Schwartz’s The Musical was such a success when it played here 7 years ago that Centaur Theatre’s artistic director Eda Holmes decided to bring back the original cast as a treat for their 50th Anniversary celebrations. This hors d’oeuvre is being offered this weekend only. It’s been re-sandwiched as a musical reading, so you get all the best parts – the funny musical numbers along with the clever spoken words. The storyline: a Torontonian trying to come here and buy Schwartz’s in order to franchise the concept. There is a wonderful  melange of Toronto/Montreal angst, love, Montreal’s special “characters”, Jewish humor, the history of Schwartz’s and as always, Quebec government regulations thrown in.

The show is a must for any Montrealer, as Bowser and Blue and Gazette columnist Bill Brownstein have written about all our dirty little secrets and in jokes. Loved the repartee using Metro station names! George Bowser and Rick Blue are onstage too, and even have small speaking roles doing credible acting jobs. Loved watching their faces as they enjoyed watching their numbers come alive onstage.

Bowser and Blue’s score, always with creative wordage, is available to take home so you can appreciate the subtleties of their humor. You can sing along with the original cast to all the great songs, including: Why is Saint-Lawrence called the Main?; It’s my fault; They kicked us out, The Promise and, of course, Schmutz.

The cast is cast perfectly for their parts. So if you missed it the first time around, hurry over to the Centaur Theatre this weekend. It could be a memorable holiday gift for someone in your circle. And you can buy the T-shirt to remember the taste of it.

Location: Centaur Theatre, 453  St. Francois Xavier
Phone: 514-288-3161 or 514-288-3161
Dates: Dec 15 -Dec 16
www.centaurtheatre.com

What can be more synonymous with Montreal as the indomitable bagel and home of the world famous Montreal Bagel is the legendary St-Viateur Bagel Shop. It’s so popular that it is open 24 hours day.30

St Viateur Bagel has had 60 years of tradition and one famous recipe throughout the years; It has grown to include 8 bakeries, 3 of which are Bagel Cafés, and still churning out a constant stream of white (sesame seed) and black (poppy seed) bagels.

You can now also buy multigrain, cinnamon raisin, flax, rosemary, all dressed and sea salt or whole wheat bagels, matzoh boards, lox, cream cheese, challah and rye bread and more. 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.

Their bagels have no preservatives and are made with 100% natural ingredients. Each bagel is hand-rolled, dipped in honey water, and baked in a wood-fired oven that was designed to both cook and flavor the bagel. What comes out of this process is a chewy, slightly sweet bagel, that bagel aficionados’ will agree, is incomparable to any other bagel being made today.

St Viateur bagels are delicious on their own, but they’re equally yummy as part of a sandwich – get creative and dream up your own creation.  How about smoked meat or pb&j or tuna salad, avocado and cream cheese or hummus? Lunch is always better when it’s between two halves of a bagel.

You can send them to anyone who misses Montreal or someone who you would like to share a taste of Montreal. You can now order bagels across Canada and the US through their web site www.stviateurbagel.com

Original location: 263 St-Viateur Ouest, H2V 1Y1 (514-276-8044)
Other locations: 5629 Monkland, NDG H4A 1E2 (514-487-8051): 340 boul. Marcel Laurin, (in Marché Esposito), V.S.L.: 7030 St-Michel (in Marché Esposito) Montréal, H2A 2Z4 (514) 722-2224: 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
www.stviateurbagel.com

Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to flashback to calm and pleasant airline travel of the 1970’s? Well you can! We just drove from Montreal to tiny Plattsburgh Airport to take Allegiant Air to hot sunny Florida. Easily, we turned off the main road, and drove right up to the airport door. I stepped out with the luggage, and Stan just parked the car across the street.

There was NO line at the Allegiant Air desk and friendly helpful service, I was done in under two minutes. There was NO lineup at security. Since you already drove through the border, there was NO customs and immigration to deal with. In probably about 5 minutes we were going up the elevator to the waiting room.

