In Old Montreal, where heritage façades frame a constant renewal of the city’s cultural life, the arrival of SonoLux last November 14 in the old National Trust Company building introduces a new layer of creative ambition. Developed by Épik Collection, the hotel positions itself as a living gallery, integrating contemporary art exhibitions into its identity. At the heart of this concept sits LUMI, a restaurant designed to engage the senses through cuisine, space, and rhythm.
Located at 225 Saint-Jacques Street, SonoLux brings together hospitality, gastronomy, and artistic expression within a cohesive vision. LUMI operates as the culinary anchor of this environment, while its counterpart, Subterra, extends the experience into the sonic realm below ground.
Chef Graham Hood’s Seasonal Language
The kitchen at LUMI is led by chef Graham Hood, whose trajectory includes time in Montreal institutions and Michelin-starred kitchens in the United States. His approach centers on seasonality, with menus that evolve every three months to reflect available ingredients and shifting inspiration.
Guests can choose between an à la carte offering or tasting menus of nine or fourteen courses. Each dish highlights a single ingredient, elevated through careful contrasts and layered compositions. This structure creates a narrative that unfolds gradually, with each plate contributing to a broader sensory arc.
Hood’s cuisine draws attention through precision and restraint. Textures remain clear, flavors are direct, and plating reflects an aesthetic that aligns with the surrounding artworks. The result is a dialogue between plate and space, where culinary expression mirrors the visual environment.
Dining Within an Evolving Exhibition
LUMI occupies the lobby level of SonoLux, placing diners within an active exhibition space, displaying a permanent exhibit named The Cosmic Code. The setting shifts as generative visuals are shaped by music and movement within the space, ensuring that no two visits feel identical. Art becomes part of the dining experience, not as decoration but as a moving presence that alters perception.
Service, under the direction of Xavier Raba, follows a discreet philosophy. Staff interactions remain attentive and precise, allowing guests to remain immersed in the interplay of food, art, and atmosphere. This approach supports a calm and focused environment where details can be fully appreciated.
Lighting plays a central role. Soft illumination highlights textures on both plate and canvas, guiding attention without distraction. The room maintains a quiet energy, animated by conversation and the subtle movement of service.
Subterra and the Extended Experience
Below LUMI, for your evening’s B-side, Subterra offers continuity through sound. Conceived as an audio lounge, it invites guests to explore the roots of jazz, soul, funk, dub, and hip hop through curated vinyl sessions and live performances. The program is shaped by DJ Fred Everything, whose selections emphasize depth and historical resonance.
The transition from LUMI to Subterra feels intentional. After a structured culinary experience, guests descend into a more relaxed yet equally curated space. Shareable dishes, refined desserts, and cocktails designed by mixologist Clément Wallas sustain the evening without interrupting its rhythm.
A Cohesive Vision of Hospitality
SonoLux presents a model where dining, art, and music operate as interconnected elements rather than separate attractions. LUMI stands as a central expression of this philosophy, translating seasonal ingredients into compositions that resonate with their surroundings
This project signals a broader evolution within Montreal’s restaurant landscape. It reflects a desire to create environments where cultural disciplines intersect and reinforce one another. LUMI achieves this through clarity of concept, disciplined execution, and a strong sense of place.
Open from Tuesday to Saturday evenings, LUMI invites diners to engage with a space that remains in constant transformation. Each visit offers a new alignment of flavors, artworks, and encounters, shaped by the ongoing dialogue between seasonality and creativity.
LUMI
Location: 225 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montréal, QC H2Y 1M6
Reservation: OpenTable
Facebook: @sonoluxmtl
Instagram: @sonoluxmtl
Website: sonolux.ca/en/lumi