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Little Burgundy’s HENI is opening Montreal up to a whole underexplored wine culture | The Main

Little Burgundy’s HENI is Opening Montreal up to a Whole Underexplored Wine Culture

Heni’s expanding Montreal’s wine scene with bottles and food celebrating the SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) region of the world.

ByJ.P. Karwacki

January 10, 2024 · 8 min read

Little Burgundy’s HENI is opening Montreal up to a whole underexplored wine culture

Noah Abecassis at Sept Winery, Lebanon's first biodynamically farmed winery—one of many bottles on offer at the SWANA region-focused restaurant HENI. | Photograph: Rami El-Sabban

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HENI, a restaurant focused on the SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) region of the world—a decolonial term for what’s commonly referred to as MENA, or the Middle East and North Africa—represents many new pathways for its owners, for its neighbourhood, and for Montreal.

As the city’s commonly presented as a crossroads of North America and Europe, that description easily lends itself to how Montreal can be a largely Eurocentric place in the world both in tastes and presentation.

At HENI, the script isn’t being flipped per se, but expanded: As the restaurant makes a place for relatively underexplored parts of the world in the city’s dining scene, it starts with Lebanese terroir and its interpretations of modern viticulture, expressions of SWANA cuisine through Quebec ingredients, and a whole new after-dinner surprise unlike any other in the city.

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Little Burgundy’s HENI is Opening Montreal up to a Whole Underexplored Wine Culture

Heni’s expanding Montreal’s wine scene with bottles and food celebrating the SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) region of the world.

ByJ.P. Karwacki

January 10, 2024 · 8 min read

Little Burgundy’s HENI is opening Montreal up to a whole underexplored wine culture

Noah Abecassis at Sept Winery, Lebanon's first biodynamically farmed winery—one of many bottles on offer at the SWANA region-focused restaurant HENI. | Photograph: Rami El-Sabban

The Main is reader-supported. Subscriptions are what keep us independent. Five dollars a month — the restaurants, the guides, the weekly bulletin, and what to do each weekend. Support us today.

HENI, a restaurant focused on the SWANA (Southwest Asian and North African) region of the world—a decolonial term for what’s commonly referred to as MENA, or the Middle East and North Africa—represents many new pathways for its owners, for its neighbourhood, and for Montreal.

As the city’s commonly presented as a crossroads of North America and Europe, that description easily lends itself to how Montreal can be a largely Eurocentric place in the world both in tastes and presentation.

At HENI, the script isn’t being flipped per se, but expanded: As the restaurant makes a place for relatively underexplored parts of the world in the city’s dining scene, it starts with Lebanese terroir and its interpretations of modern viticulture, expressions of SWANA cuisine through Quebec ingredients, and a whole new after-dinner surprise unlike any other in the city.

Free account required

For readers who care about Montreal

Create a free account to read this story and access 3 articles per month, plus our weekly Bulletin.

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Comments

Welcome to The Main's comments section!

Share your thoughts and join the conversation. Please be respectful and constructive.

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