Daniel Boulud Opening a Maison Boulud in Montreal

After the shutter of two of his Vancouver restaurants last month, Daniel Boulud's heading to Montreal. The Ritz-Carlton Montreal is getting a $150 million makeover, part of which is the addition of a Maison Boulud that will open in early 2012.

Boulud already has a Maison Boulud in Beijing, but Boulud would like the menu at the French fine-dining restaurant to be influenced by Montreal and intends to "focus on local products and purveyors." And it's not his only Canadian project, either: Boulud has said he's "looking closely" at Toronto.

RENOWNED FRENCH CHEF DANIEL BOULUD TO OPEN MAISON BOULUD AT THE NEW RITZ-CARLTON MONTREAL

"We're delighted to be working with Daniel Boulud to create this new restaurant at the Ritz-Carlton Montreal. I know Montrealers will truly appreciate having Daniel's stellar cuisine in our city."

Andrew Torriani, CEO

"After a love affair of many years with Montreal, I'm proud to be coming to North America's most European city to join its roster of fine chefs - many of whom are dear friends - and to take part in your love of fine food and vibrant culinary culture. I'm grateful to my new Ritz Carlton partners for making this possible with such a wonderful new restaurant space."

Daniel Boulud

MONTREAL, April 13 /CNW Telbec/ - The Ritz-Carlton Montreal is pleased to announce that acclaimed chef Daniel Boulud will create a new restaurant at the legendary hotel. Boulud will open Maison Boulud at the Ritz-Carlton Montreal in early 2012. "We always wanted to add a new offering that would stand out in Montreal's already rich restaurant culture, one that would truly enhance our city's culinary vitality. I'm excited to join with Daniel Boulud to make this dream come true," said Andrew Torriani, president and CEO of the Ritz-Carlton Montreal.

As with all Boulud's restaurants, the Montreal establishment will be uniquely adapted to its setting. "While I create restaurants that reflect my own distinct style, always inspired by the seasons, my traditional French culinary roots and my standards of hospitality, each place is developed to reflect the culture, tastes and lifestyle of its native city, with a particular focus on local products and purveyors. In this respect, my Montreal restaurant will be no exception," said the chef.

"The addition of this fine restaurant will complement our already prestigious hotel and residences and will allow our residence owners to enjoy Daniel Boulud's fine dining in the privacy of their home ", said Andrew Torriani.

Boulud: World renowned chef with Montreal ties
Acclaimed by food lovers, Daniel Boulud and his restaurants have received the highest honours. For instance, the New York restaurant DANIEL has received three stars from the prestigious Michelin Guide and four stars in The New York Times. Boulud runs restaurants around the world, including New York's DANIEL, Cafe Boulud, db Bistro Moderne, Bar Boulud, DBGB Kitchen and Bar, Boulud Sud and Épicerie Boulud, as well as restaurants in Miami, Palm Beach, London, Beijing and Singapore. The renowned chef comes to Montreal with the support of his Dinex Group, the management company he created in 1997 to assure the consistent quality of his restaurants' cuisine and service.

Honorary president of the 2007 Montreal High Lights Festival, Chef Boulud has established ties and a longstanding affinity with Montreal. Upon the invitation of the Ritz-Carlton Montreal, he will soon have the opportunity to meet with Montrealers to share more details of the project he will be developing for the Ritz. "While I've been a guest at countless wonderful Montreal events and even cooked in the restaurant of my friend chef Normand Laprise, now more than ever, it's so important for me to embrace the city, its culture and its people as I begin to conceive this new restaurant. I'm fortunate to be guided in this process by the Ritz-Carlton Montreal team. Their deeply rooted and stellar reputation in Montreal and their incredible professionalism as hoteliers will be tremendous assets to the new Maison Boulud," said Boulud. "I'm French by birth but have made North America my home for almost three decades. As a chef and restaurateur, my approach definitely bridges both European and North American traditions. This is not unlike what so appeals to me about Montreal, a city that embodies this mix of cultures perfectly and makes me feel I'm not far from my own home town of Lyon," he added.

Opening of the Ritz-Carlton Montreal
A total of $150 million has been invested in the complete reconstruction of the hotel and the floors that will house residences, to re-establish the Ritz's position in the Montreal marketplace. Sales of the Ritz residences have been brisk: the prices paid to date demonstrate the sophistication of living in Montreal's downtown core. Work is moving ahead quickly. "We've already finished the seventh floor and will be completing the upper floors in the next few months," said Torriani.

Work on the Ritz-Carlton Montreal is on schedule for completion by late fall 2011. "We have everything in place to have the hotel fully operational in early 2012, and today's announcement ensures that our Maison Boulud restaurant is on track to meet the overall opening schedule. Our partnership with Daniel proves our clear aim to make the Ritz Carlton Montreal a unique five-star hotel property in Montreal," said Torriani. "The hotel we will be opening will surprise Montrealers with its sophistication and with the prestigious brands that will be featured there," he added. "Boulud's arrival is the first in a series of announcements about bringing world-class talents to Montreal, something we have always wanted to do," concluded Torriani.

· Daniel Boulud to Open Maison Boulud at the New Ritz-Carlton Montreal [CNW via Globe and Mail]
· All Daniel Boulud Coverage on Eater [-E-]
The Ritz-Carlton Montreal. [Photo: Ritz-Carlton Montreal / Facebook]