Some restaurants try to make a splash. Molenne just feels like it’s always been here. Housed in a former hay depot from Montreal’s first racetrack—the same one that gave Mile End its name—this brasserie is built on layers of history. Banquettes salvaged from Théâtre du Nouveau Monde, chimney plaques repurposed as decor, a 32-year-old fridge given a second life—everything about Molenne leans into the past while pushing forward.
But don’t mistake it for a nostalgia act. Chef Louis-Joseph Rochefort (Attica, Australia) is at the helm, turning brasserie staples into something sharper: black cod in shiitake broth, braised cabbage with escargots, white charcutière sauce. The bar, run by Gia Bach Nguyen (Gia), pours cocktails on tap, while a 5,000-bottle wine cellar stocks everything from rare vintages to solid $50 picks.
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