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| - In an effort to avoid the alleged long lines of L'Avenue during the weekend brunch rush, I refrained from coming here until the Monday of my vacation in Montreal.
I walked in around 10am. I think there was one couple in the entire restaurant. The plan was successful!
It's a spunky looking restaurant, and shaped in a rectangle with tables and chairs lining all the way down, and the cooking going on across the other side. There are a couple of manikins strategically placed and in funny positions. The menu is entirely in French, so if you don't speak a word - either bring a dictionary (like I did), or if you've joined the modern technological world (unlike me), use a phone app to translate - and you're golden. Who knew champignon meant mushroom. ;-)
I ordered the eggs benedict that comes over French toast instead of an English muffin (ha ha, nice), with the maple syrup on the side. I think it's called the Benedict Sucre or something along those lines. The service is nice and friendly, but not hugely attentive. Nearly ten minutes went by before they came to take my order, even though they saw my menu closed and I was the only one waiting to order.. but they were standing around talking with one another. Granted my French is non-existent, I think they were training a new employee... based off of the body language.
I ordered a cup of coffee, but it was kind of lukewarm. Oh well. I came for the benedict anyhow. Which was.. a delicious sight for the eyes! Thick slices of brioche French toast, thin slices of ham, nicely poached eggs, and a buttery Hollandaise generously smeared over it all. A small cruet of maple syrup and cup of sauteed potatoes in the center. And a skewer of fresh fruit. (truly enjoyed that about Montreal.. as they bring you fruit and/or salad with almost every meal)
The Hollandaise was a bit heavy, and next time I'd ask for them to go easy on it - albeit it's very yummy and velvety.
Prices are a bit high, but you do get a ton of good food for it, and so a benedict dish with a cup of coffee will run you about $20 including the tip.
It's located a couple of blocks away from the Mont Royal metro station. A great place to walk afterward is down the opposite way (westward) towards St. Denis - lots of shopping opportunities. If you're looking for poutine, it's not far from here (15 min walk?) at La Banquise. Schwartz' smoked meats is about a 30 min walk southwest.
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