Make Room for Marusan, a New Japanese Restaurant in Old Montreal

Old Montreal doesn't always get what it needs when it comes to new restaurants, but Marusan, a casual Japanese lunch counter at 401 Notre-Dame Ouest, corner McGill, is poised to fill a niche in the neighbourhood. The new restaurant from principal Hideyuki Imaizumi will focus on donburi rice bowls and bento boxes. "Eat-in and takeout for busy office people," states Imaizumi, who comes to the project with seven years in the Japanese food supply business under his belt, both in Montreal, where he has lived for the past four years, and in Vancouver.

Architecture Synthèse's Israel Noel, who recently put his stamp on Le Diplomate, a new restaurant in Mile-Ex from chef Aaron Langille, is responsible for Marusan's design. Imaizumi plans to open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with fast-style Japanese counter service to start. Expect the occasional pop-up izakaya at night, with small plates and sake. Marusan is slated for March 3.

Photo credit: Marusan