ld Montreal needs more gentrification like a fish needs a bicycle. The expansion of Hotel Nelligan, a favourite spot to stay in the historic district, continues the ongoing trend of upscale development. With an $8 million investment from the Antonopoulos Group, the hotel added 44 new rooms and suites and a new restaurant, slated to become somewhat of an Old Montreal hotspot. That restaurant is Méchant Boeuf, which translated completely literally means “Malicious Ox”. Just thought I’d share that.

The design has retained the area’s rustic feel with red brick walls but added some bohemian touches with a skylight and an indoor fountain. The entire thing is tinted in red, perhaps to extend the “Méchant” atmosphere. The entire space – and it's a large one - is constituted by a dining room, a lounge and a bar and it’s able to accommodate up to 175 people, so you can call up 174 of your friends if you want to.

This is a good place to hang out and relax, which is fitting to complete the hotel package. The chairs are comfortable and (surprise) red, and the soundtrack is all the classic beats you used to rock out to 30 years ago (The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, etc). They’ve also got a fully stocked bar and extensive beer list in case you’re there just to drink. I won’t judge you if you are.

But the real draw is the fare. It would probably best be described as pub food but done right. The highlight, of course, is beef – they claim to have "...the best burger in the city" - but there's also a mean Beer Can Chicken, Fish and Chips, and Clam Chowder.