The Full Story on Thazard, Now Open in Mile End

Thazard held a preview dinner yesterday and is now open, albeit in proverbial soft launch mode.

One guest, blogger Elise Tastet, wrote: "New spot on St-Laurent. Blown away by the food!"

A recap of the particulars:

• Key principals in the Japanese bistro include Edward Zaki (BarBounya, Chez Victoire) and Dave Schmidt (Maïs, Maison Sociale, Datcha, Kabinet, Le Mal Nécessaire)
• The executive chef is Hachiro Fujise, most recently at Schmidt's Café Sardine
• Service-wise Thazard will resuscitate classic, French-style guéridon service. Rather than tableside Sole Meunière or Crêpe Suzette, Thazard will, say, torch a mackerel in front of customers, sauce a dish or snip sprouts on a seaweed salad.
• About the cart service, Schmidt says: ""Thazard will capture that essence but with Japanese food. The cart service will be less dim sum trolley and more French old school."
• The restaurant will have a cocktail program. Staff recently ran some recipe tests at Kabinet.
• Zaki: "The kitchen will be open until 2:00 a.m."
• About the name. Thazard is a fish, otherwise known as wahoo.
• Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 6:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. (kitchen too). OpenTable to come or call (514) 802-8899.

Here are some visuals of Thazard and yesterday's soft launch.

Almost done at #thazard #montreal #murals #olders

A photo posted by The Lost City (@dannyrustik) on Nov 11, 2014 at 8:21pm PST

What's next chef? #thazard #myjapaneselife

A photo posted by Michaël Lambert (@millesmilles) on Nov 11, 2014 at 8:28pm PST

Enfin, le @thazardmtl est né ! félicitations @edwardzaki & coe ! ;) #thazard #barinmtl #bistrojaponais #montreal

A photo posted by Sindie (@singoi) on Nov 11, 2014 at 9:41pm PST

It's open! Come and get it #Montreal! @thazardmtl

A photo posted by mayssam samaha (@mayssamaha) on Nov 11, 2014 at 3:25pm PST

New spot on St-Laurent. Blown away by the food! Details tomorrow. #mtllove

A photo posted by @elise.tastet on Nov 11, 2014 at 5:32pm PST