La Scena’s Un chef à l’érable’s rustic chic décor {photo © Un chef à l’érable}
Urban sugar shacks have become more popular in Montreal in the past few years. That’s geat news for all of us maple lovers who are looking for a taste of the traditional spring treat without having to drive out to the country. I, for one, am planning on trying as many of these as possible. I love maple sugar and use it almost on a daily basis. Below is a list of some of my favourite urban cabanes à sucre in Montreal.
Un chef à l’érable’s oversized vol-au-vent stuffed with sweetbread {photo © Un chef à l’érable}
Un chef à l’érable with Laurent Godbout (March 10 to April 16)
Chef Laurent Godbout returns for the fourth installment of “Un chef à l’érable” at the Scena in the heart of the Old Port. Get ready for a sugar shack experience set in a modern space with a flamboyant rustic chic décor that changes every year. For $65 plus taxes ($25 + taxes for children), you will be treated to a five-course dinner service (or Sunday brunch) with inventive dishes inspired by le temps des sucres such as sweetbread vol-au-vent, beef and maple jerky or turkey and ricotta meatballs.
Sirop: cabane urbaine (March 18 to April 30)
Sustainable development company Terra Perma is setting up a sugar shack experience in Saint Henri. Proponents of the local and slow food movements, all menu items are housemade, smoked with maple wood in their country location or cooked with maple syrup on site. Street artist Haor Kor will be bringing the forest to the city by way of paintings on the side of buildings. Cabane Urbaine will be open for brunch every Saturday and Sunday March 18th to April 30th, from 10am to 5pm.
Maple brunch at Montreal’s Le Richmond {photo © Le Richmond}
Le Richmond (3 last weekends of March)
After the success of the past three years, Griffintown eatery Le Richmond is bringing back their highly anticipated maple brunches the last three weekends of March. The menu consists of some cabane à sucre classics as well as more creative dishes laden with maple syrup, of course. There will be farm animals present every Sunday.
Promenade Wellington’s Cabane Panache et Bois Rond (March 23 to 26)
Maple churros, maple glazed ham on poutine and a maple and chocolate brownie are just a few of the delectable items from local restaurants you’ll be able to enjoy during the 7th edition of Wellington Street’s urban sugar shack celebrations. A few bars, live music and activities for the whole family are also on the schedule.
Landry & Filles’ maple bomb and old fashioned donuts {photo © Lynn Lawandi}
Maple Brunches at Landry & Filles (Sundays in March)
Landry & Filles is my favourite Montreal food truck and their yearly cabane à sucre brunch at their brick and mortar restaurant is not to be missed. Every Sunday in the month of March, you can enjoy menu items such as maple-lacquered duck, cassoulet and foie gras ployes (a pancake-type dish from New Brunswick) for $38 a person.
Soirée cabane à sucre at La Récolte (Saturdays in April)
Every Saturday night in April, restaurant La Récolte will be serving a 4-course cabane à sucre menu for $45. The organic restaurant specializes in hyper regional and seasonal cuisine and nothing is more seasonal than serving maple syrup doused dishes in the spring in Quebec!
Spring brunch at La Bête à pain (Weekends of March and April)
La Bête à pain restaurant and adjacent bakery on Fleury serve one of the best brunches in Montreal and their maple-inspired spring brunch is no exception. For $22, enjoy a 5-course spread of maple-doused crêpes, smoked salmon with crème fraîche, fèves au lard, maple sausages and a maple éclair to end the feast.
Maple season has started at Montreal’s public farmers’ markets! {photo © Marchés Publics De Montréal}
Cabane à sucre urbaine – Jean Talon Market (March 23, from 5pm to 8pm) / Atwater Market (March 24 from 4pm to 7pm)
Popular public farmers markets Marché Jean-Talon and Marché Atwater transform into urban sugar shacks where everyone is invited! Purchase a “laissez-passer gourmand” for $5 and sample delicious maple-centric treats from local producers as well as a cocktail while wandering the markets. The traditional québécois duo La Belle et la Brette will entertain the crowd for what promises to be a fun time.
If you’re a fan of tire d’érable or maple taffy, the sweet treat is available at the both markets all season long. Maple stands abound at these locations starting in early March and until late April. While you’re there, stock up on your yearly supply of maple syrup, which you can purchase directly from the producers.
Make the best of maple season at one of Montreal’s best urban sugar shacks {photo © Le Richmond}
If you can’t get enough of the sweet stuff, check out my guide to Montreal’s best bakeries and pastry shops.
