Terribly Branché and Typically Outremont

There is something very Upper East side about Montreal's ubber-chic Outremont neighbourhood. It has a mix of early-to-mid 20th century architecture, equipped with awnings and parks. It makes one feel a little more NYC than Bernard Street. But then one stumbles upon French Patisseries and terrasses like Les Enfants Terribles, which, of course, scream Montréal.

Desperately searching for an outdoor oasis on a Tuesday night was an impossible feat it seemed. Where is everyone? Isn't this construction holiday? I was slightly frustrated until, that is, we drove by Terrible's alarmingly charming corner eaterie on Bernard, it was a no-brainer. I have to admit I had heard of this place before, but I was sold (and, yes, guilty--judged a book by its cover) the second I saw the vibrant glitterati crowd and pretty waiters. Jackpot.

We sat and awed over the adorable spot, Les Enfants Terribles immediately felt comfortable. The host was very accommodating in helping us find just the right table on their fairly large outdoor dining terrasse. The second I sat down, I wanted nothing but a Rosé to help me savour this moment. I surveyed the crowd as I always do and saw a mix of all ages, many of which seemed après work chic. Pretension was low, but slightly palpable. To be expected, I suppose. In any event, the service was super-friendly and attentive. Our waitress was patient and all smiles. So far so good.

I ordered the quail and haricots salad, and my dining companion ordered the gazpacho along with their beef burger. My salad was such a hit I took mental notes on how to re-create it at home. The parmesan slithers was abundant and the toasted almonds topped it off nicely. My dining companion liked her burger, the fries were typical and ordinary, a tad soft, but good as well. She particularly liked her gazpacho, a pleasant tomato concoction which was fresh enough to withstand the hot evening.

The bill came out to a very fair 36 dollars each. Keep in mind this includes one drink, an appetizer and main dish. Fantastique!

In short, I'd say Les Enfants Terribles was a hit! In fact, this resto branché is the answer to anyone wondering: where are all the people and good eats at?!

Cheers blog-o-lites!

Mtl.D

Breakfast perfection

Ahh, saturdays in the summer. Nothing feels quite like them. And the perfect accoutrement to a leisurely saturday morning, one may ask? Is a perfect breakfast.

There is nothing more pleasant than a no-rush, leisurely trip to a (good) breakfast place. My first rule about these spots, no matter what, is the bottomless cup of coffee. It's the go-to staple of any

morning resto. Also, one must keep the coffee coming, as I inwardly cringe every time I have to ask for a coffee refill when my cup is nearing its sad end. However, when the coffee is flowing, the mood is set for le petit dejeuner.

Le Passé Composé definitely kept the fresh coffee coming.

A pretty spot, neatly tucked away on Roy street East off St-Denis, and a stone's throw from Park Lafontaine, and conveniently about a 7-10 minute walk from Metro Sherbrooke, it was just what the doctor ordered. Not just a breakfast place, its tiny terrasse containing four tables (very european-ly situated right on the sidewalk) their interior was gorgeous. Don't be intimidated by the white tablecloths and the Tableau Art on the wall, they only add to the jazz music backdrop and red banquettes. Me and my delightful dining companion felt like we were back in old Paris!

Onto the main event! Zi menu. First off, the prices were what immediately hit me. Very reasonable, so much so in fact, I did a double take on most of their items (which includes everything from your basic waffles, eggs benedict, omelettes, french toast, etc). I decided on my morning favourite, French toast. My friend ordered the adorably named Tete a Tete, which had any traditional breakfast lover's dream: sausage, potatoes, eggs...

Now I bet you're wondering what makes this place worth my hype? Well, as cliché as this will sound, it was the presentation. Don't roll your eyes yet! I, as well, have a fond annoyance for plate presentations compensating for less-than-good food and mediocre service, but the quality of Passé Composé's ingredients and fresh fruit made me think that there certainly was no compensating needed. My French toast was light and cripsy, the eggs were fresh and their potatoes...unbeatable and wonderfully seasoned. A hit!

The only hiccup was the service was a tad long, especially with us being among the only patrons there. I suppose when breakfast is this good (and inexpensive) a long wait isn't so bad. After all, perfection takes time, you know.

Happy weekending blog-o-lites!

Mtl.D

Trends: worth the 'tude?

