A neighbourhood bar is an important and vital part of the community. Everyone needs a proper watering hole to detox in after work, and it’s a great place to meet people who live in the area. Even better are those neighbourhood bars who bring people together. That’s exactly what Mtl Resto + Bar is trying to do.
They have an auberge above the bar and are targeting people from out of town to stay and live there. Their hope is to then offer them jobs at the bar to help them integrate into the Montreal community. This is a great way for out-of-towners to meet new people and get a first hand look at the Montreal experience. We love this idea!
Not only does Mtl Resto + Bar bring Montrealers from all over the world together, but it also takes inspiration from the varied cultures across our city in order to create the menu. This place really does encompass Montreal and everyone who lives here. There are Asian, Italian, Greek, and French influences, and even more from all over the world.
They have main dishes and a bunch of fun appetizer bites, with the option to make an appetizer board perfect for sharing over drinks. Grab a few bites, sip on some cocktails, and relax!
Their salmon tartare is prepared with a touch of Greek influence, with tzatziki, caviar, and pita chips. Tasty and fresh! They have a beef carpaccio prepared Italian style with cauliflower, Grana Padano crumble, cherry tomatoes, white balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. The perfect meaty bite with a touch of creaminess.
If you’re looking for carbs with your booze, the creamy rigatoni au gratin Spanish style is the dish for you. With Manchego cheese, chorizo, and roasted peppers, this dish is going to fill you up and keep you warm and happy.
Another dish full of carby perfection is their take on the poutine. It’s a perfect example of the Quebec culture marrying Montreal’s Portuguese culture. Can you guess what’s in it? Portuguese roasted chicken, crispy french fries, cheese curds, and their Piri Piri BBQ sauce. Poutine lovers will be in heaven!
Now for the cocktails. They don’t disappoint. They’re riddled with Montreal culture just as much as the food. We sampled the Le Grec Bloody Caesar with Greek salad toppings. It was exactly what you want in a Bloody Caesar with delicious Greek flavours. Another favourite was L’Italian, with Aperol, raspberry liqueur, strawberry purée, balsamic vinegar, Prosecco, and orange zest. It tasted like a boozy Italian soda and we loved it!
Another delicious cocktail was Le Chinois, with sake, pandan syrup, ginger beer, citronelle, and lemon. It was zesty and refreshing and we wanted more. Other multicultural cocktails include Le Portugais, Le Français, L’Anglais, et L’Irlandais. It really is a trip around the world in your mouth!
If you’re looking for a friendly neighbourhood bar that is inclusive of both locals and out-of-towners, look no further than Mtl Resto + Bar. It’s sure to become a regular haunt in no time! And if you need to make a quick getaway from an awful date, they have a nifty 4-wheeled escape vehicle in the back. You’ll just have to go yourself to find out what we’re talking about.
4051 Rue St-Hubert, Montréal, QC H2L 4A7
(514) 598-7764
Photos by Dahlia Merlo (@dahllii) and Mtl Bar + Resto.
