(Quebec) The Gourmet District will officially open on November 17 in Quebec City, in the new HQ Sainte-Foy. This new gourmet destination brings together several cuisines from around the world in a lively atmosphere at the same address. A meeting reinvented halfway between a food fair and an upscale restaurant.
In a large open and bright area, gourmet counters are arranged on either side of the room, with hundreds of large shared tables in the middle. Each counter offers its own menu, a bit like in a food fair.
Unlike places like this in Montreal (Time Out Market Montreal, Le Central, Le Cathcart), it is not self-service. As in a restaurant, there is table service. The guests order dishes from the various counters, as they wish.
PHOTO YAN DOUBLET, THE SUN
At District Gourmet, we order at the table, as at the restaurant.
The place will eventually bring together 13 gourmet destinations; six of them will be open next week, and the others will gradually open until January 2022. They will transport the taste buds of customers to all corners of the world. From Italy with its fresh pasta (Fiorella) and its Neapolitan pizza (Verace) to fine Asian cuisine (Thach, Kaiji) through the flavors of France (L’Atrium) or Lebanon (Eden). Also on the program: burgers (Mshe Inès), a cocktail bar (La Plage) and Quartier, devoted to flexitarian cuisine.
“It’s more upscale than a food court,” describes Denis Epoh, general manager of the Capwood real estate agency, owner of District Gourmet.
PHOTO YAN DOUBLET, THE SUN
Denis Epoh (third from the left, in front), accompanied by several chefs who will be running a counter at the District Gourmet
To add to the prestige of the place, Mr. Epoh convinced some big names in the kitchen to set up behind the counters of the District Gourmet. Montreal chefs Laurent Godbout and Helena Loureiro are among them, in particular.
Indeed, no chef owner in Quebec operates a counter at District Gourmet and it is no coincidence, says Mr. Epoh. “There are some very good chefs in Quebec,” he adds. They excel in boreal cuisine and Quebec terroir. Here, I want to bring the terroir of the world to life. Make travel. “
Other District Gourmet branches are already in the plans of the Capwood business. A second branch should open in Old Quebec in 2022, then a third should open in Montreal.
Four destinations to taste
PHOTO YAN DOUBLET, THE SUN
Squid ink ravioli stuffed with cauliflower from the Fiorella counter, by chef Laurent Godbout
Italy according to Laurent Godbout
Known for his refined menu, the chef of the former Chez l’Épicier restaurant in Old Montreal, Laurent Godbout, explores Italian flavors at District Gourmet. At his Fiorella counter, they prepare squid ink ravioli stuffed with cauliflower, poached gnocchi in rosé sauce and smoked meat mafaldines. In addition to the fresh pasta, the chef revisits the entrees of focaccia and burrata. No doubt: the place will become a must-see destination for lovers of Italy.
The Portugal of Helena Loureira
At Portus Calle in Montreal, chef Helena Loureira has never served the typical Portuguese chicken. She does it in Quebec with her counter Grelha Lisboa. A must-have dish: its chicken served in a bowl filled with fries, cubes of cheese imported from the Azores and a homemade sauce. For lovers of the classic recipes for which the Portuguese-born chef is famous, a second store will open in a few weeks at the District Gourmet. Set back from the open area, the Helena restaurant will have 50 seats.
PHOTO YAN DOUBLET, THE SUN
The Atrium offers a menu by French chef Frédéric Coiffé.
Spotlight on France
Quebec and Bordeaux have a long history of friendship and the twinning of these two cities takes a tasty turn with the arrival of chef Frédéric Coiffé at the District Gourmet. Originally from southwestern France, he was a finalist in the famous Bocuse d’Or gastronomic competition. He moved to Quebec to prepare the best of French cuisine. The menu at L’Atrium offers, among other things, beef entrecote and cappuccino with porcini mushrooms and chestnuts. The cream of the French bistro!
The fine Asian cuisine of chef Phong Thach
Counter devoted to Japanese gastronomy, the Kaiji could quickly become the new darling of the place (opening: January 2022). Chef Phong Thach, owner of Sogen, south of Montreal, wows the eye, and on the plate, with his sushi prepared with fresh ingredients. Since Japanese cuisine is not just about rolls of raw fish, the menu also offers grilled meats and other typical dishes of the country. The chef offers a second counter in the Gourmet District. Inspired by the great tables that are revolutionizing Southeast Asian cuisine such as Maenam in Vancouver, Thach offers refined and spicy dishes, including beef tatakis and spring rolls with rice vermicelli.
990, route de l’Eglise, Quebec
Visit the District Gourmet website