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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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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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…)

The 411 – For those of you who have been following my reviews, you may know that the Villeray area has been expanding on their brunch selections. I have recently posted a few of the more recent additions to the area. L’institut de sculpture culinaire is a school for fruit carving and presentations. By carving I don’t mean carving a thanksgiving turkey, I mean carving fruits and vegetables; you know those large displays at special events made of fruit? Well this school will teach you that. Besides teaching, they recently opened a restaurant that started to offer a weekend brunch.

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The 411 Just recently I was presented with a scheduling challenge. Find a spot on the South Shore or close to the Jacques Cartier bridge so one of our friends could make it to his appointment after brunch and do so rather quickly. I did not feel like going down to the South Shore, so I had to find something somewhat close to the bridge. Now, I had to dig deep into my brunch map and look at an area I almost never frequent. What I found was Touski Café and Coop. I have no clue how Touski Café Coop came on my list but we were curious, hungry and on a timeline so it was decided.

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Happy Valentine’s day! A gift from us to you.

Over the years I’ve done over 180 reviews, I’ve eaten in multiple cities and I’ve seen the Montreal brunch scene expand and evolve, but it’s been only in English. Now, I do speak French and can communicate in an oral fashion rather well, although my written French is not at a level that is “publishable”. So, over the last while I have been working with a friend of mine to start translating some reviews to French. We have a few now and are committing do more as time passes. We will be rolling out French ones as the weeks go on and want all future posts to be in both languages. Please note that this is a volunteer project and we will do our best to get regular postings.

I guess you can consider this our Valentine’s Day gift, to you.

With Lots of love,

MBR

The 411 – The Old Port has, over the years, brought the city a resurgence in good food. Historically known as a tourist trap, it has shaped its own identity among locals who have moved into the area drawn by new restaurants. When one looks back a couple years ago, one would not see that many fine dining spots but now things have changed for the better. There are finally new, hip and unique spots opening up and they offer food you will enjoy. So, when my friend told me that a new place opened up nearby, I was excited.

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