To say that Montreal’s newest dinner-and-a-show experience is “unique” remains a true understatement.
Bernard Cabaret Gourmand, located at 936 Ste-Catherine St E. near Amherst, is being touted as the city’s newest “immersive burlesque dining experience.” For owner Jean-François Rondeau, it is a dream come true. The 31-year-old is a seasoned restaurateur, owning other establishments on the island and having been trained and managed restaurants in the South of France. On the night I went, he was literally doing it all: singing, dancing, waiting on tables and even clearing them. His girlfriend Lynsey Billing is supporting him by providing the choreography. Guests were able to enjoy the full dinner-and-a-show experience. It included a three-course dinner, including wine/drinks and a cabaret show throughout the evening.
Nestled in a chic 2,000-square-foot repurposed historic bank space, this dining gem promises to serve up gourmet delights with a side of extravagant entertainment like you’ve never seen before. With seating for 50 lucky guests, plus a semi-private nook for up to 10 of your closest pals (or that one person you really need to impress), Bernard Cabaret Gourmand is set to be your go-to for everything from casual nights out to those “I-can’t-believe-this-is-my-life” special occasions. It’s elegant, it’s sexy, and most importantly, it’s got the vibe.
And wait, there’s more. This isn’t just about fulfilling your cravings – it’s about surrendering to your senses and feeding your soul. Prepare to be dazzled as the restaurant morphs into a cabaret extravaganza, offering an innovative take on the dinner-and-a-show experience with immersive grandiose productions involving dance, burlesque and circus acts on top of a full lineup of live jazz evenings, Drag brunches and other performance-based experiences. Every night at Bernard is a feast for all your senses, where the distance between you and the performers is just a flick of a fork away.
And then, of course, there’s the food. Indulge in a chaos-style menu where flavours collide to create a dining experience that’s as much about spectacle as it is about taste. Each dish is crafted to surprise and delight, combining bold ingredients with dramatic presentations. From the luxurious Caviar Service to seasonal harvest-inspired creations, the menu is full of signature dishes prepared tableside. On weekends, you can enjoy a playful twist on luxury brunch, featuring towering pancake stacks, avocado toast and mouth-watering fried mushroom waffles. The menu offers a delightful selection of dishes that pair with a thoughtfully curated drink list that includes an exclusive range of private-import wines and sassy cocktails.
“The concept behind Bernard is one that I’ve been dreaming of ever since I started in the restaurant business,” Rondeau said. “It’s a fusion of two of my passions: food and dance. As a restaurateur and a dancer myself, I’ve always wanted to create a space where both worlds come together to give place to something amazing. Bernard’s mission also goes beyond food and entertainment and seeks to contribute to the betterment of hospitality working conditions and to offer a new scene for local artists to showcase their talent and further their careers. The name of the restaurant comes from my grandfather, who was a very inspiring figure in my young life: an artist, a kind soul and a funny and weird human whom I miss dearly. This is in part an homage to his joie de vivre,” said Jean-François, the mastermind behind this captivating new venture.”
Rondeau’s culinary journey began with a leap to the South of France at just 18, where he studied Hotel and Business Management and immersed himself in the luxury hospitality industry. Upon returning to Quebec, he has consistently turned his vision and his passion into reality; from maneuvering a coffee-shop empire to acquiring a staple restaurant and bakery in Saint-Lambert, launching a Custom Coffee Roasting online platform and opening a new specialty Brunch concept venue in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
There are 15 performers on a given night and they sure do give you a fabulous show between courses, from burlesque and dance routines to acrobatics on a trapeze, juggling and even pole dancing. The choice of music on the night I went ranged from title song from The Greatest Showman to such classics as Tainted Love, Money Makes The World Go Round, Material Girl and Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This).
Rondeau said that two months of rehearsal were required to get the performances ready to go. “We will change it up every three to four months,” he said, adding that construction delays held back an originally planned September opening.
I can state unequivocally that I’d happily relive this precise experience from start to finish every week if I could. My dinner started with some tortilla chips and a glass of champagne. For the main course I chose grilled chicken breast (salmon fillet with crispy skin and spinach and mushroom dumplings vegan style were the other options). The chicken was tasty and juicy. It came with a side of vegetables, including Bok choy, carrots, mushrooms and cauliflower.
Here is the precise menu plan.
Wednesdays plus select Saturdays: A three-course meal with drinks.
Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays: À la carte dining. Choose what you like from the full menu.
Saturday and Sunday Brunch: Brunch menu available à la carte except for the “Scrambled Legs Drag Brunch” (set brunch menu).
As for pricing and reservations, it looks like this. For dinner and show (Folies d’un Soir) it is $295/person (including the show, food, and drinks). The current promo of 50 percent off comes at $170 for a limited time. If you join their mailing list, you will receive a 40 percent discount.
Tickets: foliesdunsoir.eventbrite.ca
As for the “Scrambled Legs Drag Brunch,” entry is $15 (a two-for-one deal currently available). Food and drinks are not included in the ticket price
Tickets: scrambledlegs.eventbrite.ca
For all other days, tickets are not required. Just reserve via OpenTable (https://www.opentable.com/r/bernard-cabaret-gourmand-montreal?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAad5K1Lw9DjlHYPu358pangXmjV72wb2ftntMH8zEj0-LZvWC_h-xTDDbdPrEw_aem_5VB1rSqUFK7aRaMBeQaOdg). The pricing depends on what you order:
If you just want to grab a drink and enjoy the show, Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays for Ambiance Musicale or Ambiance Burlesque nights are the days to go (unless it’s a dinner-and-show evening). Make sure to check the schedule.
See their website at https://www.bernardmontreal.com/