Little Italy in Montreal

So we're back in Montreal, with more time than usual, so we're going to do some more in-depth exploring than we have in the past. We're definitely going to hit the Marche Jean-Talon, and we'd like to get some recommendations for the Little Italy area. Once again, I'm with a vegetarian, so we're looking for a place that has a lot of pasta options, since I know most of the "plats principals" will be meat or seafood based.

Also, if any of you Montrealers (Geo?) would like to meet up with us for a meal, a beer, or some coffee, let me know. We'll be here until the 27th.

Thanks in advance!

geli--

Damn! I left Montreal on Tuesday for the return to KC for Summer School!
It would have been very cool to have shared a meal!

I've been to only a few restaurants in Little Italy, actually--you might try Dante, which has pretty good pizza, and a decent list of pasta.

Where I've been taking folks is La Roi de la Plateau, which is a Portugese place at Rachel between St. Laurent and St. Urbain. If memory serves, they can do something vegetarian for you. It is a great restuarant--best grilled chicken in town, and the grilled squid is simply wonderful. It really is my favorite place in town at the moment.

As long as you're going to be in Jean-Talon, you might as well take a walk up St. Denis north a couple of blocks, to my neighborhood. One block east of St. Denis, at Faillon (second street n. of Jean-Talon) is the Armenian 'pizza' place. They have lots of veggie specialities, inc. an appetizer 'kit' that is fabuluous. It's take-away. Once you've tried their stuff, you'll swear by them.

Exactly one street further north(= Villeray) is Tapeo, certainly the finest tapas bar in the city. It's wonderful.

Both of these places are well worth a visit.

In the Jean Talon market, look and see if Balkan is doing their grilled sausage sandwiches. Be sure to look in at the Marché des Saveurs (south end of the market) for the best collection of food, wine, cider from the Quebec terroir. The merguez two shoppes down, and the Swiss sausage two shoppes further down, are excellent. Just wait in line a bit, get the eats, and take a seat.

Inside the bread store, in the center of the market, is a stunning array of charcouterie to be had with various breads. You can sit in their side room to eat, or go out on their patio. I think theirs is the best bread in the city.

Have a great time, and report back!

Geo
PS. Be absolutely sure to go in the Milano market in Little Italy!! And try their bitter pop drink.

A couple of places I like:

Lucca
12 Rue Dante
Italian
Good pasta and seafood options

Alep & Le Pitit Alep
191 Jean Talon St. E.
Authentic Syrian Cooking
Plenty of options for vegetarians

Geli--

Also in that area, Caffe Italia is considered by some to serve the best espresso in Montreal. It feels very much like a neighborhood cafe in a big Italian city: soccer posters on the walls, no marble or fancy wood or anything (much formica, if I recall), but just an excellent shot, and a good lemon-flavored Italian "ice"/gelato too.

It's a couple of blocks south of the market area, at Beaubien, if I recall.

Patrick

Caffe Italia
6480 St-Laurent
Montreal

Patrick says:

It feels very much like a neighborhood cafe in a big Italian city: soccer posters on the walls, no marble or fancy wood or anything (much formica, if I recall), but just an excellent shot, and a good lemon-flavored Italian "ice"/gelato too.

Heh-heh, and two of the largest tv screens you've ever seen in your life, flat displays on the wall behind the pool tables, usually playing two separate and distinct soccer games. Last week, after the Italy-USA match, the crowd boiled out of the caffe into the streets, unhappy of course, but still pretty good-natured, esp. to local Yanks, as I can tell you personally. The boulevard was tied up for an hour!

BTW, the easiest way to reach Little Italy is to debark the metro at station de Castelnau, exit onto St. Laurent, and walk 'south'. Caffe Italia is on your right ('west') about 5 mins walk from the metro station. After the Milano supermarché.

It's a very homey place, as Patrick notes.

Geo