Le Marlow: An Excellent BYOB Restaurant on the South Shore

You have all suggested it: Le Marlow is one of your favorite BYOB restaurants! Following your recommendation, we headed to Saint-Hubert on the South Shore to discover this charming French-inspired spot that offers a constantly evolving market cuisine.

Le Marlow opened its doors in 2021, founded by Benjamin de Châteauneuf, a former chef at Chez L’Épicier and Café Vasco da Gama, and an associate at Bistro Cerf-Volant, which we greatly enjoyed. After a long search, Benjamin stumbled upon this location. With the possibility of setting up a terrace in front, he immediately saw its great potential. With 50 indoor seats and 35 outside, the restaurant quickly became a must-visit festive spot on the South Shore. Benjamin took on the role of head chef until he met the talented Romain Guerer in 2022. Together, they built Le Marlow’s reputation by highlighting local and seasonal products. It was in April 2024 that Romain officially became the associate chef. The complementarity between these two partners is based on their distinct strengths, forming a perfect balance between heart and reason, motivating each other to always go further.

A Chef with an Exceptional Journey
Romain’s career is impressive. After honing his skills in Michelin-starred restaurants such as Le Vivier, the Ritz Paris, and La Gourmandière, he settled in Quebec. He became the chef of Miel, the restaurant owned by Hakim Chajar (now closed and replaced by Sabayon), and then embarked on a venture as a private chef with Mobilochef. This enriching experience allowed him to share his passion for gastronomy while having direct contact with his clients.

This is one of the reasons he ultimately chose Le Marlow. With its open kitchen and warm, relaxed atmosphere, he enjoys cultivating a close relationship with the clientele. Always driven by the desire to please, with energy, passion, and pride, he transparently showcases all the work that goes into each plate.

A Cuisine That Charms and Surprises

Le Marlow offers a five-course experience, from appetizers to desserts, which is also available à la carte. At this table, you’ll discover a reimagined bistro cuisine, featuring carefully crafted and generous dishes that will undoubtedly make you want to return quickly.

“I want the menu to remain ephemeral to spark curiosity, renew itself, and create even better dishes than those previously enjoyed,” Romain shares with us.

On the menu, you can, of course, find the house specialties: the classic beef tartare, duck pâté, blood sausage, and chocolate tart, all reinterpreted each season.

As we wished for summer to last forever, we took the opportunity to savor the fresh dishes that the beautiful season offers. A standout was the swordfish sashimi styled like gravlax, served on a peach canvas. The “trou normand” we were offered particularly surprised us — in a good way! The delicate emulsion of rosemary-infused egg, forming a cloud over the alcoholic sorbet, reminded us of the art of mixology. Delightful!

A special mention goes to the caramelli, a pasta stuffed with mushrooms and duck, for which the chef prepared a truffle mushroom sauce to replace the usual Parmesan sauce, accommodating our companion’s lactose intolerance. We thank him for this thoughtful attention. Romain points out that his menu is designed to adapt to special requests, turning each inquiry into an opportunity to showcase his expertise while placing the customer at the heart of the experience.

Ideally located near Quartier Dix30 and the Promenades St-Bruno, Le Marlow stands out for its accessibility. Nestled in the heart of a residential neighborhood, this address rivals the best tables in Montreal. With its excellent value for money, we highly recommend this bring-your-own-wine spot for your lively evenings. Here, there’s no hesitation in bringing out your finest wines: each dish reflects remarkable culinary mastery where passion and refinement harmoniously combine.

Happy discovering!

Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by Mikael Lebleu

Last update: October 10, 2024

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