Gastropubs are the hottest trend in America's culinary scene. The phenomenon took off in the early 90s, with bars serving high-end spirits and food popping up across the nation. From Bar 145 in Toledo to Swig in Perrysburg, local gastropubs have been some of the most successful recent additions to the local restaurant scene. With its never-ending supply of bar-going college students, downtown Bowling Green is the type of place that a gastropub could thrive, inspiring Ammar Mufla to open the
Melt Shoppe.
Located on Main St. next door to the Clazel Theater (also owned by Mufla), the Melt Shoppe’s name pays homage to the "Chocolate Shoppes" of the prohibition era that advertised gourmet foods and desserts while secretly peddling bootleg spirits.
The boozy milkshake craze is finally here
The menu pairs gourmet grilled cheese, paninis and mac and cheese with local craft beer and alcohol-infused malts and milkshakes for a decadent dining experience. One step inside reveals a dimly lit, modern dining room with white tablecloths and a dark color scheme, creating a fine-dining atmosphere.
On a Thursday evening The Melt Shop is a mildly packed pub. A tablet displays pictures of the restaurant’s rotating seasonal offerings, which included grilled mushrooms stuffed with chorizo and white chicken chili with poblano peppers, Our waitress explained that the soup was infused with Jack Daniels and therefore spicy, but it was slightly sweet and savory. Good, but not a taste bud revelation.
I ordered the "Jumpin' Jack Mac," their house mac and cheese served with poblano and red peppers, while my date ordered the "Feisty Red-Head", a panini filled with grilled steak and three different kinds of cheese. The mac and cheese was slightly spicy, very cheesy and packed full of flavor—a dish I could eat again and again. My date enjoyed her sandwich, but my meal was the clear winner.
We ended the meal with a "prohibition-style" malt, infused with Patron XO Cafe Dark Cocoa, and an old-fashioned, non-alcoholic malt. Despite the healthy amount of tequila in my drink, the sinful combination of ice cream and liquor was the perfect cap to a warming winter meal.
The Melt Shoppe, 145 N. Main St., Bowling Green. 419-352-3774. meltbg.com. Mon – Thurs 4pm – 11pm. Fri – Sat 4pm – 4am.
