The location is ideal. The decor is welcoming, modern, very inviting. The Italian-inspired menu, developed by chef Félix Gagnon, is varied — cherry tomatoes and onion confit, fried polenta, grilled asparagus with cream, various pasta and risotto dishes, and more.
Posted at 5:00 p.m.
La Conceria, a new vegan address in Saint-Henri that describes itself as a osteria and a wine bar, is a promising proposition. A good sign for a restaurant that has just opened: when we arrived at the establishment on rue Notre-Dame Ouest, most of the tables were occupied. The music is good, the atmosphere is immediately pleasant. A long bar offers a wide variety of wine and an interesting cocktail menu. Outside, a terrace accommodates even more customers.
The starters we have chosen are the highlights of our visit to La Conceria, a new project from the owners of Burger Fiancé (an address fast food vegan in Old Montreal). The eggplant tapenade and shallot gastric focaccia is soft and thick, but airy. The arancini with wild mushrooms, truffles, pesto and aioli have a perfect texture, between the crispy breading and the tender filling, perfectly seasoned. Every advertised flavor is present. As a main course, the pappardelle with dill pesto are a delight. The gnocchi with rosée sauce, without being bland, lack a je-ne-sais-quoi that would make them stand out. Portions are generous, both starter and main course.
However, we deplore the slowness of the service during our visit. The wait for pasta dishes, as the restaurant began to empty, forced us to order take-out desserts – which also took a long time to arrive. Homemade donuts (bombolone) were unfortunately served to us without the promised chocolate sauce, without which it was difficult to really enjoy them. The almond flour brownie was a nice surprise, as were the cocktails. The La Conceria team seems to be looking for its bearings and the most efficient way to operate. Several positive points help to catch up with the few hiccups, for an overall satisfying experience.
3580 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal