A wine bar worthy of the name in Rosemont? We won’t say no! If the Petite-Patrie is well stocked with vinvinvin, Buvette Beaubien, Bar Mamie and the others, to the east, it was rather deserted. But then Annette finally arrives to quench the thirst of the locals. And to see the crowded place, last Wednesday evening, during the second day of opening only, no doubt: this project of chef Marc-André Jetté and his wife Mila Rishkova is timely.
Located a few steps from the Hoogan and Beaufort, Annette comes to energize the Shops Angus. The wine bar is located in the same building as the lg2 agency, with which the duo, who live in the neighborhood, imagined the concept and the visual identity. Divided into several sections, the main 70-seat space is inviting; the bar and a central counter overlook the open kitchen, a space lounge allows you to settle into comfortable armchairs, and a long dining room stretches to the back of the room, where the large cellar is located. This fifty-seat space can also be privatized; this is where the tasting events that the wine bar intends to organize on a regular basis will take place.
The name, Annette, evokes sophistication and femininity, in addition to nodding to a popular ingredient in Ukraine, where Mila is from: dill. The color green thus becomes the leitmotif of the space, with its shades of green and its multitude of plants. Weed is in the spotlight in one of the place’s signature cocktails, the Gimlet Annette with dill oil: absolutely delicious and refreshing. We also owe the cocktail menu, made up of timeless classics, to Olivier Quintin, also a partner at Annette and already in charge of the cocktail program at Hoogan.
-
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
A section of the menu is reserved for small dishes to nibble on while having a drink.
-
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The design of the space was imagined by the lg2 agency.
-
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The wine list is quite extensive.
-
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Vanilla, squash and lemon mille-feuille, created in collaboration with Patrice Demers
-
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The Dark Side of the Moon cocktail, made with red vermouth, rye, Cynar and orange
-
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Chef Marc-André Jetté, his wife Mila Rishkova and their partner Olivier Quintin
-
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
A beautiful late afternoon light enters Annette’s glass room.
1/7
This dream of a wine bar has been cherished by the couple for years, confides the chef: “We have been building our cellar for a long time, we have kept beautiful bottles over time. From the opening, I wanted to offer a wine list with depth. To support him in this project, he has a major ally: sommelier Hugo Duchesne (Best Sommelier of Quebec, 2020), who recently joined the team. The wine program wants to appeal to all tastes and all budgets, assures Marc-André Jetté. There are as many big guns as house wine in decanters at low prices. And in between, a lot of everything; you can taste funky natural wine, Quebec cuvées or classic varietals from established estates.
And the food, in all this? The chef has fun with a menu of snacks and small, more casual dishes than at his other restaurant. Chips and dip, sunflower spread and Gorria pepper (our favorite), chicken liver mousse from his butcher Édouard et Léo, fried mushrooms and labneh, carrot dish with beef tongue and dill, there’s everything for a bite or a more complete meal. Don’t miss the dessert program: renowned pastry chef and great friend of chef Patrice Demers collaborated on the creation of the menu. Absolute favorite for the refined mille-feuille with squash and lemon! Open Tuesday to Saturday.
4051 Molson Street (room 120), Montreal