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CLOSED: Commensal - McGill College
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3
Closed
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Veg-options
Vegan-friendly
Lacto
Ovo
International
Western
Buffet
Salad bar
Take-out
Non-veg
Serves meat, vegan options available. In Oct 2012 this previously all veg buffet restaurant chain switched to flexitarian and offers fish and poultry in a separate case. Several locations. Features a large self-serve hot and cold buffet spread that includes soups, pate, main entrees, desserts, many of which are vegan-friendly. Food is priced by weight. JAN 2014 reported changed to Resto Vego.
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Last update on 01 Feb 2014 by Guest
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19 Reviews
First Review by jeejee0
Delart
Points +568
Enjoyed this unique restaurant - Edit
I really enjoyed this restaurant and was saddened that it closed. It was unique offering so many vegan dishes to choose from in their buffet. It was pricey, but a fun experience that I would look forward to each time I visited Canada. There were a few locations.
Read moreGuest
Kind Cindy
Points +78
What the ... ! - Edit
How they could flip the bird to so many loyal customers who supported them for so long is beyond me. If they needed a boost to their bottom line, there are so many other things that would have been better than taking the lazy way out and serving animal flesh. Revisiting their menu! Maybe offering low fat or gluten free for example! As the old Commencal, they were a haven for those who chose to eat compassionately and with an eye on being mindful for the environment. As a flex resto, they are a cafeteria style establishment and nothing special.
Read moreGuest
o0Carolyn0o
Points +863
Sell-Out of the year! - Edit
This place used to be a haven for vegetarians, but now we are at a loss as to to how they could make a decision to start serving meat. They've basically said screw you to their loyal client base, most of whom went there for a peaceful meal where you didn't have to worry if it became contaminated with meat. even evil corporations like mcdonalds are adding more vegetarian options, so it's all the more baffling that a well-established vegetarian mini-chain would make the opposite move, even if they have a complete disregard for ethics. Most of us who have supported this place for years will now be boycotting it. I urge tourists coming to Happy Cow to do so as well...montreal is a city known for it's restaurants and there is a plethora of other vegetarian/ vegan restaurants here that have not sold their principles for profit.
Read moreCons: meat, meat, meat
Guest
knave
Points +35
No longer Vegetarian - Edit
Latest news is that Commensal is no longer Vegetarian and has switched to a "Flexetarian" diet. They now will be serving Chicken, Shrimp and Crab. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umVYo3fxWbI&sns
Read moreGuest
Carrot_Stick
Points +95
Great Vegetarian Cafeteria Chain - Edit
Want fast food with little hassle--go here. NIce selction of prepared foods for a very affordable price. Definitely more vegetarian than vegan options.
Read moreGuest
fanciful bean
Points +58
I just love a good buffet! - Edit
My husband and I ate here on our recent visit to Montreal. I couldn't believe how much seating there was! And what an extensive buffet! I sample a lot of food and it was all excellent.
Read morePros: Buffet - quick service
Guest
jacqui2
Points +146
Convenient, nice salads - Edit
It is great there is a veggie place so close to the shops! It was easy to find, with a great view over the street for people watching and busy. I went there for lunch and dinner, having salad for lunch and hot stuff for dinner (choosing what I wanted, paying by weight). The salad was lovely, tasty, with nice pates, avocado halves, asparagus, tofu etc. Dinner was a bit disappointing, it wasn't very warm and looked like it had been sat there for a long time. Same selection as the St Denis branch. There were a lot of signs warning about pickpockets/thefts, but it felt safe.
Read morePros: Convenient, Salads, Reasonably priced
Cons: "hot" food
Guest
raphalla
Points +768
Good especially for a quick meal - Edit
We ended up there as we were going to the Bell Centre. It is within the walking distance. Buffet style of food readied to go, so it is really fast and convenience. The atmosphere is good and the window seats let you see the world going under you. However, we think the variety of food is lesser if compare with the branch at St Denis.
Read morePros: Quick, Atmosphere, Location
Cons: Selection of food
Guest
fondducoeur
Points +1167
Great Variety, Convenient Location - Edit
I ate lunch at Le Commensal while visiting Montreal. It was conveniently located downtown. The vegan food was clearly marked, which was helpful. Vegan options available included a greek tomato stew with tofu, 3 types of vegan pate, ginger tofu, several cold salads, soy based cheesecake, chili, etc. There was not any vegan cheese (aside from the cheesecake) for items such as pizza, quiche, quesadillas, etc), but there was a big enough variety for vegans.
Read moreNone of the food I ate I would rave about; it was a bit bland. However, I would go back because of the amount of choices, and with the cafeteria dining style, it was also quick. I'm sure if I lived or worked in the area I would be a regular customer.
Pros: Big Variety, Quick, Vegan Desserts
Cons: a little bland, Kind of expensive
Guest
TRaeCH
Points +384
Great... for what it is - Edit
Le Commensal is a Montreal vegetarian institution, of sorts. To begin, it is somewhat expensive, cafeteria-style, weigh and pay restaurant. In that it operates like a cefeteria, it seeks to offer a variety of foods and, with the variety that they serve, unquestionably has something for everyone. Le Commensal is a perfect stop if you and your dining-mate(s) cannot decide on what to eat or where to go.
