10 reasons to try THE BAR in Quebec, this summer

10 reasons THE BAR to try out this year is L’Île Mystérieuse [The Mysterious Island], in La Malbaie.

1- The ambiance and setting will blow you away!

This restaurant-lounge and tapas bar has a Jules Verne theme, making its design one-of-a-kind: Dark wood, 19th-century antiques, central bar, round windows and light fixtures (evoking submarine portholes), a spiral staircase, jellyfish and squid on the windows.

2- You’ll discover a collection of rare objects!

Throughout the restaurant-bar’s furnishings, and in the Espace Jules Verne spaces, authentic antiques, rare books, posters, models, and fun items make up what is certainly the largest collection of Jules Verne-related objects outside of Europe, which even includes the only drawing, preserved to this day, made by Jules Verne’s own hand: The original map of Lincoln Island, the imaginary place in The Mysterious Island novel.

3- The tapas are made by a renowned chef!

The squid here don’t just decorate the walls and populate the stories, they’re also served in a great quinoa and arugula salad or stuffed with lamb on one of the gourmet tasting boards. In short, the entire tapas menu, with its maritime flavours and  where tartare and fritters are served alongside each other, is worth the trip - not surprising as this new resto is the second location for its neighbour and parent company: Chez Truchon, where the kitchen is led by Chef Dominique Truchon, named Chef of the Year at the prix Renaud-Cyr awards, forerunner of the Lauriers de la gastronomie awards. Charlevoix ingredients will be in the spotlight, guaranteed!

4- While you’re here, you can even do some artistic–epicurean shopping!

At the same address, linked by an open-concept design, you’ll find Boutique Charlevoix, which has represented the area’s artists and artisans for more than 18 years and showcases them in this new contemporary space with all the enthusiasm one brings to talking about old friends! You’ll find more traditional things here, both woven-fabric catalognes and fun crocheted soft toys, jewellery, or contemporary art, especially in the gallery located at the bottom of the wide staircase. Besides, you’ll find meals fresh from chef Truchon’s kitchens ready to take home and reheat, excellent local Charlevoix products, kitchenware and tableware such as knives made of Japanese steel and assembled in Quebec by a craft woodworker, or contemporary-looking pepper shakers, or nautically inspired aprons and table linens!

5- It’s one of the only places where you’ll be able to taste Menaud beers (even on tap)! 

It’s one of the very rare places to offer and serve beer from the well-known and adventurous Menaud brewery and distillery, located in Clermont, on tap as well as in cans and bottles. Why did Menaud choose to place its most exclusive products here? Because they’re great friends of the company! In addition, at the store you’ll find rock, metal, and sometimes wooden sculptures made by a living legend, sculptor Martin Brisson of Menaud, the well-known distiller of gin!

6- You can stay in one of the impeccably designed rooms just next door!

No need to stay far away: You can reserve one of the rooms at the Chez Truchon inn, parent company of L’Île Mystérieuse, and walk back to your cozy nest next door, after nice long night at  L’Île Mystérieuse! Renovated by the same architect/design team, you’re assured of the good taste of the surroundings, to say nothing of the delicious breakfasts from Chez Truchon’s dining room.

7- You’ll be able to enjoy the “English tea” experience!

Like a London tearoom, but contemporary instead of frozen in time, you can have all the tea or coffee you can drink (a selection from Monsieur T., an importer based in Quebec City since 1867), from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and it comes with a double-decker platter of sweet and savoury bites. The classic cucumber sandwich gets a boost, and becomes mini-sandwiches stuffed with decadent local ingredients, sweet treats from Chez Truchon’s pastry chef take centre stage, and there’s plenty of room left for the famous scones with jam. Putting on a grand dame’s airs is optional. The relaxed ambiance allows for a protocol-free teatime in the intimate lounge’s comfortable atmosphere.

8- The patio is perfect for summer!

The patio is expansive, well incorporated into the original facade of the large village house-turned-lively spot, sun-drenched with a partial view of the St. Lawrence River, just the other side of the neighbours across the road. The rue Richelieu brings together friendly restaurants, accommodation, residents, and even the local CEGEP. In short, one can enjoy the vibe of this little street, made lively by all the people out for a walk. Meanwhile, the L’Île Mystérieuse patio is a comfortable one, with its large, peach-coloured modular sofas its low tables, and its hanging lights, not to mention a small central fireplace. All the little details have been thought through so that, whatever the weather brings, people can stay a little longer: Ask your server and they will bring you a pretty wool blanket you can wrap around yourself as a shawl, or comfortably wrap yourself up in, under the summer stars.

9- The washrooms are worth a quick look!

It’s all very well to sell you on the charms of L’Île Mystérieuse, but in the end, we bet you’ll be talking about the washrooms as you leave! But we can’t blame you, given that they put everything into surprising and dazzling you when, after descending the grand spiral staircase, you come face to face with a space inspired by Captain Nemo’s Nautilus submarine, whose sad end is recounted in the Jules Verne novel for which the bar is named: The Mysterious Island. Waiting for you: Underwater depths, rounded shapes, and spaces as dark as abyssal ocean trenches…

10- Because Charlevoix is always an excellent choice!

In any case, it’s certain you won’t ever regret putting Charlevoix on your travel itinerary, whether for a weekend or a longer getaway; there’s so much to do, to see, and to savour here, with us. Discover more of our landscapes, our favourite places, and our flavours by browsing all the articles at gocharlevoix.com!

Architect: Sylvain Simard, Simard Architecture

Designer: André Davignon, For. Design Planning