ottawa foodies

It is that time of year again, and I have never been to a "Cabane a Sucre". However, I intend on remedying that this year...

What is the best one in the area? Any recommendations?

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You can start here:

www.ottawafoodies.com/tag/49

and here is a really really good thread:

www.ottawafoodies.com

and another short thread:

www.ottawafoodies.com

Hope that saves some re-hashing.

Oh the power of Ottawa Foodies when you use the search tools.

Maple in the County 2009

For anyone looking to make a day trip down to PE County (or a weekend of it) the 8th Annual Maple Festival this year will be celebrated Saturday, March 28th and Sunday, March 29th. Music has always been a featured part of this event, and this year the party kicks off Friday, March 27th with a concert by Murray McLauchlan.

As in the past there will be lots of "mapley" menus featured at the local Inns, Pubs and Restaurants as well as traditonal Sugar Shack Breakfasts. Tours of Sugar Bush operations, and other notables, such as a Maple Beer at Barley Days Brewery (open for tours & tastings) and several Wineries featuring Maple Ice Wine.

For more info on the various activities, see their website at www.mapleinthecounty.ca

The best one in the area depends on your definition of "area", I think. I loved Sucrerie de la Montagne last year, but it's a bit out of the way. It's also paaaaaaacked most days, I'm sure.

I recently heard the Martin Picard is opening one this spring. It's further away, but something I think I'll have to try...

www.cabaneasucreaupieddecochon.com

Oh sweet mother of God. I'm there.

Yeah really...as a buddy of mine recently said "If Picard has a Cabane a Sucre, I hope he puts a cemetary on the same site, because I am going to die there."

Pork and Maple .... Aaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgh !!! (Homer sound)

Anyone got room in their trunk for me when they go ?

Or just strap me to the roof rack !!

I just gotta get there some how.

I have just made the promise to my wife that I'm going to
Martin Picard's sugar shack this year, even if I go alone....... I'm there like a fat kid on a cupcake!

Cabane A Sucre au Pied de Cochon

Finally, great food at a Cabane A Sucre in Quebec... about time!

I too would like to check it out. I will say this, I love the Website, the graphics are the coolist... The Logo - with the Piggy Hugging the Maple Tree and sucking back sap, and the Maple Tree that is also a Fork. Not to mention the Homepage with the Pig as a Sugar Shack. Very creative.

Count me in guys! I have jsut returned from an advanture at au PDC, and I still dream about it. I have reviewed it in my blog, if you want to drool and have a good laugh, check it out.
thedogthecatandeverythinginbetween.blogspot.com

I want in too! Can we do a Foodies field trip?

You read my mind Pam

Field Trip Field Trip!!!

Dude - ok - when?

Got room for one more ?

I can bring my harmonica along for a good 'ol fashioned sing-along.

.... And I'll promise to behave and not get roadsick on the way back.

CC, I'd be very sad if you didn't come along :)

Holy cow (or should I say pig?).

I am SOOOOO there! This will be HUGE!!!

It seems we already have more than a car load!

So do we rent a mini van? Can we fill a bus?

It opens March 19th, a Thursday. I imagine the first weekend will be insane? What day works for you lot?

They open March 19th. I propose the weekend of the 21-22, as the next weekend I'm going to try to make it to Maple in the County, but if it means missing out on a foodies field trip I can be flexible!

Edit: I can offer my car for one load.

March 21-22 works for me.

I should be recovered from The International Irish Drinking Day (St Patty's) by then.

My wheels may not make it there and back, so looks like I'll need to chip in on the gas/expenses.

I know this "territory" well... the shortest route from Ottawa will be Hwy 174 (old 17) to Hawkesbury (about 1 Hour), then cross the Ottawa River and take Autoroute 50 to the Cote St Louis Exit (between Lachute & Mirabel Airport)... Cote St Louis will take you to Hwy 148. The other bits / sideroads, someone will need to print the instructions off of a Mapping Program (Rang St-Etienne, Montee Rochon & Rang de la Fresniere). You should know as an added BONUS Autoroute 50 is NOW OPEN from Hwy 344 (straight off the Long Sault Bridge in Hawkesbury) so this will have the trip come in about 2 Hours each way.

However, as this is a "Foodie Roadtrip", I suppose a "detour" through Vankleek Hill to visit Beau's Brewery - Beau's might be considered necessary...
;-)

In that case Hwys 417 and 34 will add about 20 minutes driving time to your trip.

It is nice of you to set up a road trip, but here is my advice... BOOK NOW!!! Do not even finish reading this post as places are almost completely booked!
Call 514-281-1114. I reserved last night and booked for March 22 (a Sunday!)at 7:00 p.m... I think Fri's & Sat's are full.

going for lunch on March 28th, sitting at the bar? I've never been to a cabane a sucre with a bar before!

Hey guys! I'm still up for going next weekend, but sounds like we'd better reserve a place if there are going to be a couple of carloads of us.

Awww, nuts! We're out of town next weekend. Let me know how it goes, though. This is the place to talk about it ;)

.... Oh boy .... can't make it now.

And I was soooo looking forward to the ROAD TRIP !

Any spare Doggie Bags or Trip Reports will be most welcome. :-)

Have a safe journey !

Sounds like the food at Cabine a Sucre - Pied de Cochon is going to be quite a departure from the traditional fare...

www.nationalpost.com

Here is the "menu"...

www.cabaneasucreaupieddecochon.com

Apparently a lot of the food is going to be offered "Dim Sum" style, which given the extreme size and richness of Picard's portions is a very good thing.

I cant wait...

The menu will no longer be dim sum style... a bit of a disappointment, however I am just ecstatic to have been able to reserve at all. I tried switching to a Saturday night for only 4 people and they said they are fully booked.

Did the road trip gang manage to get reservations?

No, road trip is not on :( Do let us know how it is!

Amazing! We headed out to the Cabane à Sucre su Pied de Cochon Sunday night. The cabane is not big, seating approximately 100 people. We were seated at communal tables and our waiter informed us that we would be served our set menu family style. Service was smooth and attentive. The waiters took the time to describe all the dishes in detail. I can't post more than one picture here, so please check out my review and photos on chowhound at: chowhound.chow.com Montreal board.

Awesome! So you got to eat each and every one of those dishes? It looks like I'll have to get out my Eatin' Pants if we can get a reservation.

Is there an actual tour, as well? I'd like to be able to build up an appetite by seeing how they run their maple operation, too ;)

Yup, we ate it all. I suggest you eat all the soup, but work on the other things a little at a time as these will stay on the table throughout your meal... you can pick as you go. There was one additional dessert which we were not served... some kind of meringue tart. From what I have seen, there are slight variations to the menu depending on the group.

It was dark when we had our reservations, so we did not tour the grounds. From what I can see, they are a sugar shack with hoses, not buckets. The terrain is quite icy, so I'm not sure you will be walking around much.

So you made reservations in advance? Did you call or e-mail them? I've been trying to get a hold of them through the contact information on their site in order to secure reservations but no one answers the phone and no response to my e-mail!

Do you know if they're only open weekends or during the week, too?

They are open Thursday through Sunday evenings and Saturday and Sunday between 11:00 - 2:00 as well.

I reserved through the restaurant number when it was the only number they had listed. Try going about it that way... 514-281-1114. Call as of 4:00 - 5:00 and they may be less busy.

Good Luck!

Going tomorrow, reservation is at noon. I'm considering stretchy pants.