chain cafes
if you HAD to eat/drink at one chain cafe in the downtown montreal area, where would you go?
cafes such as presse cafe, second cup, van houtte bistro, java u etc.
i was sort of given the boot at my traditional cafe spot when i studied for more than 4 hours over there, and i don't know of any other quiet nice cafes with the same kind of atmosphere and am giving up on finding one in my vicinity, so i'm wondering which chain cafe is best/preferred (food and coffee wise).
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If I understand your question correctly, my favorite coffee chain coffee are Second Cup and Cafe Depot, but now I am talking about the quality of their filtered coffee which I am in the mood for the most when going to these places. Both Second Cup's Black Paradiso and Cafe Depot Nero blend are very strong, just how I like them. Acceptably strong are also Java U and Starbucks, the rest is very bland.
If you prefer expresso products in those chains, I find it varies greatly by chain. Starbucks, and Java U tend to be pretty good for expresso based products.
Foodwise, my favorites are Java U and Cafe Depot (with Van Houte an acceptable second). I stay away from food at Starbucks and Second Cup as much as possible, not discusting, but poor QPR.
The rest is a matter of atmosphere. I've always been partial to the second cup near concordia because I spent so much time there as a student. Generally, I do find the Starbucks inviting, when they are not packed, as is too often the case. Java U are also very nice, but the downtown is tiny. However the one near the Vendome metro is very nice to sit in. It really depends on location.
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i used to study at the second cup around gars centrale. It's huge and extremely quiet on weekends (especially between noon and 4). If not, I'll go to Place ville marie (van houtte is there) for the same atmosphere (granted it's not during the holiday season, more, the "dead"season)
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cherylmtl
Dec 3, 2009 03:55 PM
IMHO, Art Java has the best coffee (aside from Myriade, of course...) in the downtown area, and food-wise it's either Art Java or Java U.
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re: cherylmtl
I don't know about the original, but the Art Java on Kennedy certainly wouldn't appreciate someone studying for that amount of time in their tiny space, considering how busy it can get. Also, it's hardly a chain in comparison to S'bux, Second Cup and even Java U. As far as their coffee goes, Art Java's is 1000x better than any of those other choices.
edit: oh and of the chains the OP mentioned, in my opinion Presse Cafe has the best food and coffee
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re: sharkbait88
Yeah, I mean, when I'm in a place like Starbucks, I have no problem staying as long as I want, given the huge spaces they have and that they charge 5 bucks for mediocre coffee. Art Java on the other hand, makes bona fide good coffee and it's not as if they're owned by a multinational. So if I know I need to stay somewhere more than an hour, I'll goto a chain, despite the coffee.
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re: sharkbait88
specifically, the Presse Cafe on Milton and Park, don't know if thats particularly near you. The space is huge, and you can stay as long as you want (literally all day) without anyone saying a word. Also, the owner is a really nice guy, I've gotten to know him over the years! and like i said in my earlier post, i find out of the chains, presse cafe has the better coffee and pretty decent food if you get lucky
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re: sharkbait88
I used to go Presse Cafe a lot, but I needed a little change of atmosphere so I've started frequenting El Mundo across the street. The coffee is good and the sandwiches are usually pretty solid. It is definitely not as big as Presse Cafe but the atmosphere is more enjoyable, and I prefer the refreshments.
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