Ghetto Superstar

The 411

Going back to it’s inception in 1963, anyone who ever went to McGill University or lived in the McGill ghetto knows about Place Milton. Walk in the McGill ghetto and ask any student – they will not only point you in the right direction but they may even tell you a few stories on how their morning-after hangover recovery was aided by this place. Place Milton is a local legend in the McGill ghetto; its no nonsense menu and fair prices have brought people into its seats for years.

(more…)

CLOSED

Shaking the dust off an old classic

The 411

Since 1949 Dusty’s has been serving some filling breakfast food, and although the decor may not have changed much over the last 50 plus years, neither have the prices, making Dusty’s a wallet friendly place to go. The venue can be missed if you don’t know where it is, which is mainly due to the fact that there is no sign. I don’t know if there ever was one to begin with, and if there was, I have no idea where it disappeared to.

At 1st glance

When you first walk up to Dusty’s you can’t help but notice this giant wood acorn; I have no clue why it’s there or what it is supposed to represent but it does the job of acting as a landmark to tell you that you have arrived at your desired destination. The interior has vinyl banquets, drawings on the wall, and a couple short order seats. This adds a certain old school charm to the venue, although the washrooms could do without it.

(more…)

Home of the legendary Mish Mash

The 411

Cosmos is a place that you will likely have heard of as a Montreal Legend, a small 11 stool greasy spoon that serves up some really well priced egg dishes and their famous Mish Mash.

At 1st glance

As you pass by Comos you have to look carefully as the sign is faded. There’s Christmas decorations in the window and the interior looks like a textbook greasy spoon. So why go in, you ask yourself? Well, put your doubts aside and get in line, you are about to experience Montreal Breakfast history. In the summer there are a couple tables outside and during the winter there’s a line-up. This is not your typical go eat, get comfy and read a newspaper place; this is a get in, place your order, sit, eat, pay and leave kind of place. The turnover is quite fast and the line-up is usually 20 minutes.

(more…)

Fleury Flourishes

The 411

When I first was introduced to Zagrum I was shocked how such a unique breakfast place would be on Fleury, an area you would not assume had an abundance of good breakfast food.

At 1st glance

At first glance I saw a pretty modern place that did not have that “breakfasty” look to it. Although every time I go I like the clean open area with tables all about, a good view into the kitchen and a nice terrace during the summer. Zagrum is also wheelchair accessible, although the washrooms are not.

(more…)

A Sherbrooke concept in Laval

The 411

To begin with I should state that Eggsquis is a chain and although I have a no chain rule, I have revised it and will review it fairly. The location that will be reviewed is the one in Laval on 1450 , Blvd. Daniel Johnson. Although it is possible that not all of the 32 locations across Quebec are the same I will only be using this location for review purposes (that and I don’t feel like driving across the province to check them all out).

At 1st glance

The moment you pull into its ample parking lot, you quickly spot Eggsquis among the other shops in the little strip mall. We went at around 1:00 PM and there was a small lineup but it moved quite quickly. The decor is simple, nothing too crazy, and the capacity is quite fair; turn around was pretty good with people coming and going often. I was really concerned about the lineup but in less than 5 minutes we were seated (I should note that we were not a big group and if we were that may have taken a bit longer).

(more…)

Breakfast on the go

The 411

Often we find ourselves rushing off to work in the morning without the time to eat a real breakfast. I myself value those extra few minutes of sleep, as opposed to sitting down and spending that time fueling up for the rest of the day, so the concept of a real breakfast on the go seemed like an interesting idea so I went off to see how it worked.

At 1st glance

Once you walk in you notice you are a half floor up from the street level, giving you an excellent vantage point for people watching if you wish to sit down and eat. Both the east and west wall have a mural of a black and white photograph of what De Maisoneuve would look like if there was no wall blocking the view. It’s pretty cool and if you look at the west wall you can see a photoshoped license plate with the resto’s name on it. Wrapcity is in essence both a sit down and a to go concept; they also have digital menu boards at the counter with the menu displayed on 3 LCD’s as well as 3 LCD’s on the east and west side showing TV programs. (more…)

Persian Delight on Laurier

The 411

Nestled on Laurier close to Papineau, Byblos is a trip to another place and time. Serving up some amazing Persian dishes, Byblos offers great food with an equally great decor.

At 1st glance

Although the outside is quite nice and is rather unique I keep almost missing it every time I go by, but once you walk in you will be taken aback by how amazing the inside is. It’s not a modern interior but rather a Persian style place with nice wood doors, a bookshelf with books in it that you can grab and read as well as amazingly decorated walls, banquets and pictures on the wall that take your breath away. If you require wheelchair access this is one of the few places downtown that has it; there is an entrance on the side of the building (the front has a small lip) and the washroom are wheelchair accessible as well. (more…)

UPDATE Feb 11 2009

Serre Picasso has closed its doors, for more information on this check out a special post on it here.

Kicking it old skool

The 411

All the way in NDG on St Jacques street, surrounded by motels and next to a strip joint, Picasso’s is one place you would never consider walking into; unless you are using one of the other 2 fine establishments previously mentioned, or you are familiar with the legend that is Picasso’s. Any Montrealer at one point or another has heard of Picasso’s with its 24 hours, 7 days a week breakfast for a fair price. It is a veritable landmark where people will come in at all hours to eat and it’s one of the few places in the city where you can eat breakfast at 3 A.M.

At 1st glance

(more…)

A new twist on an old Classic

The 411

Situated on St Laurent, Aux Vivres is one of the few vegan breakfast/brunch options you will find in the city.

At 1st glance

Until now no other place that has been reviewed has offered a vegan option; some places do offer vegetarian choices but that’s only because they have a fruit cup, whereas Aux Vivres gives you 100% real vegan options. Once you pass by you could almost miss it as it is a very inconspicuous location, but when you walk in it’s nice, bright and welcoming. The terrace in the back is nice and cozy with a canopy above and a small garden in the middle. (more…)

Take a walk on the North side

The 411

All the way up in the 450, Allo Mon Coco has made itself quite a reputation as a quality breakfast place in Laval. So I made the trek to see what the fuss was all about, and boy was I pleasantly surprised.

At 1st glance

Initially from the outside it does not seem to offer the most impressive but when you walk in it’s a whole other story. Even at 2 P.M. the place is packed and for good reason. Allo Mon Coco serves up some solid food options that will please any appetite. It is important to note that they allow for wheelchair access (no steps at the door) as well as wheelchair accessible washrooms.

(more…)