Janine Café Brings Delectable French Toast to Verdun | Eater Montreal

"A sister restaurant to popular Rosemont brunch spot Régine, Janine Café has opened in Verdun on Wellington, taking over the former Italian restaurant Cucina Linda on the corner of Hickson in an opulent-looking space that seats around 85. The owners—Pierre-Luc Chevalier, Charles Deschamps, and Maxim Lepage—say they’re not looking to “copy-paste” Régine, and the menu reflects that with new plates like latkes with smoked mackerel; buckwheat oatmeal with apple-butternut butter, caramelized apple, and rooibos tea cream; and chicken and waffles, while a few Régine favourites have made the trip down to Verdun, including a hearty pulled ham with eggs, potatoes, and lardons and the bacon and duck confit sandwich; the beloved French toast is also reworked with bananas, mascarpone, dates, and pecan popcorn. The program is overseen by chef Gregory Chandler, and the design mixes vintage furniture with a more classical brasserie vibe—checkered floors, sconce lighting, and warm light boosted by a brassy ceiling. Janine Café is open at 3900 Wellington from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekends." - Tim Forster