In the summer of 2023 Tribute Portfolio. part of Marriott Bonvoy’s extraordinary portfolio of 31 hotel brands, opened its first property here by establishing the Honeyrose Hotel Montreal in the Quartier des Spectacles right near the back entrance to the Bay downtown.
The hotel evokes an earlier era. Architex Group designed the building with large bay windows to bring natural light. The architecture and interior design of the rooms, suites and corridors on each floor as well as the banquet and meeting rooms were entrusted to Provencher Roy. The design of the hotel lobby, restaurant and café was created by Atelier Zébulon Perron.
At the core of the hotel’s design are nods to honey, a symbolic evocation of a golden gift from nature, and a rose, a French flower that signifies passion and love. Unique amenities include rooftop beehives, while embellished guestroom hallways are reminiscent of strolling through an exclusively designed flower field. The hotel also includes artwork from Roxy Peroxyde, Juliette Sarrazin and CHACHA, a creative design firm from the Eastern Townships.
The hotel’s gastronomic experiences include French bistro-style COMMODORE Restaurant and Café (commodoremontreal.com) and the seasonal Muze Lounge & Terrasse.
I recently made my first visit to this beautiful property to dine at the COMMODORE, a pretty locale that can accommodate 55 people in the dining room and 36 on the seasonal patio. Inspired by French cuisine, blending culinary traditions with contemporary touches in a chic 1920s, the menu is refined and the atmosphere particularly elegant.
We were greeted by the manager, Florian Chapon, who comes from France. Our server Patricia was excellent, providing a comprehensive overview of the menu.
After some glasses of bubbly prosecco, my dining partner and I discovered a menu that was enriched with bold new additions. You can start your dinner with the new lobster bisque cappuccino, an innovative appetizer that combines sophistication and refined flavors. That is what my guest chose for her appetizer. I opted for the salmon tartare, with seaweed and yuzu mayonnaise. In addition to a starter, you can also get it as a main course with golden fries.
For the main course, I had my eyes on the roasted duck breast the moment I began reviewing the menu. Served sliced, showcasing the vibrant color and inviting texture, this a culinary delight characterized by its tender, juicy meat and rich flavor. The meat was deep red, showcasing a beautiful medium-rare doneness. I savored every bite. This was enhanced by Patricia’s suggestion that I add some foie gras to the order. This created a harmonious balance of flavors and textures, turning a delicious dish into an extraordinary culinary experience.
My guest went for the eight-ounce grilled cab sirloin, served with fries, seasonal vegetables and homemade béarnaise sauce. This was a juicy, tender cut of beef, with robust flavor and a satisfying texture. Cooked to perfection, it boasted a beautifully charred exterior with tantalizing grill marks, enhancing its rich, savory notes. The marbling throughout the steak contributed to its tenderness and infused it with a mouthwatering buttery quality.
The menu also features chicken, veal, pasta and burger dishes as well as oysters, soups, salads and charcuterie and cheese platters.
For dessert we selected the sable au pommes and the tarte au chocolat. The pastry chef here is Christian Campos best known for his celebrated Farine & Cacao pastry shop in Ontario Street East. Campos started his career at a young age on the Pâtisserie de Gascogne team, later working with Alain Pignard at Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth Hotel and for the opening of his boutique caterer, La Palette Gourmande. In 2016, he joined the Ritz-Carlton and Maison Boulud team as pastry sous chef and was named Pastry Chef of the Year in 2015 and 2016 by the Society of Chefs and Pastry Chefs of Quebec. The staff at the Honeyrose Hotel feel most fortunate to have him on their team.
I look forward to sampling Muze Lounge & Terrasse when it reopens next spring.
The COMMODORE Restaurant & Café is located at the Honeyrose Hotel at 355 De Maisonneuve Blvd. West. Log on to www.commodoremontreal.com. You can call 514-656-8632.