New Year’s Day: Countdown begins at Quebec restaurants

After two difficult years of the epidemic, restaurant owners are ready to welcome customers for the New Year.

“Finally!” Alexandre Gosset, marketing director of the Gray Collection, breathes “our teams who are happy to find customers, enough to see returning customers.”

Around this time last year, restaurants were forced to close their doors due to curfew.

Alexandre’s owner, Alain Greton, is still struggling with the decision.

“It’s a lot better than last year, when they closed us down at 5 o’clock at night and it was horrible,” he says.

December 31 is an important day.

Despite the last-minute cancellations, “we’re in the top 5 for the biggest parties of the year,” says restauranteur Lloyd’s Benjamin David.

“People like to celebrate […] In general, when you choose a restaurant on December 31st, you have to be sure of your shot!” That Mr. Gretton mentions.

With festivities canceled in Montreal’s Old Port, some restaurants have decided to take charge.

By 2023, restaurants want to end labor shortages and phantom reservations.