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Ethical noshing at L'Utopik
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Photos by Sarah Pearson
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Forget the double-double or the venti no-fat latte; fair trade's the hip new way to take your cuppa joe.
With more people jumping on the ethical eating bandwagon, Montreal's coffee shop owners know the power of the "équitable" stamp. The beloved Café Santropol's roasting house pioneered Montreal's love affair with organic and fair-trade coffee, selling their beans to retailers across the province.
Even Starbucks now offers a fair trade blend, proving that political statements make for hipper hangouts than your average Timmy's.
If you're looking for a coffee that will start your engines but leave your conscience at rest, check out these four Montreal hot spots.
Downtown bohoasis: Café Utopik
Right across from the Berri-UQAM metro, this beautiful bohemian café serves up simple and scrumptious organic vegetarian food alongside quality fair trade brews. Comfy couches, earthy décor, and a community vibe make this non-profit establishment the perfect place to read, write, play a game of chess, or simply enjoy a mean café au lait. By day, you can eavesdrop on students discussing Derrida over steaming bowls of apple-squash-curry soup. At night, enjoy free live music with nachos and a pint of organic beer.
Cozy Monkland beanerie: Café Wild Beans
The air on the corner of Hingston and Monkland is impregnated with that unmistakable, rich aroma of roasted coffee. That's because this quaint little place in the quieter end of Monkland Village roasts its own beans. The intimate setting owes much of its charm to a decorative brass steam machine, some local art, and the warm greeting you receive from the owner, who brews cappuccinos himself for a stream of loyal customers. A calm alternative to the hustle and bustle of NDG, you'll find here a happy bunch of newspaper readers, iBook tappers, and local moms on a coffee date.
You'll find a happy bunch of newspaper readers, iBook tappers, and local moms on a coffee date.
Fair trade gone chic: L'Autre Monde
A couple from France serve up cappuccinos, allongés, organic soups and fresh paninis at this peaceful, elegant Mile End café. The small space draws a steady clientele of thirtysomething solo lunchers and their paperbacks. Also a boutique équitable, L'Autre Monde is committed to selling local fair trade and organic products. Lining the walls is an extensive display of Quebec-made goods, such as confits de carrottes, fruit relishes, maple syrups and homemade ketchup; plus the usual ethical fare of cocoas, teas and coffee beans. A real mix of European chic and fair trade cachet, this is a delightful place to catch your breath over an afternoon espresso.
On the fair side of the tracks: Café Blue Monday
Verdun is the hidden gem of Montreal neighbourhoods, and Blue Monday is one of the reasons. Pleasant, unpretentious and cheap, this vegan joint is a crossroads for local hipsters and professionals alike. The friendly owners serve java to a crowd of regulars, as well as delicious curries, soups, sandwiches and a weekend brunch. This is one of those real community hangouts where you're likely to bump into someone you know - even if you're not from Verdun. They also host some nifty community events, such as bi-weekly knitting circles and occasional live music. Free wireless and a groovy book exchange are added bonuses.
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Currently residing in Montreal, Sarah Pearson keeps busy with freelance writing assignments, ongoing theatre projects, and singing with the award-winning Concerto Della Donna.
What is fair trade?
Fair Trade products ensure that the workers who produce the goods are being paid a fair share for their labours, cutting out the profit-sapping middleman. Basically, a higher percentage of the money you spend buying the product goes back to the people who made it.
It's hip to be fair
Café Utopik
552, rue St Catherine E.
(514) 844-1139
Open from 8 a.m. to last call, seven days a week
Café Wild Beans
6128, av Monkland
(514) 484-6774
Open Tues-Sun 9h30 to 18h
L'Autre Monde
371, rue Bernard
(514) 273-1237
Open Mon-Wed 8h to 17h30, Thurs-Fri 8h to 18h, Sat 10h to 17h
Café Blue Monday
4424, av Wellington
(514) 762-4335
Open every day except Monday, 10h to 19h |
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