Chic and Sophisticated Colette Grand Café Opens Its Doors Today

The hints dropped late last year have finally come to fruition: The oh-so-stylish French-inspired bistro Colette Grand Café has finally (and softly) opened its doors to the public in the Holt Renfrew luxury department store downtown.

The restaurant comes from an ongoing project between the retailer and the Toronto-based Chase Hospitality Group, a restaurant, catering, and events company that has expanded itself significantly since it was founded in 2012. Colette in Montreal is certainly no exception, as a Colette Grand Café was opened earlier in Toronto’s own Holt Renfrew, with other outposts planned for Vancouver and Edmonton.

Whichever location is attended—Montreal included—the menu and interior is inspired by a celebration of French décor and technique. The styling of Colette doesn’t exactly go to the high climes of elegance with tablecloths, gloved waiters and polished silver, though the nod is there in the food and drink: The spot strikes a balance between its niçoise salads and steak frites on one hand, with avocado on toast and ‘green goddess’ salads on the other.

Largely serving appeals to the lunch and earlier dinner crowds, the 60-seater’s offerings come in the form of small and large plates, salads, sandwiches, and desserts, in addition to small but sleek selection of beer, wines, and cocktails. All told, the dainty vibe is strong here, especially when considering the possibility of lemon cake topped with whipped cream alongside a cup from the gourmet tea selection after a day of shopping.

As it stands, the restaurant has quietly announced its opened doors to Eater, though a grand opening is scheduled for next week. There are also plans to launch a brunch menu in the coming weeks. Until then, check out the menus and hours as they stand below:

Grid View

• Niçoise salad with seared albacore and egg yolks Steven Lee
• Chef’s salad Steven Lee
• Chuck burger with aged cheddar and smoked bacon Steven Lee
• Linguine with mussels Steven Lee
• Steak frites Steven Lee

STATUS — Colette Grand Café is open seven days a week: Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 9:30 am to 6:30 p.m. Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

• Colette Grand Café [Official]
• Montreal’s Most Anticipated Restaurants and More, Winter 2018 [EMTL]