Leaning against the bar of his new location for Kwizinn since moving it to Old Montreal, Mike Lafaille’s now into his biggest phase yet: Moving shop from an address on Wellington in Verdun, the Haitian-Montrealer chef taken over the space that once housed Laurent Godbout’s Chez L’Epicier—with new ambitions.
“Moving to the Old Port, it’s the crème de la crème, the top of the tops: We’re exposed to tourists, we can share what Montreal is about: Diversity,” Mike says.
Photograph: Alison Slattery / @twofoodphotographers (left) & Adam Lepp / @adam_lepp (right)
“Our mission is to create gastronomy that’s never been seen before,” he adds. “There are a few of us out there: I have a lot of respect for Paul Toussaint at Kamúy and Jae-Anthony Dougan at Tropikàl, and we’re the three doing I think others might be scared of.”
Unlock Montreal’s stories. Join The Main community.
Read this story free.
Enter your email to unlock your first article and get The Bulletin — our weekly roundup of food, art, and local culture.
- 5 free articles per month
- Save your favourite places & guides
- Weekly newsletter The Bulletin
- Stay connected to Montreal culture
Become an Insider.
Join a community that supports independent Montreal stories and celebrates the people shaping its culture.
Subscribe- Unlimited access to all stories
- Exclusive features & local insights
- Special offers and event invites
- 10% off in our shop
- Support local storytelling
Already a member? Sign in
![The Bulletin: Springtime is an age-defying beauty hack in Montreal [Issue #73]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthemain.ghost.io%2Fcontent%2Fimages%2F2024%2F04%2F49123-Credit-FR---%40jfsavaria---Tourisme-Montr-al-EN-Credit---%40jfsavaria---Tourisme-Montr-al.jpg&w=640&q=75)
![The Best New Cafés in Montreal [November 2025]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fthemain.ghost.io%2Fcontent%2Fimages%2F2025%2F11%2Fcafeminamina_1747403480_3633806228809203726_64427854713--1-.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
