A Contemporary Northern Italian Steakhouse and Trattoria Opens in Little Italy

A contemporary Italian trattoria and steakhouse option is landing on St-Zotique Street in Little Italy this week.

Mucca (Italian for cow) is owned and managed by husband-wife team Pasquale Martone and Karine Massicotte, and will showcase grass-fed beef and house-made charcuterie, as well as homemade breads and pastas. It takes over the location of Hostaria, which closed almost a year ago.

Martone, Mucca’s chef, grew up in the restaurant business and is keen to share family traditions in his old neighbourhood. The compact menu is classically divided into antipasti, primi, and secondi, with the intention of “respecting animals and nature”, Martone tells Eater Montreal.

“We’re sourcing prime grass-fed beef from producers in Alberta and Ontario, and aging the meat in-house to assure high quality,” he says. Other meat options reflect the influences of the chef’s northern Italian heritage: organic lamb, rabbit, goat, and coquelet (a young chicken), from a local Québec producer.

There’s more to Mucca than meat, though: the couple is committed to a vegetarian-friendly menu, too.

“We have homemade pasta and a range of Northern Italian vegetable dishes, like polenta crostini with gorgonzola and pomodorini or malfati pasta with pecorino and butter,” Martone adds. Gluten-free diners will be well-served by the separate kitchen station for making wheat-free pasta and bread, unique to Little Italy.

In line with the northern Italian food on offer, Mucca’s wine list is also influenced by Italy’s northern regions — think Veneto, Piemonte, Liguria and Toscana, among others, with varietals including Nebbiolo, Barbera, Valpolicella, and Dolcetto. The trattoria is aiming for a $40 to $60 sweet spot for bottles with glasses running $10 to $16; local beer will also be available.

Co-owner Massicotte took on design duties, transforming the former Hostaria into a bright 50-seat white and black space. Emerald green accents set off a long bar with vintage butcher equipment and a glassed-in, climate-controlled dry aging room for the prime beef.

STATUS — Mucca is open at 236 St-Zotique E for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday (5 to 11 p.m.), and for lunch on Thursday and Friday (12 to 3 p.m.), starting Wednesday (July 31).

• Mucca [Official]
• Little Italy Favourite Hostaria to Close This Week — and Other Shutters [EMTL]