Have you ever heard the expression “Et si on buvait un canon?” Since the 19th century, the French expression “boire un canon” simply means enjoying a nice glass of wine.
Last month, Canons!, a gourmet wine bar, opened its second location in the heart of the vibrant Quartier Dix30. Here, guests can discover 100 percent local market-inspired cuisine with bold, generous flavors, paired with a carefully curated wine selection that will take you on a journey around the world.
On the menu are delicious wines and tasty and unpretentious gastronomy, all in a warm and laid-back atmosphere.
Owner and sommelier Pascal Paradis opened the first location in Beloeil. He brought in Chef Jérôme Trouvé from France last year to train with him and open in Brossard at the end of April. Chef Trouvé plans to see his menu evolve every three months, with fresh, high-quality ingredients as the foundation for creative, seasonal dishes.
See my interview with Trouvé on Instagram
Served in a warm, welcoming atmosphere, each dish is paired with a thoughtfully curated wine list featuring favorites, primarily, though not exclusively, organic and natural wines. Sourced mostly from European and Quebec terroirs, these wines are carefully selected to offer refined, harmonious, and unpretentious pairings.
Located at 1500 Avenue des Lumières, Suite 5, at Dix-30, this new location invites residents, professionals in the neighborhood, and visitors to the entertainment hub to embark on a journey of flavors inspired by culinary classics from around the world. On the menu: generous, comforting dishes that bring back memories with bold flavors, just the right seasoning, and masterful cooking, always served with a friendly smile.
We were welcomed by the manager and server Catherine St-Gelais and Chef Trouvé himself. We began with some glasses of wine, the spumante extra dry Rivolto Zannoto and then some appetizers, sharing six New Brunswick oysters and a delicious Italian Burrata salad, with tomato pie, arugula and olives. For the main course, my dining partner had the catch of the day, a tasty white fish from Chicoutimi called bar noire. It came with a variety of vegetables. I opted for Chef Jérôme’s Special, a delicious gourmet version of macaroni and cheese and I’m sure this tastes nothing like the version from the Kraft box. For dessert, I went for the chocolate mousse and my dining partner had the cheesecake.
Some of the other menu items include: Salmon gravlax on toast, creamy goat’s cheese, pickles and caviar; grilled octopus with citrus fruits, spinach and Swiss chard; beef tartare; Croque-Monsieur/Madame; a Gaspor piglet burger; and more.
“This opening marks an important milestone for us,” explains Paradis. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve always dreamed of creating a place where people can share, simply and sincerely, the pleasure of real food and moments around the table. At Chez Canons!, everything revolves around people: from our relationships with our suppliers to the food on the plate, so that our customers feel welcome and leave with a light heart. Every dish and every glass reflects this approach.”
Numerous partnerships with local farms allow Canons! to offer its customers a selection of high-quality foods, including bread from La Bête à pain, asparagus from Maraîchers Ju-Lu in Saint-Antoine-sur-le-Richelieu, and meat from Ferme La Rabouillère in Saint-Valérien-de-Milton. The gourmet wine bar offers simple, honest cuisine, providing a taste experience where the quality of the product is highlighted in every bite, with complete honesty.
This exploration of accessible and sometimes surprising flavors, such as roasted Brussels sprouts with gochujang or red curry with shrimp, is accompanied by a carefully selected list of favorite wines, served in a warm and friendly atmosphere. A trained and passionate sommelier, the owner of Canons! and his team offer a wine list, by the glass or bottle, composed mainly, but not exclusively, of organic and natural wines. Most of the bottles come from Europe and the local terroir, all designed to create harmonious, refined and unpretentious food and wine pairings.
Covering an area of 185 square meters and with more than 50 seats—plus more than 20 on seasonal terrasse- the restaurant offers an immersive experience enhanced by a series of minimalist black-and-white illustrations inspired by the world of comic books. Displayed in the windows, these works tell the story of Canons! An adventure shaped by encounters with local producers, culinary discoveries and moments shared with generosity. This narrative approach is carried through to the presentation of the wine list, which focuses on the history of the winemakers rather than the grape varieties. More than just tasting notes, each bottle highlights an identity, a way of doing things, a philosophy of culture and creation.
The strategic expansion is part of a broader renewal process, driven by a change of visual identity by the Koove agency and the relocation of its first establishment to a larger space, still in the Beloeil region. The restaurant has officially adopted a new name that is more modern but still faithful to the spirit of the place: Canons!, replacing the original name Sortez les Canons! (Bring out the cannons!).
The restaurant also has a brunch service on Saturdays and Sundays.
Canons! is open Monday from 11:30 am to 3 pm, Tuesday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 pm, Saturday 10 am to 10:30 pm and Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm.. Log on to https://restaurant-canons.com/en/ or call 450 500-2025
Mike Cohen, born and raised in Côte Saint-Luc, has long been active in the community as a volunteer, journalist, and consultant. He profiles restaurants in Montreal and beyond.
mikecohen.ca