Laval Has a Big and Rosy New Italian Restaurant, Gatto Matto

Bringing pizza, cheese, and charcuterie, Italian restaurant Gatto Matto has arrived in Laval, a stone’s throw from Montmorency metro station.

It’s not the first big-and-stylish restaurant concept to arrive in the area in recent times — it follows on from the flashy Chinese brasserie Miss Wong, open just a couple of weeks (although Miss Wong principal Dan Pham is not involved here).

Fittingly, it’s the same people behind them (in part): Gatto Matto also comes from the Foodtastic group, which has made its name on more casual enterprises such as burger chain La Belle et La Boeuf, or gyro-oriented Souvlaki Bar. Betweeen Miss Wong and Gatto Matto, it seems that the company is pivoting a little, trying out some more one-off concepts that cast a wide net for potential customers, while reading as a little fancier than the fast-casual options in its stable.

On the food side, Gatto Matto is headed up by chefs Angelo Mercuri (of Bacaro Pizzeria) and Terence Sheppard (previously of other Foodtastic projects) — it swings classic Italian with antipasto options including burrata and calamari, and red and white pizzas, featuring tried and true toppings like prosciutto-arugula. The relatively long menu squeezes a lot in, from pasta and salads to crudos and bigger meat and fish dishes.

Also with some bulk is the drinks list, with cocktails ranging from no-nonsense Negronis through to pineapple or peach martinis, and an Italian-skewing wine list.

The space itself is quite attractively put together: it’s decked out with roses (on tables and on wallpaper), and rosy colours to match, and ample booth and banquette seating. Here’s a quick look.

JF Galipeau/Supplied

JF Galipeau/Supplied

JF Galipeau/Supplied

STATUS — Gatto Matto is open at 1950 Rue Claude-Gagné in Laval from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, midnight Thursday, 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday.

• Gatto Matto [Official]
• Laval’s Huge New Chinese Brasserie Throws Open Its Doors [EMTL]