The room had a retro counter with a man selling candy, snacks, sandwiches and drinks. When I asked him the prices, He said, “What do you want, they’re all in my head?”

There weren’t overhead screens to keep track of the flight. They send any changes to you to your cellphone – and call if necessary, too. The building is going through a renovation so things might be a bit more twenty-first century when you fly.

Those of you already planning your winter sunny getaways will be happy to know that Allegiant Air flying out of Plattsburgh offers low prices with just a short drive away for Montrealers who want a nonstop flight to sunshine. Just be advised that there are extra charges for luggage (even carry-on), choosing seats, and such things as printed boarding passes for you (you can do it at home for free).

Travelers who shop around will find substantial savings when flying with Allegiant, as well as good deals on hotels, rental cars and attractions. Montrealers wishing to spend their hard-earned dollars at their destination, rather than on transportation, can fly to sunny Las Vegas and Florida.

www.allegiantair.com

Q: Do you know where I can find Sandwich clothing line in Montreal?

A: I am not familiar with that label. You can check with the Quebec Apparel Manufacturers: www.apparelquebec.com

Most people don’t realize how international the West Island has become. If you get off  the Boul. des Sources North Exit #55 on the Transcanadienne Highway 40, you can have a smorgasbord of worldly tastes:

Italian, Chinese, Greek, Japanese, Lebanese, Brazilian, Thai, Vietnamese, Indian, Pakastani, Afghani, Iraqi, Portuguese, Kosher, BBQ, Steak, Mideastern, Jamaican, Phillipino, Rotisserie chicken, Good burgers, Vegetarian, French bakery and ice cream

Here is the list of the restaurants you will find:

On right (EAST side) when you get off (addresses on Boul. des Sources, Dollard des Ormeaux):

On outside of Galeries des Sources Mall:
Jack Astor’s (Grille and Bar) #3051 Tel: 514-685-5225 – chicken, burgers, salads, Italian, ribs www.jackastors.com/locations/16/dorval-restaurants.html
Elixor, # 3237 Tel: 514-683-7778 – Like cheesecake factory in US. Beautiful decor, good cooking, varied menu, large portions, cheesecakes for dessert www.elixor.com/home.html
Del Frisco #3237 Tel: 683-4444 – Nice sit-down Italian www.delfriscos.ca/en-Home.inc
Marathon Souvlaki # 3313 Tel:514- 421-5825 – Well known, around a long time, Greek food
http://marathonsouvlaki.ca/en/index.html

Across the street on the WEST side:
Bar-B-Barn (yellow building) – BBQ ribs and chicken, around 35 years or so www.barbbarn.ca
40 Westt Steakhouse 2305 Transcanada Highway (In mall facing Boul des Sources) Tel: 514-428-9378 – very fancy expensive steak house www.40westt.com

Back on the EAST side is a long long strip mall called Centennial Plaza. Here the restaurants are very casual, fast food or one step up from that:

Basha 3339A – Mideastern www.westislandmenus.com/restaurant/arabic/basha.php?restID=7
Rotisserie Mom’s 3339B – Chicken (newish)
Maiko Sushi 3339D www.westislandmenus.com/restaurant/sushi/maikosushi.php?restID=12
Fulum Buffet, Wok and Grill 3339E – Chinese menu or buffet
O Burger 3339G www.oburger.ca/en/menu.aspx
Thai Express 3339G
Dairy Queen 3339 H – soft ice cream
Subway 3339K – subs

Next section of this strip mall:
Baskin Robbins 3343 – hard ice cream
Pasta Tutti Giorni 3343A – Inexpensive sit-down Italian, fabulous rose sauce www.ptg.ca
Miranda’s Mashaw 3343C – (newish) Mideastern
Kojax 3343D – Greek, souvlaki www.kojaxsouflaki.com/en/restaurant_centennial-plaza.php
Sushi Shop 3343F – Less expensive sushi to go http://sushishop.com/en/menu/
Teriyaki 3343E
Amir 3343G – Lebanese www.restoamir.com
Dagwoods 3343 – Subs www.dagwoods.ca/home
Yummis 3343K – bakery, café
McBay – small diner, around over 30 years
Rockaberry #33361 – pies
Second Cup # – Canada’s Starbucks for coffee
A&W (in parking lot) – fast food burgers and root beer

