With Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, gifts for teachers, engagement parties, and all sorts of events coming up on the horizon, it pays to wander the aisles of Le Panier to buy everything you need for any occasion in one place and get the job done.

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, wearables and much, much more

If you can’t decide, there are ready-made gift baskets or custom-made ones too.

Here’s some ideas:

You can carry wine in an insulated pretty Wine Bag tote handbags. Michael Designs shea butter soaps, handwash and lotions,  For chocolate lovers there’s Louis Sherry New York chocolates in beautiful keepsake metallic tin boxes. I just love the Mighty Mug which won’t fall over – EVER; You can have your coffee near a keyboard without worries ($19.99). Grumpy Butcher’s Maple Bacon is hand-made here in Montreal in small batches from local Quebec pork farmers

For years people have been buying Mike’s Hot Honey which spice up all kinds of food ($14.99). Wrendale pottery makes adorable mugs with kittens, owls, ducks and there also a big selection of teapots. Willow Tree Figurines are popular too.    

For anyone, a cool gift might be the “upside-down” umbrella which closes without water dripping on you. There’s a 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 or their homemade fudge.

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

Boutique Java Kap, sells capsules for all single serve coffee and espresso machines. This is coffee heaven, since they have over 350 choices.  The walls of this shop are lined with bins of capsules, and you can wander through and select a variety of flavors using their cute shopping trays , or you can buy them pre-boxed – all of the same kind.

The shop sells all the Keurig brands you know and love, such as Green Mountain, Van Houtte, Donut House, Eight O’clock, Timothy’s World Coffee etc., as well as the high end Keurig brands Starbucks and Barista Prima. In addition to that they have all the popular Keurig compatible brands, namely Brown Gold, Brooklyn Bean, Grove Square, Jetsetter, Authentic Donut Shop, Hurricane, Barnie’s Coffee, Hamilton Mills, Martinson and Caza Trail. For those of you seeking premium coffee brands, you can try: Peet’s Coffee from San Francisco, Marley ( including the world famous Jamaican Blue Mountain) or Second Cup. They have a large selection of Tassimo products as well as the hard to find new flavors.

They do have Nespresso compatible capsules, Cap’Mundo, Smart Coffee, and Espresso Italia. For your Nespresso they also have Capsul’in which allows you to use your favorite espresso in your Nespresso machine. There are environmentally conscious options as well – between 90%-97% biodegradable

For tea lovers, there’s a wide selection of tea capsules such as Twinings, Lipton, Tazo, Bigelow and Celestial, and the new compatible capsules by Higgins & Burke. You can still buy tea bags, loose leaf teas, infusers for your tea or a travel mug which has a built in infuser for those on the run.

Expect friendly helpful service with knowledgeable advice about all those flavors.

Locations: 4583 St. Charles Blvd. Kirkland QC H9H 3C7 corner: rue Oakwood  (514-675-4410) ; Laval, 1655 d l’Avenir (450- 975-4410)
Dates: til April 6
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat & Sun 10-5
www.javakap.com
FB: http://on.fb.me/OGG30i
www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=312

Once a year, on a Saturday, Le Panier gift store holds its  one and only sale, called The Citrus Sale. Everything (gourmet food, scarves, toys, gadgets, kitchenware, home decor) that needs to be cleared out is sold really cheaply from 50% to 90% off. Come early – things go fast and it’s cash and carry – no cards.

Location: 274 Bord du Lac, Pointe Claire
corner: de Lourdes
Date: Sat, Aug 19, raindate Aug 20
Hours: 8:30 – 3pm
Tel: 514-695-7038
www.thepanier.com

For Mom, a cool gift might be the “upside-down” umbrella which closes without water dripping on you or your car. There’s a big display of everything lavender. You can always buy Montreal’s favorite humbugs (now in different flavors), or she might enjoy their own 5-year-old cheddar or their homemade fudge.

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, wearables and much, much more

If you can’t decide, there are ready-made gift baskets or custom-made ones too.

Here’s some ideas:

Michael Design – shea butter soaps, handwash and lotions

Wine Bag Totes – Carry the wine in an insulated pretty handbag

Louis Sherry New York chocolates – in beautiful keepable metallic tin boxes

Mighty Mug – This mug won’t fall over – EVER – can be used near a keyboard without worries. $19.99

Grumpy Butcher’s Maple Bacon – Hand made here in Montreal  in small batches from local Quebec pork farmers

Mike’s Hot Honey – Spice up all kinds of food $14.99

Wrendale pottery –  adorable mugs with kittens, owls, ducks,

Big selection of teapots  

Willow Tree Figurines    

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

Boutique Java Kap, sells capsules for all single serve coffee and espresso machines. This is coffee heaven, since they have over 350 choices. The walls are lined with bins of capsules, and you can wander through and select a variety of flavors using their cute shopping trays , or you can buy them pre-boxed – all of the same kind. This weeks special – the 24 K-cups Vittoria Hot Chocolate and Cappuccino, regular $17.50 for only $12.95, perfect for these cold winter days!

