"Newcomer Claire Jacques became an instant hit on this formerly sleepy corner of Villeray. The owner couple—a sommelier and a veteran pastry chef, formerly with Pâtissier Patrice—have transformed a small storefront into a welcoming, calm, vintage furniture-filled bistro. Come by for a mid-afternoon coffee and dessert, an apéro with light-as-air gougères, or a dinner of creative small plates. The all-sharing menu evolves with the seasons: the homemade ricotta with fresh corn, jauntily served in a sundae cup with housemade focaccia on the side, was a fall favorite. Claire Jacques’s wine list is compact and leans towards local, making it a good choice for some fun discoveries. And for dessert, we’re still thinking about last summer’s blueberries on top of a maple financier. photo credit: Alison Slattery photo credit: Alison Slattery photo credit: Alison Slattery photo credit: Alison Slattery" - Ivy Lerner-Frank
