:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62701752/37779885_1910211762370930_3487441825772339200_n.0.jpg)
PLATEAU — A new bar has arrived on the Main, boasting some particularly promising food options. Local Legend takes over the location that was formerly “James-themed bar”, Bar James, and has brought in Côte-St-Paul restaurant Seasoned Dreams to take care of the food offerings. That restaurant has been in business for three years (recently upgrading to bigger premises on Laurendeau), carving out a niche for itself with jerk chicken and pork, and some spicy hybrid dishes like jerk poutine and jerk mac and cheese. It’s eminently comforting winter food, and Plateau denizens can thanks chef-owner Jae-Anthony Dougan-Holder at the bar from 5 p.m. nightly.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13635081/48373706_527500587726524_7400903944420982784_n.jpg)
STE-THERESE — The people behind Boucherville restaurant Chez Lionel have something for the North Shore crowd, with new restaurant 425°F recently opened in Sainte-Thérèse. Chef Frédéric Dufort, known for his appearance on Radio-Canada’s Les Chefs! will head up the kitchen. Per La Presse, it’s a hefty operation, with 240 seats across two levels. It’s billed as “New American”, with plenty of fusion mixing and matching going on in the menu, from parmesan fries through to piri-piri spiced fish and chips. With multiple pasta dishes as well as arancini and focaccia, it tilts slightly Italian, too. The space, with design from Zebulon Perron, has a slightly industrial vibe with exposed ceilings, and lots of geometry and plant life.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13635183/47062140_782335275435812_9146549365580496896_n.jpg)
OLD MONTREAL — The east end of Old Montreal has a cute new café with sandwiches, weekday brunch, and coffee from Kittel. Named Chez Mère Grand, it seems rustic and comforting, and is run by two ex-staffers from Le Vin Papillon and Satay Brothers. Find it on Berri and St-Louis.
MILE END — There’s a new poke option on St-Laurent: according to the Journal de Montréal, Ti Poké has opened in the Sachika clothing boutique, with a tight selection of the Hawaiian-style fish and rice bowls, and a few snacks.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13635217/47257589_365733107508833_2840163462259146752_n.jpg)
OLD MONTREAL — The former 400 Coups location on Notre-Dame has found a new tenant, with restaurant Oréa now open. It has chef Jérémy Passat in charge at the burners (formerly of Village restaurant Kitchenette), and is focusing its attention towards French, with dishes ranging from celeriac-truffle remoulade to confit fennel, and a few seafood options from scallops to salmon. It’s lunch-only for now (in a bistro format, writes Nightlife), with dinner on the way.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13635190/41611374_345081436232355_6767967284162985984_n.jpg)
BROSSARD — There’s a fancy new bar for the South Shore crowd, with Brossard’s Alt Hotel adding Les Cousins to its premises. On the design side, it’s another fancy-pants looking Zebulon Perron creation. As for booze, it’s more a wine and cocktail spot than beer — wines are private import, while gin is a particular focus, with some 45 options on hand, writes food site Tastet.
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/13635160/47320887_340138216780596_417927758446854144_n.jpg)
LITTLE ITALY — Beaubien E restaurant Les Cocottes has rebranded, and is now Saison. It features the same owner, Jonathan Cohen, and a new chef in Claude Le Bayon (see also: the Plateau’s Chasse-Galerie). According to Nightlife, it’s open lunch only and seems to be a mix of earthy and maritime options, from salmon gravlax with bergamot crème fraîche through to pan-fried scallops on risotto. It’s also a boutique, with gourmet food goods on offer.
- New Caribbean Restaurant Fires Up Jerk Chicken Poutine in Southwest Montreal [EMTL]
- 425°F: voir grand à Sainte-Thérèse [La Presse]
- Chez Mère Grand: un nouveau café gourmand réconfortant dans le Vieux-Montréal [Nightlife]
- Un nouveau comptoir à «poké bowl» ouvre dans le Mile End [Journal de Montréal]
- Les Cousins : le nouveau magnifique bar de l’Hôtel Alt+ à Brossard [Tastet.ca]
- Découvrez Saison, le nouveau restaurant de quartier haut de gamme à prix doux! [Nightlife]
- Finie l’ère du restaurant Les 400 Coups. Place à Õréa! [Nightlife]