Bistro Tendresse: Natural wine and vegan cuisine in the Village

BISTRO TENDRESSE – Who says that vegan food can’t be gourmet? With new chef Davide Feniello, who joined the team in August 2021, this is the challenge that the colourful Village address has undertaken.

Bistro Tendresse is located in a beautiful and minimalist setting in the heart of the Village. The owners, who also own the famous Bar Renard, offer a 100% vegan and eco-responsible formula. Everything, from the wines to the cocktails to the cuisine, is vegan and, if not consumed, compostable!

Run by Marc-Antoine Coulombe, Isabelle Corriveau and Catherine St-Cyr, the restaurant offers a brunch, lunch and evening menu that will appeal to vegans and omnivores alike. Why Bistro Tendresse? “We wanted to position ourselves in front of fancy restaurants with very nice names and very inventive food: we chose a name that is super cheesy, but identified in a super cool way!

Colour and contrast

The Village was an ideal location for this restaurant: according to them, the offer of good restaurants with modern design was missing in the neighbourhood. Bistro Tendresse is also located directly across the street from Bar Renard, as well as the group’s newest addition, Mardi Snack Bar; this eases the management —but more importantly the collaboration—of the two establishments.

The sleek and modern design is by Marc-Antoine Coulombe. The idea was to create an airy space with bright white walls and ceilings, with bright colours near the floor to anchor it all. On closer inspection, the panels on the walls and ceiling conceal subtle lighting that bathes the space in soft light. This work of colour and contrast continues on the plate: with their beautiful and colourful dishes.

Vegetables in the spotlight

Since taking up his post, chef Davide Feniello has taken a slightly more gastronomic turn, especially for the evening menu. His cuisine seeks to showcase local and seasonal ingredients in their simplest form, with little or no processing. Don’t expect to find faux-mage and Beyond Meat on the menu.

Although the dishes are mainly vegetable-based, you won’t be left hungry. The cuisine is copious and delicious. We suggest you order several small dishes to share so you can taste everything!

Tender, but with a bite

On the excellent wine list composed by Nicholas Bergeron, we find organic and biodynamic imported wines (of course all vegan), in a constantly evolving selection that encourages exploration. The bar also offers a few house cocktails with evocative names such as Carrotte, Fushia, Papillon and Jardin; which are sure to give you a little colour.

Bistro Tendresse is open all week in the evening and from 11am from Thursday to Sunday. On weekends, the delicious brunch menu is offered from 11am to 4pm. We also go there for happy hours that linger into the evening and invariably end up across the street, at Bar Renard: “If people want to continue the evening even later, we literally see Renard through the window!”

A tender experience, but one that doesn’t lack bite!

Written by Sophie Monkman
Photography by Alison Slattery

Last update: May 17, 2022

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