A superb blue Victorian house is coming back to life in Saint-Sauveur thanks to the acquisition in 2022 by the A5 Hospitality group. Will the new Vieilles Portes be as festive as in the 1980s-1990s-2000s? It’s too early to know, but one thing is certain, the team in place is ready to stay up late.
One of the co-owners, Samuel Paradis-Tremblay, worked at the Boating Club. The 26-year-old chef makes no secret of the fact that the model of this restaurant located in Sainte-Rose, which becomes a dance venue at the end of the evening, inspired him. His partner, Kevin Latrem, is no stranger to nightlife. He worked at App 200, Fitzroy, General Sherman, Mayfair Cocktail Club, then lived in Bali for seven years, where he opened a restaurant.
But let’s talk about food, because it’s not at all secondary here. The main attraction of Vieilles Portes, besides the beauty of the place designed by Amlyne Phillips, of La Chambre Design & Co, is the cuisine. The main menu is short but effective, with five starters and five generous dishes, which reinterpret classics, especially French.
Samuel dares to use Elisabeth blue cheese and hazelnuts in his signature (duck) tartare. He puts on a show with a very vertical Rossini beef, the highlight of the menu with its filet mignon, foie gras escalope and truffle slices added for even more decadence.
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PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
This Rossini beef is the highlight of the menu, at $69 (before truffle!).
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PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
This iconic Victorian house in Saint-Sauveur is coming back to life.
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PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
You can order these delicious rabbit croquettes as a starter.
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PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
The Bleuet du Moine cocktail contains gin, blueberry syrup and green chartreuse, among other things.
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PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Bright and warm, the main room was designed by Amlyne Phillips.
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PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Raphaël Gosselin (sommelier), Samuel Paradis-Tremblay (chef and co-owner) and Kevin Latrem (director and co-owner) form a strong trio.
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PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Crispy lettuce, lovage, ranch dressing and fish roe make up this beautiful salad.
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PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
The chef’s signature duck tartare contains, among other things, roasted hazelnuts and Elisabeth blue cheese.
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A little hearty? Fear not, there are also vegetable plates, including an excellent salad with ranch dressing, and fish for a meal that is less overwhelming (both the stomach AND the wallet!). If you are more in aperitif mode, small things that are eaten with the fingers (olives, cold cuts, delicious rabbit croquettes, shrimp cocktail, fries) and a caviar service are to be considered.
As for liquid accompaniments, the cocktails are also revisited classics, in enough different registers (from sour to bitter, including spritz and bloody) for everyone to quench their thirst to their taste. The wine list put together by sommelier Raphaël Gosselin, who has worked for Groupe Toqué! and Au Pied de cochon, tends towards the classic and straightforward side.
While the kitchen closes around 10pm, the bar stays open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, with a DJ. That will help with digestion!
185, Principale Street, Saint-Sauveur
Visit the Vieilles Portes website