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| - Did someone say 'uppity ambiance, over-priced coffee and uh-may-zing pastries'?? De Gascone is Montréal's answer to those tourists who complain (rightfully so) that the city doesn't feel as Parisian as people say it is. Everyone speaks French here, but don't be intimidated: they usually make an effort to stumble in English for Anglophone customers. The clientele is mostly local Francophones who don't mind paying double what they should for a pastry. It's also, well, endearingly geriatric. More gray hairs here than hipster haircuts.
This predominantly-pastry shop sells expensive charcuteries; mediocre cheeses and meats the price of your unborn child's inheritance. They sell decorative cakes so statuesque they ought to be injected with formaldehyde and placed in a museum display. Aaaand they sell ça va coffee in a neighborhood brimming with the best beans. SO... don't visit De Gascone for these edibles. Instead, visit for yummy pastries; croissant aux amandes ("amandine"), chausson aux pommes ("apple strudel"), and croissant de beurre. You feel a bit like you're buying something from a factory here, especially when nearby tiny bakery "Cerise sur le Gateau" offers much more painstakingly/lovingly made pastries, but some of the fare at de Gascogne is A-OK.
The pricey take-away hot lunch items are surprisingly delicious. I like the artisan pizzas, paninis, and pesto boccincini salad. The crab cakes are perfectly-spiced and flavorful. There isn't much seating in the café area, so I recommend taking your food "pour emporter" or to-go.
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