MONTREAL - My timing couldn’t have been any better. I decided to leave Playa Del Carmen for 2 weeks to return home (Montreal) for the holidays. Mother nature knew I was coming and arranged for a -17 welcome home present. Despite the weather, it’s been great catching up with friends and family and of course taking advantage of what Montreal has to offer….great food :) I’ll usually make a “hit list” of restaurants I like or want to try, one of which is Confusion, located on St. Denis street. It’s a spot my brother introduced to me a few years ago and opened over 5 years ago. I thought you might enjoy getting a quick feel for the place seeing that it’s not only managed to survive the ultra competitive restaurant market in Montreal, but seems to be doing well for itself. Here’s a quick profile provided by the team (Celine Marigaux / Edward Zaki / Sindie Goineau) at Confusion;

Can you give us some personal history and how you became involved with Confusion?

The history is team based, to a point where creating the menu was a team effort. The entire team participated actively in all our brainstorming sessions. Each dish was someone’s favorite. Our cuisine is provocative, raw and with no fuss.

Why was this location selected?

We are located downtown, in the heart of the French district, across from the famous Théâtre Saint-Denis, in front of a French movie theatre, close to a college as well as a university. It’s a quasi-historical location and we love it.

How would you best describe Confusion?

Coming to Confusion is like being at your buddy's place. People gather, casually, around comfort food and tapas, talking loud, mingling and sharing the same 'feel good' experience from one table to the next and simply enjoying the moment.

What are currently some of your greatest challenges with the business?

We feel so blessed and lucky right now since we are not really facing many challenges. Seriously, the team has been around since day one, the location is central, and business people mingle with tourists in our warm little district’s bistro. Word of mouth is what keeps us going thanks to our team serving guests and clients.

What advice would you give to someone considering opening a similar business?

Start from the bottom and work your way up to the top with solid grounds. Always remember there are no round corners and if you think our customers won’t notice what you believe to be invisible, think again!

Any plans for expansion?

Actually, we don’t believe in the multiplication of what is unique. However, we already have a second restaurant – Vertige - that is almost the exact opposite to what we do here, except for the atmosphere: this waiter-guest relationship we embrace so much. We are also in the midst of opening a third which won’t have anything to do with the two previous either. But it’s a surprise and you'll be the first to know about it.

Are there any news, tips or events you want to share with Tripulu members?

Tripulu members should know Confusion is quite versatile in order to accommodate intimate evenings as well as private parties. Our guests can nibble at the bar, choose to have dinner in the main dining room or reserve the lounge for a cocktail party. Our intimate terrace is always a winner when summer comes.
But, before then, you can join us for New Year’s Eve and celebrate with bubbles, tapas, music and much more. Please see below.

New Year’s Eve, Confusion way: unlimited evening, limited edition! This December 31st come and join us to celebrate the New Year together! We’re proposing you a cocktail with DJ Parente’s beat.

More than 15 varieties of tapas (oyster bar, foie gras, red tuna tempura tartar, grilled lamb, lobster & cucumber wonton, saghanaki… and more);

Bar open from 21h30 to 00h30 and a glass of champagne at midnight

DJ Parente’s seductive and wild music till dawn. New encounters and hours of delight...

Only 100$ each (plus taxes & service) payable while making your reservation. Hurry, there’s limited space. Dress code suggested: semi formal.

To reserve, please contact Edward or Sindie au 514-288-2225. We can’t wait to start the New Year together with you!