By Pierre Perreault
From the outside, it's easy to miss, blending into the facade of the building that also houses the Cabaret Lion d’Or at the northeast end of the Village. But step through the door of Au Petit extra and you're in a space decidedly from another era: an imposing bar at the far end facing the entrance, coffered ceilings hung with beautiful chandeliers and light fixtures, and tables dressed in white. The walls are lined with grand, stylish mirrors in various styles, and finally there's the giant chalkboard, where the menu is handwritten in fine script that adds to the venue's charm. 
The large windows overlooking rue Ontario feature wide-slat wooden blinds that soften the light as needed and keep some privacy for customers who choose to sit at the raised platform running along the storefront. Needless to say, this offers an interesting view of the rest of the dining room and the diners inside. At the back, on a large blackboard, an Oscar Wilde quote sets the tone: "I can resist everything except temptation"
And the temptation is a menu. Au Petit Extra serves classic French bistro cuisine. Opened 38 years ago, it has expanded a few times over the years, growing from 40 to over 100 seats in recent years. 
André Baillargeon took over in 2016 after working there for about fifteen years as a maître d’hôtel and sommelier, among other roles, and it remains very popular. At lunchtime, the crowd often includes staff and business leaders from the area, including hôpital Notre-Dame and the many offices and shops. In the evening, pre-theatre diners from nearby theatres, local residents, and people drawn by the atmosphere and flavourful food make up most of the all-ages clientele. Also worth mentioning is the wine list, with its many affordable private-import options, about thirty of which are available by the glass.
The menu remains unchanged at lunch and dinner for now: classic, with a few seasonal changes to the dishes on the menu. Au Petit extra specializes in duck in all its forms: foie gras, confit, and magret. The fish soup and warm goat cheese salad are also very popular at lunchtime. Fish and seafood are always available, and they offer a very good vegan and gluten-free option. With the imminent arrival of a new resident chef, an evolving menu will be introduced that remains just as inviting.
With the pandemic, limited kitchen staff, and frequent closures, they chose to offer a menu with a good variety of appetizers and main courses, while occasionally adding or changing a few dishes, which loyal customers have appreciated, says André Baillargeon. "This pandemic has changed how we do things in many ways, and it will certainly continue to have an impact for a long time. We don’t just want to do well, we always want to do better. That’s exactly the little extra," he adds.
Another curiosity of the place: a rooftop garden. For several years now, Petit Extra has been growing herbs and aromatic plants, vegetables, and flowers on the building's roof, and can offer fresh seasonal produce alongside what they source from the market.
All in all, with its warm decor, inviting atmosphere, remarkable table, well-stocked wine cellar, and attentive staff, Au Petit Extra is as good as any other establishment of this category in Montréal, and we say so without pretension.
Lunch is served Tuesday to Friday, dinner Tuesday to Saturday. The restaurant closes for three weeks in summer and the week after New Year's. The kitchen also provides catering for the two reception rooms of the Lion d'or.
Restaurant Au Petit Extra
aupetitextra.com
1690, rue Ontario est,
Montréal, Qc H2L 1S7
(514) 527-5552