Autumn morning light bathes the place. The old building sits proudly under the trees of rue de l’Évêché, just steps from the lively rue Saint-Germain with its many shops.

The restaurant, popular for 30 years, can accommodate up to 120 people across two floors and on the terrace in fine weather. Beyond the splendid ancestral staircase crowned by an impressive chandelier that’s visible right from the entrance, more than a thousand birdhouses, including some of the most original, adorn the building’s various corners, the work of the restaurant’s founder, Alain Bellavance. The new owners have taken over and continue to grow the imposing collection.

  

In fine weather, an outdoor terrace in front of the elegant Victorian house is a genuine, sunlit haven of peace in the heart of downtown Rimouski. It lets guests enjoy the gentle sun while beautiful mature trees provide shade.

Built in 1920 by retired priest Georges Gagnon, the building is distinguished by a distinctive Gothic-inspired front portal that dominates the facade, and by splendid galleries that wrap around three sides of this ancestral home. Its turned-wood posts, supported by volute consoles at the top of the balustrade, are original. As a result, past and present owners have ensured this treasure, now over a century old, is preserved.

It was Julie Lacroix and Alain Bellavance who created this brand-new restaurant concept in June 1995. A few years later, another business group took over, and the great adventure continues, much to the joy of a growing clientele.
Finally, in June 1995, Central Café underwent a major management transformation: the previous owner wanted to retire with no successor in place, so a group of employees and a few other individuals interested in keeping the business going decided to move forward and turn it into a solidarity cooperative. The group received help and advice from an expert to work on this worker cooperative project.

There are 16 people, several of them long-time employees, who have been members of the cooperative for nearly 10 years. general manager Nancy Dubé, one of the project's initiators, explains that the model's success lies in the strong sense of belonging created by this management and operating structure: rather than working for a boss, members work for their own organization and take part in decisions. There is also talk of significant tax benefits.

 Nancy Dubé, general manager

Central Café is a member of the Association des restaurateurs du Québec and Saveurs du Bas-Saint-Laurent, an organization tasked with promoting Bas-Saint-Laurent products. The restaurant prominently features the region's agri-food products in its dishes and prides itself on supporting local artisans, who are a source of pride for the region.

Today, over 27 people run Central Café, which is open year-round, 7 days a week.
Guests particularly appreciate the quality of the menu, which offers a good variety of burgers, pasta, pizzas, smoked meat and cutlets. For sides, you can choose from a bowl of house fries, French onions, Atlantic smoked salmon or house parmesan fondue, some of the kitchen's delights.

 

The kitchen strives to create unique recipes, concocted by the cooks and prepared on site from local ingredients and products. They're also proud of the delicious original desserts made here.

Central Café is well worth a visit for those who appreciate delicious food, a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere, and a stay in a setting rich in history and quality cuisine. Home delivery is available at all times.

Central Café
centralcaferimouski.com
31, rue de l’Évêché Ouest
Rimouski (Qc) G5L 4H4
418 722-4011

In the Monts-Valin, in Saint-David-de-Falardeau, the winter sports resort isn't the only thing that shines far and wide and makes its mark even elsewhere in Québec. There's also a distillery founded in 2016 that produces spirits there, the very first micro-distillery in the Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean region.

Distillerie du Fjord is first and foremost a passion passed down through generations, a project that began with brothers Jean-Philippe and Benoît and their father Serge Bouchard. It reflects the history and experience of five generations of gin lovers.

"When our father brought out our grandfather's old still, we suspected it must be in our blood!" says Jean-Philippe.

The project began with a simple idea: to craft unique spirits that would offer an experience of pleasure and discovery. "We draw all our inspiration from the richness of the environment around us, whether it's the purity of the water flowing from the Monts-Valin, the vastness of the Fjord du Saguenay, or even diving into the heart of the boreal forest," he adds.

For example, the ingredients of their flagship product, KM12 (balsam fir bud, dune pepper, pinewood spikenard, wild raspberry leaf and sweet gale), are hand-picked in the distillery's own environment. An organic juniper berry is added to this flavourful blend, giving km12 gin a beautiful complexity.

