44 Comments
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Lin Morency Buckland's avatar

A wonderful story, Alice, touching the heart - and the memories of taste and cultural experience for any of us who have been fortunate enough to come from Montreal.

Paula Halpin's avatar

Liked it even better the second time, Alice

Jinks Hoffmann's avatar

Your essay basically gives me goosebumps! No more to say!

Susie Kaufman's avatar

I see in my original comment that I was missing something. I have matured in my appreciation and now crave the sandwich all the way from Minnesota where no such food exists. Anna's painting is just the ticket.

Adair Heuchan's avatar

Late to this feast. What a treat. Haven’t been inside Schwartz’s for too many years. The smell of the smoked meat as you enter is what I recall most vividly. Love Anna’s painting!! Perfectly captures Montreal. Thanks for reminding me to plan a trip asap. Adair

Armand Beede's avatar

Alice Goldbloom: This is my first experience of your prose.

You bring to life all around you with your pen, and I am so happy with the Substack community that enabled me to meet you and be enriched with your thoughts.

Your words paint the village!

Thank you, thank you!

Irene Templeman Walker's avatar

And now I'm planning a road trip from Ottawa for lunch! Thanks for this lovely memoir and review.

B L's avatar

A mouthwatering memoir!

Tamara Southward's avatar

Most beautiful painting and piece!

Bryan Demchinsky's avatar

Schwartz's is eternal and thank the deities for that (especially now that The Main is gone).

Jinks Hoffmann's avatar

Alice, This is simply gorgeously written, and like most everyone else, I'm hungry even though I'm not hungry!

Marissa Nuss's avatar

Good one, Alice! Of course, I am now craving a smoked meat sandwich- bug time!! 🤦‍♀️

Anne Adams's avatar

Also, understand it is now owned by Celine Dion. She and her husband decided to buy it to make sure that the institution stayed the way it was, the way it is anyway stayed.

Anne Adams's avatar

I I could not have told the story any better than you did. Schwartzes is an institution in this town. Thanks for reminding us.

Susie Kaufman's avatar

Thoroughly enjoyable and I don't even like deli. I felt like I was able to vicariously be part of the taste and the scene without the actual eating.

Susie Kaufman's avatar

I would if I ate one of those sandwiches. But really the writing is a delight.