This composite image shows Katy Perry, left, in Elmont, N.Y. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024, and former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, right, in Ottawa, on Monday, Dec. 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Evan Agostini/Invision, Justin Tang

MONTREAL — Justin Trudeau and pop star Katy Perry have sent tongues wagging after the two dropped by a Montreal restaurant for a meal this week.

A communications consultant for Le Violon confirmed Tuesday that the former prime minister and “Teenage Dream” singer spent about two hours at the fine-dining spot Monday evening, after photos of the meetup published by a gossip site sparked online speculation of a budding romance.

Samantha Jin said the pair kept to themselves and that neither the staff nor other patrons approached them for a photo.

“We kind of got the vibe that they were a little more chill," she said.

Jin added that there was no indication of romance in the air, noting: “No visual signs of PDA or anything.”

A report about the dinner first appeared on celebrity site TMZ, which posted video of Trudeau and Perry in animated conversation at the eatery, located in the trendy Plateau neighbourhood.

Perry recently split from longtime partner and actor Orlando Bloom and is currently on tour with stops including Ottawa on Tuesday, Montreal on Wednesday, Quebec City on Friday, and two dates in Toronto next week.

Trudeau and his ex-wife Sophie Grégoire separated in 2023.

Jin said that Monday's visit was prefaced by a reservation requested Sunday, and that neither Perry nor Trudeau had visited the restaurant before.

During the meal, Jin said security watched from the bar as the pair noshed on a chef's menu featuring a range of appetizers including tuna, beef tartare, lobster and asparagus, with lamb as their main.

“They were quite normal. Even just the way they interacted with the staff and came by to see the kitchen staff after, which is quite normal…. They were very polite,” Jin said Tuesday.

Jin said Chef Danny Smiles stopped by their table to say hello, and before heading out, they came into the kitchen to thank the whole team.

“It was a pleasure having them.”

Le Violon is listed at No. 11 among best new restaurants in the annual Canada's 100 Best list, noted for "smart, restrained cooking" and for working closely with local purveyors.

It's also praised in the Michelin Guide as a "finely tuned instrument."

A couple of television news journalists stopped on Tuesday afternoon to capture footage of the dining spot.

-By Cassandra Szklarski in Toronto with files from Miriam Lafontaine in Montreal

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2025.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2025