Luxe Beat Magazine JUNE 2015 | Page 25

Travel a solid culinary following for its unique blend of contrasting tastes. From his famous veal sweetbreads to velvety salmon and shrimps, Chef Mario Chabot’s French fusion has inspired even the pickiest eaters t o break out of their comfort zones and try something new. Hailing from South of Montreal, Chabot specializes in molecular food. And at only 35 years old, he’s already made a name for himself on this exclusive culinary circuit for his bold, daring and innovative approach to food. If age is only a number, then diners at Panache Restaurant may do a few double takes after meeting its thoughtful young leader, Chef Louis Pacquelin. This Québec City institution is a study in artistry and diligence, proving talent cannot be contained or bottled, only to be released when someone hits a certain age. Pacquelin’s pioneering approach to food is as timeless as his love for the area’s local produce, sourced from the restaurants’ organic garden on the Île d’Orléans. Signature dishes like the Gilthead sea bream, with Jerusalem artichoke, seaweed, oyster tartare with sorrel, and venison striploin with celeriac and serviceberry push the epicurean envelope to the edge. The Panache wine cellar houses over 12,000 bottles, including 700 different labels from 14 countries, featuring some of the finest vineyards in Germany, Austria, Italy and France. The warm and inviting ambience features cozy stone walls, rich colors, comfy booth seating with tossed pillows, distressed wood floors, exposed high beamed ceilings and a lovely outdoor café. Under the watchful eyes of Chefs Stéphane Modat and Baptiste Peupion, the Champlain Restaurant in Québec City’s Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is quickly becoming a legend in its own right. As the men behind the recent re-imagination of all the hotel’s restaurant know, success lies in the tiniest of details. One look at breakfast will prove that. Little, illuminated 25