The shop sells all the Keurig brands you know and love, such as Green Mountain, Van Houtte, Donut House, Eight O’clock, Timothy’s World Coffee etc., as well as the high end Keurig brands Starbucksand Barista Prima. In addition to that they have all the popular Keurig compatible brands, namely Brown Gold, Brooklyn Bean, Grove Square, Jetsetter, Authentic Donut Shop, Hurricane, Barnie’s Coffee, Hamilton Mills, Martinson and Caza Trail. For those of you seeking premium coffee brands, you can try:Peet’s Coffee from San Francisco, Marley ( including the world famous Jamaican Blue Mountain) or Second Cup. They have a large selection of Tassimo products as well as the hard to find new flavors.

They do have Nespresso compatible capsules, Cap’Mundo, Smart Coffee, and Espresso Italia. For your Nespresso they also have Capsul’in which allows you to use your favorite espresso in your Nespresso machine.

There are environmentally conscious options as well – between 90%-97% biodegradable

For tea lovers, there’s a wide selection of tea capsules such as Twinings, Lipton, Tazo, Bigelow and Celestial, , and the new compatible capsules by Higgins & Burke. You can still buy tea bags, loose leaf teas, infusers for your tea or a travel mug which has a built in infuser for those on the run.

Expect friendly helpful service with knowledgeable advice about all those flavors.

Location: 4583 St. Charles Blvd. Kirkland QC H9H 3C7
corner: rue Oakwood
Tel: 514-675-4410
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat & Sun 10-5
www.javakap.com / FB: http://on.fb.me/OGG30i
www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=312

PROMO DE LA SEMAINE!!
Mar 13 – 20, 2017
WEEKLY DEAL!!

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 items, kitchenware and gifts at prices mostly under $25. You will not walk out empty-handed when you can choose amongst the hot sauces, toys, chocolates, jewelry, dips, gadgets, wine accessories, coffee and tea, and much, much more

Look for the little tasting bowls and crackers to try out new products, buy humbugs (now in different flavors), or feast on their own 5-year-old cheddar and their homemade fudge. If you can’t decide, there are ready-made gift baskets or custom-made ones too.

Flip through the pages of their catalogue online http://thepanier.com/catalogue/ to see the gifts I liked. Then go to the store and buy many many more things.

Brickstone Cherry Calvados Jam – perfect pairing with cheese (Made in Sherbrooke QC)

Dry-Cured hardwood-smoked bacon – made-in-Montreal covered in maple syrup, wow (made in Montreal)

Wine Glass Markers – Write names on the glasses at the party, washes off $15.99

Homemade Fudge – Aboout 2 dozen flavors

Mop Slippers – Walk and clean, for the lazy housekeeper $12.99

Reeses Peanut Butter in a Jar – Tastes like the candy.  $8.99

Spiralizer – Makes zuccini (or other veggie) spaghetti $19.99

Mighty Mug – This mug won’t fall over  – EVER – can be used near a keyboard without worries.  $19.99

Shelf Guard – Never burn yourself on oven racks again $13.99

Hug Doug – Adorable spoon rest saves it from falling in a pot.  $12.99

I-Phone Fan – One more thing for your phone to do $6.50

Felt Slippers for Guests – 5 pairs in a hanging bag  $24.99

Alex and Ani – Jewelry bangle bar collection in gold and silver with stones, symbols

Mike’s Hot Honey – Spice up all kinds of food  $14.99

Baby Side-Kick Straps – keeps spoon, toy, attached to highchair or stroller $19.99

Magic Wand – Laundry stain remover has been working for $25 years $4.99

Our Hockey Team’s Hand-made (here in Montreal) Wool Socks – For men or women.  $27.00

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

Make life easier this season by picking up your holiday logs from a bakery which bakes 5 yummy flavors like: chocolate praline, limoncello, ricotta chocolate chips, red velvet, frutti di bosco, and even vanilla.

Les Delices La Frenaie has three locations – east, west and Laval so they’re easy to get to wherever you live.

Come here for: bacio, key lime cheesecake (15 others), frutti di bosco, dulce de leche, orange or walnut pound cake (16 others), limoncello, heavenly berry and Milky Way in 8″ or 10″ sizes. Some can be ordered 36 hours in advance for more than 20 people.

The best deal is the apple, lemon, chocolate chip, or cinnamon marble cakes and taste my favorite, the amaretti biscotti. Trays of pizza (tomato, white, all dressed and vegetarian) can be ordered.

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
Regular Hours: Mon-Fri 6-5, Sat 6-2
www.lesdeliceslafrenaie.com

I have been swooning over the understatedly named, Fruitcake. Imagine a Strawberry Shortcake made with an assortment of fresh fruit. It is light, whipped creamy, and not overly sweet. A perfect summer-y end to a summer-y meal.

