L'Avenue

How Montreal’s Brunch Restaurants Are Surviving Through Takeout | Eater Montreal

"At L'Avenue on Mont-Royal Ave I remember the pre-pandemic weekend vibe — long lineups, live DJ sets on Sundays and an almost club-like atmosphere for brunch — and owner Milton Safos says they miss that energy every day. The restaurant shut down during the second wave and reopened on December 3, but Safos had to cut staff from 30 to 8; takeout has remained steady with fewer eggs Benedict orders and more smoothies, yet he notes that places built around in-person customer experience (the music, seeing interesting people, the moment) are at a disadvantage compared with restaurants built for delivery. Safos is eager for Mont-Royal to reopen so he can reopen the patio (with DJs possibly playing to passersby), but he expects things won’t return to normal until most people are vaccinated and consumers feel less anxious." - Joel Balsam