Accords – Le Bistro wants to be the place for artists and admirers

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Five years after opening Accords, a wine bar and restaurant in Old Montreal, owners Guy A. Lepage, Chantal Fontaine and Jean-Pierre Des Rosiers decided to open a sister establishment. They chose the Quartier des Spectacles (specifically the 2-22 Building, where La Vitrine is located) for ACCORDS – LE BISTRO, which opened just a few days ago.

We spoke with actress, TV host and co-owner Chantal Fontaine.

Natural wine is Accords’ trademark. What is the wine list like at Accords – Le Bistro?

Natural wine is still the guiding principle. We have built considerable expertise in that area, so we’re able to offer an excellent selection of wines. At the bistro, we have a dozen wines by the glass and about 40 by the bottle, with more to come.

What about the menu?

It’s all about fresh ingredients! We’re still working with the same suppliers that we love so much. Prices range from $8 to $25. There are vegetarian and gluten-free options, and we use as many local ingredients as possible. The chef from the original Accords, Marc-André Lavergne, is supervising the menu and Stéphane Galibert, a former sous-chef for Éric Gonzales (Auberge Saint-Gabriel, Les Enfants Terribles) is in charge of the kitchen.

What’s the perfect occasion for a visit to Accords – Le Bistro? The bistro has a really inviting atmosphere. The kitchen is open all day during the week – from 11:30 a.m. to midnight – and from 5 p.m. to midnight on Saturday and Sunday. So you can come have a drink and a bite to eat before or after a show, and of course while shows are going on. Every occasion is a good one. We also have outdoor seating.

Why did you decide to open the bistro in the Quartier des Spectacles?

Guy A. and I are artists, so it’s an area we like, a district that’s part of our world. We want to make the new bistro a place where we celebrate culture. Guy A. was a regular at the Continental [the famous bistro on Saint-Denis St. that closed recently], and he needed a new home-away-from-home. The bistro is somewhat in the same vein as the Conti, in that we want Accords – Le Bistro to be a place where people, including those from the artistic community, whether artists or spectators, can get together. A friendly space where they can enjoy simple, high-quality food and explore interesting wines until late in the evening. In other words, we want people to feel at home here!