St-Henri Microtorrefacteur - Montréal

Had a good breakfast but a good coffee was lacking - perfect little micro - torréfacteur at 3632 Notre Dame Ouest where you sit on old church benches will sipping your coffee nectar.

I stayed in Montreal for 5 days and found the spot on day 1. I visited every day thereafter. Casual atmosphere and friendly staff. As a visitor from the US, I truly enjoyed spending a hour each morning sipping coffee, enjoying a warm croissant, and watching the students stroll by outside. ( we were in Montreal during one of the coldest weekends...-10 degrees, -25 degrees wind chill....very toasty sitting by the widow in a high top chair gazing outdoors.). This will always be be of my fondest Montreal memories.Try a warmed chocolate croissant.

First, let me say that in my experience, you have to try very hard to find a poor restaurant experience in Montreal. This restaurant has an edgy ambience, with high quality food and service. I had a Brown Rice Risotto, which was excellent.

St. Henri Microtorrecateur is a small coffee bean roastery, and definitely worth stopping by for a coffee. The pastries -- not so much. The last time I was there, I had a lovely macchiato, this time, a great cappuccino and what makes the place outstanding is the roast. This isn't a place that buys beans from from some roaster, meaning everything, subject to the skill of the barista is good, but same. Instead, the coffee (and I'd urge you to take a less milky version) has it's own character, marked by the roast, and the origin of the bean -- some of which are single origin. While the pastries are interesting, they're definitely bought from a third party, and while fine, they don't match up to the splendid nature of the coffee.

There are plenty of coffee shops around St-Henri and if your "barista" keeps up with his attitude, you'll see a major decline in your clientele. Never going back, shame cause I love it there! Get rid of him!