I was early. Early for dinner. Dinner plans with friends in the Saint-Henri neighbourhood of Montréal, one of my favourites in the city for wandering about. I was 45 minutes ahead of schedule and I thought, do I have time for Elena? For a glass of wine? I would have to resist the menu (not an easy task, if you read the Bon Appétit review … just look at their pizza, magnifica!).
I had been meaning to go to Elena for weeks, after missing the launch of their Salad Pizza Wine cookbook (Random House, good on you, Elena). My usual first time at a restaurant is some wine and a small plate of some kind. To assess the situation, you know? Not this time. This time, the plan was a glass of wine at the bar, look at the menu, don’t order anything.
I deviated from the plan on two counts.
Deviation one: I didn’t sit at the bar. When I was asked if I wanted to sit in their backyard patio, my answer on a sunny summer evening: yes, please. I didn’t even know that patio was there (open from 11:30 a.m., while Elena indoors opens at 5:00 p.m.). Deviation two: I did eat something, but I was able to restrain myself and just have the olives. Just olives. I couldn’t help it, I had to have just one little thing.
Until I went back a second time (for the kale caesar salad, delicious) and a third time (for pizza, magnifica, as mentioned). The fourth time (pizza and cannoli, yum) and the fifth time (salad, pizza, pasta and cannoli, all fabulous), bringing friends and family with me (more of us at the table, more of the menu to sample, you know it). The truth is, since my first time at Elena, I haven’t been able to go back to Saint-Henri without going to Elena. Oh dear.
I took the photo above as I sat next to the pear tree in Elena’s backyard. I haven’t yet been inside the main dining room, I’m saving that for winter. There are still a few weeks of patio season, after all.
a few words ... from Montréal 