Le Xavier, an Old Terrebonne Restaurant with a Story to Tell Housed in a Unique Location
Located in the heart of Vieux-Terrebonne in a beautifully restored heritage house, Le Xavier offers a one-of-a-kind restaurant and entertainment concept that will charm locals as well as tourists passing through. A unique offering not just in Terrebonne but the surroundings as well, making them big players with something very special to put forward. Quite frankly, we are surprised this concept has not been overdone as it is extremely smart, versatile and truly pleasant for patrons.
It’s a case of “eat, party and sleep” all under one roof. The place houses a restaurant with a private room, a large terrace, a small interior yard and two Airbnb-style apartments upstairs. For seafood lovers, Thursdays will be the day to visit Le Xavier as they offer 12 oysters for the price of 6. Perfect for a 5@7 or as an appetizer before a nice meal.
We went to visit them on a Wednesday to try their tasting menu, only available on that day of the week, and we were very impressed. A gastronomic menu made up of 6 courses, fair portions and succulent flavors. It changes every week based on the arrivals, what is in season, and the chef’s mood. The weekly tasting menu is unveiled only a few days before, and the price is very reasonable for the quality and creative dishes. You’re looking at $60 per person without the wine pairing option.
An evolving seasonal cuisine with Quebec foods in the spotlight
Jean-Philippe Darveau is a young self-taught chef and a co-owner of the restaurant who concocts a menu to his image: young, creative and surprising. From carrots topped with labneh, Buffalo sauce, breadcrumbs and dill to a half Cornish hen on fresh pasta with garlic flower pesto and Louis d’Or cheese, delicious ideas come to him naturally and are made from fresh ingredients every day. Always aiming to honour them, his style of cuisine is refined yet not pretentions, and the variety in the tasting menu really wowed us. Every plate was a nice stand alone but also fit perfectly in the 6-course opera.
The chef is passionate about working with products from small local producers, such as local market gardeners, Quebec breeders and even a star stakeholder who provides them with interesting and niche products like elderberry capers or wild mushrooms. Every detail on the plate is thought of, from the mix of textures to the balance of the tastes. Speaking of balanced tastes, to enhance your meal, a magnificent list of privately imported wines carefully selected by sommelier Simon Di Battista is available, as well as a wine pairing for the tasting menu on Wednesdays.
A restaurant in a heritage house
Located at 804 Saint-Francois-Xavier in Terrebonne, it took more than two years for the group of entrepreneurs to have the plans for the expansion of the old house approved by the city and by experts from the Ministry of Culture.
Brothers Maxime and Yannick Laforest (owners of McTavish, an institution that’s been around for 24 years) as well as Mathieu Jean-Marie and Maxime Dupré of Construction Vilan (contractors specializing in the renovation of heritage buildings in Vieux-Terrebonne) have decided to join forces and become co-owners to carry out this major project in order to revitalize the neighborhood they love. The house has been completely restored and expanded into a 2000 sq ft space of beautiful architecture and design.
A majestic place
The design was entrusted to Stéphanie Bélanger of Rebel design who organized the layout of the 2000 sq ft premises to hold a capacity of 75 seats inside and 60 seats outside on the nice terrace.
“The owners’ request was to create a place where it is good to take refuge and where the atmosphere is festive,” explains the designer. The 2nd floor has been opened to ventilate the space and reveal the magnificent original wooden cathedral roof. The lighting has been carefully thought out to highlight architectural elements such as the majestic stone fireplace. The custom-made central bar with nearly 1000 books found in a presbytery is a work of art in itself.
Just near the kitchen, a 24-seat private room with regularly changing paintings by local artists is perfect for corporate events or receptions such as birthdays and weddings. You can access the room through a small private interior yard if need be, where you can also host a cocktail event before sitting down for the meal.
For more information, visit their website here.
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