Peek Inside the Revamped Brasserie Montmartre, Open Tues

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[Photography by Dina Avila, 5/14/11]

After more than 30 years in business and a couple reincarnations, Southwest Park Ave.'s Brasserie Montmartre has been reborn yet again, as a "rustic-refined French-American gastro-pub" owned by Allium Bistro's Pascal Chureau and developer Carl Coffman.

The space, which boasts an 80-seat dining room and 30-foot-long bar, embraces the Brasserie's new tavern concept — gone are the glitzy sparkling chandeliers in favor of more-rustic looking exposed filament bulb lamps and wrought-iron globes (other so very Portland touches include chalkboard menus, rooster statues, and an antique canvas tapestry depicting a pig). Dark wood features (check the old church pew in the front entrance) and exposed brick contrast against the jazz hole's classic black-and-white floor tile.

Former Ten 01 chef Michael Hanaghan adds the American bent to Chureau's flavor stylings (the pair collaborated on the new Brasserie menu), promising "big flavors" to match pours from the bar's 10 taps. With the spot open daily from lunch to late night, Hanaghan serves up options like pork belly croque monsieur (on the bar menu); duck confit hash and Oregon albacore tuna tartin (both lunch options); and dinner entrees like house-made rabbit boudin, pork belly steak, and olive oil-poached salmon. The wine list pulls from both Northwest and "Old World" influences, with more than 25 pours available by the glass. The cocktail menu focuses on classics, with three kinds of absinthe available for good measure.

The relaunched Brasserie reopens tomorrow (May 17) at 2pm, kicking things off with happy hour (daily lunch service begins on May 23). Brasserie Montmartre will be open Monday-Saturday from 11am to midnight, while Sundays feature brunch beginning at 9am.
· Brasserie Montmartre [Official site]
· All Previous Brasserie Montmartre Coverage [Eater PDX}