Staying Power

There are treasures to be found in each of Montreal’s diverse neighbourhoods. The Cote-des-neiges-notre-dame-de-grace (CDN-NDG) neighbourhood is by far one of Montreal’s most sprawling and densely packed areas to live in the city. Because of its enourmous size, it holds a wealth of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops and one of the finest of these places is le Duc de Lorraine. Le Duc de Lorraine (or Le Duc as it is has become affectionately called) is more than your typical restaurant or pastry shop. It’s also Montreal’s oldest French patisserie, open since 1952. Sitting on one of Montreal’s busiest corners, the iconic stop for wonderful food is the epitome of Montreal’s bustling spirit rolled into a sweet smelling cafe. Le Duc’s wonderful ambiance, quick and courteous service and of course a plethora of treats and snacks have had people coming back for decades. Their celebrated terrasse (which is set open soon) is a great place to grab an afternoon lunch and watch the masses go by. Only steps from St. Joseph’s Oratory, the mountain, Université de Montréal and the very busy Cote-des-neige markets, Le Duc is the perfect place to start a journey or a great place to end one. We recently paid a visit to the Le Duc for an end of afternoon meal. The sun was still pretty high in the sky and shone brightly off the white walls of the Oratory. At dusk, an enchanting calm falls over the area in the stillness of early spring. Upon entering the café we were greeted by the owner who was very happy to have us drop by and try their food. We were joined by one of the fabulous Montreal Food Divas (they always love to tag along) and enjoyed delicious homemade onion and tomato soups, gourmet chicken and croquet-monsieur sandwiches, fresh salads that burst with flavour and colour and a very tasty chicken a la king in homemade buttery puff pastry. The menu also features quiches, pizzas, cheese and charcuterie plates and much more. I couldn’t help but think what a wonderful brunch place le Duc would be for those looking to explore the area on the weekends. After our meal we went wild and tried a mountain of desserts. Even after choosing 6 desserts, we still hadn’t scratched the surface of what they offer their customers. The choice was difficult but extraordinary. They have everything from cakes to éclairs, macaroons, strawberry shortcake, chocolates, breads and more. My favorite dessert was the velvety cream filled éclair with chocolate. It was a tasty end to a great meal. Le Duc is a destination stop in one of Montreal’s most diverse and well-established neighbourhoods. With its French café ambiance, delicious food and hospitable service, it is a must try when you find yourself at the foot of the mountain anytime during the day.

Everything you need to know about Le Duc de Lorraine can be found right here!

Photo credit: David Major-Lapierre (for more exclusive photos visit our Facebook page)