This is the time when the various specialized publications announce their annual list of the best restaurants. We received good news for eight restaurants here now in the running for one of these rankings. Check it all out below. Also, we present to you some new tables opened recently.

Let's start with Air Canada and its enRoute magazine which revealed the 30 finalists for the Best New Canadian Restaurants 2023, covering 15 cities in seven provinces, including eight finalists in Quebec. The competition celebrates innovative restaurants opening between late spring 2022 and May 31, 2023, offering exceptional dining experiences. An anonymous gastronomic critic is responsible for tasting the creations of these establishments, on the recommendation of a national committee of food experts. The winners will be announced at a gala in Toronto on November 1 and featured on the Air Canada enRoute website and magazine. The program has been running since 2002 and highlights Canada's culinary scene, highlighting regional diversity and culinary exploration across the country.

Here are the Quebec restaurants selected: 9 Tail Fox (Montreal), Anémone (Montreal), Bonheur d'occasion (Montreal), Cabaret l'Enfer (Montreal), Espace Old Mill (Stanbridge East), Le Molière (Montreal), Les Mômes (Montreal) and Melba (Quebec).

Among the new restaurants, let's note L'île Mystérieuse, this new restaurant in La Malbaie, in Charlevoix, which offers a unique experience combining cuisine and the world of Jules Verne, with a decor richly adorned with artifacts linked to the author. The menu offers tapas, tartars and sharing dishes highlighting local Charlevoix products, as well as an English tea service until 3 p.m. The restaurant offers cocktails inspired by the imagination of Jules Verne and a selection of beers from Microbrasserie Menaud. A modular room called the Espace Jules Verne serves as a museum, displaying an impressive collection of 19th-century antiquities linked to the author, including an original map of Lincoln Island, inspired by his eponymous novel. The restaurant is co-owned by chef Dominique Truchon, next door to the Chez Truchon bistro inn, where you can also buy Charlevoix products.

Also, a new Mexican restaurant, Quesada Burritos & Tacos, will open its doors in the Quartier D'Astous in Rimouski, belonging to the franchiser Foodtastic, which owns other major restaurant brands. It's the second restaurant from entrepreneur Félix-Antoine Lévesque Desbiens, who aims to fill an underdeveloped niche by offering fast-paced Tex-Mex cuisine inspired by Mexican cuisine. Positions, including Assistant Manager, are available within the Quesada team, with applications accepted by email. The Quartier D'Astous is experiencing a revitalization with the arrival of new brands after the closure of certain previous restaurants.

Finally, Casavant, a new French brasserie-style restaurant, opened on rue de Castelnau, offering a festive dining experience with extended hours from 5 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week. The place aims to become a gathering place for restaurant workers, but is open to everyone. The restaurant takes its name from the grandmother of one of the four co-owners, Matisse Deslauriers. The menu is short but varied, offering dishes such as homemade sausage and mash. Casavant also places emphasis on wine, with a careful selection. The chef, Charles-Tristan Prévost, brings his experience from the Hunting and Fishing Club as well as Parisian bistro influences. The 45-seat room is well appointed with a touch of Art Deco and surreal elements to create a welcoming atmosphere.