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| - I returned to Montreal after being away for the summer to find out that this place opened up around the corner from me. It's inside the Mount Stephen hotel, a boutique hotel in a restored historic building. I decided to stop by for breakfast.
The first thing that strikes you is the space itself. The wood-panelled walls, plush carpet and hardwood floors, and marble countertops evoke the grand hotels of a century ago. You have the option of eating either in the dining room or at the bar. I chose the bar for the more open space and brighter lighting, since I was there for breakfast.
The menu is simple and well-curated. Given the British pub theme, they have the usual suspects, along with the full English breakfast. I opted for the omelette forestière, with mushrooms, lardons, spinach, Emmental, and duck fat potatoes, along with a side of their breakfast sausage. I was seriously impressed with everything. The omelette was properly executed, not overcooked, and the filling was the right mix of crispy and gooey. The duck fat potatoes were excellent, with a slightly crisp, caramelized outside encasing a creamy interior. The sausages seemed house made, and had a nice herbal seasoning to them.
Service-wise, business was slow when I was there, and even though the staff was taking advantage of the down time to prepare for the lunch and dinner rushes later that day, they were friendly and attentive.
I'm definitely looking forward to a return visit for dinner soon.
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