If there is one thing people everywhere love, it just might be coffee—more than 2 billion cups are consumed on this planet every single day.

Union Coffee has been at the forefront of importing a diverse variety of beans to roast, blend and sell to Montreal consumers and restaurants. They were here way before the trendy coffee shops as coffee aficionados have loved this Montreal institution since 1910.

There’s much more to that morning cup o’ Joe than you may realize. Coffee beans are brought in from many countries, and each one is roasted based on their roasting profile in order to reach their optimal taste when ground and brewed, a process that is unique to each bean. And the expertise of the team at Union Coffee ensure that the end result is a bean that yields a cup of coffee that is rich and flavorful, and reflects the delicious taste the bean was meant to give.

You can choose coffee from one type of bean or blend from amongst many: espresso, melange maison (regular and strong), Kenya, Panama, Columbia Supremo, Fair Trade, decaf and Swiss washed decaf. 

Those who like flavors can buy Bavarian chocolate, Irish cream or hazelnut vanilla or one of the 53 flavored syrups (vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, etc.). Coffee related products like iced cappuccino, Chai latte concentrate now line the shelves

Free delivery is offered for 5 pounds or more. They sell espresso machines (Gaggia, Saeco, Rancilio, Pavoni, Mokita, Breville, Quick Mill and Jura) and teapots, too.

If your machine is on the fritz, don’t panic, they can fix them too. It was a natural extension for this store to start a repair depot. Any commercial or domestic espresso machine by Gaggia, Rancilio, Pavoni, Saeco, Mokita, Jura or Quick Mill can be brought here for overhauls and servicing.

Location: 148 rue Jean Talon O, Montreal QC H2R 2X1
Corner: rue Waverly
Metro: Station Jean-Talon/Station de Castelnau
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5:30, Sat 9-4
Location: 550 boul. Montpellier, Ville St-Laurent, QC H4N 2G7
Hours: Mon – Fri 8-5

cafeunion.com
info@cafeunion.com

It’s a can’t fail approach to Valentine’s Day – when in doubt, go for chocolate.

Who doesn’t like chocolate? For everybody’s favorite indulgence, be it your significant other, friends, or parents, this Valentine’s Day dazzle them with chocolate from Galerie au Chocolat.

Since 1985 Galerie Au Chocolat has been producing delicious, gift-worthy fine quality Belgian chocolate and confections for the North American market. They’ve  been a best kept secret spot for years, since they were a wholesale but now they sell retail with wonderful prices.

In order to create the best tasting chocolates, they start with the best available ingredients from around the world.  Using only the highest quality imported Belgian chocolate to produce their products and ensure that the cocoa beans they use have been sustainably grown and ethically sourced.

The heavenly selections include: almond, cranberry or blueberry clusters, chocolate covered Chinese fortune cookies, chocolate covered ginger or orange peels, Napolitains, candy cane bark, Amaretto creams, mint chocolate truffles, espresso wafers, or their famous almond bark. They also offer Valentine’s day assortments, a no sugar added selection and a variety of Fair -Trade product.

Their commitment to quality has resulted in the creation of a wholesome, natural ingredients and ultra premium line of chocolates that offers something for everyone created in a Kosher and peanut-free facility.

Discover delicious, decadent gourmet chocolates when you go to the shop or use their on-line shopping option: galerieauchocolat.ca/shop/
Delivery on the island of Montreal is $12.

Location: 6665 Chemin de la Côte-de-Liesse, Saint-Laurent, QC H4T 1Z5
corner: Migneron
Tel: 514-331-8460
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5
galerieauchocolat.ca

February 14 is nearly here, as the big day fast approaches, you need a gift and you need it quickly. It can be overwhelming to try and figure out where to even start.

Whether you’ve just started dating or have been together for years,  it’s the perfect time to show you’ve been paying attention to the things they like. Selecting a gift that is based on a hobby or passion is a meaningful way to show that you are attentive to details.

