with school out, I have had more time on my hands lately. it has pretty much been equally divided between thrifting and finding good eats. here are a few suggestions:
Eduardo's, 404 ave Duluth east in Montreal. It is a bring your own wine restaurant, and very reasonably priced (plate of pasta for $10). Cute place, a bit more on the fancy side for a dinner date, but very cozy and yummy.
Midi 6, 3580 rue Notre-Dame west in St-Henri. A little cafe with excellent lunch selection. the place is set up real cute, and the food is healthy, tasty and nicely presented. I suggest going with the "table d'hôte", worth the $10-tip included combo of home made soup, sandwich on baguette, selection of salad, and cup of tea or coffee (and little basket of fresh baguette to compliment the meal free of charge). Not to mention our waitress was a short haired babe wearing chucks.
Encore Books & Records, 5670 Sherbrooke west in NDG. good books, good records, also a few old VHS movies, worth a look if you are in the neighborhood.
I have also found an excellent thrift store up near Jean-Talon, however do not know the address as it is not really a store, and more of a home filled with wonderful finds the owner has been collecting over the years. she is only open 3 days/week, for 3/hours at a time. if you are interested let me know, and I will do my best to explain where it is. from the basement to the second floor, the home is filled with clothes, hats, shoes, purses, jewelry, records, books, magazines and whatever nick-nacks. she will serve you tea, and a dog named Crumpet may be lurking in the shadows.
last but not least, the usual rounds of village at every location, a given. I suggest you show up right when it opens, this trick has been treating me well. my strategy is to hit up the jewelry first, the purses and bags, shoes, then clothes, and finish off in the random house-hold and furniture area, but maybe that is just me.