Biron

 

It is my opinion that the words "Asian Fusion" applied to the culinary arts almost always represent restaurants that are, by definition, supremely trendy and wildly expensive... (Pershing Hall in Paris is the prototypical example). And while I once loved drowning in Litchee Martinis, I find I'm much less tolerant of "the crowd" these days and in want of charming little restaurants that serve delightfully good food and are almost full by my shamefully early 8:30 reservation. It is for this reason that I was surprised when, for our two year anniversary, my boyfriend took me to Biron and I fell in love with the menu. 

Perhaps it was the fact that Biron sounds so...well, French, that the Oriental influence took me entirely by surprise. But the surprise was well received; we took the 5 course menu and asked for some wine pairings, and each plate was as good as the next...inventive, but not too contrived. 

The restaurant is named after its owner and chef, David Biron, who has worked among the likes of Charlie Trotter in Chicago and William Ledeuil in Paris, as well as some local favourites (Splendido's David Lee, Toque's Normand Laprise, and Soto). Situated in the Village, the restaurant's modern yet cozy interior features an open counter kitchen, exposed brick and raw wood floors.  

At Biron, you can order a la carte or do the 5 or 7 course menu. Also, they apparently serve an excellent brunch, and though I haven't been, I'm planning on exploring the deco/retro furniture stores on Amherst soon enough, and will definitely be stopping in early one weekend. 

Restaurant Biron  

|   1429, rue Amherst   |   Montréal, QC   |   H2L 3L2   |

(514) 528-1429

www.restaurantbiron.com

Chez L'epicier

Well-known chef Laurent Godbout (Version, La Fabrique) mixes a comfortable and relaxed decor with complex and creative dishes to make for a wonderful dining experience at Chez L'epicier. Across from the historic Marche Bonsecours, Chez L'epicier, along with its neighbour Chasse et Peche, stand out as two of the best restaurants in the city, let alone Old Montreal.

While the food at Chez L'epicier is quite experimental (sometimes almost Pierre Gagnaire-esque,) the wait staff are incredibly knowledgeable and will happily detail every last ingredient that culminates in the plate's - usually very strong - presentation. For a light weekday dinner, I love starting with one of their tasty soups or purees, and then moving to another entree. As a main, their poached salmon is a classic, though I love their filet mignon with whisky an cinnamon sauce. And for dessert, please do try their medley of creme brulees....mmm, so good.

Chez L'epicier doubles as a wine bar, so predictably, the wine list is vast. If you don't already do so, here is the place to also ask for suggestions when pairing wine with food; the staff are friendly and are happy to offer recommendations by the glass.

Chez L'epicier   |   311 rue St-Paul est   |   Montréal, QC H2Y 1H3   |   (514) 878-2232  

www.chezlepicier.com

Open Thursdays and Fridays for lunch, and all week long for dinner from 5-10 pm.

Holder Restaurant

Holder has held a special place in my heart for years; I've wined and dined in the booths here with friends, ate and laughed at the bar with my now boyfriend on our first date, and still to do this day convene here almost weekly with my father when he's in town. It's simple to say that I'm in love with this well priced bistro, its simple food, and the constant hustle and bustle of busy tables buzzing with conversation under sky high ceilings.   

While everything on their menu is good, try their goat cheese app ($10.50) and follow with their hanger steak and fries ($17.95), or roasted scallops in a prosciutto crust ($28), as both are fantastic. Also, in winter, Holder's onion soup ($9.25) combined with their frisée salad with bacon vinaigrette and poached egg ($8.75) is easily the best bistro meal in the city under $20. Finish with their crème brûlée.

I mustn't conclude without mentioning Holder's seared Apple french toast with caramel and rum sauce ($10.50). It rivals all other brunch dishes in the city and goes perfectly with a Sunday morning latté.

Holder Restaurant   |   407 Rue McGill   |   Montreal, QC, H2Y 2G3   |  (514) 849-0333

www.restaurantholder.com 

Note: Holder is open for brunch both Saturday and Sunday

le Club Chasse et Peche

  

photo credit: index-design.ca

Chef Claude Pelletier and maître d' Hubert Marsolais are the dynamic duo behind le Club Chasse et Peche, the venerable vieux port restaurant that serves market French cuisine in dimly lit surroundings. A favourite with the smoother sort of businessmen and “a must” for all Montreal foodies, the crowd here tends to be slick, sophisticated, and serious about food.

photo credit: index-design.ca

Although the menu is almost always in transition, make sure to try the classics; the scallops, risotto, and of course, the “chasse et peche” come highly recommended. Also, if you’re dining in the summer, try their terrasse, tucked in behind the Château Ramezay just across the street. With gorgeous garden views and a surreal sense of seclusion, you’ll quickly be transformed to what feels like a luxury dining experience in the heart of France. (Since last summer, dining at Le Club’s Terrasse has brought back fond recollections of my stay with family at the Chateau de Noizay in Loire Valley, which is funny, as I recently read a comparison of Chasse et Peche's Terrasse to another French Relais & Chateaux property, Le Vieux Logis).

 

Le Club Chasse et Peche has gained quite the reputation for excellent food with locals as well as foreigners, so make sure to book well in advance.

Le Club Chasse et Peche | 423 St Claude (near Bonsecours Market on Rue St. Paul E) | Montréal, QC, H2Y 3B6  |  

(514) 861-1112

www.leclubchasseetpeche.com