Danny St-Pierre's Petite Maison Feels Like Home

The first review of chef Danny St-Pierre's anticipated Mile End restaurant is in, and the verdict is good. La Presse critic Marie-Claude Lortie a big fan of Petite Maison on du Parc, below Pop Montréal. St-Pierre, Lortie remarks, "est particulièrement cordial, et cela se voit dans son restaurant." The city, strangely, has not granted the restaurant a liquor permit yet, so Petite Maison, open since January, has strictly been a brunch and lunch outfit. That, however, should not stop you, reports Lortie.

The critic enjoys St-Pierre's signature inverted poutine to start, a sort of "cromesquis modifié." An avocado smoothie is "crémeux et rafraîchissant", and a zucchini lasagna elegant. A miso and tomato tartare scores too, and a classic endive salad with apples and nuts is impeccably executed. Desserts disappoint, but Lortie will long remember her favourite dish, an omelette "qui est hyper légère, parfaitement cuite pour rester très moelleuse et qu'on farcit d'une crème aux herbes vertes variées fraîches et parfumées." Verdict: Petite Maison is convivial, and feels, well, like a home. Lortie will be back when St-Pierre finally gets that liquor permit. Have a look inside Petite Maison here.