Unique Restaurant

[tranquilidad]

I was wondering if anyone is familiar with any restaurants in the Montreal area that serve brunch and have a unique sort of feel to them.

We were hoping that my husband's mother would be able to visit us in Ontario and we could visit a restaurant like this http://www.theoldeschoolrestaurant.ca/ . Unfortunately, that isn't possible anymore.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

We are not set on brunch or anything specific. If anyone is aware of a place that doesn't serve brunch but is unique-ish, we would be interested in hearing about that as well.
Thank you!

[Fintastic]

Based on the website you've provided it seems like a cabane a sucre may be your best bet, though it's perhaps too late in the season to find one still open. There are lots of discussion on this board about which of these is best (obvious the Pied de Cochon version is no longer an option).
Other than that, I guess it depends on your definition of unique. If you're coming from Ontario, there should be plenty of places that are quite different from what you're used to. The best around are Lawrence, Chien Fumant, Cartet, etc., but I'm not sure that this is what you're looking for. I'm also not sure who the "she" is in your post, so it's tough to give you options appropriate for your guest. For someone older I'd say Lemeac is great (albeit not unusual). For a student I'd aim for one of my above suggestions.

[tranquilidad]

Opps! By "she" I meant my husband's mother.

She is in her 50s and very young at heart.

I really like the idea of a cabane a sucre (as I've never been) but as you said, I think they are all closed for the season.

Thank you for your suggestions!

[Fintastic]

I know exactly what to suggest - it just came to me! Unfortunately, I don't think they serve brunch. There is this incredibly unusual hotel in Old Montreal called Pierre du Calvet that has a restaurant. I was there for dinner once about 7 years ago. The food actually wasn't bad, though not reinventing the wheel either. The interiors are remarkably well preserved, and in warmer months the interior courtyard has this very odd collection of caged exotic birds.
It's certainly not my type of restaurant, but could be exactly what you're looking for (except for the brunch part)..

[Fintastic]

Their website mentions "mid-day snacks", so maybe they could accommodate your needs in some way? http://pierreducalvet.ca/english/rest...

[mangoannie]

we had brunch at pierreducalvet a couple of years ago and I loved the old feel to it, you could wander out to terrace after, see the birds in lobby, it wasnt very busy and kind of pricey but it was a special occasion so enjoyed it. I havent checked to see recently if they still serve the brunch, and they no longer have their brunch sign outside....its also very frenchstyle which I tend to prefer when having visitors from out of province. The food was fine but nothing unique nor memorable.

We used to go a lot to Willow Inn with our children, but I have not been there for awhile

http://www.willowplaceinn.com/html/re...

The Mount Stephan club was special place but they have closed as so many of these private clubs.

[Maximilien]

I'm not certain what you are asking.

The food at the link you posted looks _very_ ordinary (buffet style) in an atrocious "faux old" setting.

(I'm harsh).
Max.

[tranquilidad]

Hi Max!
I actually really think she would love the "faux old" setting! I guess to each their own.
The food does look pretty ordinary, but I thought the setting would make up for that.
Luckily we have found chowhound to give us some better ideas!

[kpzoo]

And for non-brunch ideas, check out these threads:

Eccentric Montreal - Finding the Strange & Unusual
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/591822

Eccentric Montreal PART 2 - Seeking out the strange & unusual
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/679923

[tranquilidad]

Thanks so much! Looks like we have some research to do !

[kpzoo]

Unique in terms of the space or unique in terms of the food? Here are some places I like for a "different" brunch, and what makes them special:

Coin Méchoui - brunch on weekends only - family-style Egyptian brunch (note: off the island, across the Mercier Bridge in Chateauguay)
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/470088#5362401

Cocktail Hawaii - casual Lebanese brunch - go for something with fruit and achta (Lebanese cream cheese - the Middle Eastern equivalent of mascarpone) - not something savory. Recommend a crepe and "cocktail". Funky/kitchy - some would say cheesy and they wouldn't be wrong... - atmosphere complete with palm trees, stuff-animal monkeys, and jungle murals.
http://www.cocktailhawaii.com/ (turn down your sound)

Gryphon d'or - brunch on Sundays only - delicious British-style brunch including Guinness poached eggs. Their homemade scones are scrumptious - and get some shortbread to take home.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/832050

Lawrence - brunch on weekends only - amazing "gastro-pub" style brunch, recommend scrambled eggs with smoked fish or the English breakfast, or anything, really - can't go wrong
http://montrealbreakfastreview.com/la...

[tranquilidad]

Thank you very much! These look like great options!