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MONTREAL - Generally speaking, my initial response to an empty restaurant in a prime location is one of skepticism. With only a few customers scattered around Cafe Republique’s spacious seating area, I wondered how good the food must be. But then again, I walked in there at 8:30 pm, which is only an ‘early’ dinner if you’re from the middle east like myself!
After being around for over 14 years, in 5 different locations, this cafe/bar/restaurant is not a newbie on the Montreal food scene. Offering up what can be best described as continental food, Cafe Republique has a standard yet expansive selection of burgers, sandwiches, pastas, breakfast foods, crepes and in-house brewed coffee as well as a full bar.
This was one of my first lone excursions in a while and I was looking forward to having a quiet, intimate dinner and relishing my food. I flipped through the menu, which read a little like a short book, and eventually decided on the Stockholm burger with sliced beef, mushrooms, sauteed green peppers, onions and a slab of cream cheese on the bun. Krystal -- one of the lovely servers at the resto -- took my order and brought it out quite quickly. The burger came with a side of Cesar and fries. All in all I licked my plate clean (not literally). And as I reflect on my dinner yesterday evening, I wonder whether it was my extreme hunger (I had only had a bowl of cereal that day) that allowed me to wolf down my food or whether it was really that delicious. I think it must be a combination of both! The food was tasty and filling and the cream cheese added flair to the burger, but as an unofficial burger connoisseur I wasn’t blown away by the flavors of the Stockholm burger.
One of the things that gives this spot its ambiance is the fully stacked bar that takes up a whole wall. From wines to spirits to flaming Absinthe shots, this is definitely a place you can come to pre drink as well as dine. Although they officially close at 11 pm, Cafe Republique will stay open till 3am by popular demand!
Located conveniently on the lower part of the Main, step inside for a quick bite or drink before your night on the town.
3563, boul. St-Laurent, Montreal
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