Complete closure for many months, reduced capacity and lack of staff, restaurateurs did not have it easy. While some establishments have maintained their standards of excellence, others have opened their doors or reinvented themselves and brilliantly managed to attract attention in the process.
This is the case of Simon Mathys, who was voted Chef of the Year 2022 by Lauriers de la Gastronomie.
Photo by Philippe Richelet
Simon Mathys, named Chef of the Year 2022 by the Lauriers de la Gastronomie.
The one we knew as the chef at the Manitoba restaurant was forced to pull over when the restaurants closed. In December 2020 he opened his own restaurant, Mastard, and two years later he was ranked 2nd in Air Canada’s En Route magazine ranking of Best New Restaurants in Canada. “To be honest, I was shocked when I received these honors and I still am,” says Simon Mathys.
Just one other Québec restaurant is on this list for 2022, Alentours, which also opened in the midst of the pandemic in June 2021. It achieved 10th place with its concept based on eco-efficiency. “We are very happy with this visibility. It reassured us that our concept, although very niche, is valued and may be of interest nationally,” said Tim Moroney, Executive Chef.
Photo by Tim Moroney
A plate served at Alentours Restaurant, ranked 10th in the ranking of the 10 Best New Restaurants in Canada for 2022, according to Air Canada’s En Route magazine.
A similar story happened to Pierre-Olivier Pelletier, chef and owner of Kebec Club Privé, a small, 12-seat fine-dining restaurant that was named Best Young Chef in Canada by the Academy of Young Chefs in Toronto’s San Pellegrino last October.
Design Award and Restaurant of the Year
Two months before the outbreak of the pandemic, the Madame Chose restaurant opened its doors. Despite the context, its immersive decor caught our attention, transporting us into the colorful world of an old lady with a traveling past. Last September he received the Grand Prix du Design as well as two Platinum Laureate trophies at the Grands Prix du Design 2022 Gala.
Photo courtesy of Restos Plaisirs
The décor of the Madame Chose restaurant, designed by director Olivier Dufour, received several awards at the Gala Grands Prix du Design 2022.
“We’ve been closed for almost 12 months out of 2 years, it’s like we’re just starting out,” testifies Pierre Moreau, CEO of Restos Plaisirs Group. “There is so much research on the set, the sound effects and the lighting. It’s great that these awards recognize and highlight the work of director Olivier Dufour, who we worked with on this set. »
In 2022, two Quebec restaurants won the prestigious Five Diamonds from the CAA/AAA guide, Tanière3 and Laurie Raphaël.
Battuto has since been named Restaurant of the Year by the Lauriers de la Gastronomie. Although Battuto co-owner Pascal Bussières has been making takeaway boxes for two years, he says he expected it a little. “We were nominated several times and ended up winning! It’s a great recognition from peers as the industry experts vote. »
Wine cellars where treasures are found
For the excellence of their service and the quality and variety of their wine cellars, veritable caves of Ali Baba, the restaurants have attracted the attention of specialists and have garnered honours.
While Fairmont Château Frontenac received no fewer than thirty nominations for excellence in hospitality, including Hotel of the Year at the global level at the World Luxury Awards, its Le Champlain restaurant won the fine dining category for the North and Central Americas.
Photo by Genevieve Quessy
The Champlain restaurant at Château Frontenac won the Gourmet Restaurant category for the North and Central America region at the World Luxury Awards and was recognized by Wine Spectator Magazine with the Best Award of Excellence for the quality of its wine cellar.
Le Champlain has also received the Best Award of Excellence for the quality of its wine cellar from the international wine magazine Wine Spectator for the sixth consecutive year.
A very prestigious mention that H3 Restaurant also received when it just opened its doors in June 2021. From the same group of owners, since 2018, the Coureur des bois continues to receive the highest mention, the Grand Award.
Photo by Matt Ayotte
The Coureur des bois wine cellar has been the winner of the Wine Spectator Grand Award since 2018.
“This mention recognizes the quality, the rarity of the wines. Here you will find rare wines by the glass, some customers come just for that! That’s a lot of investment and work for a wine cellar like this! We are very proud,” says Jean-Sébastien Giguère, chef and co-owner.