Across the street on the WEST side facing this mall:

On you will see Starbucks, then next to it, perpendicular to Boul des Sources (on Boul. Salaberry), there’s a strip of casual restaurants leading in to a mini Farmer’s Market:

Pasta Bella #3 510, mostly take out pasta
Wok Café # 3510 Tel 514-683-8883-Asian Fusion.Good General Tao chicken www.wokcafe.ca/eng
Five Guys #3530 – better burgers
Panama 11,604 Salaberry Tel: 514-676-1096 – Greek www.restaurantpanama.ca/
Paradise Kosher – Tel: 514-421-0421 Mostly grocery, some take out, one table
Thai Noodles and Sushi Tel: 514- 421-1008 11,612 Salaberry
Ben & Florentine 11618 Salaberry – breakfast mostly, then lunch
Bulk Barn – 514-822-0897 by the pound store with every kind of candy, nuts, snacks for the car
Juke Box Burgers – 514-542-3222 plus milkshakes, hot dogs www.jukeboxburgers.com

Madison’s New York Grill 11590 Salaberry, – sit down, free standing bdlg.,steak, burgers, chicken, 2 for $22 specials www.madisonsnyc.com/?lang=en
La Verita 116,80 Salaberry Tel: 514-684-4999- Tablecloth Italian, free standing building in lot
www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g983914-d1381103-Reviews-Restaurant_La_Verita-Dollard_des_Ormeaux_Quebec.html

Marche de l’Ouest – foodie mall with cheese shop, French bakery Premiere Moissan (wow), butcher, fruit, fish, cheese, muffins, pizza, sushi, pasta, sausages, bagels, gelato, Szechuan, Outside is a farm stand housing many farmer’s goods around the area
www.marchedelouest.com/en/directory.html

Further down on WEST side

Wendys (rebuilding) –
Tim Horton’s – Canadian icon, donuts and some sandwiches
Cold Stone Creamery – ice cream

Keep going past Roger Pilon and then you will find on WEST:

Cote St Luc Bar-B-Q 4360 Tel: 514-685-5000 – Rotisserie chicken, Quebec specialty www.cotestlucbarbq.com/
Bagels Ouest 4404 Few bagel sandwiches with cold cuts, Quebec special: smoked meat
Carribean Tasty Treats 4410 Tel: 514-542-4410 – Jamaican food like rotis, curried goat, jerk chicken, fried plaintains http://caribtastytreats.com

Porte GrecQue 4600 Tel: 514-683-4482 – Greek grilled food in a little house, outdoor dining, around 30+ years www.laportegrecque.com/en/index.html

Falafel Abou hanna 4660 Tel 514- 560-0777 – Lebanese Mom & Pop shop
Morgan Fish 4686 Tel: 514-685-1555 Sit down
Tandoor & Grille, 4690 Tel: 514-683-4878 – Indian, in its own building, sit down
www.restomontreal.ca/en/3165/Tandoor-et-Grille

In strip mall:

Fiesta Pilipino Market 4852 – a bit of food to go???
Anh-Tai 4858 Tel: 514-685-5092 – Vietnamese, around 30+ years, good http://anh-tai.com
Maison de Karahi La Sani 4878 buffet Indian and Pakistani http://montreal.restolinked.com/maison-de-karachi-lasani-restaurant-33364.htm
Aryana Afghane 4886 Tel: 514-683-1333 www.urbanspoon.com/r/67/1614220/restaurant/Montreal/Aryana-Dollard-Des-Ormeaux
Les 3 Maria 4886A Tel: 514-683-1333 Portuguese bbq chicken
www.tripadvisor.ca/Restaurant_Review-g983914-d4044027-Reviews-Les_3_Maria-Dollard_des_Ormeaux_Quebec.html
Charcuterie M.D. 4894 Tel: 514-684-5760 – Polish, Central European deli, cold cuts, sweets

corner of Boul. Pierrefonds:

