efore Liverpool House even opened, it was building solid buzz as one of the coolest, little eateries in the city. The restaurant marked a new venture for Joe Beef Owners Allison Cunningham, Frédéric Morin and David McMillan. Joe Beef was one of the more surprising and deserving restaurant success stories in Montreal over the last five years, so foodies everywhere had a culinary hard-on for whatever taste sensation the team would come up with next.

When the place finally opened, it was slightly disappointing to see that Liverpool House stuck so closely to the Joe Beef formula (meaty bistro fare with an unpretentious atmosphere). Not very adventurous, but the restaurateurs certainly can’t be accused of creating a sub-par eatery.

It would be easy to walk past Liverpool House on the street without noticing it. The only distinguishing mark on the outside is a large neon sign with an illuminated “L” and the interior won’t be winning design awards any time soon. Boxes overflowing with fresh vegetables can be found stacked by the main entrance. The walls are adorned with simple brass coat racks, the original moldings, and simple artwork. It creates a homely and relaxed vibe that makes the restaurant seem accessible to the masses and not just to a stuffy elite.

But make no mistake, while the design may be understated the food is pure gourmet all the way. The Liverpool House menu certainly doesn’t reinvent the wheel. The kitchen serves up the same Bistro fare that’s been satisfying diners for generations. However, where this restaurant stands out from the rest is in the sheer quality of the food and the care the kitchen staff takes in preparing it.