I'm back from my one day hiatus! It was worth the wait, I promise.

So I'm going to diverge from the typical reviews of

eateries and hangouts. Montrealista Diaries likes to expand its horizons after all peeps. This brings me to the task of reviewing this little boutique I've been visiting for a couple of years now. And unless you've been living under a rock, then you're quite familiar with the Jean-Talon street boutique called Abe & Mary's.

Although the store front looks more like a garderie than a high end clothing/accessories store, the inside is a two-floor treasure trunk stylishly bursting with absolutely everything a fashionista could dream of: Marc Jacobs, Alice and Olivia, Michael Kors, Juicy Couture, J Lindeberg, Chloe, Tom Ford, Chanel, UGG Australia, you name it! Items are vast and include everything from high end beauty products, to watches, jewelry, clothing (men and women's), jackets, shoes, evening/formal wear, workout gear, etc. Heck, the entrance is even equipped with a café for the customer's convenience, where one can count on the agglomeration of a daily lunch crowd, most probably craving their sandwiches, salads and cupcakes! What can go wrong?

Well, plenty.

See, I have this silly expectation that, if I'm going into a store with say, the intention of spending 500 dollars on a gorgeous cream-colored Marc Jacobs handbag (during the worst recession in modern history, no less!) I suppose a greeting by a salesclerk (at any point, really) would be a fantastic idea, and might even play in their favour. Apparently, their training skipped the whole let's-be-cordial to paying customers aspect of sales. I was not acknowledged at ANY point of my visit. The severe attitude made me want to deck out of there faster than you can say couture. But I wanted to test the waters, give them the benefit of the doubt. So, I made eye contact with several of the sales girls, smiled, and all seemed to respond with the same stern look one would expect a stranger to give you when you are doing your daily commute on the train. Keep in mind, the boutique was not, by any means, overcrowded with clients. There's simply no excuse.

I'd like to point out that it doesn't matter how much a customer is (or isn't) willing to spend, whether it be a purchase of 15 dollar earrings, or 500 dollar sunglasses. It really does not matter. Give me a smile, maybe? And who knows, I might just up your commission for the day, and we all go home happy.

Or maybe they are just sporting fall's newest accessory: rudeness?

Actually, I'll pass on that trend. I'll take charm over the charm bracelet any day.

Keep it fabulous!

Mtl.D

I want "Candi"

Happy 20th of July, friends!

I have to say, wholeheartedly, that finding just the perfect summer spot is about as easy as finding parking on St-Denis. However, every once in a while, something almost magical happens. Where stars align and the perfect little bar, conveniently named after my favourite food group, comes to life in the 514.

Blog-o-lites, let us welcome Candi Bar to the family.

A newcomer to the Avenue Mont-Royal, the place fits quite nicely in the Plateau. In any other circumstance, a lineup outside a bar would make me cringe from here to the South Shore. However, with Candi, the simple reason for the queue, according to the friendly bouncers (a rarity in Montreal) is that they are close to capacity inside and they let people in only as people come out. Now, this is obviously a safety precaution. But in my case, I was particularly thankful on this humid summer night, for they were saving me from the prototypical sauna-esque, sweat-dripping feeling most other establishments seems to not thing twice about (Moomba?). In all fairness, Candi is minuscule compared to many other nightspots in Montreal. In fact if I were to approximate its size, I'd compare it to that of Gogo's.

In any event, we soon got in. And the first thing that hits one as they stroll into the place is the funhouse-looking entrance. It felt a little Alice in Wonderland, circa 2010. When one pushes through the swinging funhouse doors, you're greeted by a nuage of pink. The bar is so endearing, with its stools having plastic legs for stands and lollipop-shaped menus. Refreshing.

The crowd was early/mid twenties. Good-looking. And for some reason, the energy felt really positive. Although the pink backdrop might have skewed my judgement somewhat. The music was a mix of new (Phew!) hip-hop and the latest house. (Sorry peeps, old hip-hop sends me into a seizure, I can't take hearing Fatman Scoop any frikkin' longer)

Onto the real deal: Drinks. Not a bargain by any means. Although my group mostly tried the bar's signature drinks (candy included!) which came in ginormous glasses which looked and tasted much like slushies, with each drink costing around 11 dollars-a-pop. Ouchie. But overall, these cavity-enducing cocktails were quite yummy (aka sweet and a little light on the alcohol)

Also, remember my sauna comment? Well it got a little, erm, warm in there toward the end of the night. But again, I suppose this is inevitable at any spot. Just keep the hair clips handy, chickies.