McDonald’s 4928 Tel: 514-684-0779
Tim Horton – Canadian icon, donuts and sandwiches
Poulet Frite a la Kentucky and Taco Bell – Kentucky Fried Chicken in french, same taste
Mory’s Pizza Takeout

Across the street on the EAST:

Chateau Kabab 4705 – Persian and Iraqi Mediterranean grill, bit fancier than others on this strip www.chateaukabab.com

Kwality 4771 Tel: 514-421-3522 – Indian food and sweets
Palais Shahi 4773 Tel: 514-685-0000 Indian, here 10 years www.yelp.ca/biz/shahi-palace-restaurent-pierrefonds
Pushap, 4777 Tel: 514-683-0105 Vegetarian inexp. Indian

Tokyo Sushi Bar, 4805 Tel: 514-685-7082 www.tresordutokyo.com-  BYOB reasonable
Kim Hoa Chinese Market 4843 Tel: 514 683-8878 – a bit of takeout Vietnamese and Chinese food

Man-Li 4991 Tel: 514-683-1110 – Oldest Chinese restaurant in area. Known for take out, tables too
Bombay Choupati 5011 Tel: 514- 421-3130 – good Indian
La Milsa 5021 Tel: 514- 542-4224 – Brazilian steakhouse

Kiva opened a new location in Vaudreuil-Dorion. The original store in Pointe Claire village, sells stylish practical clothing (sizes XS-XL) for women. This business model is different in that it is not just a shop, but was conceived to become a community. That feeling of belonging is reinforced not only by the convivial atmosphere, but by fun events like anniversary cocktail fetes or Christmas parties. Friends can also plan a private evening here to munch, shop and enjoy the attentions of a make-up artist too.

The owner, Josee Madore, used to run the design department at Lolë activewear, so she knows about fashion and what women want and need. She desired her own shop so that she could connect with her audience more intimately. “We want to make women look good and feel at ease in all the different aspects of their lives. Women… are balancing so many different activities – it’s not uncommon for them to lose track of themselves and their sense of style.”, says Madore.

At Kiva her team is there to guide women and help them look their absolute best. She chooses flattering styles that are easy to wear and care for. Madore tries on every garment before she sells it, so as to make sure she likes the way it fits. With lots of selection, it’s easy for clients to enjoy putting together an entire wardrobe for each season.

Whether you need a warm winter jacket, sports clothes or want to be able to go from office to cocktails, you can find the answer in their brands::

– comfy Yoga jeans from Second, new bold and demi-curve by Levis and activewear by Lolë, Fig, and Karma

– to make a fashion statement, you can buy: Anna Scott, Schwing, Sandwich, Jackpot, In Wear, Part Two, Coco et Tashi, C02, Flying Tomatoe, Mystree, Trinity, Signal,Jensen and St-Martin.

– cool shoes by: Clarks, Hunter Toms, Miz Mooz, Birkenstock, Volatile, Otbt, Nicole, Madeline.

– put your stuff in purses and bags: Mosey, Co-lab

– jewelry to finish off the look: Clio Blue, Merx, Art and Caft, Cracol, La Mer watches

New arrivals come in every week. You can shop whenever its convenient for you as they are open every day.

