I've enjoyed breakfast at Aris Place (south on Roncesvalles) but never made it into Aris Grill. Today I was beckoned in by a sign that promised a gourmet poutine menu.
This is one of my great weaknesses. I'm fussy about my poutine. I like squishy curds and a sumptous gravy resting on top of fries that would be beautiful undressed but are transformed by poutinification. But I'll forgive a lot for getting one of the three right.
Alas, Aris Grill is not forgiven. Handcut fries end up sloppy and soggy in the dish, gravy is one of those glutinous brown messes that cannot be associated with any particular animal, and the cheese was a bland tasting goo that I have to assume was some kind of "cheese product".
Perhaps this is a good thing; I don't need convenient access to good poutine. But in a town where oxtail gravy poutine is considered yesterday's news, you should be careful what you're calling "gourmet poutine". I deliberately ordered mine without any topping so I could evaluate it independently, but if you are up for it, you can try pulled pork poutine, mediterranean poutine and two other kinds I can't remember.
That said, the joint was jumping. I think that Aris likely has a loyal patronage of breakfast/brunch eaters who enjoy the diner atmosphere and don't find the proximity to a brow-mopping cooking crew toiling over the grills off-putting. I can confirm that the staff are pleasant and welcoming. I would be back to try breakfast and hope to give it a better review.