“You know what we like.” Those were the words my uncle said before I ordered the food. The food in question was Chinese.
My Grandfather George was in town for a hospital visit – escorting him was my Uncle Simon. I had taken them to Chinatown for some Chinese Food. Exploring Montreal through new eyes can sometimes be a daunting task, especially if you don’t know where to start.
As another Nation service we have selflessly taken it upon ourselves to introduce you to the sights ,sounds and tastes of Montreal. Summer is upon us and people passing through this summer can refer to The Nation’s Guide to Montreal’s Sights, Sounds and Tastes. For some, the places referred to in this guide are old haunts, so I will try to do the familiar and the new. For starters, I will do, as the Chinese put it, “the first pleasure in life”… eating. This is a first in a series of columns where we will show you what’s available in and around Montreal. This column will be concentrating on where to go for breakfast Lunch and dinner will be in later issues.
The start to any good day is a great breakfast. There are several places which serve breakfast all day for all those late risers. So let’s start with one of my all-time favourite breakfast joints. Cosmos Coffee Bar (5843 Sherbrooke W.) Cosmos has been voted “Best of Montreal” four times for breakfasts in a local paper’s survey, making it an obvious stop. It is a small restaurant with a counter that holds about 10 stools. They set up tables on the sidewalk during the summer. Their specialty is heavenly potatoes. They boil them first and throw them on the grill with some onions and margarine and they keep chopping them until they’re semi-mashed. They start developing a nice burnt crust… beautiful. There is nothing like it anywhere else. Ask them what bread they have and they will list off about a dozen types. I recommend the bagel with cream cheese on the side. This is stick-to-your-ribs kind of food. For really big appetites try the “creation,” a sandwich which includes eggs, bacon, salami, tomatoes and cheese with a side order of the famous home fries or for humungous appetites go for the “mixed grill,” an omelot that is graced with six eggs (no, it is not a misprint, yes, it does say six—Ed.), bacon, salami, ham, sausage, onions, tomatoes and cheese. Cholestoral city. With your regimen of regular exercise, of course you can indulge a bit.
Or you could go a little more upscale to Eggspectations (198 Laurier W.) Nice setting with park benches, lots of knick knacks on the walls. Lots to choose from, even eggs Benedict “Eggs, like you wouldn’t think” (Quote from a Nation staffer—Ed.) Nice accompanying fresh fruit on the side.
There is also Dusty’s (4510 Parc.) Good basic breakfast food. The potatoes aren’t as good as Cosmos but it is none-the-less excellent. Again I recommend the bagel with cream cheese on the side with your bacon and eggs. Fresh squeezed orange juice. Nice! ! Up the street a couple of doors over is Pines Pizza (4520 Parc) which also serves a nice breakfast They always give you three eggs even if you order two. The sign in the window says, “Godlike Potatoes.” Personally I find the spice a little too sharp.
Another resto worth checking out is Buymore on 388 Bernard W., just west of Parc. Wonderful and generous French toast.
I really should squeeze in one more spot, no breakfast listing would be complete without Beauty’s (93 Mont Royal W.) At around 10 bucks a breakfast most of the price goes to the atmosphere. It’s the most meeyoujaow place for breakfast.
If you are going to any of these establishments during the weekend expect a line-up for some of them during the peak breakfast hours, usually between 10:00 and 1:00. So get there earlier or later or wait in line, the wait isn’t generally that long. Most of these places are away from the main downtown scene but I’m sure you’ll find the trip worth it. After a nice hearty breakfast go shop (look for a shopping guide in a later issue) till you drop. Next time we will be looking at places to go for lunch. Until then, Watchyia and Waashchaamiitsuuyaan.
