Allo Vélo Boutique + Café
Informations
:Boutique de vélo, atelier de réparation et petit café : des atouts de taille pour le quartier.
What she thought
Allo Vélo combines two of my favorite things: cycling and coffee. Situated about 450 metres (that’s just under 1/3 of a mile) from the Lachine Canal bicycle path, this bicycle boutique, repair shop, and café is perfect for a quick break from riding as well as for fueling up (caffeine boost) to help you keep on pedaling. The boutique offers an eclectic mix of bikes, accessories, helmets, and clothing as well as bicycle repair and servicing. Fiona and her son co-own the place—Fiona “(wo)mans” the café and manages the boutique while her son primarily handles the bicycle repairs.
- Coffee: My latte was made on the café’s Faema Legend 61 espresso machine, using the Udinese Espresso Italiano Caffé beans also from Faema. I loved the rich coffee flavor of this latte. Notice the dark crema in the photo below. The foam was more fluffy than microfoam, which is usual at this café. The overall taste was more coffee than a blend between milk and espresso. That said, I still enjoyed this latte and the pleasure I got from scooping up the remnants of foam from the bottom of my cup.
- Seating:The tiny sitting area varies in size depending upon the number of bikes being sold and/or repaired. We were able to sit at one of the two small tables. There is also a vintage-style school desk if you are out and about alone.
- Atmosphere: What Allo Vélo lacks in seating, they more than make up for in atmosphere. The boutique and café are well lit by the large storefront window. Fiona is warm, welcoming, and wonderfully personable. She is a good conversationalist and very knowledgeable about the services and goods they offer. Although a small space, Allo Vélo does not feel cramped or crowded to me. I always feel like I can take a deep breath and just “be” there. And I can ALWAYS find bike parking there. ;o)
Final Thoughts: Allo Vélo Boutique + Café is a charming and friendly place that offers this Montréal neighborhood, and those stopping by for a visit, a unique coffee experience.
Ce qu’il en pense
Voici un commerce familial qui contribue au renouvèlement du quartier, dans ce coin de Saint-Henri qui se cherche une identité. Ayant moi-même été courrier à vélo à une autre époque, je me retrouve en terrain connu dans ce café-boutique. On y offre une gamme de vélos utilitaires pour le transport de marchandises ou de jeunes enfants, ainsi que des modèles et des accessoires rarement offerts dans les autres commerces de vélos. Un atelier est disponible à l’arrière, si vous éprouvez des ennuis mécaniques.
L’espresso est extrait d’une Faema E61 Legend. Les grains utilisés sont des Udinese, également de Faema. Le café est à deux petites minutes du canal Lachine, par le Chemin de la Côte-Saint-Paul. La magnifique murale qui orne le côté de l’édifice ne manquera pas d’attirer votre regard.
- Le café (latté): tous les ingrédients sont présents, une bonne machine, une extraction adéquate, de bonnes proportions, le lait est cependant trop mousseux, ce qui gâte le délicieux créma.
- Les lieux: un décor original sur le thème du vélo, une configuration qui change au fil des saisons, selon les besoins.
- Le personnel: la sympathique propriétaire vous sert le café, son fils s’affaire côté mécanique.