Everyone? Good! That's exactly what I thought. And if you love coffee, then you know that some days, you wanna jazz up your latte. Some days, you want your coffee to be full of rainbows and glitter and little star confetti.
But some days... not so much. Sometimes, what you need in your life is a cup of coffee exactly as black as your soul: AKA, the charcoal latte.
Other than looking cool AF, it's apparently got a lot of health benefits, since charcoal is allegedly super key for detoxing the body. (Just be careful consuming it if you're taking pills or have health issues).
If you want to try the charcoal latte, you're going to have to get yourself to New York City. The closest spot to Montreal that sells them is an NYC-based shop called The Good Sort.
However, other cafes in the UK (especially London and Australia) also serve this conction, so if you're going on a vacation there soon, you know what you gotta check out.
Going for coffee is essentially a staple of burgeoning adulthood, and also a favourite activity for close friends who are looking to catch up, hang out, and just enjoy one another's company.
For this week's coffee date, why not break up the mundane a little? Instead of hitting up the nearby chain coffee company around the corner, make a little extra effort to scope out local gems. They often provide way better atmosphere, unique drinks, and best of all, comfy, cozy ambiance that will create the perfect setting for your hours-long life chats.
So, set your calendars with your closest friend or your whole crew, and pencil in one of the amazing places listed here. Time to get sipping, friends.
At this point, Tommy has pretty much reached iconic status; and for good reason, because this gem in Old Port is absolutely worth going to. The high ceilings, gorgeous windows, and myriad of green plants set against the calming white decor is just perfect for a relaxing time with friends.
Of course, the coffee is good to boot. The busy, but not ultra noisy, atmosphere is also perfect for conversation - tuck yourself away in the high rows with your mugs and chat the day away.
Situated right across from McGill, this student favourite not only has some amazing espresso and cappuccino, but the gentle hustle and bustle creates the perfect background noise for you and your company. Minimalist in style, the Humble Lion is a great option for a quick coffee break with a friend, and it maintains just the right level of traffic to keep a content atmosphere.
A simple, welcoming, constantly buzzing cafe also close to a student area, El Mundo instantly feels like a staple hang out spot. The booths make it perfect for a bigger group of friends if that’s your case, and the staff are really warm and friendly. You'll find lots of people studying here, but don't worry about disturbing anyone - students often work in groups and chatter rises from nearly every table.
They also have a decent menu of snacks, and bonus, they serve alcohol. So if you suddenly need a pick-me-up but don’t want to have to scope out a bar, this place has you covered. Head to El Mundo to enjoy the warmth and comfort that this little corner cafe creates so well.
Of course, what makes Cafe Olimpico a Montreal favourite is the incredible coffee creations they offer - and no doubt, these are worth the trip alone. But it’s the laid-back, fun environment that makes it the perfect spot to spend an afternoon or evening catching up with friends.
It also boats the authenticity of a real Italian cafe, so you and your closest buds will appreciate the ambiance - you’ll definitely feel like a part of the neighbourhood. Really, it's just the perfect place to sit back, relax and share good times.
One of the more hipster, trendy cafes in Montreal, MELK is perfect for friends who are constantly on the hunt for somewhere new and interesting to enjoy a catch-up session over coffee. Both cafe locations are on the smaller side, so they definitely create that intimate environment you're looking for.
But be warned, go during peak hours and you may have a hard time finding a table. Otherwise, MELK is a must-try for many reasons, and one of the ideal settings for friends looking to cozy up with a delicious drink.
Ok guys, this may be the cutest cafe in the city - I mean, the name itself suggests a whimsical quirkiness that this places certainly embodies. The quaint decorations and mismatched comfy chairs are the absolute perfect setting to sidle in next to your best friend and share anything from gossip to heartache.
A standout that people rave about here is the friendly and helpful attitude of the staff, which is also key to creating the perfect homey feeling for your BFF date. La Brume Dans Mes Lunettes also carries some delicious treats - if you or your bestie need to heal a broken heart, consider this place as your top choice to do so alongside your regular coffee or tea.
So I must confess, Cafe Melbourne may not entirely fit the “cozy” vibe that I’m seeking to achieve with this list, but I simply had to include it, because it’s quite possibly the friendliest of all cafes. Run by Australian expats, this Plateau cafe’s sign reads, in French, “Our French isn’t very good but our coffee is.” How honest and endearing is that? And if you or your friend is a sucker for Australian accents, well, walk on in and *swoon*.
The cool, friendly vibe carries right through to the cafe itself, with affordable prices and relaxed surroundings. If you and your friends tend to spend hours chatting, dishing secrets, or simply enjoying one another’s company, Melbourne is the perfect place to pass the time without feeling rushed. Also, they serve some authentic Australian food, so if you've always wanted to try some Aussie fare (or you just love the accents, as I mentioned), Cafe Melbourne is the perfect place to start.
Comfortable couches, twinkling lights, exposed brick, and an adorable garden patio? Yes, yes, and more yes, friends. Le moineau masque is so pretty, you might occasionally zone out from your in-depth convo with a friend to simply glance around and admire.
You can see the work that went into making this place feel like a quirky artist’s living room, and it pays off with an awesome, welcoming vibe. Go here for a serene break from the stressful day-to-day, and relish in great company and gorgeous surroundings. What more could a pair of friends need?