The distillery's other products also have their specific qualities:
- The KM12 with northern cucumbers has the same base ingredients as its sibling, enhanced by the pleasant freshness of northern cucumber from the Toundra greenhouses in Saint-Félicien, Lac-Saint-Jean.
- 48 Chemin Price is a gin with characteristics unique in the world, offering the ultimate aromatic experience of the boreal forest. Thanks to the fermentation of regional blueberry must, 48 plants and flowers hand-picked north of the 48th parallel are incorporated into this eau-de-vie, giving this contemporary gin an intense and complex character.
- La Liqueur Lily crème de menthe is a classic digestif reinvented in the style of Distillerie du Fjord. Made from wintergreen and wild mint harvested from the heart of the boreal forest, the liqueur has a natural golden colour that brings out the true character of its blended ingredients.

- La Liqueur Lily thé du Labrador is a unique digestif offering an experience that leaves no one indifferent. Made from Labrador tea, a signature plant of the boreal forest and a prized infusion ingredient, it offers subtle fruit and eucalyptus notes with a hint of bitterness. The blend also includes vanilla-scented balsam poplar buds, wild raspberry leaves, and sumac, creating an experience that is both complex and comforting.
- Finally, a few "ready-to-drink" products round out the selection: Gin fizz aux bleuets, Lilymonade, Cosmo, and Smash, available only in the boutique.

Distillery products are available at the SAQ, with select items also sold online.

Sustainable development: a major issue
The Bouchard family is dedicated to applying sustainable development principles across most aspects of their business, including a building constructed to high energy standards, electric production equipment, responsible harvesting, and waste recovery.

Distillerie du Fjord employs 8 permanent staff, plus 6 casual workers during the plant harvest.
Three mornings a week, reservation-only guided tours feature the distillery's spirits. The tours take visitors on a discovery journey through the production process, the interpretation of boreal forest ingredients, and a tasting.

Distillerie du Fjord is a family-run entrepreneurial adventure driven by passion and quality, with a single goal: to give lovers of these original products a unique experience.
Summer can't come soon enough for the cocktail terrace

In an interview with marketing manager Frédérique Folly, we learn that visitors will be able to enjoy a terrace next to the distillery starting in summer 2023. The retail space is too limited to offer this pleasant service. Cocktails made from the distillery's products can be tasted there.

The website features several cocktail recipes for those looking to experiment and discover new flavours.

Distillerie du Fjord
distilleriedufjord.com
48, chemin de Price
Saint-David-de-Falardeau
Québec G0V 1C0
418 673-1012

By Gaëtan Vaudry

Since 2017, Microbrewery La Mouche has been turning heads with its beers, almost exclusively crafted from Quebecois ingredients, without any additives.

Right off the bat, Kelly Mansbridge, the head of sales and marketing at the young Natashquan microbrewery, shared her insights on a slight slump the Quebec microbrewing industry had been experiencing for several months, as reported by some media in November: "It's certainly not easy," she candidly noted. "With many microbreweries in Quebec and a vast range of products available to enthusiasts, the market is becoming increasingly competitive."

Natashquan's Own Wild Yeast

Gabriel Turner, the artist and craftsman behind the success of La Mouche's beers, originally from Montreal and adopted by Natashquan, founded the microbrewery in 2017. He brewed his very first beer at the Microbrewery St-Pancrace in Baie-Comeau, before moving to Natashquan three years later. "Gabriel loves Natashquan for its wild nature, its unfenced lands, and the social life of a welcoming community," Kelly proudly mentioned. "Passionate about this beautiful region of the North Shore, Gabriel aimed to create jobs in the area. He wanted to produce a beer for the local people." After extensive research and development, Gabriel achieved his goal, brewing beers with Quebec hops and grains, and even cultivating his own wild yeast in Natashquan!

