For the past few years, the Montréal grapevine has been ripe with praise for this casually hip wine bar in the city’s happening Mile End district. The clientele is bohemian chic, the décor is minimalist slick and the cuisine is old-world eclectic, with a couple of self-described “pure-bred Italian mammas” keeping it real.
So what’s all the fuss about? Well, with a weekly wine selection of 25 by-the-glass samplings and some 500 entries on the official list, even the most faithful regulars have yet to experience Bu’s entire gamut of grape sensations. If the choice sounds a bit daunting, not to worry: the knowledgeable staff has all the expertise of the finest sommeliers—minus the attitude.
Of course, mamma wouldn’t let you leave without trying out one of her authentic Italian kitchen creations, ranging from tapas-style antipasti to the full blown, full meal deal. It’s all so typically Montreal: European sophistication done with come-as-you-are unpretentiousness, all for the simple pleasure of enjoying fine food and drink in friendly company.
