La Cantine (212 Ave Mont Royal E): I'm almost hesitant to write about this place because it's such a treasure. It opened in the past few months, and we can still walk over and get a table right away, and I like that. The fact that it calls itself a "bistro boutique" and has a cool, kind of loungey decor might not make you question whether they prefer style over substance, but don't be fooled. The brunches here are wonderful and... psst, even better - they can be cheap. Let me show you what you get for $6.50:

Eggs, potatoes, bacon, cheddar cheese, fruit and toast. Sounds pretty typical, but it's rare that you get these breakfast foods cooked so well. The eggs were perfect. The cheddar was old and sharp and got all melty when piled on the toasted baguette. Andrew had ham instead of bacon, and it wasn't your regular processed breakfast ham - it was actual porky chunks of real meat. They also have more atypical brunch foods, like a creme brule yogurt or pistachio french toast or grilled cheese with apples. The coffee is excellent. We've even come here for dinner and weren't disapointed (you can actually get mini Pogos!). So, go, especially if the lineup at L'Avenue is way too long!