SubscribeLUNCH August 10, 2007
When word reached me last year that the owners of Europea Restaurant, purveyors of solid contemporary French cuisine, had opened a sandwich shop in Old Montreal it seemed an odd development. I have been planning to make the trek there for lunch since that time but have been discouraged by word that it is take-out only. Not true. There are a couple of tables in this stylish lunch counter, but you’ll have to get there by 11:45 to snag one.
Europea Espace Boutique serves little lunchboxes consisting of a sandwich or salad, dessert or soup and a drink for $9.50. The Kenogami lamb sandwich with roasted vegetables was a little bland but the roast beef and brie served with moutarde à l’ancienne and thin slices of roasted sweet potato was excellent. Both sandwiches were pretty small considering that they come with only a bottle of water and the dessert.
But the macaroons (the French kind “macarons”) that are offered for dessert make it a great value and well worth the price themselves. Served in a dozen flavours including pistachio, lemon, black and white, maple pecan, raspberry and cranberry, these are really the belle of the ball. Sadly, our take-out lunch has caused a macaroon frenzy in our house as the JJ has started to obsess about baking the perfect macaroon herself. More on that at a later date, I’m sure. Largely on the strength of these delightful little colorful cookies, the EEB ranks right up there with Cluny as my favourite sandwich spot this summer.
Europea Espace Boutique
33 Notre-Dame W.
514.844.1572
