warning for anti-grévistes: this aint the place for you! stay the hell in Westmount you want something more..erm..."traditional".
But if your not a Jerk (and you support the Quebec Student Strike) you will LOVE this place. They always have vegan baked goods and homemade kombuchas as well as a decent selection of veg meals. but you dont come here for the food, you come here to chill. Strike slogans are written on the bathroom walls, the staff are hippies and its always filled with UQAM students. L'Escalier is one of the chillest spots to chill in MTL.
Warning for Anglophones: this joint is UBER francophone. good luck getting English service, however that adds to the charm for me, as it gives me an opportunity to améliorer mon français sans jugement.