Opening | Estelle: new destination in Saint-Henri

The former location of Grumman ’78, in Saint-Henri, comes back to life thanks to the new Estelle restaurant. The owners wanted to make it a somewhat mysterious destination that welcomes lovers of Italian food.

“It’s a bit like an abandoned place and when you enter, you discover something,” explains co-owner Francis Rodrigue (Jellyfish, Pubjelly, Giullieta, Madame Thai). Indeed, the building, housed in the middle of a parking lot and which has been elegantly renovated, arouses curiosity. As soon as you walk through the door, you are surprised to discover a large, bright room.

The Italian-inspired menu was created in team with chef David Tarantini. “At the heart, it’s Italian, and we put other fun things in there,” explains the chef, who previously worked at the Beatrice restaurant. Equipped with a charcoal grill, the restaurant offers grilled meats, but also several pasta dishes and antipasti. Plates, like linguine with clams, Jerusalem artichoke and lemon and salmon alla milanese, are sure to chase away the grayness of winter.

The privately imported wine list, put together by Emma Laflamme, highlights Italy, France and California, with fairly classic choices and a few natural wines. Mixologist Pierre-Olivier Masaad, behind the cocktail menu, made sure to put a few touches of Italy (vermouth, limoncello, amaro) in his creations.

Like concepts already seen in Brooklyn or Los Angeles, the owners wanted to create an urban address, a little hidden, with valet parking. The establishment, which has around a hundred seats, will double its capacity with the summer terraces. The restaurant therefore lends itself well to business events, or even weddings, say the owners. And there will be a little addition for February: Estelle will offer brunch.

630, rue de Courcelle, Montreal