Fish Stew in Chinatown, Roman Pizza on St-Zotique, and More Montreal Restaurant Openings

CHINATOWN — M. Poisson, a new Chinese restaurant serving Sichuan sour cabbage fish stew, has landed on De la Gauchetière. The dish has a pork broth base, comes in multiple flavours (peppercorn, lemon, tomato, etc.), features a number of fixings (enoki mushrooms, sliced beef), and is accompanied by a bowl of rice. Also on the menu are braised chicken feet, quail eggs, duck wings, and a few salads and fried items. The restaurant, now open beside Taiwanese bubble tea outfit Yifang, appears to be part of an expanding chain — it debuted an outpost in Toronto in December 2020 (with the name Mr. Fish) and originated in China, according to Blog TO.

M. Poisson is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 90 De La Gauchetière West.

LA PETITE-PATRIE — Le Central’s Roman-style pizza counter, Morso, is multiplying with the opening of a second location — its first standalone — on St-Zotique Street, near Christophe-Colomb. Morso, from award-winning pizza maker Mirko D’Agata (executive chef of the No. 900 Neapolitan pizza chain and head baker at Arte & Farina on Ontario Street), takes over the locale of former French bistro Le Jurançon. D’Agata’s menu centres on al taglio pizza cooked in large rectangular trays, featuring toppings such as potato and rosemary; pancetta, roasted hazelnut, and smoked caciocavallo cheese; and zucchini, ricotta, and lemon zest.

Morso’s second location is open Wednesday to Saturday, from 3 to 9 p.m., and Sundays, from 3 to 8 p.m., at 1028 St-Zotique East.

Morso/Facebook

VERDUN — A cozy new café is trying its luck in a residential pocket of Verdun. Three friends and former bouncers are behind the venture, called Saint JJH & Café, which opened late last month, serving coffee, pastries, and sandwiches in a space filled with second-hand furniture. According to Journal Métro, the trio decided to “reinvent themselves” after repeated coronavirus shutdowns and were attracted by the prospect of a daytime work schedule. The team is inviting patrons to leave their mugs at the café to feel at home while lingering in the space.

Saint JJH & Café is open Monday to Friday, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and on weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at 3323 Evelyn Street.

LASALLE — There’s a new ramen joint on the southwestern side of the island. Though Ramen Kazo isn’t open for indoor dining until February 4, the restaurant began offering its karaage, takoyaki (octopus balls) and ramen with shio (salt), shoyu (soy sauce), tonkotsu (pork), paitan (chicken), and vegetarian broths for takeout and delivery on January 19 at its Newman Boulevard strip mall location.

Ramen Kazo is open Wednesday to Sunday, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at 7569 Newman Boulevard, Lasalle.

DOWNTOWN — French fry-topped taco joint Tacos Victor has expanded again. Its new branch on Crescent Street, near Concordia University, takes over a former outpost of Caribbean restaurant Lloydie’s (still open in Mile End and Saint-Henri). Owner Victor Soto established the taqueria in Saint-Henri in 2015 and later opened a location on St-Denis and a short-lived spot on Laurier in Montreal’s Mile End. The menu at Tacos Victor’s new downtown location appears to be the same as at the others — expect tacos with steak, chorizo, and shrimp and a selection of ceviche options.

Tacos Victor’s third location is at 2145 Crescent Street.

MILE END — St-Viateur’s newest arrival, Kouzina Niata, serves rustic Greek food, including feta-stuffed phyllo pies, traditional desserts, and daily specials. Read more about it here.

Kouzina Niata is open Tuesday to Sunday, from 11 a.n. to 7 p.m., at 221 St-Viateur West.

• Saint JJH & Café: de portiers à baristas [Métro]
• Mile End’s New Greek Spot Dishes Spanakopita, Pastitsio, Paximadia, and More [EMTL]