Our Faves

Calories

4114 rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, H3Z1P2

Rated this place:

posted Feb 12 2009

Chocolate/Cheesecake/Custard?Pick your poison: Steps from the boutiques on Greene Avenue and Place Alexis Nihon, the newly renovated Calories is a great place for lunch, or a gelatin covered, custard filled, sugar coated afternoon snack worthy of diabetic shock. Sandwiches and salads are simple, satisfying, and moderately priced. The half-and-half lemonade/ice tea slushy is a perfect warm weather treat, but for many the real lure of Calories is the selection of cakes, pies, cheesecakes and tarts, and the boozy dessert drinks. Popular dessert selections include Reese’s Pieces cake, Oreo Cheesecake, a variety of chocolate and white chocolate selections, Fruit tart and Key Lime Pie.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• desserts
• Lunch
• coffee
• afternoon snack
• delicious cake

Holts Cafe

1300 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montreal, QC, H3G1H9

Rated this place:

posted Feb 17 2009

The pause that refreshes: The fully licensed Holts Café, in the basement of the stylish Holt Renfrew is the perfect remedy for buyer’s remorse. Nothing takes the edge off of a budget-breaking designer splurge like a mid-afternoon martini on an empty stomach. A glass of wine paired with the three cheese plate is an ideal mid-retail snack. The small but satisfying arrangement of seasonal fresh fruit, artfully assembled alongside three satisfying triangles of assorted cheeses (selections vary daily) paired with renowned toasted Poilâne bread, flown in from Paris three times per week I’m told, will ease you into the mood for spoiling yourself. Stylish housewives enjoy an intimate ladies lunch of open-face tartines, while socialites pick at the mini shrimp cocktail with cognac dipping sauce, and Holts Bouillabaisse served again with toasted Poilâne and rouille. If you are in the mood to spend, why not spend stylishly?

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Lunch
• afternoon snack
• open faced tartines

Au Festin de Babette

4085, rue Saint-Denis, Montreal, QC, H2W2M7

Rated this place:

posted Mar 1 2009

tea time: Au Festin de Babette is a cozy St-Denis gourmet shop and vintage-inspired tea room. Described as a “Marchande de Petits Bonheurs” Chocolaterie/Salon de The/Epicerie fine, Au Festin sells a variety of goodies such as chocolates, retro and vintage items, imported salts and oils (including an interesting looking salt from Cyprus), gourmet jams, cookies, over 60 varieties of tea, and homemade ice cream or gelato to be enjoyed on the terrace during the warm weather months. In addition, Au Festin offers a 10% discount for Member of Slow Food Quebec. A great place to warm up on a cold day, with a foamy cappuccino and one of the many homemade goodies.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• gelato
• Chocolates
• tea room
• homemade ice cream
• summer terrace
• imported oils, salts and other condiments

Cafe Java U Inc

4914 Rue Sherbrooke O, Westmount, QC, H3Z1H3

Rated this place:

posted Mar 11 2009

Title: With 14 well-situated locations in Montreal (including one at de Maisonneuve and Guy, and one connected to Westmount ultra chic boutique TNT), one in Atlanta GA, one in Dubai, and two in Jordan, Java U is giving competing coffee mega-chains something to talk about. Java U offers excellent espresso-based drinks, healthy lunch options, catering services, and I believe select locations are fully licensed, serving beer and booze alongside regular cafe selections.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• catering
• coffee and lattes
• sandwiches and soup
• local business

Bilboquet Westmount

4864 rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Westmount, QC, H3Z 1H1

Rated this place:

posted Apr 3 2009

I scream, you scream: Small artisanal glacier on Westmount's main drag. Very popular with local yummy mummies and teenage socialites during warm summer afternoons, while balmy summer evenings attract couples, young and old. Offering a little something for everyone, Bilboquet offers decadent selections chock full of nuts, brownies, cookies, real fruit, and anything else you can throw into homemade ice cream. Lemon sorbet is a perfect complement to a lazy summer afternoon, and Brouhaha (with brownies and crunchy caramel) is a great way to throw a wrench into any bikini-body plans. Bilboquet also offers floats, ice cream sandwiches, organic coffee and a variety of other treats. For those who would prefer a healthy option, try mixing Bilboquet's plain frozen yogurt with raspberries or blueberries. A great spot for a good old fashioned ice cream date.

• favourite thing(s) at this place:
• Ice cream
• homemade ice cream
• Artisanal ice cream
• sorbet

Cafe London Bus

4126, rue Sainte-Catherine Ouest, Westmount, QC, H3Z 1P4

Rated this place:

posted Jun 7 2009

London calling: Cozy British café in Westmount that offers traditional English afternoon tea daily from 2:30-5:00pm. In addition, London Bus offers a variety of coffees, teas, soups, salads, baked goods and delicious and healthy homemade sandwiches for a reasonable price. The “Sante” sandwich, made up of grilled whole wheat bread topped with hummus, goat cheese, avocado and alfalfa sprouts, is an excellent choice. Summertime finds a small shaded patio out front. A great bet for lunch in the area.