In short, it was all about the experience. I hadn't left a new spot feeling this content in a long time. With a friendly staff and a creative concept like this, I'll take the sugar-enducing cavities.

Mtl.D

Tango a no-go?

No no, not the dance. Although one day, maybe!

I'm referring to Laval's

approximately one year old rookie of a lounge/eatery named Tango. I've been going occasionally to this place for about a year now, with more frequent visits in the summer months. It's a chilled-out spot, doted with modern couches, earthy colours and dark wood decors. All this is rounded off with loud-as-hell XM radio house music. The crowd is fairly young, with a staff to match. The waitresses are friendly (for the most part) while others lack the whole filling your glass with water thing, that is if they are even offering you any, period.

There are two terrasses, both always packed. They serve everything from crepes, gelato, smoothies, cocktails, whole-fruit cocktails (the Calvi being my personal favourite!) etc. And shisha lovers unite! You'll be able to smoke to your heart's content on their outdoor terrasse.

However, it's not all "smoothie" sailing. The prices leave little to be desired. Simple example: about a month ago, I ordered coffee with a hazelnut gelato, only to be slapped with the bill and realize they charge 6 dollars a cup (for filter coffee?!) The waitress explained this was because they had been "taken advantage of by a bunch of kids the previous summer", yet she never forewarned me before I ordered. To boot, I was never offered a refill once, and the coffee came lukewarm. Not good.

Also, I could do without the room-temperature strawberry-kiwi smoothie (comically named the Waikiki) which cost an infuriating 8 dollars before tax, only to find out their ultra secret ingredient is (wait for it!) sparkling mineral water. Genius.

If you have nothing better to do on a weeknight, it actually has quite the pleasant atmosphere, and they do serve up a mean sangria. Also, their gelato selection really is quite impressive (that is, if they have any of your favourite flavour left) !

Just make sure you ask for a re-fill of that six dollar coffee! It's all about bang for your buck, apparently.

Tootles! -Mtl.D

Tell it like it is

Welcome, my blog-o-lites!

So I'm a total newbie to the whole blogging thing, right? But I feel it is a necessary duty to catapult Montreal back onto the social scene. This notion clicked when I was strolling one hot July afternoon on the Main and passed club Bijou Buddha, which, according to "sources", was open for about 14.2 minutes. It now has wood for windows. Yikes. Why the short shelf life, I wonder? Let us brave the Montreal summer humidity and all find out together, shall we?

In my professionally unscientific, not to mention early-twenties socialite opinion, Montreal is a gem. But, it definitely needs a fine tuning every once in a St-Catherine street pothole. Let's look at the bright side: we have been hosting some of the world's best summer events for years now (Jazz/Comedy lovers know what I'm talking about). Now the bad: everyone recall the recent and endless Grand Prix Formula One fiasco (lack thereof to back thereof) as well as the seemingly never-ending construction on all of our most important

streets (AHEM St-Laurent boulevard ring a bell?). Let me round off my rant by highlighting our restaurant/lounge/club openings and closings due to unsurpassed lameness/ripping you off-ness of said establishments. Frankly, we can all agree that summers in Montreal keep us on our toes. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE my city, and live by the notion that we are probably the best looking and educated bunch in Canada (sorry T-dot!) but I've noticed that word of mouth does not always do the job when it comes to finding worthy spots or hangouts. And lest we forget the whole "let us overcharge for mundane food and make you look good while we do it" philosophy :). We've all been there!

In short, I hope you enjoy my little project. Keep in mind, you politically correct ones out there, this is an opinion blog based on my experiences exploring the city. My hope is to review as many spots as possible for all you brilliant, vibrant and hard-working people out there, who deserve to know the potential our city has to offer. The rest is up to you. Because I swear on Parc Avenue, that as a paying client, I will (hardly!) ever get taken advantage of again (you hear that Time Supper Club?)

And hopefully, neither will you.

Saluti! and until the next blog.

-Mtl.D