Stupid Polar Vortex Forces Ma'tine to Pare Down Pastry

Ma'tine was a strong new entry on the 2014 restaurant scene and a uniform critical hit. Helmed by the Daniel-Six chef brothers of Jérémy and Maxime, and Sophie Duchastel de Montrouge, all late of Micro Resto La Famille, the soigné sucré/salé breakfast and lunch spot took over a stagnant space in the Village last summer. For the nearby media wonks at the likes of CBC, CTV and TVA, Ma'tine was, by most accounts, a welcome departure from more routine neighbourhood fare. Alas, a brutal winter has led to a pivotal shift: thanks to sluggish weekday traffic, pastry chef Maxime Daniel-Six has curtailed his day-to-day efforts.

"February has been rough. Unfortunately it makes no sense for us to carry a full-time pastry chef," admits Jérémy Daniel-Six. "We prefer to take care of our staff and hold on for terrasse weather. Sunday brunch and the savoury side of the menu are what propel us at the moment. This is a practical, business decision."

As a partner in Ma'tine, Maxime Daniel-Six will still be hands-on at the restaurant. But, for now, he will not rise before dawn to whip up canelés and couronnes for the pastry display case. On days off the pâtissier will school his brother on some pastry techniques to sweeten Ma'tine's menu. A new project may be in the works as well; a bakery, with a wood-fired oven, soups and vegetable-centric dishes.