The faux-gritty cool vibe of the Quartier Petite-Bourgogne has been amped tenfold by the opening of Le Limón, an earnest exercise in restauration. A little Mexican sensation - what with its word-of-mouth success and its offerings of self-declared “Mexican pleasures” - this tiny eatery and lounge caters to curious folks and hungry area dwellers alike. t

This intimate, rough-hewn yet sophisticated bar and restaurant would seem just as comfortable in Puebla, Mexico as it does on Notre-Dame. Le Limón is modest, light, bustling and understated (admittedly and thankfully unlike a typical Mexico bistro, which has wonky tables, rude waiters, noise and smoke). Just a handful of seats dot the joint, and the kitchen cranks out quesadillas, grilled chicken tortas, burritos, and enchiladas with a bold and colourful style, faithful ready.

This little barebones eatery serves authentic, delicious Mexican fare and some serious bad boy margaritas, made from your choice of seven tequilas (lemons are for weaklings). If the drinks don’t help you reach beatific Mexican-restaurant nirvana, then Le Limón’s inventive cooking just might.

Though never boring, some of Le Limón's dishes are more successful than others. The fare is deeply flavoured and deceptive, with complex dishes created from the simple building blocks of corn, chilies and tomato. The main courses include steak dishes, a vegetarian plate, duck breast, sea bass, halibut and scallops, along with a couple of good measure chicken dishes.

Begin with the stalwart quesadilla: flour tortillas make a crisp, tasty base for toppings and a local jack cheese filling. The pollo con mole (not mole, mole) poblano offers the complex chocolate sauce at its smoky best. A tender Xochih Salmon could have been dressed with something more vigorous than pumpkin seed salsa, but the accompanying mound of fluffy veg-infused white rice and banana plantains were substantial and compensatory.