After months of hunkering down and planning out their steps, The Tzemopoulos family finally pushed the play button on the reopening of their trendy downtown Stanley Street Deville Dinerbar (www.devilledinerbar.com). As of this writing their sister property, the iconic Reuben’s Deli & Steakhouse will remain temporarily inactive for a while longer.
Deville is open for dine-in, curbside pickup and a truly neat takeout counter called the Double D pop up Shop, which is intended to focus on foot traffic in the area and for those who are more inclined to grab and go. They built a really nice terrasse, which can accommodate more than 60 guests.
“During the lockdown my brothers and I remained active, strategizing for the reopening and changing our business model,” Adam said.
Adam, Jim and Anthony Tzemopoulos have also initiated top-of-the-line safety measures. The Double D pop-up shop is a quick and convenient way to experience Deville’s famous premium burgers and shakes on the go.
“Anthony was big on the pop-up shop and it has been a big success,” Adam noted. “We were aware that a lot of people like walking around downtown, so why not select some of our premium burgers an milkshakes and let people order them from a window. We even have a small tent on the side of the building with some picnic tables.”
Among other additions and highlights, Deville offers a seasonal summer menu with the best of its classics, as well as all-new summer recipes. Its incredibly creative cocktail menu is making a comeback. After strong demand, its Aloha cocktails are back along with all new alcoholic Craft Shakes. Guests of Deville Dinerbar will also enjoy the remake of their iconic “Fishbowls,” which will now be prepared in miniature form to be enjoyed individually.
In order to comply with all government-mandated safety measures, Deville has made the security of its guests and staff an absolute top priority. Modified and flexible changes within all dining areas, to impeccable hygiene measures and rigorous staff training, Deville is set up and ready for action with the incorporation of digital menus, the restriction of movements without a mask, the reservation limited to groups of 10 people or less as well as curfews dictated by our government.
When Adam shared the news of Deville’s return, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to make a curbside pickup. It was nice to see the place busy
The Tzemopoulos family has been operating Reuben’s Deli & Steakhouse on St. Catherine Street for more than 40 years now. They operate under the RD3 Restaurant Group.
Founded in 2011, Deville pays homage with a modern feeling to the great diners of yesterday. There is a massive bar where you can order yourself a house cocktail or Alcohol-infused Craft Shake. Deville specialties include Adam’s Beef Back Ribs, Crispy Mac and Cheese Stuffed Wontons” and signature steaks selected from 100 percent premium Canadian grass-fed beef.
There are 180 seats plus the seasonal terrasse.
The detailed and separate bar menu features classics, house cocktails, mini-fish bowls and craft shakes, with or without booze.
I decided to not only get lunch to bring back and enjoy at the office but not only for that day. It in fact lasted me three. Those crispy Mac and Cheese Wontons were a great starter. They are an original Deville creation. It took me two sittings to enjoy every morsel. Ditto for the salt and pepper calamari. Lunch number one was the diner club with fries. I ordered Adams’s famous beef back ribs for day number two. They came with fries and rolled right off the bones. I made sure my office door was closed and plenty of napkins were handy. “The level of research that went into the recipe for the ribs was insane,” Adam says. “In this city when you order ribs it is most commonly pork, but we agreed beef is a much more accommodating protein.”
Finally, as day three arrived the firebird chicken from the pop-up shop menu was my choice. A couple of desserts came with me: the big easy beignets and the apple pie, minus the ice cream and a Little Havana mocktail.
I cannot wait for Reuben’s to be back in business!
Deville Dinerbar is located at 1425 Stanley Street near St. Catherine. For more information call 514.281.6556, email info@devilledinerbar.com or log on to www.devilledinerbar.com. The hours of operation are Monday to Thursday. Noon to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday, Noon to midnight; and Sunday, 3 pm to 10 pm.