Queensway's newest jazz bistro off to a great start

from The Village Greener, Jan/Feb 2004   by Karen Mackenzie

Momo's features fabulous music, excellent atmosphere, and tasty eats

At first glance it's an unlikely place for an upscale jazz club. The strip of The Queensway at Royal York, regardless of its status as an up-and-coming neighbourhood, is still littered with "for sale" signs, a gas station, a sex shop and little else. But three days a week, Momo's Bistro draws crowds of well-heeled neighbours and jazz lovers from across town to hear some of Toronto's hottest musicians play on the intimate stage.

"I'd much rather be in a neighbourhood like this, on its way up, and be the star, than be downtown fighting off the competition," says owner Mary March, who admits the location was a bit of a gamble. "But the demographics here are amazing. Development is phenomenal, and there are lots of well-to-do residents who appreciate having another nice place close by.

Although March is a first-time restaurateur, she is no stranger to business. She has run her own printing and packaging company for the past 15 years, which "is how I made all my money." says March. "This whole bistro thing is just an indulgence."

The stylish Brit designed everything, from the Cajun-fusion menu to the plush, modern interior, to her own particular taste, and she has put her own spin on the music as well. After a successful opening run with well-known jazz tenor saxophonist Perry White, March is now encouraging musicians to include more innovative music in their repertoires.

"Sometimes I think if I hear another Miles tune, I'm going to go a little mad," laughs March. "I know that jazz is about interpreting the old standards, and when people come to a club they just want to hear the same old. But I also know that these musicians are dying to play their own stuff and I like to encourage them to bring their original compositions to the stage."

March is also interested in bringing more vocalists into focus at Momo's. On Jan. 22 customers took in an evening, including an elegant four-course meal, with talented Newfoundlander Heather Bambrick. And, she's got bluesy Jake Chisolm of Jake and the Blue Midnights, a local blues band, scheduled for later this month. "The thing is," says March, "the average person listening to jazz only understands it to a certain level, and that's through the lyrics. A vocalist really picks the room up." So, she hopes to hire Canadian vocalist Molly Johnson for a run. "I listened to her CD constantly while planning this place, and I will have her soon, hopefully."

While she handles the books, her husband Frank March, a familiar face at the Rex Nightclub jazz jams of Queen Street, has taken up his post as the Momo's resident drummer. The two met when she arrived in Canada from the UK 20 years ago, and fell in love with jazz together.

"I keep saying this place is all about me, the music I love, the food I love." says March. "But I'm not one of those owners who must be there all the time, becoming miserable." She credits her enthusiastic staff with her willingness to delegate, but insists, "There is nothing I would rather do than spend a Sunday brunch here, enjoying the fabulous music with my food."

The restaurant, located at 662-664 The Queensway, is open Tuesday through Sunday and features live music on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as during brunch on Sunday at noon. Music listings will soon be available on Toronto's JazzFM.