Honō Izakaya X jjacques: Éphémère #5, the First in Quebec City

For the first time, our Éphémère series is heading to Quebec City! On November 30, Tastet and OpenTable bring the team from Honō Izakaya, a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recommendation, to jjacques, one of the best bars in the country, for a one-night-only service.

After Montréal, the Éphémère series settles into the Vieille Capitale for its fifth and final edition. For one evening, the Honō team pays its neighbours a visit and lifts the veil on a project still under wraps. On the menu: five courses inspired by omakase and hand rolls, created with chef Sheila Morel and the jjacques team. Pairings, with or without alcohol, are by Julien Vézina and Samuel Tremblay.

Open since 2018, Honō Izakaya is an understated Japanese tavern specializing in small plates to share. It honours Japanese traditions while making room for local products. The bar is part of the house’s DNA: its cocktail program is one of the main reasons behind its reputation. Add to that a fine selection of natural and local wines, a carefully curated sake list and a non-alcoholic offering as current as it is varied. All in a relaxed, warm and decidedly festive atmosphere.

Behind the Hidden Door

For this Éphémère, jjacques opens its doors, or rather its hidden door. Since 2019, the speakeasy has cultivated its share of mystery: you enter through a concealed door, then step past heavy curtains into a windowless room inspired by the golden age of travel, where losing track of time comes easily. Restaurant or cocktail bar? You decide: at jjacques, the kitchen and the bar carry equal weight.

At the stoves since November 2025, chef Sheila Morel has worked at Manoir Richelieu, Chez Truchon and Toast!, then led the kitchen at Nord restaurant at Strøm spa nordique for nearly four years, before a stint at Bistro B. Her cuisine puts the spotlight on seafood, depending on what comes in, on Québec products and on responsible sourcing, with care taken to use every ingredient in its entirety.

Behind the counter, house creations and great classics sit side by side, backed by a cellar of more than 160 labels. The bar has also racked up the accolades: it has been on the Canada’s 100 Best Bars list since 2022 (11th in 2026) and ranked two years running in the Canadian top 10 of the Best International Restaurant Bar category at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. Samuel Tremblay, for his part, was named Bartender of the Year at the Lauriers de la gastronomie québécoise in 2026.

Two houses, two exceptional bars and a menu that will be served only once: a fitting way to close out the Éphémère series in Quebec City.

Éphémère: Good to Know

Book through OpenTable here! Location: jjacques, 341 Rue Notre-Dame-des-Anges, Québec, QC G1K 3E9 Date: Monday, November 30, 2026 Price: $125 per person, plus taxes and service, for five courses, cocktail or non-alcoholic pairings included

Seats are limited. Bon appétit!

Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by @jjacques