Balconville Gives Verdun a New Bistro

With the likes of Tripes & Caviar, Benelux, Rustique Sweet Lee's, Comptoir 21, Café Saint Henri and Blackstrap BBQ, the Promenade Wellington strip of Verdun has become one of the most vibrant in Montreal. Now defunct Mexican restaurant Hecho en Mexico has made way for a new venture from BYOB kingpin Marc-André Paradis (O'Thym, Monsieur B, Les Canailles, Le Smoking Vallée, Lannes et Pacifique, Le Wellington).

In a first for Paradis, Balconville - "un pub de quartier qui offre à sa clientèle une ambiance chaleureuse et décontracté en servant une cuisine simple mais précise" - will have a full alcohol permit. Principals in the restaurant at 4816 Wellington include maître d' Sophie Bergeron and chef Jean François Pigeon, both of Le Wellington.

Thierry Daraize reports on his blog that Balconville will have a capacity for 40 inside with a terrasse fit for 25. A flatscreen will show all the Habs games (and, presumably, the FIFA World Cup). Daraize neglects to cite longtime Paradis collaborator Frédéric Leblond but the former confirms his involvement in the project today.

While the hope is to open on June 17, the partners have yet to completely staff the restaurant, it seems. For the moment, Balconville is also sans website or a social media presence. That will change soon, we trust.

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