The once somber restaurant with dark decorations, known as NBG, is now a breath of fresh air. There are plants—on the right wall, by the bar, by the tables—and a floral wallpaper on the left. The greens brighten the room, giving off a cozy, warm aesthetic you find in some cafés. A red neon sign that reads “In Boeuf We Trust” hangs in the back of the restaurant near the kitchen. This restaurant is called Alcove.
The sibling owners, Sarah and Dena Abedi-Wallace, started revamping their restaurant about three weeks ago, during the 2017 holiday season. The brother and sister spent time around their neighbourhood of Côte-des-Neiges, and saw less of a need for “less casual, quick service standard fare and rather the need for a more comfortable, intimate, creative environment,” said Sarah Abedi-Wallace.
They’re still placing final touches like quirky knickknacks that represent their personalities. Abedi-Wallace explains that the red neon sign placed in the back of the restaurant is not only a stylish touch, it’s their core.
“That was always the heart of our business since the core of the menu is creatively crafted burgers and we grind our own blend of beef in house daily,” Abedi-Wallace said.
Even the name has changed from NBG to Alcove. “Alcove, by definition is an intimate, comfortable place,” Abedi-Wallace explains the meaning behind the name. The restaurant also shares a name with the small town in Western Quebec, where their mother was born and raised. “We always want to reflect our family history and values,” Abedi-Wallace added.
When I passed by for lunch, I was instantly welcomed with a warm smile by the staff. We sat in a booth by the floral wall. The restaurant’s specialty are burgers, so I knew that’s what I had to try. I picked the Apple Bacon Burger: bacon, fried cheese curds, green apples, arugula, and garlic aioli in between two cheese-topped buns. I was stunned at how quickly I devoured the whole dish. I didn’t think apples in a burger would work, but it definitely did. I washed it down with an iced tea made with Organic African Nectar tea—highly suggest that too!
The goal of the remodel was to exude comfort, said the Sarah Abedi-Wallace.
“When you as a manager or operator feel that comfort and warmth, yourself, in something you have created, it extends to your diners,” said Abedi-Wallace. Alcove is now more welcoming, a place where you can either grab a bite to eat or sit back and have drinks with friends.
If you want to stop by, prices are affordable for students, and its right by Côte-des-Neiges metro station. Their website isn’t up and running yet but in the meantime, you can find out more on their Facebook page.