Evicted: The Saddest Montreal Restaurant Closures for 2017

As is tradition at Eater, we close the year with a survey of food critics, writers, bloggers, and people about town. This year we posed eight questions, from meal of the year, to top restaurant newcomers. All will be revealed by the time we turn off the lights at the end of 2017. Responses are unedited, except for grammar.

Q: What was the saddest closure of 2017?

Lesley Chesterman, Montreal Gazette dining critic:

Libertine Bakehouse! Huge loss.

Jean-Philippe Tastet, Le Devoir dining critic:

Wilfrid sur Laurier and Libertine Bakehouse.

Marie-Claude Lortie, La Presse dining critic:

Trilogie! They had the best dumplings in the city and the place was so cute and cosy and calm and zen and I loved the spicy cucumber salad. Apparently the sisters responsible for the magic were just exhausted. I hope they open something new soon!

Ian Harrison, Ricardo magazine; Eater Montreal founding editor:

Hôtel Herman. I'm not over it.

Mallory Frayn, Eater Montreal contributor:

Most definitely Hôtel Herman. That whole situation was terrible and resulted in Mile End losing one of its best restaurants. The only saving grace is that you can still experience Marc-Alexandre's food at Réservoir.

Iris Paradis-Gagnon, La Presse restaurant reporter and critic:

I cannot decide between two: Hôtel Herman and Le Comptoir Charcuteries & Vins, two of my favourite spots in town. The Hôtel Herman story was particularly upsetting, with the landlord refusing to renew the lease, but fortunately the team is now behind the renaissance at Réservoir, which is great news. As for Segué Lepage from Le Comptoir, he’s now at Comptoir Sainte-Cécile, which is more of a deli and prêt-à-manger spot, but you can still eat his amazing brunches there and buy his artisanal charcuteries, so hurray!

Élise Tastet, Tastet blog:

Libertine Bakehouse and Le Comptoir Vins & Charcuteries.

Mélanie Boudreau, La Pique-Assiette blog:

Le Comptoir :(

Risa Dickens, Senior Community and Marketing Director at Yelp Montreal:

Divan Orange is a heartbreaker for the local music scene. Chez Boris left a void on Parc Avenue, and in my heart. I’ll also miss the natural wines and sexy vibes of Le Comptoir.

• Keep Up With Every 2017 Restaurant Closure in Montreal [EMTL]