SAE LOW RESTAURANT or The Little Brother
Mui Mui made a splash when it opened during the pandemic, in a space where even the lease was uncertain. It quickly rose among the best new restaurants in Canada and has never looked back since. Its owner, Minh Phat, kept the momentum going with the opening of Anémone, followed last year by the newest addition, Sae Low. Unlike the first two, the idea here is to offer a simpler, more affordable experience while remaining just as original.
On a street corner in Villeray, in the former location of the now-defunct Cafécoquetel bar, Le Sae Low (or "little brother" in Mandarin) offers about ten tables with no reservations, along with a sidewalk terrace, all set in a minimalist decor. The open kitchen is as straightforward as can be: the oven looks more like a residential appliance than a commercial one. The night we visited, everything was handled by a single person, juggling the roles of chef, cook, and sous-chef, while another team member managed the bar and service. It’s no surprise, then, that the menu is concise but perfectly executed. And it works. The service is impeccable, the dishes are excellent. In fact, Montreal could use more restaurants like this.
The menu is divided into two sections: four items available for lunch and dinner, and five others offered exclusively in the evening. The first section includes a salad, a seasonal burrata, and two ramen soups. In the evening (winter 2024), additional options include a beet salad, two temakis, a Korean-style beef tartare, and a spicy noodle bowl. We opted for the evening dishes, except for the tofu temaki. The Arctic char temaki and the beet salad were delicious, but it was the Korean beef tartare and the spicy noodles that truly won us over. The cocktail list, simple but effective, also charmed us. As for the wine-by-the-glass selection, while short, it remains original. Perhaps a small suggestion: a slightly broader offering wouldn’t hurt, as this place seems perfect for enjoying wine by the glass.
The only downside? The heating. We visited on a cold winter night, and despite sitting away from the door, the atmosphere remained a bit chilly.
One might say "good, nice, and cheap," but that wouldn’t quite do justice to this little brother that is Sae Low. Let’s put it this way instead: cute, very good, truly affordable, and a long-awaited hidden gem.
Price : $
Quality of food : 4,5
Quality of service : 4,5
Design, cleanliness and ambiance : 4
Quality vs price: 4,5
426 Rue Faillon E, Montréal, QC H2R 2G5
Téléphone : 514-543-3542