I had the opportunity to taste only one product from Microbrewery La Mouche: Mlle Manon, a gently wheat beer with little bitterness, inspired by German hefeweizens. This beer's effervescence is lively, almost sharp. In its large bottle, one finds a hazy, foamy, and sparkling beer with a fresh and pleasant grainy flavor. Mlle Manon is remarkably refreshing, which is exactly what I look for in a beer!

Mikushkuau: The Microbrewery's New Beer

Microbrewery La Mouche offers more than 16 varieties of beer, from Bomber Jaune to Mickey Finn, including Cosse Boom, Pelletier, Pirate, Muddler, Pompier, Green Butt, and Colibri, to name just a few. Did you know that each beer name refers to a fly used in fly fishing? For instance, the microbrewery recently announced its new beer, Mikushkuau ("The sky is red" in Innu language), inspired by a fishing fly specially created for the company by Audrey Ringuette, founder of the North Shore enterprise Shakutaimu. Ms. Ringuette offers introductory fly fishing courses for everyone.

La Mouche's beers are available at over 150 locations in Quebec, especially in establishments specializing in microbrewery beers (see the list here).

Microbrewery La Mouche
33, Chemin de l'Aéroport
Natashquan (Québec)
418 962-6003
microbrasserielamouche.com

After working for six years at the À marée basse workshop-boutique, photographer and graphic designer Maude Jomphe decided in 2022 to embark on the Maison Papier adventure, at once a boutique, a gallery and an event space. Her motivation: to help visitors discover Madelinot artists while making their art more accessible and affordable.

Passionate about design, the arts, and the Iles de la Madeleine, her host land for over 15 years, she wants local artists' talent to shine. "I want to give them even greater visibility, so that a wider audience can discover the artists, form a meaningful connection with their approach, and surround themselves with pieces that inspire and beautify everyday life," she explains, as Maison Papier celebrated its third anniversary last June.

 

Seeing all the works that adorn the walls and shelves of this bright space on the ground floor of the PetIt hôtel de la montagne, on the heights of Bassin, on l'île du Havre-Aubert, her call has been heard. This mother of twins, who found herself without work and without a clear project in February 2022, followed her inspiration when visiting this empty space: she fell in love with it and set out to create her business with the support and encouragement of the owners of the place, Vincent and Jan-Nicolas.

The M A I S O N P A P I E R gallery-boutique features, among other things, work by visual artists from the Îles de la Madeleine in the form of reproductions printed on paper. Each selected piece is photographed, retouched, and then printed with pigment inks on smooth matte paper, resulting in faithful, vibrant colour reproduction and a fine rendering of the details and subtleties of the original work. There are also frames and selected objects made by island artisans. You can also sit down to enjoy a coffee by the large window at the back of the space or on the rear terrace with its uninterrupted view of the barachois.

 

Interesting and original: among the stages that make up Maison Papier's structure, one proves particularly valuable. A visit to the artist's studio is offered, that sacred, intimate den filled with creative energy.

Also worth mentioning is the shared idea of Maude Jomphe and the owners, who are preparing an ambitious project for 2026 to convert part of the basement into an art gallery and multi-functional space, creating an original cultural hub. They hope to host exhibiting artists, business meetings and events, launches, press conferences, and corporate 5 à 7s, making it a popular and sought-after gathering place.

Check Maison Papier's hours, open year-round, on its Facebook page. A visit worth the "small detour" to this out-of-the-way spot off the main tourist route of the Îles, but it wins hearts and captivates the eyes.

Maison Papier
maisonpapier.ca
2979 Chemin de la Montagne
Bassin, QC G4T 0A4
(418) 937-4279

In 2025, experts and inspectors from the Guide Michelin, one of the world’s most illustrious references for restaurant classification in France, delivered their verdict for the very first Guide MICHELIN Québec selection. Nine restaurants crowned with MICHELIN Stars were revealed in Montréal, Québec and Rimouski.

The inspectors also travelled elsewhere in Québec to experience remarkable tables. As a result, Chez Mathilde Bistro in Tadoussac is featured in the prestigious Guide MICHELIN selection.

