Two times in the past few years our book club group has ventured to Montreal for a day of culture, shopping and eating. Tuesday was such an outing day and for me, I didn't know I was actually going until 10 hours before departure. So I had no expectations and no requirements of what I needed to 'accomplish'. I showed up at the pick-up point in Alta Vista at 8:00 am with camera, umbrella and appetite in hand.
There was a stop at the Centre Rockland first for a Montreal mall shopping experience. I sat with the purses and offered lots of fashion advice. Then onto the popular shopping strip on Avenue Laurier Ouest between Chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine and Rue Saint Urbain. Tucked away on Laurier at Rue Jeanne Mance is Pâtisserie de Gascogne. One of their 5 locations.
Here is a little excerpt on the history of the pâtisserie found on their website.
Founded in 1957 by Francis and Lucie Cabanes, Pâtisserie de Gascogne has widely contributed to the evolution of culinary habits established in Quebec. Its know-how paved the way for the development of gourmet cuisine in Montreal.
We owe to Pâtisserie de Gascogne the introduction of certain fine delicacies in North America, such as the Canelé, a specialty from the southwestern region of France.
Jean-Michel and Anne-Marie Cabanes then took over and developed the Pâtisserie de Gascogne we know today. In 2007, it was up to Martin Cabanes, the grandson of Francis, to carry the torch and consolidate the company by sharing his vision of the Savoir Plaire, while preserving its original vocation and values. Of course, the Cabanes family is still very much involved in mind and spirit to make sure Pâtisserie de Gascogne continues to offer the best.
This is the second time we have made this our lunch destination. The reason, it is good and it is quick. You line up to place your order and then take it to your table, either inside or out on the patio. Walking by the many linear feet of display coolers with their many finely prepared cakes, pastries, salads and eats guarantees them that you will have a hearty lunch of some sort.
They also sell specialty foods. Something that I didn't get to check out in detail. Temptations abound.
For their luncheon they offer a handsome special for $12.95. That day, you could have a choice of: tourtière, tarte provençale, sandwich jambon fromage, or bagel saumon fumé. I chose the tarte provençale. You could match that with potage du jour or salade du jour. I chose the potage du jour which was a cream of tomato soup. The soup came with baguette française. And you then round your meal out with a cup of coffee or cold beverage and a dessert du jour. I chose to go chic with my perrier which came at a 50 cent premium. And my sweet treat was a hazelnut torte.
FYI, a tarte provençale is typically made with cheese, zucchini, tomatoes, onion and garlic and then seasoned with herbes de Provence.
It is going to be hard to break this habit of Pâtisserie de Gascogne for lunch whenever in Montreal. Everything was just so tasty. No complaints here!
Pâtisserie de Gascogne - Laurier location
237 av. Laurier O.
Montréal, Qc
514.490.0235
Mon to Thurs: 8 am - 7 pm
Sat: 8 am - 6 pm
Sun: 8 am - 5:30 pm
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