Last winter I had the opportunity to experience Lloyd, a new restaurant at the Marriott Château Champlain downtown. Since the hotel was purchased in 2018 by Tidan Hospitality, headed by longtime friends and business partners Mike Yuval and Jack Sofer, some highly impressive renovations have taken place.
Executive Chef Executive Chef Kevin Mougin has now turned his culinary talents into another extraordinary venture at the hotel called Terrasse Belvu. Located on the fourth floor, with lush greenery and breathtaking views of the city and Windsor Station, it is an oasis in the heart of Montreal.
Our party of three arrived on a gorgeous Sunday evening. The sprawling space can accommodate up to 150 people at tables and an additional 30 at the bar. The right side, where we sat, is called The Plaza and it has more of a bistro atmosphere and a lower volume of music. Turn left and you will find the Garden section, featuring a lounge vibe. That is where the bar is located, the chefs do their food prep and the deejay spins tunes from Thursday to Sunday evenings.
Here you can enjoy a sumptuous Asian fusion menu, with one superb cocktail and wine selection.
It is interesting to note that Terrasse Belvu actually opened in the spring of 2022, but when a permit from the city was not issued operations quickly ceased. The coveted stamp of approval finally came in April. At this time the hotel team sprung into action and engaged in a hiring blitz and intensive training. This clearly paid off for our visit was less than two weeks after the May opening and this looked like a well-oiled machine from the manager on duty, Emma to the servers and hostesses.
“We shared with the staff all of our expectations,” said Catherine Caron, who oversees Terrasse Belvu, Lloyd, hotel room service and the VIP MClub. “The teambuilding we did was very successful.”
The name is clearly a French play on words for a nice view- Belvu. I must say I was swept away by the warm and exciting ambiance.”
Without even a full-fledged marketing campaign, word of mouth spread quickly and the place is crowded each night (unless of course there is inclement weather). “Well, you know how much Montrealers love terrasses in the summer,” smiled Caron.
On the menu, day and night, you’ll find Asian dishes to share, such as sashimi, spicy crispy tuna, oysters and more. Of course, there’s a meticulously selected wine and cocktail list that I mentioned earlier. The entire cocktail menu is also available without alcohol.
“We know that tourists and Montrealers are always on the lookout for terraces and views of the city, so we’re very proud to add to the offer with our unique vantage point,” says Steve Boisclair, Director of Sales and Marketing for the hotel.
We started off with drinks, a Gimlet (Ketel one grapefruit & rose, tofu yuzu cream, lime) and two Golden Square Miles. The latter included Ciroc bluestone, grand-Marnier, passion fruit, lemon, vanilla and champagne. It was interesting to have the champagne served in a separate cup with the aim to slowly pour drops into the larger glass as you ingest the signature cocktail itself. What a fun way to kick things off!
Next came six oysters for us to share, accompanied by chimichurri with yuzu zest and hot sauce. We also split delicious orders of spicy crispy tuna, salmon tartare and sashimi before settling on our main courses. The ladies ordered a sirloin steak, pre-sliced and some outstanding roasted cauliflower on the side. I wish I could make it like that at home. Meanwhile, I had my eye on the wagyu burger – wagyu beef, wagyu bacon, unagi sauce, spicy crispy onions and a side salad to replace the sweet potato fries. That was one fine burger!
You can also try the caviar bar, semi-cooked salmon, breaded lobster, grilled sea bass and breaded crispy chicken.
We shared the decadent choco and dulce pie for dessert.
Terrasse Belvu is also a terrific venue for corporate events and parties. With a surface area of over 400 square feet, it is ideal for business lunches, 5@7s and dinners with colleagues and friends. The various sections can accommodate large-scale events such as weddings, product launches and groups.
Terrasse Belvu is located at the Marriott Château Champlain, 1050 Rue De La Gauchetière Ouest. Hours of operation are Monday and Tuesday, Noon to 4 pm; Wednesday to Friday, Noon to 11 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 3 pm to 11 pm. Please note that the kitchen is closed (drinks only) from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm. For more information email: belvu@chateauchamplain.com, log on to www.terrassebelvu.com or call 438 821-7928.