As they celebrate the 18th anniversary of their establishment, owners Mireille Perron and Jean-Sébastien Sicard consider this recognition an exceptional gift, to say the least!

Here is what the guide writes about it: "At the confluence of the Saguenay Fjord and the Saint-Laurent River, the site of Tadoussac offers exceptional marine biodiversity. Here, in this wind-swept, isolated village, Mireille (from the region) and Jean-Sébastien chose to settle. Over the years, they’ve built a reputation for their restaurant, which is very busy during its five months of summer opening. One menu is dedicated to land-based products (garden vegetables, forest plants, game), the other to the Saint-Laurent (snow crab, bluefin tuna, lobster, halibut). The seasonings are simple and well-balanced, leaving full room for the flavour of the ingredients."

To see the description of two-star and one-star restaurants in the Guide, it’s HERE.

2014, Fierté mondiale in Toronto (World Gay Pride). That is where the venture The Men's Room, the parent company of Armada as it is known in Montréal today, began in the minds of Francis Gaudreault and his business partner, Steve Palmer.

The Men's Room has three branches: Toronto (2014), Chicago (2016), and Montréal (2016). The three shops share many similarities, but each has its own identity, reflecting the culture of its scene. The project evolved rapidly and required considerable work and effort from its founders.

You can't talk about The Men's Room and Armada without mentioning Francis Gaudreault's role in their history. Born in 1984 in Alberta to a family in which both parents are members of the Canadian Armed Forces, he lived in Germany, Ontario, and then Nouvelle-Écosse. At 17, after finishing high school, he left home to settle in Ontario. After a few years back in higher education, he moved to Toronto in 2008 at age 24. He then worked in various establishments in the gay scene.

Starting in 2010, he and his partners created Pitbull Events to organize themed DJ parties for the LGBT community. Initially quite modest, these parties quickly became popular, especially with Fierté Mondiale in 2014, when thousands of people took part.

Following their major success, it was agreed to reinvest the profits from these events in opening the first The Men's Room boutique in Toronto in 2014. Alongside clothing and fetish items, it housed a barbershop and a leather workshop. Soon after, an investor from Chicago, in the United States, proposed a partnership to open a similar store there, which launched in 2016. That same year, it was learned that the owner of Montréal's Fétiche Armada boutique (founded in 2011) wanted to sell his business. Within hours, Francis and his The Men's Room partner Steve Palmer had their offer accepted. Armada par The Men's Room was created in the same space, then moved to its current location in the heart of the Village in 2018. The Montréal store's size ruled out a barbershop (especially since there were two major ones nearby at the time), but a leather workshop has operated there ever since, producing items for the boutique's customers.

Francis admits that, like most commercial businesses, the COVID pandemic was a tough time, forcing its leaders to show originality and to get off the beaten path (think outside of the box) to avoid disaster. Rules and restrictions varied from place to place, and they had to be taken into account and the crisis managed intelligently.

Even today, Armada Par The Men's Room is recognized as an essential one-stop shop for all fetish and original clothing needs, appreciated by gay men but not only them. Perfectly informed and bilingual "kink" experts are always available to help explore new and exciting interests. Specializing in sportswear, neoprene, leather, and bondage gear, Armada is "the ideal place to explore your wild side," the website explains. Any leather piece can be customized in-store to make it the best possible gear each person wants.

Francis is proud to have a team of about ten people he can rely on completely at the Montréal shop. He considers this a major asset for business success and good customer relations. In total, The Men’s Room employs between 35 and 40 people across its three shops.

Armada also sells tickets for some of the most important LGBTQ events in Montréal, such as Fierté Montréal and the Black and Blue festival (of which PittBull Events is now a partner), among others. In Montréal, as if that weren’t enough, Francis Gaudreault is personally involved with community organizations, notably Maison Plein Cœur, which supports people living with HIV, with fundraisers and special contributions. In recent years, he has served on the board of the Société de développement commercial (SDC) du Village, becoming its board president in April 2023. He also previously chaired the Village corporation in Toronto for two years, starting in 2016.