Read moreThis is not fine dining. I rate Le Commensal for what it is. Of course, when dining out, I prefer nothing short of a fresh-cooked plate. At Le Commensal, the food is fresh but it is left out for you to heap on to your plate, protected by a sneeze-guard... if you're okay with that, dig in. It's good eating.
It should be noted, Le Commensal also offers heat-and-serve, pre-packaged food made on-site. It can be purchased at their locations and also at many Montreal-area supermarkets.
Pros: Variety, Great cooked tofu
Cons: Expensive, Buffet
Guest
estefinparis
Points +870
Good food, great location - Edit
We picked this restaurant after reading about it in the Lonely Planet Canada guide. We had dinner sitting next to the windows and had a great view of downtown Montreal. The staff was friendly even though it was late and it was obvious they wanted the restaurant to empty as soon as possible. We picked different items from the hot and cold buffets, which were clearly labeled, and I just wished we had gone there earlier in the day as I felt that the food wasn't as fresh anymore. I'd definitely recommend it and wish there was something similar near my workplace!
Read moreGuest
thelink
Points +165
Great downtown venue for lunch or coffee & cake - Edit
We had lunch at Le Commensal - Mc Gill College twice in June while on holiday in Montreal.
Read moreThe dishes very similar to the Commensal in Quebec City, you can check out my review for details.
Just like in Quebec City the explanatory labels for the dishes were in English and marked clearly which dishes were vegan which was great. The food labels were in much better order in Montreal than in Quebec City, which made it easier to find the individual dishes.
The location was very convenient, right in the middle of downtown and just a few minutes walk to Mc Gill University.
The restaurant is on the first floor of an office building and has huge windows so you can enjoy the daylight while watching the busy goings-on on the street beneath.
The decor is nice and modern and the crowd is a mixture of casually dressed people and office people.
Guest
cookiemonster
Points +1203
Yummy and Varied - Edit
Oh so many wonderful yummy choices! It so great to have a place where you can choose a little bit from all these great, unique, and delicious choices whom are all labelled so clearly as to whether they have soy, dairy, or wheat. There are so many different "types" of food from borscht to pizza to soup to pasta to fried tofu and more that everyone will find something. The vegan desserts are super delicious.
Read moreMy only problem with this place is price. If you go all out or choose heavy things, you can pay $30+. A conservative plate will probably still hit $15. I don't know that it is unreasonable, but it is restrictive enough that you become worried about the cost as you are choosing things which detracts from the experience.
Pros: Delicious, Huge variety, Yummy desserts
Cons: Expensive
Guest
food lover
Points +126
Prepare to Feast!! Super yummy and affordable! - Edit
We visited montreal recently for 1 week, and we had almost all of our meals at this restaurant!! Why? Because the food and atmosphere was that excellent!
Read moreThere was a huge buffet of cold, hot, salad, and dessert dishes. Each dish was marked with a name & ingredients. They even had a logo/symbol system to indicate the vegan menu items, which was very helpful.
Altogether, about 40 items to choose from!! Most of the main meal & salad area were vegan; the dessert area had 3 vegan options.
The cost was dependent on weight of plate. Our meals (which were piled very high with food!) cost between $9-15 only!! Water with your meal was free, otherwise you could buy drinks separately.
It was superbly clean, and huge (which was good, because it filled to capacity during lunch time!). It opened at 11.30am, and closed at 10pm.
We stayed at Hotel Le Crystal which was super plush, and only 7 minutes walk from the restaurant, which came in very handy. As i said, we had the majority of our meals (all except 2), and we didn't get tired of it, as there were always different things to try on the buffet.
Because it was a buffet, it was super-fast service, and the windows seats were great to watch the world go by.
All in all, an amazing restaurant for veggies and non-veggie people due to super yummy, hearty & healthy food. If i ever go back to montreal, i'd eat all my meals there again!
Pros: Huge Variety, Super Yummy, Excellent Value
Cons: None
Guest
jrm212
Points +221
nice fast bite - Edit
huge selection though the soup and desserts could use more vegan options. cost can add up fast due to weight. overall though, it's a great spot to go with non-vegetarians too because they find all the food delicious.
Read moreGuest
philjdomm
Points +945
same ol - Edit
cafetria, same cooking style. fast and easy
Read moreGuest
sherill
Points +128
Excellent - Edit
We visited Le Commensal in May 2006 and found it to be far better than the Le Commensal in Toronto where we live, although that location is also quite good. We thoroughly enjoyed eating there and would return again the next time we're in Montreal.
Read morePros: Excellent variety, Lots of vegan options, nice atmosphere
Guest
tablemoonspoons
Points +135
pay by weight buffet - Edit
all vegetarian, a good bit vegan, increadible variety for the picky folks... its pay by weight so big eaters be careful, a nice atmosphere, awesome location, and food was pretty good, desserts too! they have a small selection of single serving wine and beer too!
Read moreGuest
jeejee0
Points +25
Fantastic - Edit
I was here a few years ago while visiting Montreal, and I still talk about it. Huge selection of dishes at the buffet, and everything I tried was delicious. Very nice atmosphere, particularly for a buffet place, and a sweet location. You pay by weight, so be prepared to spend a bit of money if you're like me and want to try everything.
Read morePros: Great buffet selection, Delicious food, Nice atmosphere
Guest
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