A popular Jewish deli and brunch spot in Montréal’s Saint-Henri neighbourhood has found itself at the centre of a language debate after Quebec’s language watchdog took issue with the word “nosh” displayed in the restaurant’s window.
The dispute is unfolding at Arthurs Nosh Bar, which has built a loyal following in Montréal over the past decade, but Toronto diners might recognize the name for another reason: Arthur’s Snackette is a new sourdough bagel counter tucked in a laneway off St. Clair Ave W., and it gets its roots from Montréal’s Arthurs Nosh Bar.
According to the Montreal Gazette, the controversy began after Arthurs Nosh Bar owners Raegan Steinberg and Alex Cohen received a letter from the Office québécois de la langue française over the use of “nosh” on the restaurant’s window display.
Under Quebec signage rules, French has to be present and prominent on public signs and commercial advertising. “Nosh,” as you might guess, isn’t French: it’s a Yiddish word that’s comparable to snacking, grabbing a bite to eat or having a nibble. For a Jewish deli and brunch restaurant, Steinberg told the Gazette, it felt like a “perfect fit”.
And the response from other restaurant owners has been overwhelmingly supportive. In the days after the complaint became public, several Montréal restaurants and businesses rallied around Arthurs, turning the word “nosh” into something of a restaurant-world rallying cry.
Legendary Montreal chef David McMillan posted an Insta video of himself writing “Nosh” on the door of his West Island restaurant, Grille-Nature, while Vintage Frames shared a similar show of support, writing on Instagram that people shouldn’t “let them try to divide us based on the languages we speak.”
Meanwhile, Mandy’s, a Montréal-based salad chain, also joined in, posting a window filled with food words borrowed from cultures around the world, like “falafel,” “taco,” “dim sum,” “gelato,” “satay,” “souvlaki” and, of course, “nosh.”
And on Sunday, the owner of Lahmajoune Villeray also wrote “NOSH” on his storefront in support of Arthurs.
“Because Montreal was built by people from different backgrounds who brought with them their flavors, their craftsmanship, and sometimes even their words,” the family-run bakery’s Instagram post stated, adding that those words are now part of the fabric of the city, just like the dishes they represent.
“Recipes evolve. Cities evolve. Languages evolve too. And it is often within that blend that the most beautiful traditions are born.”
For now, Arthur’s Snackette in Toronto hasn’t been pulled directly into the signage dispute, but the local connection definitely gives Toronto diners a reason to pay attention. You can visit Arthur’s Snackette on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 684 St. Clair W.