Lucky for you Le Panier has something for everyone, this one stop shopping spot is located in the heart of Pointe Claire Village and has a store full of unique gifts for even the impossible to shop for, as well as the person who has it all.

Chocolates are the ubiquitous go-to gift for Valentine’s Day, and they have all kinds of chocolates. If you want your love to remember you, how about Louis Sherry New York chocolates – in beautiful keepable metallic tin boxes? Or for something even sweeter, they are one of the few places in town making homemade fudge so you could choose a delicious favorite flavour.

For aromatics, Michael Design’s shea butter soaps, handwash and lotions are there or look for the big display of everything lavender.

 Consider a scented candle of their favorite scent, a coffee mug with a cute saying filled with their favorite sweets, there’s ED Ellen DeGeneres tableware collection,  winter getaway clothing and accessories, or how about filling up a gift basket with all their favorite gourmet food items, or a wine purse with a favorite bottle of wine.  One corner of the store is filled with jewelry options like Alex and Ani.

For those of you who are looking for practical ideas, a cool gift might be an “upside-down” umbrella which closes without water dripping on you or your car. You will be remembered everyday if you buy the Mighty Mug. It won’t fall over – EVER – and can be used near a keyboard without worries.

Browse around and enjoy the vast selection of just the perfect gift. Need suggestions, their staff is always eager to help you find exactly what you are looking for.

Le Panier won the title of best gift store in Canada so this store worth a trip from anywhere. The huge shop is chock full of gourmet food, kitchenware,  and gifts at prices mostly under $25. You will not walk out empty-handed when you can choose amongst the jewelry, jams, hot sauces, kitchen gadgets and cool accessories.

Location: 274 Bord du Lac, Pointe Claire
corner: de Lourdes
Tel: 514-695-7038
Hours: Regular plus Sun 10-5
www.thepanier.com

With an impressive selection of 15 different flavoured festive Christmas logs, you might as well let Les Délices Lafrenaie do your holiday baking. The most wonderful time of the year gets even better with their help. When you are getting ready for entertaining in the holiday season and there’s so much to do, why not eliminate all the time it takes to do your baking?

Les Délices Lafrenaie uses only the highest quality ingredients so they can offer the best to their customers. If you want to go beyond the Christmas logs, they have every kind of delicious cake imaginable, and even some of your family favourites (or ones that will become family favourites). Just order and voila – it’s ready for you.

Pre-order from elegant layered creations from a selection of  over 40 indulgent signature cakes including: Baci, Death by Chocolate, Limoncello, Frutti di bosco, Nutella Crepe cake, Cannoli- Misu – to name just a few. There are creamy cheesecakes, fruity shortcakes, loafs and pastries.

They also have cakes for all other occasions, and no request is too much for them. Check out the image of their New Year’s Eve cake below.

Every cake in their collection is guaranteed to make your holiday season sweeter and is a sure thing to impress even the most discriminating dinner party guests.

Locations:  8405  Lafrenaie at Jarry (514-324-8039); Rosemere, 199F Cure-Labelle (450-430-4222); 58A boul. Brunswick (514-542-4242) at boul. des Sources; 51 Westminster Ave N, Montreal-West (514-312-2253); 1276 Dollard, LaSalle (514- 363-8776); 8245 boul Taschereau, suite B12 Brossard (450-462-4000).
Regular Hours: Mon-Fri 6-5, Sat 6-2
lesdeliceslafrenaie.com

What can be more synonymous with Montreal then the legendary St-Viateur Bagel, baked at the longest running bagel shop in Montréal? This family business has had over 60 years of tradition and one famous recipe throughout the years. Made with 100% natural ingredients, their bagels contain no artificial preservatives and are so popular that their landmark location operates 24/7.