New location: 472 St-Charles Ave. Vaudreuil-Dorion QC J7V 2N5
Tel:450-218-6088
Original Location: 15A Cartier St. Pointe-Claire, QC H9S 4R5
corner: chemin du bord-du-lac Lakeshore
Tel: 514-505-0955
www.kivawomen.com, Facebook http://on.fb.me/HDCZrd
E-mail     info@kivawomen.com
Hours     Mon-Wed & Sat 10-5:30, Thurs & Fri 10-8 (summer), 10-6 (winter), Sun 12-5

Around for 86 years, Cantor’s Bakery started out with an Eastern European flavor with rye and pumpernickel breads and egg challah too. Their standards have evolved over the years to include danish, croissants, pies, muffins, cakes and bagels. However this new location in the West Island goes a little bit around the world.

I’m from NYC so I miss knishes – they are basically mashed potatoes tucked into dough – either square thick crispy ones or round softer varieties. They sometimes would be stuffed with kasha, buckwheat groats. This new incarnation of Cantor’s is knish heaven. Yes there is potato, but also potato with spinach, broccoli, mushrooms or bacon. There’s Samsa, a Russian variety with ground beef and onions (my favorite), a chicken one, pizza one, a Jamaican patty and – Hats off to Montreal – a smoked meat one.

Lunch is covered with 6 hearty sandwiches, chopped liver, cheese bagels, salads and a good variety of cold drinks. Dinner can be made in a few minutes with fresh or frozen foods-to-go: veggie lasagna, rigatoni, tortellini,  schnitzel, meat balls, potato or vegetable latkes (pancakes). You can start with soup, from matzoh ball to lentil, cream of vegetables or bean and barley. In the freezer, you can buy ready-to-bake  cheese bagels, party knishes, hot dogs and hors d’oeuvres.

And then there’s the desserts, all the Cantor’s regulars are there including the fudgey danish, cheese or cinnamon danish,  and my favorite chocolate dipped butter cookies, 4 kinds of mandel broit (biscotti to you) but on the right side, this being Montreal, there is a full counter of French cakes and pastries: Paris Brest, fruitiers, cream puffs, milles feuilles, mousse, and even cannolis. You can wash them all down with some good coffee-to-go.

Not only is catering available but they even have some meeting/party rooms on the premises, from small to large.

Tomorrow (Sat Mar 24) from 10-2, CJAD will be airing live from there and you can meet Ric Peterson in person.

New Location: 1000 boul. St-Jean, Pointe Claire
corner: Labrosse
Tel: 514-674-4747
Hours: Daily 6:30-8, Sat 7-7, Sun 7-6
www.boulangeriecantor.ca
Other location by same franchisee: Gare Centrale

Schwartz’s The Musical was such a success (added 2 weeks to the original run), that they have brought it back this summer for another 3 weeks from July 20th to August 7th.  Schwartz’s smoked meat sandwiches will be sold on Wednesdays (July 20, 27, and August 3) and Thursday July 21, from 6:30-7:30 PM.

The show is a must for any Montrealer as Bowser and Blue and Bill Brownstein have written about all our dirty little secrets and in jokes. Loved the repartee using Metro station names! John Dinning’s set is one of the stars of this show with its luncheonette counter piano, talking walls, hidden window to Toronto and “cross on the mountain” roof.

The imaginative use of actors boggles the mind. The stage direction is awesome as they come in and go out as different people, sometimes it seems, at the same time.

Bowser and Blue’s score, always with creative wordage, is now available to take home so you can appreciate the subtleties of their humor. You can sing along with the original cast to all the great songs, including: Why is Saint-Lawrence called the Main?; It’s my fault; They kicked us out, The Promise and of course, Schmutz

So if you missed it the first time around, make sure to order tickets for yourself or for visiting guests this summer –  and have a truly fun afternoon or evening.

Location: Centaur Theatre, 453  St. Francois Xavier
Phone: 514-288-3161 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 514-288-3161 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Dates: July 20-Aug 7
www.centaurtheatre.com

Just caught the adorable show “Schwartz’s The Musical”  and though I reported on Wednesday  that the run ends this Saturday, May 7th, I now have some breaking news.

