Through the good shots and, sometimes, the not so good, our restaurant critics tell you about their experience and present the team in the dining room and in the kitchen, while explaining what motivated the choice of the restaurant. This week: Venetian-inspired bar Cicchetti.
Posted at 11:00 a.m.
Why talk about it?
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, THE PRESS
The colorful terrace of Bar Cicchetti
Rising mercury rhymes with looking for terraces where to quench your thirst and nibble without breaking your head. We found an excellent one for you, which transports you elsewhere without losing its Montreal authenticity. Moreover, it is altogether still unknown. We present to you the Bar Cicchetti.
Who are they ?
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PHOTO DAVID BOILY, THE PRESS
The three co-owners: Mathieu Delisle, Élyse Leclerc and Gabriel Lavallée
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PHOTO DAVID BOILY, THE PRESS
The team in the dining room and in the kitchen: the new chef Théodore M Page, the manager Laure Chéné, the waitress Josiane Landry and, behind the bar, Ian Mousseau
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It all starts with the encounter between Élyse Leclerc and Venice. The ceramist (Jarre) is completely charmed by the city and its cicchettismall and delicious bites that accompany the spritz at the time of theappetizer. She returns with an idea in mind: to reproduce this concept in a bar, which will of course be called Cicchetti. She talks about it with her friend Gabriel Lavallée, who introduces her to Mathieu Delisle. The two work behind the Billy Kun’s bar. For Élyse, whose workshop was located in Mile-Ex, this is the perfect neighborhood to carry out the project. Quickly, the stars aligned and the trio found a place at the western end of rue Saint-Zotique, at the corner of avenue du Parc, and opened the Cicchetti. That was four and a half years ago.
Although the team has changed due to the pandemic, a few loyal employees are still at the post, including manager Laure Chéné, service pro Josiane Landry (Sardines, Gamba, Alambika, etc.) and Ian Mousseau, behind the bar. They are joined by a new chef, Théodore M Page. Originally from England, he landed in Montreal seven years ago, and was notably chef de partie at the private club Club Mont-Royal.
Our experience
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PHOTO DAVID BOILY, THE PRESS
The board of cicchettia must
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PHOTO DAVID BOILY, THE PRESS
A summer salad of asparagus and burrata
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PHOTO DAVID BOILY, THE PRESS
New on the menu, a photogenic fried chicken burger with mozzarella di buffala and sun-dried tomato aioli
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PHOTO DAVID BOILY, THE PRESS
The pretty space of the Bar Cicchetti
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PHOTO DAVID BOILY, THE PRESS
A long marble bar welcomes customers.
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The design of the place is elegant and contemporary, but also a bit retro with its burnt orange banquettes. The long space hosts on its walls works of art such as this canvas of impressionist flowers by Élène Gamache.
The terrace, with its colorful chairs, is an oasis sheltered from the hustle and bustle where it is good to rest. “There are hundreds of terraces in Montreal, but very few that do not overlook cars, with an unobstructed view. The railway that passes in front of it is a bit like our canal in Venice! », Illustrates Gabriel.
During our visit, on a Saturday evening in early June, the terrace was full. My girlfriend and I opted for a table inside. The atmosphere is lively, but remains subdued thanks to dim lights and small candles.
It was a busy evening and understaffed, but other than a slight wait for our cocktails at the start of service, everything went smoothly. The friendliness and promptness of our server were exemplary.
We go to Cicchetti to eat cicchetti. This is the specialty of the place! Mimosa eggs stuffed with an airy aioli and topped with mujjol eggs, small “no crust” sandwiches with ham and pickles, ricotta crostini with thyme-roasted red grapes, crunchy endives stuffed with romaine, fennel and parmesan… It’s hard not to not succumb to these delicacies that are as simple as they are tasty.
Those who are hungry can also dip into the rest of the menu. The superb burrata and crunchy asparagus salad is ideal for the season. Perfectly crispy polenta fries are a classic here, served with herb aioli. The new and photogenic fried chicken burger looks delicious. We tell him next time.
Le Cicchetti, the owners insist, is first and foremost a bar. There is no dessert, and the food arrives at the table when you order it.
In our glass
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PHOTO DAVID BOILY, THE PRESS
A few wines on the menu these days: Maddie, an Italian vino rosso; Carbonic, a pinot noir; La Pépette, a pet nat rosé; Pulp, a wine of prolonged maceration; Fragile, a chenin blanc
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PHOTO DAVID BOILY, THE PRESS
The Pantone Cocktail
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Whether you are a cocktail or wine type (or both), what we serve at Bar Cicchetti should satisfy your tastes. There are the “Cicchetti”, more adventurous creations of the house, like the Pantone, whose mixture of gin, Apérol, coconut and orange invites you to escape, then the “Classics”, which include spritz, bellini, daiquiri, pinco sour, negronis.
The wine list offers straight juices, from organic or biodynamic agriculture, which range from the most classic to very natural wine. funky. Red, white, rosé, macerations, bubbles, there are always a few choices by the glass, which allows you to vary the pleasures.
Good to know
The Cicchetti does not take reservations. The place opens as early as 3:30 p.m., so get there early for a spot in the sun. There are a few veggie options on the menu. The dining room is easily accessible for people with reduced mobility, except perhaps the toilets, which are rather small.
Price
Going out at Cicchetti is all in all affordable. The board of cicchetti retails for $27, and they are sold individually for $2.50. Other dishes range from $5.75 to $16. Cocktails range between $9 and $14. As for wine, it is possible to find bottles starting at $40.
Information
The Cicchetti is open every day, except Mondays, from 3:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
6703 Park Avenue, Montreal