Written by Dahlia Merlo on 11.11.16

Mexican is the new trend, but while taco restaurants are opening left and right, not as many authentic Mexican restaurants are opening up shop. Because Mexicans don’t eat tacos all day err day, do they? (In our dreams, it’s happy taco land, but that’s not realistic.)

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Enter Emiliano’s, a trendy new Mexican eatery in Old Montreal. We attended their opening event and then went a second time to sit down and eat (we loved it that much), and we can’t wait to go back! Sure, there were tacos, but there was so much more. Bonus: they had a mariachi band. They were adorable and amazing.

Watchu know ’bout a mariachi band ?? | #eatplaylive #mtlmoments

A video posted by Dahlia M (@dahllii) on

They really know the meaning of fresh ingredients, and their seafood ceviche was full of flavour and we kept going back for more. Tangy vinaigrettes enveloped the market fresh seafood, giving the dish the right amount of citrus goodness.

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Next on the menu was the Sopa Azteca, which was kind of like a delicious taco but in soup form. It may sound weird, but it’s heavenly. Roasted tomato, pasilla pepper, crispy tortilla, panela cheese, and crema fresca make up this interesting and original soup.

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One of our favourites was the tortilla lasagna. Yup, you read that right. Layers of tortilla “pasta” with crips lettuce, cheese, sour cream, and meat. It was happiness in every bite. We were told it wouldn’t be on their regular menu, but we think our prayers have been answered because it seems to have become a regular item. Woohoo!

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The grilled queso fresco had (of course) queso fresco, mango, avocado, chorizo, and cilantro. You could make your own tacos or tortillas with everything that accompanied the plate, and the melted cheese combined with the sweetness of the mango and the meatiness of the chorizo was wonderful.

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Finally, how could we forget to talk about the guacamole?! We didn’t. The guac here is awesome. You can order it chunky (and who doesn’t like it chunky) or with spicy crab. The spicy crab is pretty amazing. And it’s served on top of your guac, so every bite is avocado and crab deliciousness.

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And if you’re a tequila lover, then this place is for you. They know their tequila, and will be able to recommend you a particular type based on your preferences. We got to try the evil tequila with the worm at the bottom… Surprisingly, we didn’t die, and it went down smoothly.

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If you want to try a Mexican spot that is out of the norm (read: more than just tacos), then you should make your way to the Old Port for a delicious soirée at Emiliano’s.

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260 Rue Notre-Dame O, Montréal, QC H2Y 1T3
(514) 316-8017

Photos by Dahlia Merlo (@dahllii).

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