La Binerie Mont-Royal Moves to New Digs on St-Denis Street | Eater Montreal

"A hub for traditional Québécois cuisine in Montreal, La Binerie Mont-Royal recently moved a few blocks from its longtime Mont-Royal Avenue location to St-Denis, taking over the former Steak-Frites St-Paul just south of Rachel Street. After 80 years on Mont-Royal Avenue the restaurant closed in late summer and the new location is substantially bigger — room for about 95 customers versus roughly 25 before — allowing it to take groups (with space on the building’s second floor) and to add new appliances for a more efficient operation. The owners, Jocelyne and Philippe Brunet, have kept much of the original decor (the counter and stools were moved, the menu boards preserved, and the iconic exterior sign is stored inside), and even Quebec author Yves Beauchemin approved of the new set-up. The menu largely stays the same — fèves au lard, tourtière, pouding chômeur and various breakfast dishes — with minor additions such as smoked meat and an onion soup. Hours are set to be drastically expanded, with plans to stay open from early morning until 11 p.m. Monday to Wednesday and until 4 a.m. Thursday to Saturday (the restaurant is hiring to enable these extended hours), which recalls its history as a once 24-hour institution and makes it an option for casual after-drinking pâté chinois or shepherd’s pie; the new location also has a liquor license. The move appears aimed at ensuring the restaurant’s future — a larger, more profitable space that the Brunets (who have owned it for 14 years) hope will make the business easier to pass on to a successor." - Tim Forster