Le 800 Charest

Little Italy Has an Adorable New Sandwich and Smoothie Spot in Le Watson | Eater Montreal

"A charming new all-vegan café and lunch spot in Little Italy is now open on Bélanger just off St-Laurent; Le Watson comes from the young trio of Alex Essaid, Lorena Vaillard, and Rafa Vaillard (the latter familiar from his work at Chinatown taco spot La Capital). Vaillard describes it as a cool, calm space that isn’t “vegan in your face” — the menu naturally contains no animal products — and it centers on three main offerings: sandwiches, smoothies, and bowls. The smoothies are playful but classic (one features berries, bananas, and cocoa nibs, another merges kale with the non-alcoholic flavours of a piña colada), the bowls include a spicy salad and a vegan take on a Caesar both served on brown rice, and the sandwiches play with meat substitutes like house tempeh bacon and smoked tofu — for example the “grilled faux-mage” with Gusta cheese and balsamic caramelized onions. The opening menu is short but expected to grow; there are also a couple of baked goods and a full range of espresso drinks. The space occupies a former fromagerie, with designer Anjela Freyja using tiles and wood flooring to create a cool, calm interior, and a small garden will likely be added beside the café. Le Watson is open at 26 Bélanger Street from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday (closed Monday)." - Tim Forster