Terre Restaurant & Café opens in St. John’s

Excitement is in the air as Terre Restaurant & Café recently opened its doors. Located in the heart of St. John’s, Newfoundland & Labrador, it is adjacent to the Alt Hotel. Since the much-anticipated opening, people have been coming in droves to discover Chef Matthew Swift’s cuisine. His dishes are inspired daily by ingredients that can be found locally, highlighting the best that local producers, farmers and small brands have to offer. General Manager Stelios Doussis, formerly of St. John’s Merchant Tavern and Fogo Island Inn, ensures that guests feel as comfortable and relaxed in the restaurant, as they would be at home.

For almost two decades, Chef Matthew Swift has been mastering his craft in kitchens in Ontario, notably Nota Bene and The Chase and more recently in Quebec at Vin Papillon and before leaving the mainland, Matthew was heading the kitchen of Joe Beef, the famed Montreal institution. When he and his girlfriend Clarah Germain visited St. John’s two years ago, they knew they would be back. “St. John’s is a small city with seriously good restaurants and people support that dining scene,” says Chef Swift. “I’m thrilled to be part of it and to work with the best that Newfoundland has to offer,” he concludes.

"In St. John's, I find values ​​that are cherished in our family business," says Clarah Germain. As the Director of Customer Service at the Alt Hotel, I am proud to contribute to this great hospitality culture in my new adopted city."

Terre Restaurant also proposes an alternative for those in the mood for a quick bite or great coffee to-go: Terre Café. To satisfy those cravings, Terre Café is open for breakfast and until mid-afternoon. Freshly baked pastries and breads as well as made to order sandwiches or a comforting bowl of soup, all are made with the same care and premium ingredients that can be found at its big brother restaurant. Terre Café proudly serves St. John’s own 7th Wave Craft Roasted Coffee.

Terre Restaurant & Café seats 90 people and can privatize the space. Guests of the Alt Hotel St. John’s can also enjoy Terre Restaurant & Café’s exquisite cuisine, as the Restaurant is the Hotel’s caterer. Meetings, wedding receptions, special anniversaries, the Restaurant will be happy to work on a menu to make any event extra special.

A great source of inspiration, the Newfoundland & Labrador landscape was top of mind with local design firm Carvel and Helm, who have created the perfect setting so that guests can fully appreciate Chef Matthew Swift’s cuisine. Best described as casual chic and comfortable, the interior palette of Terre Restaurant & Bar brings the outside in, through the use of materials and texture. Carvel & Helm were inspired by the spectacular sunsets in the area, and their connection to the harsh landscape. The colour palette mixes rose-gold pinks with contrasting earthy tones. Much like the various textures that can be found in the surrounding woods and barren landscapes. Two paintings by local artist Michael Connelly complete this concept. “We were thrilled to collaborate with Michael Connelly on the large format landscape paintings, both installed in a recessed niche sitting area,’’ says Sarah Parker Charles, partner and interior designer at Carvel & Helm. ‘’The colour and texture was the perfect compliment to the clean modern interior”.

Whether you want to have a taste of what the island has to offer at Terre Restaurant & Bar or stay for a few days at the Alt Hotel to experience the city of St. John’s, the teams are eager to welcome you.

About Alt Hotels by Le Germain

At Alt Hotels, we march to a different beat by giving guests the best of what they want without any extra fluff. Located in Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Brossard, Quebec City, Halifax, St. John’s, Calgary and Saskatoon, all of our properties are carefully crafted to combine eco-friendly comfort within sleek urban spaces – all designed with guests in mind. Alt Hotels. Stay unconventional.

About Germain Hotels

Germain Hotels is a Canadian family-run business that owns and operates Le Germain Hotels, Alt and Alt+ Hotels across Canada. Ranked as one of Canada’s best-managed companies, the business is known for its exceptional hospitality philosophy and the unique style that characterizes its hotels. Having celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018, Germain Hotels has achieved its ambitious goal of having 20 hotels by 2020, the 1250-employee company’s ultimate goal is now to become the first independent, truly pan-Canadian hotel group. Visit Germain Hotels.

Information:
Julie Tremblay
National Public Relations Manager
Germain Hôtels
jtremblay@groupegermain.com