Author: Bob_33

We have frequented the 272, Sainte-Catherine location of the Van Houtte chain many times in the past, but our most recent visit was our first time back in a couple of years. This location is on Sainte-Catherine East, in the "Latin Quarter". Our experience in...the past is that it is often patronized by student types. This was not the case with our most recent visit, however, which took place during the Christmas break. We visited on a Saturday noontime in early January. The café was fairly quiet, and we were served quickly. The fare on offer was typical of Van Houtte: sandwiches, wraps and the like heated to order. We ordered the "trios" (which come with soup or salad and coffee): chicken fajita and ham-and-brie ciabatta, which we had with salad and the house blend coffee (1919). These were fine. The space is fairly large and "trendy", with high ceilings and the like. There is ample seating available. The background music was eclectic, ranging from classic vocal jazz to more contemporary selections, but was not distracting. Traveller's tip: Many Van Houtte locations offer the possibility of exchanging the single portion of salad in the trio with two half-portion salads; however, when we asked if this was available, we were told it was not.