Maison de Kebab Review

A culture combination of an international language; food.

One of the great advantages of living in the North Country is easy access to the variety of dining experiences in Montreal. In less than an hour-depending on which alert code is in effect at the border crossings-you can sample cuisines that range from mainstream to exotic. Part of the pleasure of exploring ethnic cooking is discovering staple dishes prepared in decidedly different ways by different communities. Kebabs-- skewered meat and vegetables cooked over a charcoal grill--are a staple of cuisines from North Africa to the Indian subcontinent. Unlike the kebabs found in Greek, Indian, Lebanese, Moroccan, or Turkish cooking Persian kebabs have distinctively subtle flavor achieved by marinating meats in nothing more than olive oil, lemon juice and saffron.

Wall decoration in the restaurant.

Maison de Kebab (820 Atwater St.) an Iranian restaurant west of the downtown core and close to the Atwater market, the Bell Center, and the AMC cinema complex offers an inexpensive way to explore Persian kebab dishes. The Maison de Kebab is simply decorated, enlivening a storefront location with Persian wall rugs, miniature paintings, a large tile mural and dark green tablecloths. In business for just over a year, this small, eight to ten table, restaurant open 11:30 to 23:00 Sundays through Fridays and 11:30 to 1:00 Saturdays has found its niche amongst its Iranian competitors in Montreal by specializing in kebabs.

The short menu features chicken, filet mignon and seasoned minced beef kebabs either individually or in combinations. Side dishes in the manner of mezze appetizers familiar from Middle Eastern cuisines complete the menu.

Appetizer highlights include: Mirza Ghasemi, an outstanding, smoky, roasted puree of eggplant, tomato and garlic ($3.75 CND), Mast-o-Khyar , tangy house yogurt with cucumber and mint ($2.25 CND) and the equally tangy and refreshing Mast-o-Masir with house yogurt and scallions ($2.75 CND). An exceptionally rich and full-bodied traditional soup Ash, with lentils, kidney beans, chick peas, parsley and noodles topped with fried onions and yogurt ($2.00) rounds out the must try portion of the appetizer menu.

Dinning Area

Amongst the entrées the Chelo Kebab Kubideh an onion, saffron, and minced beef kebab ($7.50 CND) and the Chelo Kebab Barg a filet mignon kebab marinated in olive oil, lemon, and saffron ($10.75 CND) are highlights. Combination highlights include the Chelo Kebab Sultani, filet mignon with the seasoned minced beef ($13.25 CND) and the Kebab Sara Barg, filet mignon with chicken and seasoned minced beef ($16.75 CND). All kebabs are served with grilled tomato and onion and generous portions of saffron basmati rice.

Desserts are not a strong feature but noteworthy is the rosewater flavored home-made ice cream ($2.00 CND)

Also available, although only in bottled form, is the traditional Iranian yogurt drink Dooghabali ($2.50 CND). Similar to Ayran another salty yogurt drink in Turkish and Lebanese cultures, Dooghabali while definitely an acquired taste, mixing yogurt, sea salt and club soda, is worth a try for the adventurous.

Service is friendly and helpful in this family run restaurant. Visitors should note that the Maison de Kebab neither serves alcoholic beverages nor accepts credit cards.

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