One thing is certain: Francis’s attachment to Montréal is growing stronger. In fact, he and his partner (who has no involvement in the business) have started the process of buying a property to settle there permanently. Currently, Francis spends 50% of his time in Montréal, the rest in Toronto.

While no major development projects are currently on the table for the shops, Francis Gaudreault hasn’t ruled out eventually opening another type of business in Montréal for his clientele, such as a bar or entertainment venue, though the details are still to be determined. As for Pitbull Events, in addition to its popular parties at various times of the year, the company added gay cruises in the Caribbean for a few years. These will soon be replaced by sunny events at a popular site in Cuba, for example.

One thing's for sure: his recent accession to the presidency of the SDC du Village will keep him quite busy over the coming years. For he has promised to act energetically there to give back all the love this community greatly needs.


ARMADA Par The Men's Room
shopthemensroom.com
1359, rue Ste-Catherine Est, Montréal, QC
514 419-1089

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The reception hall on the 7th floor of the new Le Capitole hotel is bathed in bright morning light as we prepare to meet the communications and marketing manager. The establishment partly occupies a building that's over a century old, that of the Théâtre Capitole. It was classified as a historic monument in 1984 and designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1986. Moreover, in 1985, the historic district of Vieux-Québec, where Le Capitole stands, was inscribed on UNESCO's prestigious World Heritage List.

But since 2019, a group of investors, led by businessman Jacques Tanguay, has been transforming the small 40-room boutique hotel into "an unprecedented hotel complex in the heart of Vieux-Québec where prestige, comfort and entertainment come together to offer the region's best high-end tourist experience," explains Anne-Marie Noreau.

Indeed, drawing on the performing arts for inspiration, the work carried out centres on architecture skilfully integrated into its historic setting, creating a contemporary link between past and future. Built to the north of the original building, the new nine-storey hotel complex now includes 108 rooms, suites and five-star penthouses with an unobstructed view of Vieux-Québec and the Laurentians, as well as exceptional new amenities.

The complex's two distinct sections are connected by the Passerelle, a long glass structure that also serves as an art gallery presenting works by local artists. Amenities include an indoor glass-walled pool with access to a 9th-floor terrace, plus a rooftop terrace overlooking Carré des spectacles. There's also a fully equipped gym on the 1st floor, and the renowned porter, valet and doorman service is available 24 hours a day.

Those who know the place, and regulars at the neighbouring theatre, are familiar with the famous Ristaurante Il Teatro du Capitole, with its 150 seats across two floors plus a front terrace on Place d’Youville. A second restaurant, BŌ Cuisine d’Asie, in the building next door, blends Asian and Québec cultures and seats 98, including 20 around the open bar/kitchen and 40 on the terrace. For events, the spaces have been enhanced with the addition of a hotel bar, new meeting rooms, revamped private lounges, and the Confessionnal, a multifunctional reception room that can accommodate up to 250 people.

For its part, the Clubby bar, located directly on the floor below reception, at the foot of a spiral staircase, serves cocktails and champagne in a chic decor and a hushed atmosphere, with a large bar and access to another long outdoor terrace.

Although the Théâtre and the Hôtel Le Capitole are now independent entities, they still offer accommodation, meal and show packages that add to the comfort and reputation of this venue, whose renown is already well established.

Anne-Marie Noreau, who has worked at the Capitole for over 10 years, points out that the hotel complex’s location plays an important role in its success. You have to see the city’s spectacle, which is ever-present all around and offers an impressive view from the rooms and suites, among other things.

According to the owners, with its new hotel, renovated theatre, the renowned Ristorante Il Teatro (now on two floors), its brand-new gastronomic offering from BŌ Cuisine d’Asie, and diverse packages, Le Capitole Hôtel is now the benchmark for high-end tourism, leisure, and business in Québec.

Over 250 people are employed there. The clientele is 50% from Québec, while the US and the rest of Canada account for a significant share of the annual customer base, with Europeans bringing up the rear.

