Belle of the Balls

If you thought the only way to eat meatballs was atop spaghetti, Nini Meatball House has got a few tricks up its sleeve.

The bright, all-white eatery in Griffintown feels light as air, just like its meatballs—16 varieties made with a range of meat, seafood and legume bases and smothered in inventive sauces. We tried the spicy pork chorizo with chimichuri sauce, the tasty tuna with spicy mayo (more like a spherical fish cake) and the hearty veggie balls with rich coconut and curry sauce. Don’t miss the well-paired starters and sides: fresh arugula salad with shaved fennel, apple and radish, and lemon Moroccan couscous, among others. To round out your meal, Nini offers mix-n-match ice cream sandwiches (hello, peanut butter cookie with chocolate ice cream!).

It’s a whole new ball game. —Jennifer Nachshen

Nini Meatball House, 1752 Notre Dame W, Montreal, 514-933-6663, ninimeatballhouse.ca