Kwizinn Brings Griot and Other Creole Fare to Plaza St-Hubert — and Other Openings

PETITE-PATRIE — There’s a shiny new Caribbean dining option on the St-Hubert Plaza. Its name is Kwizinn (the Creole word for cuisine), and Haitian offerings are predominant — classic griot, alongside smoked chicken, seafood with djon-djon (black mushroom rice), and more, according to a neighbourhood publication. The budget friendly food is rounded out by house cocktails (think rum and fresh fruit, especially passionfruit) and imported beers from Haiti and surrounds. There’s also a nice community-minded element to the restaurant: owner Michael Lafaille says he’s committed to hiring staff with disabilities, particularly sight problems — he laments that this is a rarity in the hospitality industry. Lafaille is legally blind and used to work at dining-in-the-dark restaurant O Noir.

OLD MONTREAL — Rooftop terrasses are disappointingly uncommon in Montreal due to the interminable winters, but there’s one new option in town: Perché is perched four levels above Jacques-Cartier Place, with plenty of breezy green and white decor. It’s looking like a popular 5 à 7 spot at this stage, although food is served — not unlike nearby Venice, it’s styled as west coast fare, with tacos and poke bowls.

ST-HENRI — The former Buck15 space on Notre-Dame Street is now home to an all gluten-free eatery, Kleine Shoppe, which is doing a mix of coffee, baked goods, and light brunchy fare (think tacos and avocado toast). It’s been open a few weeks now, and in a promising sign, multiple Eater readers have reached out with praise for the food. Oh, and Kleine Shoppe’s owners would appreciate it if somebody could return the plants that were stolen from out front of the café, thanks.

DOWNTOWN — After a lengthy closure for massive renovations, the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel is back open, bringing with it a new bar, Nacarat, and a restaurant, Rosélys. The restaurant’s menu is French-leaning, but does show the standard hotel restaurant tendency to try to please everybody by including items like a bacon cheeseburger (at $26, no less).

CHINATOWN — The Hong Kong egg puff (sometimes called bubble waffle) appears to be having a moment — following the arrival of Danny Hut in April, Chinatown newbie Cafe Unique17 will also sell the dough-and-ice cream treat, alongside bubble tea, potato springs, and more.

DOWNTOWN — The cold pressed juice trend rolls on with the opening of a new juicery, Just Pressed, on Robert Bourassa (in the same building as Falafel Avenue). They have nifty glass bottles, and an Instagram-friendly aesthetic.

• Kwizinn : la chaleur des Antilles s’amène sur la Plaza [Pamplemousse Petite-Patrie]
• Hong Kong’s Bubble Waffle Is an Instagram Star [E]