Cafe Zezin The decor is not sleek. But everything else is special - and from the heart!

I came across Cafe Zezin by accident.

I was in the "far north"......of Montreal! Jean Talon E. The metro on the Blue line stop at d'Iberville .

The second to last stop on the line.

I had an appointment, was 1 hour early, and I was hungry.

The first restaurant i came across was charging....$7 for a portion of fries!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You gotta be kidding!

Especially when I only pay $2.50 for half a portion!

Then across the street I noticed Cafe Zezin.

I knew i would have a better chance with the pricing.

No cafe would dare charge $7 for a portion of fries and hope to remain in business.

i opened the door and my first impression was....primitive.

None of the sleek "made-to measure" seating found in McDonald's!

Long and narrow. The clunky chairs and tables lined up at the left side of the cafe.

But something caught my eye.

At the far end of the room, the warm smile of the person behind the counter greeting me.

And the blackboard with the drinks spelled out in chalk. Very much "in!"

I learned later. The owner, Pedro, brought with him the warmth from Brazil!

The next surprise. I sat down and was given a menu.

Small. 3" x 6".

Plasticized.

The most sophisticated choice menu I've ever seen in a Cafe.

Two sides

On the first side, the eats. on the other side the pastries.

To the left, 9 choices of Grilled Cheese sandwiches!

On the right side choices of Other Sandwiches, Quiche, Soup of the Day, Salad of the day

And feel free to specify Gluten Free and Vegan!

I chose the Mushroom Egg Burger and a coffee.

While I was waiting the single cup freshly brewed coffee was served immediately!

I had time to look around.

Another first in a cafe

My eye stopped at the wall opposite my table

A small but delightfully equipped play area for little children!

I was particularly impressed by the little play area for little children.

Pedro told me how he got the idea of a miniature children's playground.

"My wife and I came from Brazil.

Our child was very young at the time when we bought the cafe.

So we were sensitive to the needs of a young mother

who needed a few moments alone while she sipped her cappuccino.

The little playground offered her a safe place for her little toddler to play

while she was able to keep an eye on her toddler."

My eye continued wandering down the rest of the wall.

A blank wall turned into a display of an enlarged art photo of the dishes served by the cafe,

a glassed in vertical row of shelves where decorative "objets d'art" could be displayed,

and the piece de resistance: A standing shelf of books!!

So this is how a "real" cafe should look like!

The first impression of the cafe as primitive space disappeared.

This was a personalized space that made me feel at home.

There was one more surprise.

I was served by the cook!

"My wife studied cooking at the Quebec Institute for Cooking

Our cafe is a mixture of Brazilian and French styles of cooking!"

My Mushroom Egg Burger was sooooooooo delectable, I made each mouthful last an eternity!

A memorable experience.

But the most memorable moment of all:

It was served by the cook herself!

I experienced at first hand the personal satisfaction experienced by a cafe cook being rewarded

by seeing the pleasure her careful preparation was giving the customer!

A first!

My one regret:

Cafe Zezin is in the "far north" of Montreal. I won't be able to "pop in"

for another memorable "burger".....and maybe leaf through one of those books!!

I envy the locals!

Owner Pedro Furtado Café Zezin 2351, rue Jean-Talon Est. Montréal H2E1W1. 438-387-1888