"GO HERE: for Olive + Gourmando’s bustling breakfast and lunch scene, then take one of the giant cookies or pastries to go. ORDER THE: housemade ricotta (using milk from a small local dairy), served either sweet or savory on toasted bread; "poached-egg-on-your-face" panini with herbs, mayo, speck, and roasted tomatoes; French toast; grilled cheese stacked with raclette, Gouda, and caramelized onions; and any of the specials scrawled on the chalkboard menu (a popular feature in many Montreal restaurants). Some of the healthier items, like chia pudding and the “big healthy salad,” feel like a welcome reprieve from poutine. THE VIBE IS: sunny and cheerful. The service is perfunctory but polite; the staff is accustomed to getting both locals and tourists efficiently in and out. PRACTICAL STUFF: Open every day 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Brunch is served only on weekends, so expect a wait, but don’t fear: The line moves quickly. —Claire Saffitz" - Condé Nast