What makes St-Viateur’s bagels so special: each bagel is hand-rolled, dipped in honey water, and baked in a wood-fired oven that was designed to both bake and flavor the bagel. What comes out of this process is a light, chewy, slightly sweet bagel, that bagel aficionados’ will agree, is incomparable to any other bagel being made today.

For decades they churned out a constant stream of white (sesame seed) and black (poppy seed) bagels. Nowadays, they have  bagels for every taste including multigrain, cinnamon & raisin, flax, rosemary, all dressed, sea salt and more. We can all agree that nothing compares to the flavorful aroma that consumes you as you walk in and you won’t be able to resist eating a hot one straight from the oven, right out of the paper bag.

St-Viateur Bagel offers delivery throughout  North America. Send them to someone who misses Montreal or  anyone who you’d like to share a taste of Montreal. Last shipping date for the US before the holidays is December 10th, 2019 (will resume on January 14th 2020). Place your order at: stviateurbagel.com/en/shop

Smeared with cream cheese, layered with lox, or simply toasted – St Viateur bagels are delicious for breakfast, lunch or absolutely any time of day.

Original location: 263 St-Viateur Ouest, H2V 1Y1 (514-276-8044)

Other locations:  821 boul Tecumseh, DDO H9R 4X8 (514-542-3344); 1127 Mont-Royal Est, H2J 1X9 (514-528-6361);
1585 Dagenais O., Laval, H7L 5A3 (450-625-5552).

Hours: Original location is open 24 hours. Others vary by location
stviateurbagel.com

Who doesn’t like chocolate? For everybody’s favorite indulgence, this season bring everyone together for holiday happiness with a little help from Galerie au Chocolat.

Since 1985 Galerie Au Chocolat has been producing delicious, gift-worthy fine quality Belgian chocolate and confections for the North American market. They’ve  been a best kept secret spot for years, since they were a wholesale but now they sell retail with wonderful prices.

In order to create the best tasting chocolates, they start with the best available ingredients from around the world.  Using only the highest quality imported Belgian chocolate to produce their products and ensure that the cocoa beans they use have been sustainably grown and ethically sourced.

Their commitment to quality has resulted in the creation of a wholesome, natural ingredients and ultra premium line of chocolates that offers something for everyone created in a Kosher and peanut-free facility.

The heavenly selections include: almond, cranberry or blueberry clusters, chocolate covered Chinese fortune cookies, chocolate covered ginger or orange peels, Napolitains, candy cane bark, Amaretto creams, mint chocolate truffles, espresso wafers, or their famous almond bark. They also offer festive holiday assortments, a no sugar added selection and a variety of Fair -Trade product.

Discover so much more when you go to the shop or use their on-line shopping option: galerieauchocolat.ca/shop/
Delivery on the island of Montreal is $12.

Location: 6665 Chemin de la Côte-de-Liesse, Saint-Laurent, QC H4T 1Z5
corner: Migneron
Tel: 514-331-8460
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5
galerieauchocolat.ca

The kitchen is the heart of your home, so when you are equipping it why not buy the same quality products, that are made to last, as the restauranteurs use?

Cooking enthusiasts will love the huge warehouse-style store where Tzanet carries the most popular brands of kitchen appliances, house ware, equipment and kitchen essentials from some of the biggest and most trusted brand names in the industry including Kitchenaid, Cuisinart, Goodgrips, Victorinox, Cuisinox, Wilton, Libbey, Dudson, Vollrath and many others.

Whether you are a home chef looking for professional supplies, or a food service professional looking for some top notch equipment, Tzanet has over 35 years of experience in the restaurant and kitchen industry and is committed to supplying you with the best quality products at the most affordable prices along with exceptional customer service.

Location: 1375 Louvain
corner: boul. l’Acadie
Tel: 514-383-0030
Store Hours: Mon-Fri 8-6, Sat 8-5
Other Location: 710 rue Bouvier, Quebec G2J 1A7 (581-742-9876)
tzanet.ca

We are so lucky to have Galerie au Chocolat, a premium chocolate maker based right here in Saint-Laurent. They produce high quality chocolates for every occasion and season using the finest Belgian chocolate and wholesome, real-food ingredients in all of their products.

