Balsam Inn, the New Restaurant From Dominion Square Tavern, is Now Open Downtown

The principals in Baldwin Barmacie, Dominion Square Tavern and Whisky Café quietly unveiled Balsam Inn this past Friday.

Like next-door neighbour Dominion Square Tavern, partners Alexandre Baldwin, Alexandre Wolosianski and Nicole Lemelin have made overt efforts to re-contextualize the century-old space to evoke the Golden Age of Downtown Montreal. As a result, all traces of iBurger, the most recent tenant at 1237 Metcalfe, have been eradicated.

Tastet writes that the build was a full gut, from scratch, with the exception of an original wood-fired oven. Throwback flourishes include the banquettes from Chez Gauthier and salvaged elements from l'Oratoire St-Joseph and a bygone general store.

The brasserie-like menu from chef Éric Dupuis will make good use of the old cast-iron oven, with flatbreads, meat, fish and pasta dishes on offer. Like Dominion Square Tavern, expect a strong cocktail program too.

Balsam Inn is open as of 4:30 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. Baldwin reports that lunch will eventually be served.

Note, as well, that like Dominion Square Tavern, the new restaurant's permit does not allow it to serve patrons under the age of 18.