The Village gets a new and beautiful sake bar! This new Japanese spot is a fresh take on the usual bars we have in Montreal, giving Montrealers an option other than packed clubs and dingy watering holes.
The newest sake bar to grace Montreal is Le Blossom. And this one stands out from the rest with its decor alone. When you walk in, you’re greeted with a beautiful cherry blossom tree (unfortunately, not real, but it sure does fool us!). The pink blooms make you feel like you’re in an eternal spring rather than in the dead of winter. The décor is inspired by the 1982 movie Blade Runner, with its smooth lines and neo-Japanese style.
The owners of Le Red Tiger and Kamehameha opened another prime spot in the Village, and we couldn’t be happier! With such a strong restaurant background, you can be sure this bar also has delicious food to accompany your drinks.
The specialty at Le Blossom is traditional Japanese handrolls. Handrolls are different from sushi, because they’re meant to be eaten right away. We tried both the salmon and the tuna temaki (handroll), and they were a nice change from the usual sushi rolls. The seaweed is crunchier and a little saltier than usual, giving the temaki a nice bite, which we’re not used to (but absolutely loved).
They serve a few salads, our favourite being the Wakeme salad, which a deliciously fresh seaweed salad with all the fixin’s, not what you usually get at your neighbourhood sushi joint. Another appetizer that is a Japanese restaurant staple that you absolutely can’t go without is the edamame beans. The ones at Le Blossom are the perfect combination of salty and spicy, giving you an extra little kick.
They also serve the traditional karaage (fried chicken) that we absolutely love. Fried chicken is always a good idea! Also look out for the salmon and tuna sashimi, super fresh and tasty, just the way we like it. The udon soups are perfect for the winter weather. Our favourite is the Kake Udon with dashi, full of thick noodles, perfect for slurping.
As Le Blossom is a sake bar, they are definitely stacked in the liquor department. They’ve partnered up with many Canadian private import agencies who brin gin the good stuff: sake from Japan, so they have over 20 different sakes to choose from. Their selection is always changing and evolving, ensuring that they are bringing us the best of the best.
If you’re not into sake, Le Blossom has a great cocktail menu developed by popular mixologist Lawrence Picard. We tried the Akira cocktail, with rose syrup, Lillet, and chrysanthemum tea. This is a sweeter cocktail full of original and delicious flavours. Another winning cocktail is the Ghost int he Shell, with Japanese Shochu, Calpis, lemon juice, and peach bitters. We love the peach flavour in this cocktail!
For a wide selection of sakes, delicious cocktails, and the perfect snack to tide you over, escape from the cold this winter at Le Blossom.
Photos by Dahlia Merlo (@dahllii).
1101 Boul de Maisonneuve E, Montréal, QC H2L 1Z6
(514) 379-3699