The show was such a success (added 2 weeks to the original run), that they are bringing it back this summer for another 3 weeks from July 20th to August 7th. On Wednesday evenings, you can even enjoy a Schwartz’s smoked meat sandwich at the theatre.

The show is a must for any Montrealer as Bowser and Blue and Bill Brownstein have written about all our dirty little secrets and in jokes. Loved the repartee using Metro station names! John Dinning’s set is one of the stars of this show with its luncheonette counter piano, talking walls, hidden window to Toronto and “cross on the mountain” roof.

The imaginative use of actors boggles the mind. The stage direction is awesome as they come in and go out as different people, sometimes it seems, at the same time. Bowser and Blue’s score, always with creative wordage, needs a CD for us to take home so we can appreciate the subtleties of their humor.

So if you missed it this time around, make sure to order tickets for Mom for Mother’s Day (or Father’s Day), or for visiting guests this summer or for yourself –  and have a truly fun afternoon or evening.

Location: Centaur Theatre, 453  St. Francois Xavier
Phone: 514-288-3161 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 514-288-3161 end_of_the_skype_highlighting
Dates: July 20-Aug 7
www.centaurtheatre.com

Q1: There comes that moment in holiday preparations, where we relize we have no time to bake something wonderful or traditional, or perhaps, we want to bring something fabulous to a New Year’s party. Can you help us find some sweets?

We are so lucky in Montreal to have a cross section of many nations’ treats to choose from:
Swiss, Italian, Mid-Eastern, Greek, Polish, Portuguese. Make sure to have some sugary treats downed on New Year’s Eve so that you will have a sweet New Year.

Q:2 What are some of the yummy traditions that we may not know about?

In specialty bakeries these items are only made once a year, so take advantage of them now:

-Italians love their Cassata Calabrese which is made with custard and chocolate chips. Must be ordered ahead
-Mustacciolo are diamond shaped large cookies covered with a thick layer of dark chocolate and filled with almonds, honey and cinnamon
-There’s a German New Year’s tradition of homemade donuts called Berliners which can be stuffed with prune, strawberry, lemon or raspberry jam. Only made once a year
-The buche or log cake that we love here takes on International flavors made with black forest cake, amaretto or limoncello, etc.
– Chestnut cake is popular in Hungary
– Even the Nutcracker Suite gets a salute with a chocolate hazelnut cake.

Q3: Okay, time to dish out the goodies, where can we find some of these treats?

Here’s two European bakeries:
At Swiss Vienna Pastry & Delicatessen, Christmas brings on the yule logs in vanilla, mocha and chocolate in small medium and large. They even do their famous Black Forest cake as a log. strawberry or fruit shortcake Or for a lighter ending, have a mousse cake: triple chocolate mousse – that’s white, milk and dark chocolate layers with a fudge bottom – strawberry and raspberry, Smartie or just buy some miniature pastries.

For New Year’s Eve the Gateau St. Honore and the Charlotte Russe (made with lady fingers, custard, fresh fruit and whipped cream) are quite popular. For me, this bakery sells the best mille-feuilles in the city.
After you jump into your car to get some, remember to check out their hazelnut cake, butter danish, apple strudel and florentines, too. For your party, they can prepare hors d’oeuvres and decorated platters of sandwiches (roast beef, smoked meat, turkey, ham, tuna, egg), cheeses, meats, veggies or quiches.

The store also has a selection of international groceries with imported chocolate bars, sausages (debrecinor, kielbasa) and a hot and cold salad bar with ethnic snacks. Everything that you buy in this store is freshly baked from that day, since each evening all that is left on the counters is packed up and sent over to a food bank.

