Restaurants have stood out despite the pandemic

Complete closure for many months, reduction in their reception capacity and lack of manpower, restaurateurs did not have it easy. While some establishments maintained their standards of excellence, others opened their doors or reinvented themselves, all the while brilliantly succeeding in getting noticed.

This is the case of Simon Mathys, elected Chef of the Year 2022 by the Lauriers de la Gastronomie.

The one we knew as a chef at the Manitoba restaurant found himself on forced stop when the restaurants closed. In December 2020, he launched his own establishment, the Mastard, and two years later, he found himself 2nd in the ranking of the best new restaurants in Canada by the magazine. On the way from Air Canada. “To tell the truth, I was in shock when I received these honors and I still am,” says Simon Mathys.

Only one other restaurant in Quebec is on this list in 2022, the restaurant Alentours, also opened in the midst of a pandemic, in June 2021. Its concept based on eco-efficiency allowed it to obtain 10th place. “We are really happy with this visibility. It confirmed to us that our concept is appreciated and can be of interest at a national level, despite being very niche,” said Tim Moroney, chef owner.

A similar story happened to Pierre-Olivier Pelletier, chef-owner of Kebec Club Privé, a small 12-seat gourmet restaurant, named Best Young Chef in Canada by the Academy of Young Chefs at San Pellegrino in Toronto last October.

Design Award and Restaurant of the Year

Two months before the pandemic broke out, the Madame Chose restaurant opened its doors. Despite the context, its immersive decor transporting us into the colorful world of an old lady with a traveling past attracted attention. Last September, he received the Grand Prix du design, as well as two Platinum Laureate trophies at the Grands Prix du design 2022 gala.

“We were closed almost 12 months out of 2 years, it’s as if we were still starting up”, testifies Pierre Moreau, CEO of the Restos Plaisirs Group. “There is so much research into the set, sound effects and lighting. It’s great that these prizes come to reward and highlight the work of director Olivier Dufour, with whom we collaborated for this set. »

In 2022, two Quebec restaurants won the prestigious Five Diamonds from the CAA/AAA guide, Tanière3 and Laurie Raphaël.

Meanwhile, Battuto was named Restaurant of the Year by the Lauriers de la Gastronomie. Despite two years of making take-out boxes, Pascal Bussières, co-owner of Battuto, says he expected it a little. “We had been nominated several times and we ended up winning! It is a great recognition by peers, since it is the industry professionals who vote. »

Wine cellars where treasures are found

For the excellence of their service and the quality and diversity of their wine cellars, veritable Ali Baba’s caves, restaurants have attracted the attention of specialists and reaped honours.

While the Fairmont Château Frontenac won no less than thirty nominations for the excellence of its hospitality, including the award for Hotel of the Year at the global level at the World Luxury Awards, its restaurant Le Champlain won the gourmet restaurant category for the North and Central America region.

Le Champlain also won, for the 6th consecutive year, a Best Award of Excellence mention from the international magazine specializing in wine, Wine Spectatorfor the quality of its wine cellar.

A very prestigious mention, also received by the H3 Restaurant, when it had just opened its doors, in June 2021. From the same group of owners, the Coureur des bois has continued to earn the top mention since 2018, the Grand Award.

“This mention recognizes the quality, the rarity of the wines. Here, you can find rare wines by the glass, some customers come just for that! It’s a lot of investment and work for a wine cellar like this! We are very proud,” says Jean-Sébastien Giguère, chef and co-owner.