WOW! Hospitality to open on Esplanade Riel

Luc Jean and Irene Desaulniers.

WINNIPEG — After getting the nod from Winnipeg city council to open in the vacant Esplanade Riel space, WOW! Hospitality announced Luc Jean and Irene Desaulniers will be joining the team at Mon Ami Louis, slated to open mid-July.

The space on the pedestrian bridge connecting downtown Winnipeg to the French Quarter has been vacant since Chez Sophie closed its doors on Jan. 30.

Jean, whose former posts include La Vieille Gare and The Velvet Glove at the Fairmont Winnipeg, will join as executive chef. Most recently, Jean was an instructor at Red River College where he helped open Jane's Restaurant. He was also the Manitoba Gold Medal Plates regional winner last year.

According the WOW! Hospitality, the menu will consist of approachable French cuisine with Jean’s unique spin.

Desaulniers will be geranté d'accueil at the seasonal, full-service restaurant. Most recently, she was food and beverage manager at the Hotel Fort Garry.

According to the plan submitted to the city, WOW Hospitality will invest $100,000 to “renovate, furnish and equip” the leased space. WOW! Hospitality won the bid over seven other applicants.

WOW Hospitality’s other Winnipeg establishments include 529 Wellington, 295 York, Peasant Cookery and Muddy Waters Smokehouse.