Openings: Koko @ Opus Hotel

Despite protesting-too-much, Quebec did not, in fact, secede from Canada. However, those artful, Frenchie Quebecois do indeed possess a singular stylistic flair, one you surely won’t happen upon in, you know, Ottawa or Edmonton. To wit, the debut Opus Hotel in Vancouver was a paradigm of stylish understatement--but its new Montreal sister property is now flaunting a Schrager-esque penchant for extravagant glamour with the May 10 opening of Koko, its new temple of unfettered decadence. Purported to be a titular homage not, thankfully, to a monkey, but to the glorious Mlle Chanel herself (though hopefully their Director of Spelling been reprimanded). Lots of black velvet, glittering chandeliers and a quasi “runway” (er, why not?) make Koko a dazzling backdrop for all manner of fashionista pose-striking, while the expansive terrace and regular DJs ensure it will be party central for some, well, indeterminate period of time. The menu will be pan-Asian, which apparently and somehow is still permissible.