THE NAME TELEGRAPHS that Salle Climatisée, a minuscule Little Italy bistro, indeed offers air conditioning, a nod to signage popular at Parisian cafés — though you’d do well to choose the street-side terrasse in summer. Harrison Shewchuk and Brendan Lavery (both ex-Maison Publique) opened Salle in December 2020 with an all-day menu tailored to pandemic needs and a nighttime curfew. Now it opens only for languorous evenings. Shewchuk’s compact continental menu connects diners with a community of suppliers and artist friends. Ferme d’ORée supplies the meat for a sublime Berkshire pork with fermented rhubarb. Parcelles provides the asparagus, served with smoked egg yolk and pretty-as-a-picture leeks with sunflower vinaigrette. Two desserts are always offered, one rich (such as a steamed carrot pudding with hot butterscotch) and one fresh (perhaps a light and summery tea-infused custard). Set designer François Séguin created the subtle ambience; ceramicist Élyse Leclerc hewed and hung the Calder-evoking mobile. Limited space means everything on the menu and wine list is well chosen, natural and straightforward — just like the Domaine de la Loue Le Blanc Chardonnay from Jura, a current customer favourite.

No. 24, right by the window and that gorgeous mobile.


THOUGHTFUL FOOD, AMAZING HOSPITALITY AND GREAT WINE. These guys are building community.”
–Ryan Gray

Chef Shewchuk plating poireaux vinaigrette tournesol
Chef Shewchuk plating poireaux vinaigrette tournesol

Photos: (Portrait) Brendan Lavery, (food) Harrison Shewchuk

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