On our map. We haven't walked through the door yet — here's why it's on the list.
Tucked into the basement of a narrow Old Montreal street, L'Orignal — whose name means moose — leans into rustic, warm cooking led by chef Omar Zabuair and co-owner Travis Champion. Zabuair trained under Stephen Leslie (Taverne on the Square) and under David McMillan and Frédéric Morin, the founders of Joe Beef.
The proudly carnivorous menu runs to seafood platters, oysters, tartares, marrow bones, and wild game according to the chef's inspiration, in a cozy, folkloric setting.
Restaurant L'Orignal is on the Regulars map — spotted, not yet visited. Our guides are written on foot, door by door, and no one pays to appear: when we walk through the door, this note will become a portrait. No points. No coupons. Standing is earned.