Ayo Edebiri’s Monochrome Style Choices for the 30th SAG Awards Deserve Your Attention

This cozy 50-seat Montreal eatery was just named Canada’s best new restaurant

<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-table-at-la-violon-in-montreal-right-the-interior-of-a-montreal-restaurant-s-dining-room.jpg?id=60144516&width=1245&height=700&coordinates=2%2C0%2C3%2C0"/><br/><br/><p>One of Montreal's rising food stars just hit the big leagues.</p><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/new-montreal-restaurants-locals-need-to-visit" target="_blank">Le Violon</a>, a 50-seat restaurant in the Plateau, has officially been crowned<a href="https://canadas100best.com/list/2025/le-violon-best-new-restaurant-2025/" target="_blank"> Canada's</a><a href="https://canadas100best.com/list/2025/le-violon-best-new-restaurant-2025/" target="_blank"> Best New Restaurant of 2025</a>, according to <em><a href="https://canadas100best.com/" target="_blank">Canada's 100 Best</a></em>. The site dropped its annual rankings on May 5, and this small-but-mighty spot topped the list of new openings across the country.</p><p>The restaurant launched in June 2024 and is run by renowned local chefs Danny Smiles and Mitch Laughren, along with a tight-knit team that includes Andrew Park, Dan Climan, Sara Raspa, and sommelier Esme Millar. Together, they've created what one critic calls "an elegant neighbourhood restaurant" with "an ingredient-driven, seasonally attuned menu and stripped-down cooking that showcases great products, solid technique and an enticing mix of Italian, French and Spanish culinary tradition."</p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-8C8JdxgLZ/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/C-8C8JdxgLZ/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a> </p> </div> </blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>One of Canada's 100 Best's culinary experts noted how Smiles and Laughren are rewriting culinary rules "with intent and drawing on their Irish, Italian and Egyptian roots through a modern Québécois lens."</p><p>Some menu highlights mentioned in the award write-up include a Quebec beef tartare inspired by Lebanese kibbeh nayyeh, and a rich spin on potted shrimp made with Newfoundland mussels and cheddar custard. </p><p>The space, which was previously by Maison Publique, is minimalist and cozy, filled with locals and regulars, and anchored by Mid-century modern furniture and a giant Dalmatian painting. It also features a wine cellar in the middle of the dining room, with <a href="https://le-violon.ca/pages/menu" target="_blank">bottles starting at $70</a>. </p><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHl_xDORSw3/?img_index=1" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DHl_xDORSw3/?img_index=1" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a> </p> </div> </blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Le Violon wasn't the only new spot to be highlighted by Canada's 100 Best. <a href="https://canadas100best.com/list/2025/juliette-plaza-best-new-restaurants-2025/" target="_blank">Juliette Plaza</a>, a new St-Hubert Street hotspot was also featured in the top 10, landing in seventh place.</p><p><span></span>As for the 100 best eateries in the country, the following 26 Montreal spots made the cut:</p><ul><li>Mon Lapin - #2</li><li>Beba - #7</li><li>Le Violon - #11</li><li>Monarque - #17<br/></li><li>Montreal Plaza - #20</li><li>Alma - #24</li><li>Pichai - #25</li><li>Bar St-Denis - #27</li><li>Casavant - #31</li><li>Parapluie - #35</li><li>Mastard - #40</li><li>Mastard – #40<br/></li><li>Salle Climatisée – #44<br/></li><li>Joe Beef – #46<br/></li><li>Sabayon – #48<br/></li><li>L’Express – #61<br/></li><li>Gia Vin & Grill – #64<br/></li><li>Toqué! – #67<br/></li><li>Au Pied de Cochon – #76<br/></li><li>Juliette Plaza – #77<br/></li><li>Heni – #83<br/></li><li>Kitano Shokudo – #85<br/></li><li>Nora Gray – #90<br/></li><li>Damas – #91<br/></li><li>Claire Jacques – #100</li></ul><div>If you haven't checked it out yet, you can read the full ranking and see more standout new restaurants at <a href="https://canadas100best.com/list/2025/le-violon-best-new-restaurant-2025/" target="_blank">canadas100best.com</a>.</div><div></div><h3>Le Violon</h3><br/><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDAUKTLxsQ4/" data-instgrm-version="4" style="background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"> <div style="padding:8px;"> <div style="background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style="background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr+JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhLw7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nYFnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"> </div> </div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DDAUKTLxsQ4/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_top">See on Instagram</a> </p> </div> </blockquote><script async="" defer="" src="//platform.instagram.com/en_US/embeds.js"></script><p>Price: [💸💸💸 – 💸💸💸💸]</p><p>Cuisine: Italian, Spanish, French fusion</p><p>Address: 4720 Rue Marquette, Montréal, QC</p><p>Why You Need To Go: It's a critically acclaimed spot with creative dishes, a diverse menu and extensive wine list. </p><p><a href="https://le-violon.ca/fr" target="_blank">Le Violon website</a></p>