Kicking Horse Coffee

I am a huge fan of dark roast coffee, but never found a dark roast I really liked in Montreal--they were too bitter or not full-bodied enough. I would even go so far as to bring a pound of Peet's coffee with me on my trips up here. Well, all that has changed! Kicking Horse coffee which is located in British Columbia makes an outstanding dark roast coffee aptly named Kick Ass. I actually think I may bring some of this with me back to California.

I have not tried the other roasts yet. Although on the website they provide a handy flavor guide to each roast as well as information about the blend and where the beans come from.

Best of all this coffee is organic and free trade certified so you can feel good about your habit.

Pickles

Putter's

I'm a dill pickle fanatic, but I'm extremely picky about my pickles. They need to be crunchy and not too big and mushy. I don't like the garlic flavor to be too overpowering and they need to be salty.

My mom and I were shopping at Chez Latina a couple weeks ago and she spotted these Putter's Pickles that we decided to try. At my first bite I realized these were something special. Definitely my favorite pickle by far.

I know you can get them in stores in Montreal. Not sure if they are available outside Quebec, though. I'll be on the look out though!

Chez Latina

It's worth putting a note here about Chez Latina as well. This is a great little market in the Mile End neighborhood of Montreal. Aside from carrying these pickles, they have the best homemade pasta sauces, sausages, marinated meats, etc.

Country Kitsch

Cuckoo

I picked up this Ergo Cuckoo Silhouette clock ($40) at Zone last week. This is a 2D version of a cuckoo clock with a pendulum on the bottom that really swings back and forth. Looks like the shadow that a cuckoo clock might throw. I have this hanging in my kitchen at the country house now and like the mix of country kitsch with a more modern look.

Billboard

I love antique advertising signs--not posters, but the real deal. The more rusty and decomposing the better! I picked up this old Orange Montreal sign at Brocantiques in Ste-Agathes this week which is now hanging in my kitchen at the country house. Flea markets, antique stores and ebay are good sources for these signs.

Here are a couple of my favorite spots in the Laurentains for scouting out old stuff:

B. Lebeau Antiquaire

13276 Route 117

St Janvier-Mirabel

Tel: 435-6840

This place is piled high with old chairs, doors, windows, light fixtures, stuffed dear heads, etc. If you are up for a bit of a hunt this place has great prices. Definitely not one of those high-end antique stores where everything is arranged nicely, but that's why I like it!

Le Marché aux Puces du Ciné-Parc St-Eustache

Open year round on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Parking and admission is free.

400, Hector-Lanthier

St-Eustache (Quebec) J7P 4C1

Exit 25th avenue of Autoroute 640 west.

If you bypass the indoor swap meet and the vendors selling knock-off purses and standard swap meet fare, there is a section in the back where you can find the odd antique. I found a giant "Buvez Coca-Cola" sign here last year which is in my garden. Good spot for antique washboards, old quebec license plates, etc.

Oh, Canada!

In honor of Canada Day (July 1) I thought I would post info on some of my favorite stores in Montreal.

Zone Maison

Zone is a great home furnishings store with a couple different locations in Montreal. I bought these "bear claw" salad servers ($8) there. This is a great store to find gifts and they have many items that are relatively inexpensive. They have some jewelry and accessories as well.

Lola & Emily

This is a great airy clothing and accessories boutique on St. Laurent. The store has big couches and rustic furniture and feels comfy in addition to carrying the latest trends. Check out their website at http://www.lolaandemily.com/.

Freitag Concept

This is my very favorite jewlery store. Unique pieces and the prices are incredibly reasonable. The owner is extremely friendly and helpful. I bought my mom several pieces from this store and own quite a few myself. I wish they had a website! 3762 boul. Saint-LaurentPhone : (514) 845-1788.

Space FB

This store carries it's own line of t-shirts and casual wear for both men and women designed in Montreal. There's also a Space FB outlet on St. Laurent up the street from the regular boutique. 3632 St Laurent Montréal, QC H2X 2V4. (514) 282-1991‎.

Oonu

With a newly opened boutique on St. Laurent, designer Claudia Gilles designs unique fluid pieces for women. She also has a line of maternity wear. Wrap dresses, jersey pants and tops all in body conscious, but flattering shapes. 3878, boulevard Saint-Laurent. (514) 227-1272.

James

This store reminds me more of L.A. than Montreal. It was my dose of west coast style while living in Montreal although I did more browsing than buying. Great denim, feminine tops, sandals and accessories. 4910 Sherbrooke St. West (upstairs) 514-369-0700.

Indigo
This is an amazing Westmount store to buy jeans and t-shirts. All the major brands are featured. Denim from Joe's Jeans, Hudson, Paige Premium Denin, etc. Michael Stars t-shirts as well as many other brands. 4920 Sherbrooke St. West 514-486-4420.

Simon's

I love this Montreal department store for all kinds of interesting accessories and clothing finds at reasonable prices. A great coat department in the winter and swimsuit department in summer. Simon's also has a housewares section. I just wish they had shoes! Online at http://www.simons.ca/.

Brown's Shoes

No trip to Montreal would be complete without a stop at Brown's shoes. The store on Ste-Catherine has a huge selection of women's and mens shoes. I just saw these great boots on sale for $99! Check out the website at: http://www.brownsshoes.com/.

Oink Oink

This Westmount toy store carries a great selection of toys as well as some clothing and accessories, stuff for summer camp, books, games. There's also a great infant section. Check out their website at: http://www.oinkoink.com/.

Jack and Jill

This small NDG toy store is jam-packed with all kinds of little knick-knacks, toys and games as well as great kid's clothes, leggings, pajamas and candy. 5330 chemin Queen-MaryMontréal, QC H3X 1T7 (514) 488-5841‎.

Babar en Ville

With two stores in Pointe-Claire Village and on Greene Ave. in Westmount, this is a great children's book store with books in both english and french. 1235 avenue GreeneWestmount, QC H3Z 2A4 (514) 931-0606‎.