Thugs Try to Torch Icône

Restaurants that open on the Main face a special set of challenges but Icône has had to contend with more than most. There was that schizophrenic launch, a brutal pan from Gazette critic Lesley Chesterman (in the face of PR/blogger raves) and a chef flip this past January.

Now, in what seems like a monthly episode in this city, if not on the Main, two men face possible arson charges after a botched attempt to burn Icône to the ground with Molotov cocktails at 4:00 a.m. on Thursday. Eerily reminiscent of the fate that befell Sel Gras last September.

While the restaurant did not sustain any major damage it will have to temporarily close. Chef Derek Bocking: "The damage was minimal, but repairs will still take a few weeks."

· Police arrest 2 after arson attempt on downtown Montreal restaurant [CTV]
· All Icône Coverage [-EMTL-]