For Passover, they create a special collection of delicious handmade, kosher for Passover chocolates. These treats highlight the passion and the quality that they bring to the art of chocolate making. The selection at this holiday is similar to some of those offered the rest of the year, but all of the ingredients are certified in Cholov Israel as Pareve and kosher for Passover

The large assortment of special Passover items include perennial favourites such as almond barks, clusters, chocolate macaroons, chocolate covered matzoh, chocolate seder plates and much more.

The colorfully presented Easter collection includes a large selection of moulded chocolates in a variety of shapes and sizes, in white, milk and dark chocolates again using the same fine Belgian chocolate. A number of unique products only make an appearance at Easter including the delicious praline eggs and specially wrapped Easter gift boxes containing a tantalizing assortment of treats created with only the best ingredients.

New Location: 6665 Chemin de la Côte-de-Liesse, Saint-Laurent, QC H4T 1Z5
corner: Migneron
Tel: 514-331-8460
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5
www.galerieauchocolat.ca

Chocolates are the ubiquitous go-to gift for Valentine’s Day, so you might want to head to Le Panier as they have all kinds of chocolates. If you want your love to remember you, how about Louis Sherry New York chocolates – in beautiful keepable metallic tin boxes? Or for something even sweeter, they are one of the few places in town making homemade fudge so you could choose a favorite flavour.

For aromatics, Michael Design’s shea butter soaps, handwash and lotions are there or look for the big display of everything lavender. You can always buy Montreal’s favorite humbugs (now in different flavors), or someone might enjoy their own 5-year-old cheddar. One corner of the store is filled with jewelry options like Alex and Ani.

For those of you who are looking for practical ideas, a cool gift might be an “upside-down” umbrella which closes without water dripping on you or your car. You will be remembered everyday if you buy the Mighty Mug. It won’t fall over – EVER – and can be used near a keyboard without worries.

Le Panier won the title of best gift store in Canada so this store worth a trip from anywhere. The huge shop is chock full of gourmet food, kitchenware,  and gifts at prices mostly under $25. You will not walk out empty-handed when you can choose amongst the jewelry, jams, hot sauces, and kitchen gadgets.

You can even spice things up with their wall of hot sauces and think of things to do with Mike’s Hot Honey.    

Location: 274 Bord du Lac, Pointe Claire
corner: de Lourdes
Tel: 514-695-7038
Hours: Regular plus Sun 10-5
www.thepanier.com

Chocolates and Valentine’s Day go together like TV and Netflix. How about I tell you where to find wholesale priced chocolates so you can buy more?  Galerie Au Chocolat recently moved to a new larger facility  so there’s extra space for you to see all that they offer. Since 1985, they’ve been producing yummies with fine quality Belgian chocolate and confections for the North American market. They’ve  been a best kept secret spot for years, since they were a wholesale but now they sell retail with wonderful prices.

The delish ultra premium items which are made with fine Belgian chocolate (Kosher) come in many interesting varieties: almond or cranberry clusters, chocolate covered orange peel or apricots, Rice Krispie or candy cane bark, Amaretto creams, mint chocolate truffles, espresso wafers, or their famous almond bark.

They have a variety of packaging options. You can easily see the treats inside their cellophane bags tied with pretty ribbon, or you can buy them in a gift (or just for you) tin or in a beautifully wrapped gift box. You can fax, email or call in your orders any time. Delivery on the island of Montreal is $10.

Whether your taste buds are craving chocolates or you need gifts for everyone you love, head to Galerie au Chocolat.

New Location: 6665 Chemin de la Côte-de-Liesse, Saint-Laurent, QC H4T 1Z5
corner: Migneron
Tel: 514-331-8460
Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5
www.galerieauchocolat.ca