Let us introduce you to our quick delivery of the day: we have the chance to discover the chefs of the Hono restaurants, after their meeting with our colleagues from the Carrefour de Québec, to describe the new Netflix offering, which will appeal to foodies, and to present to you the new Hélène-de-Champlain pavilion project, which should include two new restaurants.
First, chefs Jean-Christophe Comtois and Sylvain Boudreau, members of the Hono restaurant family, have respectively run Hono Izakaya since February 2022 and Hono Ramen since May 2021. Originally from Lac-Mégantic and Gaspésie, they share internships in starred restaurants and positions within renowned groups such as Restos Plaisirs.
Their immersion in Japanese cuisine has been a challenge, especially for Sylvain with the opening of Hono Ramen. Leaders describe themselves as unifiers, open to criticism and focused on teamwork. They manage a joint team for both restaurants, emphasizing the importance of cohesion.
They are considering opening a third Hono location in the coming years, but are currently focusing their efforts on current projects. While Sylvain aspires to visit Japan, Jean-Christophe sets himself the challenge of exploring more Japanese cuisine at Hono Izakaya.
Next, the “Netflix at Home” initiative celebrates its second anniversary by launching a restaurant experience, inviting movie buffs and foodies to rediscover their favorite Netflix series and films through a gastronomic journey. This new feature guides participants to Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal to explore the culinary treasures of the settings of their beloved stories.
Montreal, rich in cultural and gastronomic heritage, stands out in this adventure, highlighting establishments such as Loam, Ma Poule Mouillée, Park, Montréal Plaza and Maman. Participants can plan their own gastronomic itinerary using a printable map available on the website.
Since its launch, “Netflix at Home” has encouraged tourism by connecting fiction with reality, sparking viewers’ interest in discovering real hidden treasures. According to a Netflix study, people who watched Canadian content are more likely to travel to Canada, highlighting the positive impact of this local content on tourism. The restaurant experience offers an invitation to live, taste and explore the captivating stories in the real-life settings that inspired them, creating a memorable taste adventure.
Finally, the pavilion of the emblematic Hélène-de-Champlain restaurant at Parc Jean-Drapeau, vacant for more than ten years, should be renovated to accommodate two restaurants. The City of Montreal plans work worth a total of $25 million by 2026, with $7 million already budgeted. The new restaurant spaces will include a signature section and a bistro or snack section, according to Véronique Doucet, general director of the Société du parc Jean-Drapeau.
Premises will also be available to rent for public consultations or other events and the work aims to restore the original splendor of the building dating from the 1930s, considered an icon of the park and the city.
