An Annex institution is no more. Mel’s Montreal Delicatessen, a late night spot on Bloor both loved and reviled by residents of this city, has closed its doors. Or rather, had its doors locked by the landlord after reportedly failing to pay rent that was months in arrears.
It started so full of promise and slid into a miasma of laziness, rudeness, incompetence and debt (rather like my deadbeat ex-housemate, now that I think of it). When it opened ten years ago in Pizzadelic’s old location, the food and service were decent; over the years, it became the Amy Winehouse of restaurants: looking bad for its age, barely functioning, somehow clinging to life after all the self-inflicted harm and willing to let just about anyone work in it.
Out of respect for the city of Montreal, that “Taste of Montreal” sign should be taken down as quickly as possible. Montreal doesn’t taste like failure.
I gave up on Mel’s after a streak of incredibly bad service ending with a visit where Wendy, Dave and I sat in their empty restaurant for ten minutes, in full view of the staff, without even being approached. They were lost in their own world, and as I wrote in a blog entry back in 2006, “I’ve seen bathroom mould with more ambition.”
I wonder what will open in its place.
5 replies on “R.I.P. Mel’s Montreal Delicatessen”
I just hope it isn’t yet another sushi joint.
I’d like to see a barbecue joint there. A real barbecue joint, not a frou-frou approximation like the late Cluck, Grunt and Low.
Slander on Mtl’s amazing smokedmeat. If I may, I’d suggest trying Le Roi Du Smoked Meat on St-Hubert plaza, just south of St-Zotique. It’s a bit like a 60ies themed time loop, but the food’s tasty and inexpensive.
It really is a pity that places with potential die because of terrible service, but it’s nigh-inevitable.
or the new re-branded St Louis. That generic BBQ experience is dreadful !!
I like the fact that the sign says, “We Never Close.”