Worth the Schlep?

The Pitch

Brossard's DIX30 complex: a shopper's paradise?  Perhaps.  A gourmet destination?  Not from what we've seen so far.  Amid the big-box chains and typical "suburby" eateries was a gleam of hope in Mile Public House, a self-described neighborhood gastropub emphasizing craft beers and elevated cocktails.  A couple years ago, we were impressed with one of their bartenders during a RISE Kombucha mixology event, but didn't get to try their food until today.

The Mood

We stepped into Mile's contemporary, industrial dining room to find it surprisingly busy on a Friday afternoon, when most of its neighbors are often empty for lunch.  The principals here did well to avoid the common suburban pitfall of opening overly-spacious restaurants that rarely fill up.  The space is nicely divided into a bar area and sitting section, the two separated by an elongated, elevated communal table.

The Food

Mile's menu lists an ensemble of regular pub favorites such as wings, burgers, fish n' chips, souped-up with the likes of bacon confit, duck, etc.  For lunch, they offer a $14-$21 table d'hôte consisting of a soup or salad, a choice of main followed by coffee or tea.  An attractive option, but we felt inclined to go à la carte.  For suds, there are a dozen (mostly) local beers on tap, but we went for a couple Grolsches.

Starter

Starter

$8

$8

Popcorn Chicken

"spicy mayo & BBQ sauce".  Dry, tasteless, almost certainly frozen pieces of chicken breast; a more demanding customer would have sent these back.  No amount of dipping sauce could cover up this monstrosity.

Main

Main

$15

$15

Grilled Duck

"grilled cheese with duck confit, arugula, onion compote & Mile salad".  Awesome sandwich, even better salad.  A classic grilled cheese spruced up with fatty, gamey duck, then balanced with a sweet, crunchy salad.

Main

Main

$21

$21

Grilled Beef Sirloin

"with goat cheese".  The meat was served rare as requested, but it arrived lukewarm, while the goat and rest of the toppings (green paste?) fell flat.  The fries and string beans were just alright; pas plus que ça.

tagged:  FOCUS ON BEER

The Service

Our waiter was quick and efficient, although a little cold and distant in demeanor.  He also never came back to ask us if we cared for more lager after downing our pints; a faux-pas for a pub if you ask us.

The Verdict

We walked out of Mile a little perplexed with the food, asking how the same kitchen can produce something as abysmal as that chicken followed by that superb sandwich.  Still, this is not your typical suburb watering hole, and should not be judged from one lunch.  A return visit to check out the evening vibe and sample some cocktails is warranted.  Until then, we still see no reason for us city folk to drag ourselves all the way to DIX30 at night.

tagged:  DESERVES A RETRY

Price per person:  $26