fter an effective opening in the pre-Christmas crunch, L’Inconnu has already garnered buzz as a cozy and well-managed restaurant. The owner is also the chef, which is usually a good indication that the menu will be of primary importance for the restaurant. This is good to know, as a restaurant without a strong menu is like a coffee without caffeine (sure, you can still enjoy it, but you’re cheating yourself).

Nestled in a premier Plateau neighborhood locale (the old Brunoise space), the intimate restaurant’s view of rue Roy is truly heartwarming. Inside, the clean space boasts slate grey walls, modern dark wood chairs, candlelit linen covered tables, and a bar with seating for eight. Two St-Ambroise brews are on tap for six bucks a pint and plenty of liquor options also available for loosening up the diners’ morals.

The ambitious design and prime location is paired up with a signature menu. The small list and well-rounded wine list makes ordering a breeze, with a mere seven starters and eight mains to choose from. The menu will continue to undergo minor changes, as owner/chef Jeff Stirrup hopes to offer new items on a nightly basis. But at the same time, he doesn’t want to get in over his head with experimentation.

“I try and focus on doing things straight forward so that people will appreciate the flavours and dining experience,” says Stirrup. “Our style is market cuisine with upscale-comfort food. We don’t want to go crazy and concentrate on keeping sound cooking methods.”

Those looking for a unique flavour should start off with the roasted sweetbreads ($12.00) or the braised pork belly with a potato galette ($10.00). The mushroom trio ($10.00) is also another great option, as they serve it with soup, salad and galette. Even the quail appetizer ($10.00) sparks interest as it features roasted breast, leg confit and egg.