Hugely Popular Brunch Spot Brings Delectable French Toast to Verdun

A sister restaurant to popular Rosemont brunch spot Régine has opened in Verdun, with Janine Café now open on Wellington.

Janine takes over the former Italian restaurant Cucina Linda on the corner of Hickson, with an opulent-looking space seating around 85.

Régine has served brunch and lunch daily on Beaubien East for around six years, evolving into a neighbourhood favourite that often draws line-ups for its rich menu, with items like mascarpone and rhubarb French toast, and a fleur de sel dark hot chocolate.

Yet for all that success, owners Pierre-Luc Chevalier, Charles Deschamps, and Maxim Lepage told Eater that they’re not looking to “copy-paste” that restaurant into the south-West (even the website notes that “there will never be two Régines”).

That means Janine’s menu gets a host of new plates, like latkes with smoked mackerel, or buckwheat oatmeal with apple-butternut butter, caramelized apple, and rooibos tea cream, or chicken and waffles. But a few Régine favourites are making the trip down to Verdun, like the hearty pulled ham dish with eggs, potatoes, and lardons, and the bacon and duck confit sandwich. Then, the beloved French toast gets a shake-up with bananas, mascarpone, dates, and pecan popcorn. It’s all overseen by chef Gregory Chandler.

Janine Café/Facebook

The design has also been shaken up a little — while there’s still plenty of vintage furniture, as with Régine, expect more of a classical brasserie vibe with checkered floors, sconce lighting, and warm lighting boosted by a brassy ceiling.

STATUS — Janine Café is open at 3900 Wellington from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends.

• Régine Café/Janine Café [Official]
• Local Breakfast Hotspot Café Régine to Open a Second Location [EMTL]