with something that resembles lunch, so after some research Le Comptoir made its way to the top of the suggestion pile.

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So as winter winds down, people start to breathe a sigh of relief; days feel longer, the fear of waking up to 20cm of snow is ebbing. So that means one thing: that’s right, Pied De Cochon Cabane à Sucre. If you aren’t familiar with the Pied de Cochon Cabane à Sucre, it’s a foodie’s dream come true. This dream is made up of a few ingredients, one part being foodie hero/saint aka Chef Martin Picard, add a generous portion of foie gras, some maple syrup, some duck, a little bit of meat pie, and 20 hungry people all ready to experience a culinary delight.

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So welcome back to latest installment of our behind the scenes brunch building at Deville Diner. Recently week we looked at the corned beef a hash menu item which is a classic diner dish, now this week we are going to look at something quite unique and creative with its roots in the diner cuisine and history.

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The 411 The old port has a variety of brunch options, many of which are quite nice. You can find brunch buffets, nice sit down places, some small, and others large. The menus are quite varied and although you will not find many classic style places, you know the eggs and bacon ones simply put, doesn’t really fit. Then comes along the Gros Jambon, which is a lovely little gem in the old port. The menu itself is not a classic bacon and eggs menu, but rather has a twist, it’s kind of like a luncheonette meets small town USA diner with the expected Montreal flair.

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Top of the morning to you. So it’s a lovely St Paddy’s day Sunday and you need some fuel in the stomach before you embark on a marathon of green beer and parade fun. Now I know some of you may say that Guinness itself is a meal, and yes I agree, but in some rare instances, you may need more than liquid nutrition. So we put together a list of various places offering Irish Breakfast on this most sacred day of green beer and green eggs and ham inspired dishes. Now we tried to get a detailed list but some of the web sites for the pubs have very little info on the breakfast part of the day. So after many calls and many “do Guinness and Jameson count as breakfast” jokes here is a list with some info. Please keep in mind my info is only as good as the answer I get from whomever answers the phone. I don’t offer more details as to if it’s good or not, that you need to see.

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Recently I was fortunate enough to be allowed into the kitchen of Deville Diner to experience their brunch building process. This post is one of many where I will be discussing some of the dishes that we will be seeing on their up and coming brunch menu. Now before I start, I need to clarify that I was given this opportunity because I personally know the owners and they allowed me the rare privilege to see the process of testing brunch items.

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Recently a new place opened up in the downtown core by the name of Deville Diner. It’s different from most places in that it’s a diner, not a deli, not a quick serve, not a traditional family dining spot, it’s an actual diner. Montreal traditionally does not have many diners, we have Delis but if you have been to New York and eaten at a diner you know what the difference is. It’s the look, the feel, the food, and Montreal really hasn’t had any that stand out until now. Now like all things in Montreal there’s a twist to it and Deville is no exception as it is a diner for the 21st century in that there are accents in the décor, and has a diner look and feel to it. The menu focuses on classic diner items like burgers, meat dishes, and sandwiches but they give them a modern spin often inspired by some famous dishes and restaurants in North America, creating something new and unique yet still comforting the way a diner in New York welcomes you. (more…)