Citizens Rejoice
I’m Dining Out Here
by Andrew Sprague
For the last few years Montague has been a bit of a void when it comes to restaurant dining. In fact, I can’t say for sure there’s a restaurant open year round aside from the Pizza Delight and The Dynasty (a Chinese restaurant for those not familiar). So to say there’s little to offer someone looking for a good, chef-prepared meal in February is almost an exaggeration because there’s really nothing…no cafes, no fine dining, no home cooking, no nothing. Kings County’s biggest town has been a vacuum sucking the taste buds off the tongues of its citizens for far too long. But I discovered a new place. One that delivers a great, home cooked meal, at a great price. Citizens of Montague, rejoice!
Sir Isaac’s Restaurant and Mr. Gabe’s Pub occupies a small two-story building on Main Street just across from the Esso on the south side of the bridge. I think it was called Doc Johnston’s some time ago. I was never in to see what it was like, but Sir Isaac’s is nice. It’s tastefully decorated with seating for about 40 downstairs and another 40 at the pub. I’m told they host live music at the pub on the weekends. The menu is home cooking with sandwiches, burgers, and a host of old favourites including turkey dinner, scallops, liver and onions and spaghetti. Prices range from $6 to $15.
We dropped in just after one o’clock following the grand opening of Montague’s new Wellness Centre. It wasn’t too busy, but having a half-full restaurant on a February Monday is most impressive, and encouraging, in a small town. I’d asked three people how the food was at Sir Isaac’s earlier in the day and all reviews were positive. I was starving, so I was pleased when it took only three minutes before the waitress had our orders; fish and chips for George and fish cakes with bacon and beans for me. That’s right. I said fish cakes with bacon. Need I say more?
I will anyway. They were awesome. I’m not usually a fan of deep fried fish cakes. I tend to prefer pan fried. But these were an exception. They were crispy and golden brown on the outside, delicious and creamy on the inside, and there were two pieces of bacon on top. Best. Garnish. Ever. The chow was good and the beans were fantastic. Probably the best I’ve had in a restaurant. I was full at the end but not uncomfortable. All together, it was the best meal I’ve had in Montague in a decade.
But it gets even better. At the start of the meal the waitress brought warm biscuits and coleslaw. As she turned to leave she asked if we’d like molasses with our biscuits. I must have been confused by that question because at first I said no. Moments later my head stopped spinning on its axis and my mind deduced that she had indeed asked if we wanted molasses with our warm biscuits. I hailed her down and the molasses was delivered. Talk about a curve ball. A sweet, brown, delicious curve ball.
When the waitress brought the bills we got to chatting. Turns out she was also the owner, Ann Dewar. She and her daughter Jennifer went in on Sir Isaac’s together and opened the place in June. Ann says business has been good, if a little slim in the winter months. I hope it’s not too slim, because a good meal has been hard to find in Montague. Sir Isaac’s makes it easy.