Ex-Manitoba Chef Simon Mathys’s First Solo Restaurant Is Now Open

ROSEMONT-LA-PETITE-PATRIE — Just over two months since announcing his departure from Mile-Ex mainstay Manitoba, chef Simon Mathys opens the doors to his locally focused restaurant today. Mastard, located on Belanger Street just east of Papineau, will offer a three-course, $35 menu weekly. In rotation this week is an appetizer of ham broth with celeriac and hazelnut butter, a main of braised fowl, mushrooms, cabbage, and smoked sour cream, and apple rice pudding for dessert. As of Saturday, a fried fish sandwich will be available at lunchtime.

Mastard is open for dinner takeout from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday at 1879 Belanger Street.

HOCHELAGA-MAISONNEUVE — Temporarily taking over the space of neighbourhood bar Madame Smith is Les Garnements Pizza, a new spot slinging vibrantly (and perhaps unnecessarily) colourful pies. Examples include a prosciutto and burrata pizza on a black-tinged dough, a “punk” pizza, which tops a blue crust with gravy, cheese curds, and fries; and a veggie-laden pizza including spinach, cherry tomatoes, peppers, and caramelized onions, all sitting atop, what else but, a green base. Also on the menu, devised by chef Dave Tremblay (the same behind Madame Smith), are 12 milkshake options and some sides: onion rings, cheese sticks, and jalapeño poppers.

Les Garnements Pizza is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., at 4061 Ontario East.

PLATEAU — Papineau Street is now home to a new café serving local Quebec products. Venelle’s beans are procured from Sherbrooke micro roaster Café Hubert Saint-Jean. A couple of days before the holidays, the café announced that it would also be launching a “100% Montreal” streetwear brand.

Venelle is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends at 4526 Papineau.

PLATEAU — Breakfast-brunch spot L’Entre-Pots is now going by the name Keno Pizza — on Friday and Saturday nights only. Its pared-down menu features four pizzas (margherita, all-dressed, salmon, and potato), fries, a vegan Caesar salad, and some wine. The Keno logo, found on its pizza boxes and merch, comes courtesy of Montreal artist Le Bicar. (L’Entre-Pots is still open for takeout and delivery daily, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)

Keno Pizza is open on Fridays and Saturdays, from 5 to 8 p.m., at 1995 Masson Street.

VERDUN — Wellington Street has a new Italian coffee option by way of Lido, reports Silo 57. In addition to hot beverages and sweets, it serves pizza, pasta, calzones, sandwiches, soups, salads, and other Italian appetizers and mains. They’ve got a fridge stocked with pre-made meals, sauces, frozen pasta, and soups, too.

Lido Café is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays at 4800 Wellington.

• Former Manitoba Chef Will Remain Devoted to Local Flora and Fauna at His New Restaurant [EMTL]
• Ce nouveau resto d’Hochelaga propose des pizzas multicolores et des milkshakes «fancy» aux saveurs uniques! [NightLife]
• Verdun a un nouveau café-traiteur italien au menu hyperalléchant [Silo 57]
• Ce populaire resto de brunch du Plateau se transforme en pizzéria [Silo 57]