It is created by Les Delices La Frenaie, which was originally located only in the east end of the city. Everyone got lucky when they moved into Laval and the West Island. In the west, they are in the same outdoor mall as Mobilia, Deserres and the Lindt chocolate outlet store.

If some of the cakes at Les Delices La Frenaie look suspiciously similar to those in Loblaw’s, Chenoys and your favorite coffee cafe, you would be a good detective.

So go to the source for the cakes: Chocolate Praline Explosion, Apple Caramel Cheesecake, Brownie Cheesecake, Frutti di Bosco, Dulce de Leche, Limoncello, Death by Chocolate and Milky Way, to only name a few. There are over 70 varieties of cakes and cheesecakes always available in 8 inch (8 – 10 guests) or 10 inch sizes which can serve a maximum of 20 people. For more than 20 people, they can be ordered 36 hours in advance.

The best deals are the apple walnut, lemon, chocolate espresso, marble, walnut cinnamon etc…pound cakes that range from $9.19 and $11.50. Traditional Italian biscottis and cookies are available in wide varieties.

Trays of pizza (tomato, white, ricotta, tomato olive, vegetarian, potato onion, spinach, rapini sausage, all dressed, fiesta, pepperoni cheese, and tomato cheese) can be ordered during the week and on Saturdays they are all available without ordering.

Locations: 8405  Lafrenaie at Jarry (514-324-8039; Rosemere, 199F Cure-Labelle (450-430-4222), 58A boul. Brunswick (514-542-4242), Brossard, 8245 Boul. Taschereau, QC J4Y 1A4 (450-462-4000)
Hours: Mon-Wed 9-6:30, Thurs & Fri 9:-8, Sat & Sun 9-6, varies by location
www.lesdeliceslafrenaie.com

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 items, 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 much, much more

Look for the little tasting bowls and crackers to try out new products, buy humbugs (now in different flavors), or feast on their own 5-year-old cheddar and their homemade fudge. If you can’t decide, there are ready-made gift baskets or custom-made ones too.

Here’s some ideas:

Alex and Ani – Jewelry bangle bar collection in gold and silver with stones, symbols

Michael Design shea butter soaps, handwash and lotions

Wine Bag Totes – Carry the wine in an insulated pretty handbag

Mighty Mug – This mug won’t fall over – EVER – can be used near a keyboard without worries. $19.99

Hug Doug – Adorable spoon rest saves it from falling in a pot. $12.99

Sticky Pad for Car – Keeps everything (even a phone) on your dash from falling off . $7.99

Mike’s Hot Honey – Spice up all kinds of food $14.99

Credit Card Shield – Protects your cards from wireless remote readers as you walk about. $5.99

Big selection of teapots

Willow Tree Figurines

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

Boutique Java Kap, sells capsules for all single serve coffee and espresso machines. This is coffee heaven, since they have over 350 choices. The walls are lined with bins of capsules, and you can wander through and select a variety of flavors using their cute shopping trays, or you can buy them pre-boxed – all of the same kind.

The shop sells all the Keurig brands you know and love, such as Green Mountain, Van Houtte, Donut House, Eight O’clock, Timothy’s World Coffee etc., as well as the high end Keurig brands Starbucks and Barista Prima. In addition to that they have all the popular Keurig compatible brands, namely Brown Gold, Brooklyn Bean, Grove Square, Jetsetter, Authentic Donut Shop, Hurricane, Barnie’s Coffee, Hamilton Mills, Martinson and Caza Trail. For those of you seeking premium coffee brands, you can try: Peet’s Coffee from San Francisco, Marley ( including the world famous Jamaican Blue Mountain) or Second Cup. They have a large selection of Tassimo products as well as the hard to find new flavors.

They do have Nespresso compatible capsules, Cap’Mundo, Smart Coffee, and Espresso Italia. For your Nespresso they also have Capsul’in which allows you to use your favorite espresso in your Nespresso machine.

For tea lovers, there’s a wide selection of tea capsules such as Twinings, Lipton, Tazo, Bigelow and Celestial, and the new compatible capsules by Higgins & Burke. You can still buy tea bags, loose leaf teas, infusers for your tea or a travel mug which has a built in infuser for those on the run.

For just a few more days, they are offering their own brand of capsules at .50 cents each. Look for them shortly in Laval and follow their page www.smartshoppingmontreal.com/store.php?s=312 for their opening date and location.

Expect friendly helpful service with knowledgeable advice about all those flavors.

Location: 4583 St. Charles Blvd. Kirkland QC H9H 3C7
corner: rue Oakwood
Tel: 514-675-4410
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thurs & Fri 10-8, Sat & Sun 10-5
www.javakap.com