The discussion for a new Sichuan restaurant between Gu Nan and his business partners led to an immediate debate on location. Brossard, the West Island, Laval, or Downtown? Chinatown wasn’t really on the table.
“Most of my partners wanted to be in Brossard, since we all live there. The rent is less expensive and there are lots of Chinese restaurants already,” says Gu. “But I told them no: Downtown. It’s central, and everyone can get there.”
Gu got his way, and his corner of downtown—Bishop Street and Sainte-Catherine—is busier than ever. Hours-long lineups welcomed Flamme du Sichuan when it opened in October last year. The wait has settled since then, but enthusiasm is still going strong for La Flamme’s la zi ji–mounds of bite-sized deep fried chicken tossed with numbing Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilis—and their suan tang yu, a sour and hot fish soup served in a brightly painted enamel bowl.
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