Little Italy’s ‘Balls’-Themed Restaurant Closes — and Other Shutters

LITTLE ITALY — Le Ballpark, the Clark Street restaurant known for serving much of its menu in ball form, has closed. (And no, it’s not mean to call it “balls-themed”, as the restaurant proudly had a sign declaring “j’aime tes balls”.) It lasted five years on the corner of St-Zotique, right across from Dinette Triple Crown — perhaps because despite the gimmick, the restaurant actually fared well before the critics. The restaurant posted a farewell note on its Facebook, but did not offer up a reason for the shutter.

PLATEAU — The first izakaya on the Main, Kabocha, has closed down, with a post from the owners on Facebook indicating that they’d attained their goal of introducing Montrealers to serious izakaya fare (no concrete reason for the shutter was given). It opened up four years ago from Takeshi Sugawara, a one-time chef at Big in Japan — he also owns downtown ramen hub Ichifuku, which is still going strong.

CENTRE-SUD — Pork-centric Papineau Avenue restaurant Chez Ma Grosse Truie Chérie (the one with the large pig on its exterior at the corner of Ontario E) seems to be shuttered, reports Nightlife. Its Facebook page has been deactivated and online reservations are unavailable, although the restaurant hasn’t said anything officially.

WESTMOUNT — In the most mysterious/contentious Second Cup closure since the 24-hour Milton-Parc location patronized by McGill students shut its doors, the very long-running Greene Avenue location has closed despite being apparently pretty damn busy. It’s been replaced by another coffee shop with the self-explanatory name Avenue G.

WESTMOUNT — Victoria Village chocolate shop Swiss Chocolatier has closed — and they didn’t even bother to wait until the most lucrative chocolate holiday, Valentine’s Day, passed by.

Seen any bankruptcy notices or papered-over windows in your neighbourhood? Tell us about it.

• Take Me Out to Le Ballpark - for Boulettes [EMTL]
• Montreal Rejoices as Yet Another Izakaya Opens Today [EMTL]
• Le resto Chez Ma Grosse Truie Chérie ferme mystérieusement [Nightlife]