Le Café Big Trouble revives a vibe in Montreal's Quartier Latin

Some say the Quartier Latin hasn't had an easy time lately.

Following the closure of the iconic student bar Saint-Sulpice after 43 years in business, owner Maurice Bourassa cited high rents and dwindling crowds as big factors for the departure.

We'll go out on a limb and say he was half-wrong: True, the Quartier Latin's mostly become a strip where rents are jacked up to the point that younger generations wanting to do cool and new things can’t afford to join the party.

On the other hand, people still want to go out.

That's why the new restaurant Le Café Big Trouble's opening in the neighbourhood bodes well. Last month marked the first steps for the new 25ish-seat restaurant from Alexander Levi, Madeleine Stuyt, and Melissa Mastrocola, and it's gaining momentum as a place looking to re-inject some honest fun into the area.