Le Violon : chef Danny Smile’s new home on Plateau Mont-Royal

“It’s been a long time coming,” says Danny Smiles.

At 40, the chef, along with his longtime partner Mitch Laughren, front-of-house Andrew Park, and his friend, painter Dan Climan, is finally ready to unveil Le Violon, his latest opus, located in the former space of the iconic Maison Publique in the Plateau Mont-Royal.

Why “Le Violon”? Danny played the violin from ages 6 to 12. “I’ve always loved it. I think it’s very classy. And if you look at the restaurant from Rue Marquette, you see the service and kitchen staff working together like a luthier and a violinist. And Le Violon is a tribute to the predominantly French-speaking neighbourhood of Plateau Mont-Royal,” explains the chef.

The partners admit that choosing this location was bold. “While we were renovating, people would pass by and wish us good luck, saying it would be hard to live up to Maison Publique. We’d tell them: ‘We know! We loved this place, that’s why we took it!’ It felt like home. Such an iconic spot.” Expectations were high, but the new restaurant, with its completely redesigned space and a menu reflecting the chef’s style, delivers the goods. As we say in Quebec, this isn’t their first BBQ!

A Magnificent Space

The place is simply stunning. A collaboration between Dan Climan and designer Zébulon Perron, the space has been completely transformed. The entrance is now on Rue Marquette. The dining room is divided in two, with a small, cozy dining area featuring a large banquette and a massive painting by Dan Climan of a dalmatian. “There’s something regal about dining with a giant animal painting. Danny and I are fans of Keens in New York, and this piece was somewhat inspired by their giant tiger,” says the painter.

Then, you enter the main dining area, where everything has changed, except for the bar’s location, which now features a marble top. The entire decor is done in neutral tones and pastel greens. “The colour palette is inspired by the works of Giorgio Morandi, an artist we discovered through Giovanna Carnevale, a friend of my parents. One of the bathrooms is even dedicated to her, since without her, the restaurant wouldn’t look the way it does.”

The interplay of textures is masterfully done: matte, shiny, wood, and marble. “I wanted people to be entertained by the decor while they ate. We positioned the lights so that as you move your head, the light moves with you in the space,” adds Dan.

The decor is minimal, elegant, with undeniable attention to detail. Nothing was left to chance, from the wine cellar—”There’s something romantic about having a wine cellar right in the middle of your dining room”—to the speakers, the glass walls separating the kitchen from the dining room, the bar chairs, and the counter finishes. Danny adds, “When you dedicate your life to food and people, you need to feel comfortable in the space you’re working in. And I think that comes through the moment you walk in.”

Indeed, everything is simple, yet very beautiful and well-crafted. Note that the atmosphere is lively, and the noise level can quickly rise!

The Cuisine at Le Violon

The menu features small, fresh, local, and flavourful delights. It’s divided into three sections: starters, mains, and desserts. There’s local bakery bread, oysters, tartare, scallops, foie mousse, or a salad from our friends at Parcelles. A standout is the Irish bread, PEI mussels, and cheddar cream—very original and tasty. For the main course, the gnocchi with smoked anchovies is a must-try! There are two meat dishes, two fish dishes, and a lot of freshness in the plates, with bold yet delicate flavour combinations. For dessert, there’s pistachio soft serve and two cakes. The head chef is Sarah Raspa, and everyone is captivated by the service’s choreography, visible through the open kitchen facing the bar.

To wash down your meal, Andrew Park offers a short but well-curated cocktail menu with a few classics reimagined. The wine list is well-crafted, with bottles starting at $70, but several options for treating yourself.

“We’ve created something that’s here to stay,” Danny Smiles tells us. “This restaurant represents exactly where I am in my career: mature and enjoyable.” And more confident, we’d add.

The team at Le Violon excels in the art of hospitality, and this restaurant is proof of it, both in the kitchen and the dining room. It’s a must-visit destination!

Long live Le Violon!