First of all, how cute is this name!? A little gem, Lili & Oli instantly provides the simplicity and charm of the area surrounding. This cafe is a totally perfect fit for a relaxing coffee date, with rustic decor, classic drink creations, and endearing old-world pieces of art.
If you need an inspiring place to hang with your best friend, somewhere to feel both relaxed and invigorated, Lili & Oli is a great choice. Get there before tourist season!
Ah, Ouis Mais Non - the whimsical cafe with a little shop next door to check out after you finish your coffee. So perfect, right? Right. This trendy spot falls on the same spectrum as Le moineau masque, with the mismatched, comfy furniture, and the vibe feels something similar to a cabin or a modern cottage.
Once you settle in to hang with your friend, you'll feel right at home, almost like you're cuddled up next to a bookshelf in the coziest corner of your house. Pro tip: the tea comes in a really cute setup, so order that to set the stage for your heart-to-heart. Honestly, the adorable atmosphere at Ouis Mais Non could make anyone pour their heart out.
One city is responding to the grossly large amount of sexual assaults on female taxi riders in a much more proactive way. To better ensure the safety of all female passengers, a fleet of taxis exclusively for women, and helmed by female drivers, is being introduced. Unfortunately, this city is not Montreal
In Melbourne, Australia, a new taxi initiative catering to the female populace is planning to roll out onto streets, called the Taxi Link, reports Telegraph.
The concept, created by Harry Katsiabanis, came in the wake of multiple reported cases of sexual assaults performed by cab drivers, with female passengers being the unfortunate victims. Katsiabanis believes, with a fleet of taxis driven only by women, a more "comfortable environment" for women in the city.
To launch Taxi Link, Katsiabanis will need to hire 50 female taxi drivers, who will be driving all pink cabs, so as to better distinguish the fleet from standard taxis. That'll be the first major hurdle for the project, though far from impossible to overcome.
With women behind the wheel of a taxi, the likelihood of aggressive sexual behavior forced upon a female passenger is far less likely, at least that is Katsiabanis' theory, and we're inclined to agree. A woman is fully capable of sexually assaulting another woman, yes, though a female driver is more likely to empathize with the passenger, female or otherwise.
The recent media coverage and controversy of Montreal women being sexually assaulted by male cab drivers makes this taxi initiative incredibly relevant, and applicable, to the city's current situation. An all female cab service would provide a safer service to women, although it wouldn't solve the root problem. Still, women in Montreal deserve to feel safe in a taxi cab, and a fleet of taxis driven only by women may be the best solution, for now.
For more on all things Montreal, follow Michael on Twitter @MDAlimonte
Last Friday, Australian born indie/ folk band, The Paper Kites filled Il Motore to capacity as they amazed fans with a beautiful performance. If you haven't heard of The Paper Kites before, you're missing out! This five member band, which was established in 2009, found their success initially through online mediums, such as sharing their videos with friends and publicizing themselves through social media. That's right kids, proof that you should continue uploading your lovely voices onto YouTube, that's how Justin Bieber got famous as well, isn't it?
The Paper Kites are a highly versatile band, and each one of its members plays an average of three different instruments, an asset which truly defines their work. The Paper Kites' newest album, States, was released just over a month ago. It was ranked #17 on the ARIA Albums chart and #5 on the ARIA Australia Albums chart, and we highly suggest you give it a listen!
We asked The Paper Kites about some of their thoughts on Montreal, see what they had to say!
MTL Blog: What have you heard about this wonderful city before visiting?
The Paper Kites: We haven't heard much to be honest. Okay, well we know you guys have excellent food. Also, that everyone here speaks French. Rumor has it that Quebec wants to become its own country, what's up with that? We haven't been here a while, but driving in, we noticed that you could see this one massive church- like thing from every angle (they were talking about the Saint Joseph Oratory).
MTL Blog: Have you ever heard of poutine before? If so, what have you heard?
The Paper Kites: Yes! We've heard of poutine, we don't know why its considered a delicacy here though. Poutine is something we'd like to eat after downing a couple of beers, definitely not in the middle of the day.
MTL Blog: So what do you think of our poutine? (We provided The Paper Kites with a poutine from Montreal's favorite, La Belle Province)
The Paper Kites: It's definitely better than any poutine we've ever tried before! And looks better too! Okay! we can see why you guys take so much pride in your poutine! French fries, gravy and cheese, you just can't go wrong with this combination.
These amusing Australians had some questions for us, and these were our favorites:
(1) What's a francophone? What's an anglophone?
MTL Blog: A francophone is a person who has a French automated cellphone and an anglophone is one that has an English automated cellphone.
(2) How does this whole French/ English separation thing work? When we walked into a store this afternoon, the male clerk gave us guys a hard time when we responded in confusion to his French rant.
MTL Blog: He was probably just super intimated by your sexy Australian accents.
(3) Why is Quebec the only French speaking province in Canada? How'd they manage to make that happen?
MTL Blog: Wikipedia's your best source for that answer, we wouldn't want to give you a biased response.
(4) Can English speaking people even get a job here in Montreal?
MTL Blog: Yes, but you're better off just putting "functional in French" on your resume, and just winging it if you get the job.
All the way from Australia, The Paper Kites came to Montreal and gave us heaps of love. Check out their newest single "Young", which features a beautifully composed track paired with an awesome and unique music video:
