Juni to Open Izakaya in Au Chaud Lapin Space

Saka-Ba!, a new restaurant from Junichi Ikematsu, will soon open in the old Au Chaud Lapin space on Mont-Royal Est. More intel from Dumas Bergen Relations Publiques:

Chef Junichi Ikematsu, better known as JUNI, owner of the Laurier St. restaurant that bears his name is in the final stages of creating his menu for Saka-Ba! This Japanese resto-bar which will open quietly, no bells and whistles, in a couple of weeks. Opening hours will be from 5pm to midnight everyday, closed on Wednesdays. A brief menu of ramen, Juni-style with small izakaya plates will accompany selections of sakes, bourbons, bitters, beers and wines.

Located in the heart of the Plateau Mont-Royal, at 1279 Mont-Royal E., Montreal it is a fun place that takes Juni back to the 70's and his native Kyoto with a sophisticated assemblage of decorative visual elements by über restaurant designer, Jean-Pierre Viau [Jun i, Brasserie T!, Laurie Raphaël]. It will be a most welcomed addition to the Montreal restaurant scene and a good place to hang out.

Au Chaud Lapin, you will recall, closed in 2012 amid a swirl of controversy about possible ownership links with the Hells Angels. Ikematsu's arrival to the 'hood can only be seen as a marked improvement.

· Jun i [Official Site]