Motel Ontario: A Friendly Wine Bar in Hochelaga

Don’t try to call to book a room at Motel Ontario; it’s actually a neighborhood restaurant and wine bar located in a former bank on Ontario Promenade, much to our delight!

Vincent Châtelais, known for Pizzeria Heirloom, État-Major, and the now-closed Quartier Général, has teamed up with a young, vibrant, smiling, and welcoming crew, including Maëlle Doguet and Nicolas Curcio-Valquenart. With their extensive restaurant experience, the two former head waiters at État-Major have cherished the idea of having a storefront in the neighborhood they particularly love. We must say their partnership is a success: they have fun, and it shows in the energy of the place!

During a brainstorming session, the name “Motel Ontario” naturally emerged as the favorite among the three partners. Vincent had secretly harbored the dream of one day opening a motel like those often seen along the road to Quebec. When asked why a motel, he simply replies, “Because it’s friendly, warm, affordable, and unpretentious, just like our cuisine.” And so, the project was born!

An Evolving Seasonal Menu to Share Without Breaking the Bank

In the kitchen, Chef Gabrielle Girard has crafted the menu. Having previously led État-Major (one of our favorite BYOBs!) as well as the now-closed Comptoir, Trois Petits Bouchons, and Quartier Général, she enjoys creating a festive and communal seasonal menu alongside her partner Maxime Perreault, former chef at Darling and Majestique. Gabrielle is imaginative and inventive, paying close attention to details and possessing a gift for cooking that evokes childhood memories. She is a magician in the art of elevating simple ingredients. It is said that even her staff meals are to die for! Maxime, for his part, is regarded by the team as a powerhouse for his young age, and they predict a very promising future for him.

On the menu, we particularly enjoyed the crispy eggplant with cumin-flavored yogurt, the beef flank tataki styled like carpaccio, the salmon tartare accented with pink peppercorns, and the Motel sandwich, featuring a crispy piece of fried cod served in a bao bun (steamed bread). Everything is affordable, executed with precision, and to quote Gabrielle: “It’s fun, generous, indulgent, and everything is homemade, even the bread!”

A Wine List by Vins Fluides

The evolving wine list at Motel Ontario is curated by Steve Beauséjour and Cat Fabi from Vins Fluides. It primarily features private import wines, organic and natural wines, as well as more classic selections to please every palate. A rotating selection of 10 to 15 wines by the glass is available at all times, and the prices are more than reasonable—indeed, this was a key principle of the initial project.

On the cocktail side, the task has been entrusted to Choyce Kotori, under the mentorship of bar manager Atci Niquay (formerly of Isle de Garde), promising a creative and fun selection. The team’s favorites include the Chemise Hawaïenne, an exotic rum cocktail featuring coconut, mango, pineapple, and ginger, and the Bella Rosa, made with tequila, St-Germain, and grapefruit, which are already becoming hits among patrons.

A Bright, Elegant, and Timeless Space

We were enchanted by the décor designed by Tania Morrison of LOVACO. From the glass wine cellar behind the bar, which serves as the centerpiece of the decor, to the burnt orange armchairs at the entrance and the brown leather banquette that adds richness and warmth to the space, everything is set up for a delightful experience. We also learned that a terrace will be installed by the summer of 2025, and starting this fall, they will host artists from the Montreal art scene, featuring events with vernissages, jazz bands, and DJs.

Whether you’re looking to enjoy a drink or share a meal with friends, Motel Ontario is sure to become a must-visit spot in Hochelaga. Walk-ins are always welcome, but we recommend making a reservation, as the restaurant is already generating a buzz in the neighborhood!

Happy discovering!

Written by Jean-Philippe Tastet
Photography by Alison Slattery

Last update: October 14, 2024

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