This secret is out …. Secret Lunch opens in Paris!

By Casandra Turnbull

Perhaps you heard the secret spread like wildfire last week. The cat’s out of the bag now and Secret Lunch is not so stealthy anymore! Seemingly out of nowhere, the Secret Lunch opened its doors last week and what was supposed to be ‘soft opening’ turned into one hectic week full of curious local drop ins. Some days, they were sold out of meals before supper. It was an overwhelming welcome –one that caught owner and head chef Matt Lee by pleasant surprise. It all started with a social media post on May 29th by Dean De St

Croix, owner of 32 Dundas Street West in Paris (that’s the old Paris Variety some residents might recall). ‘Come by to experience some very cool unique creations of Matt Lee Asian, Italian and a bunch of cool combinations,’ the post read.

It might have read like any other post to some, but for long-time Paris residents, the name Matt Lee reminds people of the Cedar House days where you could get, hands down, the best portobello mushroom sandwich, mouth watering pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon, homemade soups or one of dozens of martini flavours. Lee co-owned that restaurant with his sister Samantha Lee from 2008 to 2018. It was a local hotspot and you’d be hard pressed to get a table on a Friday or Saturday night without a reservation Diners loved the simplistic menu full of unique flavours executed to perfection. The Cedar House Grill and Martini Bar was a natural expansion for the Lees who originally moved to Paris in 2006 and took over the Cocoa Bean (where Cobblestone Public House is today), serving hot beverages and light lunches.

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How’s this for top secret?

Located at the back of 32 Dundas Street West is the Secret Lunch, where Asian food comes with an Italian twist.

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When the opportunity came to expand their menu and culinary skills, they purchased the Spruce Goose and converted it to the Cedar House The establishment closed in 2018 when Lee says he needed a break from the industry. After 25 years in the kitchen, it was time to step into a new role – father and husband. Fast forward five years – the kids are growing up and Lee started to miss the familiarity of the kitchen and how easily flavour combinations flow from his brain to the pan and eventually onto the plate “Food itself has inspired me to get back into the industry,” said Lee. “Cooking at home each night with my kids, watching them learn and enjoy the finished product (is inspiration),” he added. The growing food and beverage industry awakened his creativity, coupled with the fact that he’s wanted to open a food truck or street food style concept for some time. The Secret Lunch organically developed concept, he said. “My family and I love food and travel, so any opportunity to go try different things is always high on our list.”

So, he took that concept and decided to bring ‘different things’ to Paris Where else can you walk into the back of what appears to be a garage and arrive in a funky, 80s vibe eatery complete with a boob tube TV and vintage tables and chairs? The atmosphere might be classic but there’s nothing classic about this menu. With a taste of Asian and Italian eats, the menu has some distinctive ‘East Meats West’ flavours. With menu items like sweet and spicy Kimchi noodles or a sloppy dox of messy Korean BBQ ground beef with Manchu sauce and cheese on a Little Paris Bread Co. focaccia, you’re certain to get a mouthful of flavour with every bite. Did we mention Matt is married to April, the owner of the Little Paris Bread Co? You’re likely to see some of her delicious sourdough bread recipes on the menu too.

“The concept was simple for me. I wanted to make good food at a reasonable price. I wanted a comfortable family feel, while trying to make a funky Paris vibe,” Lee explained. He’s the sole owner of Secret Lunch but has a familiar face beside him on the cooking line - Mark Phifer, who worked alongside him at the Cedar House as well.

Both admitted to spending the first week shaking off the cobwebs and getting reacquainted with working together in the kitchen, but it didn’t take long to fall back into familiar patterns for the two friends. Now that it’s no longer a secret, stop by the Secret Lunch to satisfy your palate You’ll walk out with a top-secret box filled with flavours that will leaving you wanting more! The Secret Lunch is open Tuesday and Wednesday, 11 am to 3 pm and Thursday to Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm. It’s located at 32 Dundas Street West in Paris