We've all grown to love and admire the magnificence and charisma of Old Montreal... the abundance of restaurants, the growing need for top fashion boutiques and most sought-after brands, the scenery, the lifestyle, and of course the activity! Well, renown Old Montreal gurus have been at it again, introducing the new kid on the block: Taverne Gaspar! The Antonopoulos Group, owners of Old Montreal's top hotels and restaurants including the infamous Hotel Place d'Armes, Mechant Boeuf Bar & Brasserie, and Hotel Nelligan (to name a few), have recently introduced their new baby to the scene and to Montreal junkies.  A new restaurant in the style of old english tavern with a modern twist will entice the minds of local Montrealers and tourists alike. At the helm of it all, Zach Suhl, former owner of Brunoise Restaurant and Brasserie and Chef Mario Guerrera, formerly executive chef of the W Hotel and sous-chef of Cube Restaurant, will offer accessible comfort cuisine inspired by British gastropubs with French and Quebecoise accents. What would that taste like you ask? Well I was lucky enough to tickle my palette last week. Courtesy of the Antonopoulos Group and their genuine enthusiasm to show their skills, a full menu tasting took place at the resto to give us an idea of what Taverne Gaspar is all about. It started off with a tasting of 7 types of Jim Bean Bourbon hosted by their savvy mixologist who explained the components of each one...yes that's a really good "start" if you ask me! The evening then proceeded into a generous tasting of most items on their menu. This included an array of comforting traditional dishes with delicate touches of contemporary cuisine: A trio of savory tarts (think grandma's tourtiere in bite-size form), delicious crab rolls light and flavourful, luscious two color beet salad, scallops with pork belly, fried chicken and biscuits, a tender spatchcock cornish hen with beluga lentils, eggplant parmesan, mac and cheese and of course for the carnivourous junkies, the Tavern burger with pork belly and manchego cheese, and a Filet mignon with cheesy mashed potatoes. Bringing back some home-cooked memories? That's the point... and this does not include the specials of the day, oyster bar and killer deserts! Insider secret: do not leave without trying the buttery perfection of their pecan pie! A glutonous evening at that, I was pleasantly pleased as my belly soaked in the delights of good eating in great company! Not to mention location, location, location! Situated on de la Commune, Taverne Gaspar overlooks the St.Lawrence River right next to the Auberge du Vieux-Port (another successful establishment of the Group). With authenticity and conviviality in mind, the design of the tavern has been entrusted to Camdi Design. Raw materials, oak tables and woodwork, copper accents, antique mirrors and fixtures all perfectly compliment the stone walls and the original cachet of the venue, an old 19th century warehouse untouched for several years. The long bar, the eclectic music mix of classic and indie sounds, all add to the cozy environment of what will now become an Old Montreal hot spot. Drinks, tapas, food, ambiance, Taverne Gaspar is your next destination. Official opening is today, October 4th! and please...two words: pecan pie!

Posted under Events, dining, food, hotel, montreal