Lili's Story
Born in Bohemia
Lili was born in Bohemia (Czechoslovakia) between the two World Wars, to a family of Ukrainian dissidents and intellectuals in exile. After arriving in Montreal in the early 1950s, she built a life for herself from scratch on Waverly Street in the heart of Mile-End. The table at which she fed her family was the heart of the household. Whether cooking with fresh mushrooms picked by her beloved Yura (from Lviv Oblast in Ukraine) or making something delicious out of a seemingly empty pantry, Lili was happiest when everyone was well fed. After a long and remarkable life, Lili passed away in 2022. We’re honoured to keep her memory alive by sharing her famous dumplings with you.
After arriving in Montreal in the early 1950s, Lili built a life for herself from scratch on Waverly Street in the heart of Mile-End. The table at which she fed her family (first her 4 sons, and then her many grandchildren) was the heart of the household. Whether cooking with fresh mushrooms picked by her beloved husband (from Volodymyrtsi, Ukraine) or making something delicious out of a seemingly empty pantry, Lili was happiest when everyone was well fed.
After a long and remarkable life, Lili passed away in 2022. To honour the memory of his mother, and to share her kitchen with the community, this restaurant was established by her youngest son, Nestor, with his business partner Greg, also of Ukrainian heritage. We’re honoured to keep her memory alive by sharing her famous perogies (varenyky) with you. Smachnoho! (Bon appetit)
