After 46 years, beloved Italian eatery in Montreal set to serve its last meal – Montreal | 24CA News

After 46 years, the proprietor of a beloved mainstay serving up Italian submarines and different delights in Montreal’s west finish is hanging up his apron and shutting store.

Momesso Restaurant has been nestled in the identical basement spot within the metropolis’s Notre-Dame-de-Grace neighbourhood since 1978.

The family-owned Italian eatery has stored Paolo Momesso busy since his father Alessandro first took an opportunity and bought the locale after dabbling in landscaping and building jobs. The founder first arrived from Italy in 1951 and the NDG group embraced with the household with open arms within the many years that adopted.

“My father first started it,” Momesso stated from behind the counter Wednesday, the place he was busy cooking for the lunchtime crowd. “I was an employee back then.”

Over the years, the restaurant has grown in dimension and its menu has expanded, although it nonetheless serves its famend staple: an Italian sausage submarine.

The partitions are additionally adorned with mementos from Momesso’s well-known brother Sergio Momesso, who spent 13 seasons within the NHL — together with with the Montreal Canadiens when the crew hoisted the Stanley Cup in 1986.

“It was a big thing because when he (Sergio) was playing for the Habs and he was playing hockey. It was a lot on TV so a lot of people would come,” Momesso stated.

But the eatery’s deep roots locally isn’t the restaurant’s solely draw — it’s additionally the ambiance, service and scrumptious meals.

Jim MacKenzie has walked down the steps and thru the door for almost 40 years after first listening to about it from phrase of mouth. When requested what he likes about it, he shortly responded with “everything.”

“It’s just a little place in the basement. They sell really good submarines and good pizzas. And you can even drink beer here,” MacKenzie stated.

After his father handed away in 2006, Momesso and his sister took over the booming household business till she ultimately retired. But he admits he by no means thought he was going to turn out to be the proprietor and run such a preferred spot.

Momesso has combined feelings about closing the restaurant. After spending years on his toes and serving hungry patrons continuous in a demanding job, he’s able to retire even when “it’s going to be hard.”

“Clients ended up being a lot of good friends,” Momesso stated. “That’s what happened, which is incredible. That’s a bit of the sad part of it.”

While the restaurant has all the time been household and group oriented, the proprietor says his youngsters considered it however finally determined to not take over the business. Momesso can’t blame them.

“It’s not an easy job. It’s very demanding. Nights, weekends, holidays,” Momesso stated.

The restaurant could also be closing, however devoted prospects have proven up as a ultimate send-off. Lynne Dumont drove 38 kilometres Wednesday simply to ensure she may get pleasure from one final meal.

“I noticed at this time that it was closing and it wasn’t going to be offered, so I stated, ‘I have to go,’” she said.

As hard as it is for long-time clients to say goodbye, it will also be hard for staff to do the same for the place they consider a second home.

“All the customers are regulars,” said Katherine Samios, a waitress since 1996. “We know everybody by first name, they know us by first name. It’s household right here.”

Momesso Restaurant will serve its ultimate dish on Jan. 27 and whereas he could also be leaving, the proprietor needs to thank patrons for his or her unwavering assist.

“I’m not going to forget them,” he stated.

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