Hôtel Le Capitole
lecapitole.com
972, rue Saint-Jean
Québec, QC G1R 1R5
800-363-4040

Just climbing the path to the Auberge des Falaises, in the heart of a wooded area, creates a special atmosphere that continues throughout the stay.

Whether it's to stay in one of the 42 rooms with a view, 33 of which have a whirlpool bath, a lounge, a fireplace, and a balcony, to hold a business meeting or banquet there, or simply to enjoy the panoramic dining room Le Perché Gourmand, whose table is a genuine gastronomic experience, the hosts of the Cloutier family have dedicated themselves for nearly 40 years to ensuring every visitor has an unforgettable stay.

The main pavilion also offers three condo-style apartments, each with two separate bedrooms that can accommodate two couples or small families. They offer all the comfort of 4-star classified units and are fully equipped with a kitchenette, dishes, bedding, washer, dryer, and everything you need to prepare meals on site.
The inn also offers a Nordic spa with a pool, including massage therapy and other health treatments. These services are also available to people who are not staying at the inn.

Discerning food lovers will savour one of the evening tables d'hôte, which will leave no one still hungry. From amuse-bouche to dessert, with refined starters and surprising mains in between, nothing is left to chance in Chef Alain Morel's kitchen. And that view of the Saint-Laurent estuary, which one never tires of!

The founding couple, with their son David handling general management, has just invested over a million dollars in various modernization work begun in 2019. Almost every corner of the inn has benefited. A tour of the property with David made this clear.

Built in 1895, the former second home, with its seaside look, was first occupied by a wealthy American family. In 1983, Denys Cloutier and his wife Reine L’Heureux acquired the well-appointed residence on boulevard des Falaises in Pointe-au-Pic. This residence with its Mediterranean decor was transformed into a charming country inn. At the time, it had only 12 pretty rooms.

Auberge des Falaises
aubergedesfalaises.com
250, chemin des Falaises,
La Malbaie QC G5A 2V2
418.665.3731

Réal Veilleux explains that the idea for Physotech was born in 1983, while he was living in Florida with his partner. He became sole owner of the gay men’s care business in 2022.

 
Both men frequented a centre in Miami that offered muscle electrostimulation services. After discussing with the owner, they had a revelation and, upon returning to Montréal, began the process of opening a similar centre in the Village. Physotech was born in September 1983.

They then began adding new services to their offering and quickly became the only full-service men’s salon in Montréal. "We wanted to create an environment for men who want to look after their appearance, where they would feel comfortable," says Réal. Physotech is a health, wellness and aesthetic centre that has primarily served gay male clients for several decades now.

 
Electrostimulation (manscaping) remains one of Physotech’s most popular services, offering muscle toning without gruelling workout sessions. Electrostimulation is also a method of choice for those who cannot train because of an injury. In a 30-minute session, this sophisticated yet delicate machine replicates the brain’s signal to the muscles as a mild electrical current, causing the muscle to contract. "Thirty minutes of electrostimulation equals two hours of traditional intensive training," explains Réal Veilleux.

 
More recently, in the mid-2010s, electrostimulation entered "ultra" mode with XBody workouts, the perfect combination of EMS and a workout of just 20 minutes. "It’s the new wave in fitness: electrostimulation in motion rather than at rest," he says, and Physotech has firmly become the Manscaping specialist.

 
Over the years, the clientele has changed and needs have become more refined. Younger clients are now keener on hair removal than on electrostimulation. "In the weeks leading up to major Pride events or big gay parties during the year, we see a significant demand for our services," says the owner. "Even today, the culture of fitness and looking good persists among many men of all ages," he adds.

 
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the business, now with a permanent home not far from its previous locations, around rue Atateken (formerly Amherst). While the address is on boul. René-Lévesque, the premises are on the ground floor of a recent condo tower and offer a view of the barber section through a large bay window at the corner of rue Atateken.

