Montreal - From older men hunched over chess boards, to art aficionados admiring the cafe’s latest display, to students on their laptops munching on paninis-- At Cafe Pi there is always an eclectic mix of people and activities going on.
I’ve always wondered about Cafe Pi (located centrally on St. Laurent in the Plateau) and what it was all about. All I could see from the store’s front windows were walls coated in deep red paint giving the entire place a popping effect. But apart from its dramatic motif, it turns out there’s lots to look at once you’re inside. Lined up against the walls In the middle of the cafe are a few chess tables where regulars come to play. There is an interesting energy in that section as mostly older men mumble and squabble over chess moves. The air is tense, but at any moment someone can make a joke, and suddenly people are smiling again. Cafe Pi is full of characters who tell stories and crack jokes; in fact, while I was taking notes and pictures for the review, a nearby patron stopped sipping his soup and got up several times to tell me tales of Chess and of chess champions. The place definitely feels like an unofficial chess club where regulars and newbies alike come to compete.
This chess-cafe also doubles as an art gallery and highlights new artists on a monthly basis. Last month there was a lovely collection of photographs documenting the beauty othe seasons in our lovely city, and this month’s collection is a fun and colorful oil on canvas assortment. The rotating art work on the wall definitely livens up the mood, which can sometimes feel overly intense in the deep red glow of the cafe.
My short excursion up to Cafe Pi to grab a grilled cheese and coffee was an enjoyable jaunt. I usually opt for quieter, more off the beaten path cafes but this is definitely worth a visit if you’re on the main and looking for some light food and mild entertainment.
