Molenne : a Exceptional Montreal brasserie

Molenne, a tribute to the Mile End

“Molenne” takes its name from joual and refers to one of Montreal’s landmark neighbourhoods, the Mile End. Digging through the archives, the team discovered that the Mile End sat about a mile from Old Montreal and was home to the city’s first racetrack. The name pays tribute to a neighbourhood at the crossroads of English and French culture, a symbol of Montreal’s diversity and cultural mixing. Francophones of the day called the Mile End the Molenne. The address now ranks among the best restaurants in the Mile End.

Molenne is a Montreal brasserie built for every occasion: a drink with friends, a light meal, a birthday celebration, or a bigger night out with champagne and caviar. The restaurant is open seven nights a week.

The art of good company

Molenne’s founders have more than 15 years of experience in the restaurant business. After helping open several places for other people, they wanted a space of their own, one that reflects their vision and their passion. All are Montrealers by birth, and they share a deep affection for the local dining scene, seafood above all.

The founding owners are François Séguin-Letendre (founder of Soif and the Daily in Shanghai), Alexandre Hallé-Quinlan (founder of Lacou in the Caribbean), Gia Bach Nguyen (formerly of Gia), who builds the cocktail list, and Miro Ramirez (formerly of Damas), who handles the wine list. It is a first Montreal venture for this eclectic team, finally together on one project. In the kitchen, chef Christopher Pecotic (formerly of Mon Lapin and Magnolia in Paris) works alongside his sous-chef, Elizabeth Kent (formerly of Île Flottante and Pâtisserie Mélilot).

Molenne on Boulevard Saint-Laurent

The restaurant sits on Boulevard Saint-Laurent, a place thick with history and full of life. This central address stands where three lively neighbourhoods meet, a route many Montrealers take every day. The space once served as a hay depot for horses and belonged to Montreal’s old racetrack. That equestrian past is woven quietly into the layout and the atmosphere, pairing historical tribute with modernity while respecting the soul of the neighbourhood.

The room reads in three beats: a round bar at the entrance, some thirty seats up front, then an in-between space where you wait with a drink in hand. At the back, about twenty seats face the open, glassed-in kitchen, with a view of the raw bar, one of the house specialties. The design and construction carry François’s very personal signature, with professionals brought in for the specialized work. The decor was built from the memory of the neighbourhood: cabinets from the former Café Mei, which occupied the space before, banquettes from the TNM’s restaurant, plates from the old fireplace, a tribute to the past with a modern touch.

The menu

Molenne’s menu shifts with the seasons and champions local products, anchored in French traditions approached with a contemporary sensibility. Seafood is given pride of place, and the menu also runs to starters, vegetables, fresh pasta, meats and sharing plates. The seafood comes notably from Havre-Saint-Pierre, which guarantees exceptional freshness and quality. Among the standout dishes are the razor clam salad, the bluefin tuna bite on squid-ink rice, the Lanaudière bison tartare with Québec mushrooms, the peppercorn tuna steak and the signature côte de bœuf. You order à la carte, or put yourself in the kitchen’s hands with one of the tasting menus. The plates are thoughtfully composed, the sauces hold a place of their own, and it all comes together in a room that simply feels good.

The drinks

You eat well at Molenne, and you drink just as well. The cocktail program stands out for its modern, minimalist approach, built on simple, natural ingredients, for elegant and balanced creations. The list runs to 12 cocktails, four of them on tap, with a soft spot for the 50-50 Martini and the martini mocktail.

The wine list was built on cellar buyouts, which allows for a sharp, deep selection, with rare bottles from long-standing partner agencies. Worth noting: several bottles sit between $50 and $70, which is fairly rare among newer and not-so-new openings.

Why Molenne is worth the trip?

The project was carried by its owners for a long time before taking shape on Boulevard Saint-Laurent, with the idea of a restaurant that embodies Montreal in all its richness and diversity, between respect for the past and modernity. You come by for a simple drink just as easily as to celebrate over a towering seafood platter.

Molenne belongs to this new generation of Montreal brasseries where an experienced team puts local products forward, with refined cooking, professional service and a welcoming atmosphere that account for its success.