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Saloon
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| Saloon |
1333 Rue Ste-Catherine E.
Montreal, Quebec
514.522.1333 |
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 "We came all the way from New Jersey and you're going to have a burger?" asked the somewhat heavy middle-aged guy at the next table, just inches away from me, of his almost-middle-aged male companion.
Huh, that's a new one. If they're going to travel all the way from New Jersey to snowy Montreal just to make a scene in public, I have to wonder if there aren't better choices. Saloon is ok, it's like a trendy diner in the heart of Montreal's gay neighborhood, and right across the street from some of the city's best nightlife.
 The décor is fairly dark, the tables set close together in an atmosphere brimming with trendy nightclub lighting, and a menu that seems scared to commit to any particular kind of cuisine. This is usually not a great sign in the food department and I note that we're probably dealing with diner-quality food here.
My date and I are sharing an order of Petit Nachos Ranchero (CAD$7.95), which are made up of nachos, chicken, olives, cheese, and some salsa and guacamole. It's not bad at all – slightly singed in places, which adds to the dish's genuine earthy flavor. We're drinking bottles of New Castle Brown Ale (CAD$5) and a Heineken (CAD$5), out of glasses of course because this is Canada.
The guys at the next table are still going on about the burger and debating whether a trip from Jersey to Canada merits something better. Unfortunately the background noise – club music and loud conversation – get the better of me and we can't make out what we're dying to know, which is what exactly would be appropriate to order given the journey. The place specializes in everything and nothing – the menu covers Mexican, Asian, and Italian, among others, but doesn't have what I'd exactly call traditional Canadian or Quebecois cuisine.
 Our entrees arrive; I have the Poulet Parmigiana (CAD$15.95), which is served with butter and herb noodles and a Caesar salad. It's decent enough, the smallish piece of chicken is drowning in cheese, the noodles are tasty, and the anchovy-less Caesar salad is a little bland but passable; at least it's not iceberg lettuce. My date has a burger (CAD$8.95) and asks for a salad on the side, but they give him fries instead. The service is kind of sluggish so he decides to live with the fries. I decide to be nice and let him eat my salad.
Sadly we have to leave before achieving burger resolution from the next table. I was hoping the fact that there was a burger at our table would spur some kind of larger scene between our neighbors, and maybe even goad one of them into bringing us into the conversation – I love a good inane lovers' quarrel. But sadly they never take it there and remain firmly lodged in passive-aggressive conversation. Given the proximity of the tables and it's dramatic atmosphere, Saloon's an okay place to really make a scene; it's a shame these two wasted a decent opportunity. |
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| chumwater |
| December 26, 2005 |
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