The Saddest Restaurant Closures in Montreal for 2019

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 nine 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 2019. Responses are unedited, except for grammar and translations, which are italicized.

Q: What was the saddest closure of 2019?

Jean-Philippe Tastet, Le Devoir dining critic:

Vertige, M.Mme, Thazard.

Joanna Fox, Montreal Gazette dining critic:

Lupita, my heart breaks; and Alexandraplatz.

Iris Gagnon-Paradis, La Presse restaurant reporter and critic:

Le Clairon. J’y suis allée au début 2019 et ce fût un de mes meilleurs repas de l’année. Cet endroit était vraiment prometteur et j’ai été triste et surprise d’apprendre sa fermeture.

Clairon — I went at the start of 2019 and it was one of my best meals of the year. It was a really promising place, and I was sad to see it close.

Amie Watson, Montreal Gazette food columnist:

Alexandraplatz, runner-up Katacombes. Alexandraplatz had become such a neighbourhood trailblazer. It hosted cool events, always had interesting people working worth starting a conversation with, great drinks on tap, new wines. Katacombes was just so iconic. It’s sad to see it gone.

Isa Tousignant, Montreal Gazette food columnist:

Alexandraplatz, because it represented a time and place in my life I will miss.

JP Karwacki, Time Out Montreal editor:

This year saw so many great places close: Chez Ma Grosse Truie Chérie, Alexandraplatz, Bistro Rosie, Salmigondis, M.Mme, Maïs...as soon as I’d get over the closure of one, another would shutter. (Side note for Maksim Morin: If you’re reading this, please bring back brunch at Le Chien Fumant.)

Élise Tastet, Tastet blog:

Alexandraplatz and Torteria Lupita.

Mayssam Samaha, Will Travel For Food blog:

Alexandraplatz, Chez Apo (I have a feeling it won’t be coming back), Farine, Pineau.

Daniel Bromberg, Eater Montreal contributor:

Alexandraplatz! :(

Tommy Dion, Nightlife.ca critic and writer, blogger for Le Cuisinomane:

L’Initial restaurant in Quebec City, after 30 years. One of the great restaurants that Quebec has known.

• All Year in Eater coverage [EMTL]