Formerly located in Verdun, Kwizinn was forced to move. And what a move! The Caribbean restaurant has changed its range by setting up shop in the Old Port. Its vibrant cuisine and warm atmosphere now enliven the superb premises that hosted Chez L’Épicier for 19 years (until 2019), at the corner of Saint-Paul and Saint-Claude streets.
“I’m definitely in a completely different neighbourhood now. It’s much more touristy here,” admits Mike Lafaille, co-owner with his Italian-born partner, Claudia. “You have to be close to tourism players, like hotels. Our food truck also helps us bring people back to Old Montreal. We’re happy to bring a diversity of offerings to the area, with festive musical evenings to boot.”
Kwizinn offers a very open cuisine. You can find Brazilian, Filipino and even Nigerian or Cambodian influences, depending on who is in the kitchen. “As long as there are Caribbean flavors,” says the owner. Current executive chef Céline Diallo worked in the City of Lights before working at Brouillon on Rue Saint-Hubert. The rest of the team is a beautiful melting pot of world cultures.
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
These slippers are stuffed with spicy duck confit.
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Octopus carpaccio is one of Kwizinn’s signature dishes.
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
These sweet and chewy plantains are a must-have side dish.
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Goat is rare on Quebec menus.
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Kwizinn cocktails are of a fine caliber.
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Mike Lafaille considers himself an entrepreneur before being a restaurateur. “And being a restaurateur is different than being a cook. You have to wear several hats,” explains the man who gained his experience working, among other places, in a place where people eat in total darkness, Onoir.
In 2017, he opened his first small restaurant on the Plaza, a more casual version of Kwizinn. “In the middle of a sidewalk sale, my chef left me. I had to serve tons of customers myself.” It wasn’t his finest moment.
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
This superb room once housed the restaurant Chez L’Épicier.
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
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PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Mike Lafaille is the soul of Kwizinn.
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His favorite part of the job? Hosting. “It’s a lifestyle. You have to be close to your customers. For the longevity of a restaurant, you have to have fun.”
Behind the bar, newcomer Angèle Duval seems to be enjoying herself and is adding a touch of sunshine to her cocktails. She is particularly creative in her way of avoiding food waste, whether it be by making a banana oleo saccharum (a syrup, essentially) from the skins or with her “improved lime juice” that reuses the peels.
In short, whether for lunch (from Thursday to Sunday) or for dinner (seven nights, no less!), Kwizinn wants to transport you deliciously and generously.
311, Saint-Paul Street East, Montreal
Visit the Kwizinn website