How can grilled cheese be gourmet? This is the first question that popped up in my mind when I first encounter MLT DWN located inside Rideau Centre's new dining hall in Ottawa. In my review, I wrote after eating the grilled cheese sandwich at MLT DWN, the taste and texture was hundred times better than the ones in Montreal. I was hoping one day that MLT DWN's food will make its way to Montreal: it's original and it's a breath of fresh air for Montreal food scene! This hope has now become a reality when I got the invitation from co-owner Aly Moloo to go to the soft opening of their new restaurant on Mont-Royal E (close to métro Mont-Royal).
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| Cheese Grater Lights |
MLT DWN serves more than just two pieces of bread and melted cheese. Think of any comfort food, you will likely see it sandwiched between two slices of bread. It's all about the experience of eating comfort food with your hands. Take for example the grilled sandwich in the picture below, it has literally all the elements that will remind you of lasagna - fresh pasta, house-made tomato basil sauce, spinach ricotta. The sandwich is pressed thin enough to taste the crispiness of the bread yet let all the components of the lasagna shine.
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| Lasagna - Spinach, Ricotta, Fresh Pasta, Tomato Basil Sauce, Provolone with White Garlic Bread |
Every ingredient used is fresh never frozen, and all the sauces are made in-house.
Ordering is simple, either you make your own sandwich in 4 easy steps (bread, cheese, toppings and sauce) or choose from their signature sandwiches. Once the order is placed, you can choose from three varieties of ketchup (next to the soda fountain) to use as a dipping for your sandwich - regular, spicy or pepper.  |
| Beef Brisket - Caramelized Onion, Arugula, Provolone, Gruyère, Garlic Truffle Mayo on Rye Bread |
I have been to MLT DWN countless times in Ottawa. I have tried almost every item on their menu. I can tell you the grilled cheeses here are prepared to the same standard as the one in Ottawa. I could even say that it is even better.
I was with four foodie friends, Aly and his brother Rahim provided samples of their menu for us to taste and critique. We sampled 5 savoury grilled sandwiches, 2 sandwich desserts and a poutine.
I was with four foodie friends, Aly and his brother Rahim provided samples of their menu for us to taste and critique. We sampled 5 savoury grilled sandwiches, 2 sandwich desserts and a poutine.
Tomato soup and grilled sandwich are a wonderful combination. No doubt they would serve it on their menu. Their soup is a sophisticated version with roasted pepper and herb. It's smooth, flavourful with a noticeable hint of smokiness.
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| Tomato and Roasted Red Pepper Bisque and Waffle Fries |
The pulled pork sandwich was tender and juicy melded with sweet caramelized onions, melted aged cheddar and jalapeño jack. The BBQ sauce gives an extra layer of smoky flavour into the pork.
The beef brisket is one of my personal favourites. Rich, juicy slices of brisket elevated with garlic truffle mayo, combined together with melted provolone and gruyère cheese served on rye. Highly recommended!
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| Pulled Pork with Aged Cheddar, Jalapeño Jack, Caramelized Onions, BBQ sauce on Sourdough |
The westcoast melt is some of my friends' favorites. It's marinated herb chicken combined with the richness of avocado and chipotle aioli. The cheeses are havarti and jalapeño jack. The spinach provides freshness to cut down the richness of the other ingredients. A perfectly-balanced sandwich!
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| Westcoast Melt - Jalapeño Jack, Havarti, Avocado, Marinated Herb Chicken, Chipotle Aioli and Spinach on Sourdough |
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| Lobster with Aged Cheddar, Brie, Grain Mustard, Mayo, Tarragon on White Bread |
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| Lobster Grilled Sandwich |
Now onto the best part of the meal - desserts! You probably have heard of ice cream sandwiches, but have you ever heard of dessert grilled sandwiches? MLT DWN serves two types of dessert sandwiches - raspberry cheesecake and smores.
We all agreed that the raspberry cheesecake is the best. The sandwich is grilled for only one minute, as to keep the bread hot while the cheesecake filling is still cold. Absolutely divine!
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| Raspberry Cheesecake, Graham Cracker Dust in Crème Brûlée French Toast Batter |
The s'mores sandwich has all the elements that remind you of campfire - graham cracker, marshmallow, chocolate chips and Nutella.
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| S'mores - Nutella Marshmallow, Chocolate Chips and Graham Cracker Dust in Crème Brûlée French Toast Batter |
After our meal, despite being full, Aly wanted us to try their signature poutine - waffle fries, cheese curds and all-beef gravy. The gravy was rich, thick and peppery. The taste of beef is prominent.
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| Beef Gravy, Cheese Curds and Grid Fries |
MLT DWN is a great spot to satisfy your comfort food cravings or to get your grilled cheese sandwich fix. I'm so glad that they settle a location in Montreal. Despite the overwhelming number of restaurants in Montreal, gourmet grilled cheese is lacking in this city's food scene.
The restaurant will soon have the license to serve alcohol - both beers and wines. They have a hi-def TV to watch sport games and the playoffs. There are also power outlets on every table - a great place to work if you get tired of ordering coffee every time you go to a café.
The restaurant will soon have the license to serve alcohol - both beers and wines. They have a hi-def TV to watch sport games and the playoffs. There are also power outlets on every table - a great place to work if you get tired of ordering coffee every time you go to a café.
Soon on their menu, they will have raclette and pumpkin spice sandwich available!
Now that you have reach the end of this review, I will let you on a secret... MLT DWN has a secret menu. On your next visit, opt for their 'Underground' sandwich. It's poutine inside a grilled sandwich. Feeling adventurous?
Update 24/02/2016
Here are more items from the secret menu of MLT DWN
'The Other 4 Cheese' - Havarti, Herb Goat Cheese, Smoked Gouda, Jalapeno Jack
'Double Deck' - Double Grilled Sandwich
'Chocolate Cheesecake'
Update 24/02/2016
Here are more items from the secret menu of MLT DWN
'The Other 4 Cheese' - Havarti, Herb Goat Cheese, Smoked Gouda, Jalapeno Jack
'Double Deck' - Double Grilled Sandwich
'Chocolate Cheesecake'
MLT DWN - Montreal
837 ave. du Mont-Royal E.
Montreal, QC
H2J 1W9
514-524-0822
http://mltdwn.com/
I love the repurposed graters turned light fixtures! The grilled cheese looks amazing. Overall, this looks like a neat spot. Thanks for sharing, and greetings from Montreal. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Linda, thanks for taking the time to write this comment. You should definitely try out this place. Their comfort food grilled cheeses are absolutely delicious!
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