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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 2018. Responses are unedited, except for grammar and translations, which are italicized.
Q: What were the top restaurant newcomers of 2018?
Lesley Chesterman, Montreal Gazette dining critic:
For technique, new ideas and just sheer deliciousness, my faves were Pastel and Le Petit Mousso. Excellent service and unpretentious too. Add to that list Monarque. Wow, what a seriously magnificent restaurant that is. And Un Po’ Di Più, both gorgeous and good. And if I could add a surprise restaurant, as in one I didn’t expect to be good which turned out to be great: Île Flottante.
Jean-Philippe Tastet, Le Devoir dining critic:
Mon Lapin, Henri Brasserie Française, Monarque.
Ian Harrison, Ricardo magazine; Eater Montreal founding editor:
Le Petit Mousso, Mon Lapin, Elena, McKiernan, Hélicoptère, Pastel, Monarque, and Un Po’ di Più. Probably the best crop of new restaurants since 2015, when Candide, Damas, Le Fantôme, Foxy, Montréal Plaza and Le Mousso hit the scene.
JP Karwacki, Eater Montreal and Cult MTL contributor:
Hélicoptère and Mon Lapin.
Mallory Frayn, Eater Montreal contributor:
My favourites were Le Petit Mousso and Pastel. Both are great examples of restaurants that show that food is so much more than pure sustenance. Le Petit Mousso especially makes eating fun and challenges your preconceptions of what a dining experience is supposed to be.
Iris Paradis-Gagnon, La Presse restaurant reporter and critic:
Pineau : Ce n’est pas l’espace le plus « sexy » (l’équipe a gardé la charpente de l’ancien endroit, Les Cons Servent, en faisant quelques modifications), mais la chaleur du staff et la qualité des assiettes valent le détour. Une belle adresse de quartier, par la gang de Chez Lavigne.
Monarque : On l’a attendu tellement longtemps, et il est à la hauteur des attentes! L’espace est sublime, les plats très bien faits. Un classique instantané qui a déjà été adopté par les Montréalais.
Petit Mousso : Le Petit Mousso s’approche de la qualité des assiettes et de la présentation du Mousso, l’obligation du menu dégustation en moins. Une belle alternative moins dispendieuse pour découvrir cette cuisine à la fois intuitive et raisonnée, dans un cadre décontracté.
Hélicoptère : Des plats savoureux, un grand souci pour l’approvisionnement local, une ambiance très chaleureuse; à chacune de nos visites, l’Hélicoptère ne nous a pas déçue. Un très bel ajout dans Homa!
Ps : Je n’ai pas eu le plaisir d’essayer encore ces « stars » de l’année, Mon Lapin et Elena, mais je n’ai pas de doute qu’ils méritent leurs places dans le palmarès des meilleurs nouveaux restos.
Pineau: It’s not the sexiest space (the team kept elements of the old tenant, Les Cons Servent, with a few changes), but the warmth of the staff and quality of the food merits a visit. A beautiful neighbourhood restaurant from the Chez Lavigne gang.
Monarque: we waited so long for it, and it meets expectations. The space is sublime, and meals, very well done. An instant classic that Montrealers have already caught on to.
Petit Mousso: it’s up there with the quality of plates and the presentation of Le Mousso, but without a mandatory tasting menu. A great and less-expensive alternative for discovering food that’s made with instinct but also well-thought out, in a casual setting.
Hélicoptère: tasty plates, a big win for local produce, and a very warm atmosphere; on each of our visits, Hélicoptère didn’t disappoint. A great addition to HoMa.
P.S.: I didn’t have the pleasure of trying this year’s stars, Mon Lapin and Elena, but I have no doubt that they deserve their places on this year’s best-of lists.
Ève Dumas, La Presse restaurant reporter:
I like restaurants that are run by deeply talented people with a very personal touch in the kitchen, natural hospitality, good ethics and, of course, artisanal wine, beer and spirits. So here are a few newcomers I’m really happy about: La Cabane d’à Côté, Alma, Mon Lapin, Elena, Un Po’ Di Più, McKiernan Luncheonnette, Le Petit Mousso, Moccione.
Mayssam Samaha, Will Travel For Food blog:
Vin Mon Lapin, McKiernan, Pumpui, Jiep Jiep, Falafel Yoni, Elena, Un Po’ Di Più.
Élise Tastet, Tastet blog:
Mon Lapin, La Cabane d’à Côté, Elena, Petit Mousso, Pastel, Hélicoptère, Alma, Un Po’ Di Più, McKiernan, Clairon, Henri, Monarque…so many good ones this year! And the updated Boxermans is just wow.
Mélanie Boudreau, La Pique-Assiette blog:
Here are 13 new restaurants that have seduced me this year: Rosie, Elena, Mon Lapin, Un Po’ di Più, Pastel, Île Flottante, Petit Mousso, Fieldstone, Rita, Monarque, Hélicoptère, Jiep Jiep, La Cabane d’à Côté.
Tommy Dion, Nightlife.ca critic and writer, blogger for Le Cuisinomane:
McKiernan, Café Ssense and the freshly-opened Saison for lunch. Pastel and Île Flottante for their tasting menus, Elena for their amazing pizzas.
Allison Van Rassel, food columnist at CBC/Radio-Canada Quebec City (note: these are Quebec City restaurants):
Hono Izakaya, L’Orygine, la Bonne Étoile, ARVI, and Mayflower Café.