Crème de la crème is my new review series built around one simple idea. The REM changes everything for restaurants near each station.

If you live in the West Island, you already know the drill. Want a great meal? Get in the car. Drive. Park. Repeat. But what if that wasn’t the only way anymore? What if some of the best food in the West Island was just a short walk from a REM station?

That’s where this series begins.

Tucked between the Kirkland and Anse-à-l’Orme stations sits a spot locals have quietly sworn by for years: Deli La Trattoria. Or just “La Tratt” if you’re in the know. It is located at 19787 Ch. Ste-Marie near Cinéma Cineplex Kirkland.

This place is the real deal. An Italian deli and caterer that doesn’t try to reinvent anything. It just does everything right.

The Italian community in Kirkland has known for a long time that you don’t need a plane ticket to eat like you’re in Italy. You just need to know where to go.

What makes La Tratt worth the stop

Let’s get straight to it. The food.

The sandwiches are the headline act. Chicken cutlet. Porchetta. Sausage. Grilled veggie wraps. Big, messy, perfectly layered, and built on fresh bread that actually holds up. No shortcuts here.

Then there’s the wood-oven pizza. Crisp crust, simple toppings, and that unmistakable flavor you only get from real heat.

If you’re grabbing dinner for later, the prepared foods section is stacked. Pasta dishes, meatballs, sausage, lasagna, and sauces that taste like someone’s nonna has been working all morning. Marinara, bolognese, arrabbiata, rosé. Take your pick.

The deli counter is just as dangerous. Imported cheeses like Parmigiano and Pecorino Romano. Premium cold cuts. Olives. Olive oils. The kind of stuff you go in for “just one thing” and walk out with a full bag.

And yeah, don’t skip dessert. Cannoli that crack when you bite them. Biscotti. Zeppole when they’re in season. Pistachio cream donuts. Tiramisu cake. Even natas.

More than just a quick stop

La Tratt isn’t just a grab-and-go place. It’s one of those spots where the service actually stands out. Friendly, relaxed, and genuinely welcoming. You can eat in, take out, or load up on catering. Tomato and bocconcini platters, veggie spreads, dessert trays. It’s all there.

Standing in line here isn’t a chore. It’s part of the experience. The second you walk in, the smell hits you. Fresh bread, roasted meats, espresso in the background. It’s pure ambrosia.

I’ve got a real thing for the bread here. The baguettes are ridiculous. Crackly on the outside, soft on the inside, exactly how they should be.

Half the time I don’t even make it to anything fancy. I’ll just take one home, slice it open, throw on some butter, and that’s it. It melts, it disappears, and suddenly the whole loaf is gone.

Honestly, you could put anything on it and it works. But when the bread is this good, you don’t need much.

And honestly, I don’t mind waiting. Not here. This is where things start to slip. Your head checks out, your stomach takes over, and suddenly you’re ordering like you haven’t eaten in a week.

Then you notice the little details. The Italian playing cards are sitting at the counter. That’s when it clicks. This isn’t just a deli. It’s a vibe. You start thinking maybe you grab a coffee, sit down somewhere, and play a few rounds of Briscola with friends like you’re in a neighborhood café in Italy.

That’s what this place does. It pulls you in and makes you want to stay.

It feels like a neighborhood spot because it is one. Cozy, busy, and built on regulars who keep coming back.

The REM changes the game

Here’s the bigger picture. Places like this are exactly why the REM matters. Suddenly, a destination like La Tratt isn’t a drive. It’s part of a food crawl.

Hop off the train. Walk over. Eat ridiculously well. Maybe grab something for later. Then keep going.

That’s the idea behind Crème de la crème. Finding those hidden gems that were always there, just waiting for a better way to get to them.

And La Tratt? It’s a perfect place to start.

Hands down, the best Italian sandwich I’ve found in the West Island.