The owner of Physotech is delighted with the 2018 move. The premises are better suited to the various services and better match the type of clientele received there. Its location at the heart of major real estate and development projects currently underway helps sustain interest in Physotech and its appeal. "For 40 years, we've instilled in Montréal's gay men the art of taking care of their bodies, and that makes us proud," concludes Réal Veilleux.

 
A team of five experts, regularly trained to stay at the forefront of their various disciplines, provides the services. Electrostimulation, laser hair removal, tanning, massage therapy and barber/hairdressing services undergo continuous refinement.

Physotech is open five days a week (closed Sunday and Monday). Appointments are made whenever possible.

PHYSOTECH
physotech.com
1070, Boul. René-Lévesque Est
Montréal (Qc) H2L 0E1
514 527.7587

No establishment, of any kind, can last 85 years without letting its customers catch the scent of its history and tradition.
Especially when your name is La Binerie Mont-Royal.

This essential and symbolic place for traditional Québécois cuisine moved in 2019 to larger premises just a few steps from the original location, better able to welcome its ever-growing clientele. Even so, you can feel how much its owners since 2005, Jocelyne Gingras and Philippe Brunet, value this aspect of their legendary establishment.
What's more, when they took over, they were both nearing what is usually taken to be retirement age. Now, retirement is far from their thoughts, even though they've long since passed that age. "We just kept going," jokes Jocelyne, who worked much of her life as an accountant, her first profession. She worked in hospitality and restaurants for a while, both here and elsewhere.
That's because Philippe, for his part, has restaurants and hospitality in his blood. He spent years in senior roles in the restaurant and hotel industry, with the Hilton chain (including the one in Québec), then at Disney in Orlanda, Florida, before returning to Québec and taking on the acquisition of La Binerie.
Founded in 1938 by Léonide Lussier and located on the famous avenue of the same name for 81 years, La Binerie Mont-Royal serves traditional Québécois cuisine in its purest form. Roast pork, stew, bacon, cretons, poutine, pâté chinois... and no less than 32 tonnes of fèves au lard are prepared here each year.

What’s changed since the move? Apart from the decor, though a good deal of it was salvaged, they can now serve 95 people at a time instead of the 23 before. As for the menu, items had already been added over the years since 2005. The winning recipe behind the place’s success was kept, however. "Most of our customers followed us, and the fèves au lard are definitely still the star," says Jocelyne, who still spends many hours at the stove preparing meals and at her pastry oven making her meat pies and other treats you can buy to go.

Notably, there’s no deep-frying in the kitchens. Everything is oven-baked. In the basement, they’ve even rebuilt the legendary fèves au lard oven from rue Mont-Royal. Philippe prepares the recipe and bakes them every day.
Ask them which part of the year is busiest and the answer is surprising: December, in the lead-up to Christmas. Their traditional Québec Réveillon dishes have become increasingly popular: soupe aux pois, ragoût de boulettes, tourtière, mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetables, fèves au lard, and more. All are prepared in individual portions and can be ordered in whatever quantity you need. Other offerings include pâté chinois, meatloaf, ragoût de pattes et boulettes, roast pork, maple ham, beef with vegetables, and more. Several varieties of pies (apple, raisin, sugar) and meat pies (salmon, chicken, meat, tourtière) are also available to round out these meals.
To move with the times, they’ve added four poutine varieties to the menu, all with oven-baked fries.
Finally, don't look for the huge vertical sign that once adorned the rue Mont-Royal facade in front of the building. It couldn't be installed on rue Saint-Denis, so they hung it in the stairwell to the mezzanine, where it's a hit. Like everything else, for that matter. The counters with banquette seating, dotted with small Tiffany-style lamps, are charming and encourage conversation, which has always mattered to Jocelyne and Philippe.

It's a safe bet people will still be talking about it in 80 years.
The kitchen closes at 2pm early in the week, but stays open until 9pm on weekends.

La Binerie Mont-Royal
labineriemontroyal.com/
4167, rue Saint-Denis,
Montréal, Québec H2W 2M7
(514) 285-9078