Serving up French cuisine in SoHo
Canadians and New Yorkers alike delighted to get a taste
of former Montrealer’s culinary delights
Steve Berger
When Chuck Perelmutter was a child in Montreal, his parents opened one of the city’s first havens for the modern gourmand, providing fine food and drink to an increasingly cosmopolitan clientele. In this melting pot of a city, the fancy food market employed many Portuguese immigrants who brought with them their daily lunch of roasted squid (cold and with ink).
Fast forward more than 40 years and Perelmutter gives this traditional peasant food a modern twist at his year-old SoHo restaurant, LePescadeux. Perelmutter’s Roasted Calamari with a Picante Piri Piri Sauce is a direct homage to his French Canadian upbringing and his exposure to the world’s people and cuisines.
“I never could have imagined that the usually cold squid that I would share with Portuguese workers when I was younger would inspire one of my current dishes,” says Perelmutter. “Many of my dishes are inspired by my life and experiences.”
Located on a peaceful side street in one of New York’s trendiest shopping districts, LePescadeaux is the second incarnation of Perelmutter’s vision. After the first LePescadeux (a traditional seafood restaurant) closed in 2006 after 15 years and a loyal following, Perelmutter took a three-year break before opening the city’s first French Canadian restaurant in 2009. Already, LePescadeux is drawing many Canadians, both to eat and drink. Whilehe estimates 80 per cent are from his native Quebec, Perelmutter now regularly schmoozes with Canadians from coast to coast. Holidays are important at Le Pescadeux and a cause for special celebrations, including Canada Day, Bastille Day and Saint-Jean Baptiste Day.
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