Chez Ernest - Comptoir de curiosités

A New Resto-Bar Selling Absinthe and Art Opens on St-Hubert Plaza | Eater Montreal

"Inside the recently renovated St-Hubert Plaza, Chez Ernest is a resto-bar whose decor riffs on Renaissance cabinets of curiosities, combining framed art and hand-crafted jewelry from local artisans with outlandish natural-history touches such as dead insects, live fish and a starfish (which co-owner Justine Chevalier Martineau says might be for sale). Co-owned by Martineau and Renaud Marchal—who drew on the French 'comptoir de curiosités' model—the space features a skeleton that alternately flanks the bar or lounges in an antique armchair, large-screen TVs airing Euro 2020 matches, and coffee supplied by Rosemont micro-roaster and cafe Impérial. Currently open mainly daytime while waiting on a liquor licence, the bar plans to shift toward nighttime service once licensed, offering up to 16 Quebec microbrews on tap and absinthe served alongside ornate glass water fountains. Food comes via a partnership with neighbouring gourmet grocer Conserva and consists of small plates (cod croquettes with gribiche, smoked mackerel mousse with crackers, porchetta in tonnato, salmon gravlax with beets and dill yogurt) as well as a build-your-own platter of dips, cheeses, pâtés and cured meats. Chez Ernest is currently open daily from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 6596 St Hubert Street; hours are subject to change." - Valerie Silva