Location: 297 St. Jean Blvd at Highway 20 in the Pointe Claire Shopping Center.
Phone: 514-697-2280
Regular Hours: Mon-Wed 8:30-6, Thurs & Fri 8-30-8, Sat & Sunday 8:30-5
Holiday hours: Open Dec 24th 8:30-5, closed Dec 25th, open Dec 26th 8:30-4, open Dec 31st  8:30-5, closed Jan 1st & 2nd

For Christmas, Italians love their Cassata Calabrese, made with custard and chocolate chips which has to be ordered ahead. They head for Patisserie Alati to buy it or the Mustacciolo, Susaniele or diamond shaped large cookies covered with a thick layer of dark choc and filled with almonds honey and cinnamon. Next try the Torrone Bagnara with hazelnut and almonds or the Struffoli balls covered with honey piled high in a pyramid. Yes, there’s butter cookies shaped like Christmas trees.

Very popular for parties are their mini pastries, which are bite-size versions of their pastries – then you can taste so many! They have a famous Alati cake, which is a white cake with ricotta and custard,. Everyday treats include amaretti (with pine nuts), taralli (with lemon), biscotti (cinnamon and anise), hazelnut cookies, cassatine (ricotta and almond paste), sfogliatelle, cannoli (ricotta, or cream or chocolate), baby lobster tails and limoncello, white cake with lemon custard and berries on top.  There are a couple of tables for a quick expresso and sweet or a savory pizza, panini or sandwich. They are well known for wedding cakes.

Location: 5265 Jean Talon St. East at Dollier St. in St-Leonard.
Phone: 514-729-2891
Hours: Tues & Wed 8-6, Thurs & Fri 8-7, Sat 8-6, Sun 8-5:30 (Jul & Aug Sun 8-1
Holiday Hours: Dec 24th 8-5:30, Dec 25th 8-1, Dec 31st 8-5:30, closed Jan 1st &2nd

Q4: It would be an even sweeter year if we could save money on these, could let us in on where we could find deals on cake

Wholesale bakeries made those divine cakes that we eat for dessert at restaurants or for the supermarkets. These are often large cakes great for serving crowds. Here are two of them:

If some of the cakes at Les Delices La Frenaie here look suspiciously similar to those in Loblaw’s (and Le Biftheque, Boccacinos and Chenoys), you would be a good detective. Christmas logs come in amazing flavors here: chocolate hazelnut crunch, amaretto, strawberry, marscapone, frutti de bosco, limoncello. Profiterole are made into buches, candy canes, or wreaths. Those who pine for chestnut cake, order the Chataigne. For New Years Eve, they’ve prepared a chocolate  cube cake and a white chocolate and raspberry pyramid.

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 for only $8.50, and taste the amaretti biscotti. Trays of pizza (tomato, white, all dressed and vegetarian) can be ordered.    www.lesdeliceslafrenaie.com

.
Location: 8405  Lafrenaie at Jarry
Phone: 514-324-8039
Regular Hours: Mon-Fri 6-5, Sat 6-2
Holiday Hours: Dec 24 xmas 6-4, 2526 closed dec 31 6-4

When you swoon over the gigantic luscious cakes you are eating at certain coffee shops and restaurants around town (think King Kong, Roche Noir, Black Jack, Avalanche, Pecan Pie, Financiers, Monster Squares), then you can love them even more when you go right to the source to buy them at Patisserie Kilo Gateaux or find them in the freezer for IGA – 6 inch Rocky (chocolate cake) or La Roche (chocolate coffee layered mousse)

They’ve come up with a red and white Christmas cupcake; it’s chocolate of course, with  cream cheese frosting and a cherry on top. Their Christmas logs are fudgy chocolate or tiramisu. The
Casse Noisette is a salute to the Nutcracker, it’s crispy, has meringue and hazelnut coffee cream.
With over 60 sweets to choose from, many serving 16 slices, you can feed a whole crowd.  Order 24 hours in advance if you want a particular favorite or if you want it personalized.  www.kilo.ca

Location: 6744 Hutchison at Beaumont
Phone: 514-270-3024
Regular Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat 10-5
Holiday Hours : Dec  24th  9-3, closed Dec 25th & Dec 26th, Dec 31st  9-3, closed Jan 1st & 2nd