**get ready, it's a long one.. that's because Franco's place is so great!**
Before arriving, we were already so excited about our accomidations based on the descriptors & previous reveiws. We knew that this was the right place for us as our reason for visiting Montreal was to have a vacation of culinary enjoyment (perhaps more honestly: glutony of food and beer). The neighborhood is a mecca of cafés, bakeries, brew pubs, restaurants, street foods, and artisanal food shops. PLUS staying here, you are literally attached to a shop that serves gnocchi and homemade pasta sauce!
We were also excited about the space itself. Upon arrival, we were pleasantly suprised that it was even more comfortable and welcoming than it looked in the photos.
There is a mysterious closet sized door in the room labeled "Room service, drohgeria & locanda" which you might think opening it would lead you to another time and place. Sure enough, it does. Upon opening it to meet Franco, he invited us through to the kitchen where he introduced us to his family, who are also his co-workers. His mother making meatballs, wife jarring sauce, and his daughter preparing the front for the lunch rush. It immediatly brought me (Phil) back to the short time I spent cooking/living in Italy.
They made sure we had everything we needed, and gave us great insight on where to go and how to get there, and assured that if we needed anything else they would be happy to help. The most excellent hospitality. On top of that, some wonderful fresh gnocchi for lunch! I thought I must be dreaming... But after a good night sleep on the quite comfortable bed, I awoke to the aroma of roasted garlic and tomatoes stewing. I quickly realized it was not a dream.
When all else is quiet, through the night you are likely to hear Fairmont Bagel next door working away so that you can have warm fresh bagels for breakfast if you want (and you should!). During the day you can tell the walls are thin as you can clearly make out conversations happening in French, English and Italian coming from the gnocchi shop. If you are a VERY light sleeper, or the smell of cooking bothers you, perhaps this is not the place for you. Otherwise, it really is part of the charm. It very quickly feels as though you are staying with family (especially true as we stayed the entire week!)

While our goal was to eat out at as many places as we could, we like cooking and were very excited to make things from the great products we could aquire here. It made us so happy that the kitchen was well stocked with all the tools needed for cooking whatever you would like. This is a luxury you dont expect when staying away from home.
Some other things we would never have thought about were provided. Like a water cooler of filtered cold water, towels for the shower (which had good pressure and sufficient hot water), umbrellas, and a good selection of board games.
We wouldn't hesitate to stay at Franco and Rosie's place again next time we visit Montreal :)
Erin & Phil