As January finds its rhythm, Montreal offers a stunning contrast of experiences this week. From the soaring elegance of a sky-high Italian brasserie to the warm, nostalgic embrace of Canadian rock royalty, the city’s cultural calendar is in full swing. The week culminates in the return of its most audacious winter tradition: a legendary outdoor electronic music festival where you dance under the stars, snowflakes, and laser lights.
👉 For more nightlife and dining picks, visit MontrealNightlife.com.
🍱 Restaurant of the Week: Cappello
📍 Address: 1 Place Ville Marie, 44th Floor, Montreal, QC H3B 2G2
Perched atop one of Montreal’s most iconic skyscrapers, Cappello is more than a restaurant—it’s a breathtaking escape. This elegant Italian brasserie on the 44th floor of Place Ville Marie pairs stunning city panoramas with an equally impressive culinary and design experience. Led by a stellar team including Chef Gary Durand, it offers warm, generous, and refined Italian cuisine in a setting of understated glamour, making it a destination for both a quick, elegant lunch and a memorable evening.
Atmosphere & Décor
Designed by Annika Krausz, stepping into Cappello is like entering a scene from a James Bond film, “without the pretense.” The space masterfully blends grand, sweeping views with intimate warmth. Tiles and colors evoke Tuscany, greenery softens the modern architecture, and each table is bathed in its own pool of light, creating a sense of privacy amidst the grandeur. The open kitchen adds to the vibrant, welcoming energy, reflecting Chef Durand’s direct involvement in the design.
🍽️ What to Order: A Deep Dive into the Menus
The menu is a celebration of accessible yet sophisticated Italian classics, emphasizing premium Quebec and Italian ingredients. Here’s what makes each meal distinct:
Lunch Highlights:
The midday menu is perfectly curated for a refined yet efficient escape. A standout is the $45 Formula Pranzo, which includes Focaccia, an Antipasto, and a Secondo (main). For à la carte, don’t miss:
- Battuta di Vitello: A luxurious yet simple starter of hand-chopped Quebec milk-fed veal tartare served with brioche and aïoli.
- Polpette Short Ribs: The famous meatballs, available as a starter, made from a blend of Quebec beef, veal, and pork.
- Poulet Parmigiana: The classic, perfectly executed with Bio Quebec chicken and house marinara—a hearty and satisfying main.
- Radiatori Vodka Piccante: Pasta in a spicy vodka sauce with stracciatella cheese, offering a rich and creamy bite.
- Controfiletto di Manzo: A 21-day aged Quebec AAA Angus Black striploin steak, served with crispy potatoes.
Dinner Delights:
The evening expands into a more extensive offering of antipasti, pasta, and secondi. Must-tries include:
- Cappelletti: Chef’s personal recommendation—pasta parcels stuffed with mortadella and ricotta, served with a distinctive pistachio pesto.
- Vitello Tonnato: A classic reinterpreted with Quebec milk-fed veal and a rich tonnato sauce.
- Loup de Mer: A whole Mediterranean sea bass, expertly prepared with gremolata and confit potatoes, ideal for sharing.
- Cote de Veau: A show-stopping main of milk-fed veal chop with Marsala sauce.
- Dolci: End with the flawless Tiramisu or the seasonal Soft Gelato.
🍷 Drinks to Match
The beverage program is a highlight. Bar Manager Carl Charette-Kelada crafts a creative cocktail list with several signature takes on the Negroni and spritz. Head Sommelier Claude Laporte curates a thoughtful, approachable wine list strong in Italian varieties, with excellent options available by the glass, such as a Venetian Pinot Grigio or a Chianti Colli Senesi.
Why You Should Go
Because Cappello delivers a complete and harmonious experience where every detail is considered. You come for the unparalleled view, but you return for the impeccable service led by Executive Director Alexandre Plourde, the vibrant yet cozy atmosphere, and the deeply satisfying, transportive food. It is the definitive spot for a special occasion, a decisive power lunch, or a romantic dinner that feels like a mini-vacation to Italy, 44 floors above the city.
🔗 Visit Cappello’s website
📖 View the Dinner Menu
📖 View the Lunch Menu
📝 Read the Tastet review
🎤 Performances of the Week
🎸 Blue Rodeo at Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier
Canadian music legends Blue Rodeo celebrate a monumental 40 years with their “Lost Together” anniversary tour at the prestigious Place des Arts. For decades, the iconic harmonies of Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor and timeless hits like “Try,” “Hasn’t Hit Me Yet,” and “Lost Together” have formed the soundtrack of a nation. Joined by Adam Baldwin, this is a heartfelt, nostalgia-filled night celebrating one of the most beloved bands in Canadian history.
📍 Venue: Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, Place des Arts
🗓️ Date & Time: Saturday, January 17, 2026 (Doors: 7:15 PM)
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
🧊 Featured Event: Igloofest Opening Weekend
Bundle up and brave the elements for one of Montreal’s most iconic and exhilarating winter traditions: Igloofest. The legendary outdoor electronic music festival returns to the Old Port, transforming the historic quays into the “coldest dance floor in the world” for its opening weekend. This is where Arctic-chic fashion meets blistering-hot beats under the winter sky.
🏔️ The Vibe & Experience
More than just a concert, Igloofest is a full-blown winter spectacle. Dance to world-class DJs across multiple stages, explore the vibrant Igloovillage with its unique activities, and warm up with friends amidst the stunning visual installations. It’s a uniquely Montreal celebration of community, music, and winter resilience.
🎵 Opening Weekend Lineup:
- Friday, January 16:
- Sapporo Stage: GUDFELLA (7:30 PM), Disco Lines (9:00 PM)
- Videotron Stage: Liv K (8:00 PM), Cult Member (9:30 PM)
- Saturday, January 17:
- Sapporo Stage: Suray Sertin (7:30 PM), Aluna (9:30 PM), SOFI TUKKER (11:00 PM)
- Videotron Stage – T.I.T.S.: CHAR.L.N b2b Inside Blur (8:00 PM), No Police (9:30 PM), Cori (11:00 PM)
- Sunday, January 18:
- Sapporo Stage: Kris Guilty (7:30 PM), Sofia Kourtesis (DJ Set) (9:30 PM), The Blaze (DJ Set) (11:00 PM)
- Videotron Stage – Musik Me Luv: Pleurire (8:00 PM), nad (9:30 PM), Dick Lee (11:00 PM)
🎫 Tickets & Practical Info
- 📍 Location: Old Port of Montreal
- 🗓️ Festival Dates: Friday, January 15 to Sunday, February 7, 2026
- 🎟️ Tickets: General Admission starts at $49 + tax. For a more comfortable experience, VIP Tickets (starting at $97.07 + tax) include fast entry, access to a heated terrace with stage views, exclusive bars, and heated bathrooms.
- 🔗 For full lineup, schedule, and tickets: Visit the Official Igloofest Page
🎵 Cate Le Bon at Le National
Welsh musician Cate Le Bon brings her uniquely hypnotic and artfully crafted indie rock to the intimate stage of Le National. Known for her avant-pop sensibilities, surreal lyrics, and mesmerizing guitar work, a Le Bon performance is a transportive and intellectually engaging experience. It’s a must-see for fans of sophisticated, genre-defying songcraft.
📍 Venue: Le National, 1220 Rue Sainte-Catherine E
🗓️ Date & Time: Monday, January 19, 2026 — 8:00 PM (Doors: 7:00 PM)
🎟️ For tickets click here (Evenko)
📚 Sources
