Québec’s sugar shacks haven’t had it easy over the past two years. The cheerful crowding that accompanied meals with family or friends were far from charming to our friends in public health. The province’s sugar shack owners have nonetheless demonstrated an impressive level of resilience and creativity which has allowed most of them to stay in business.

The cabane à tuque

In the Mont-Tremblant area there are still two « cabanes a sucres” where would-be diners can get their sugar fix. One is the must-visit cabane a tuque which, in addition to being almost a zero waste operation, offers a delicious experience of vegan, organic, local food. Guests can eat blithely in good conscience.

The maple sap is gathered in the traditional manner for this operation and the building, which is also a family home, welcomes its guests in an ecologically built home insulated with hemp sheaves. The heated floor is raw soil, the walls are of recycled bottles and the masonry heater adds a warm and unexpected touch to the décor.

Surrounded by his team, Simon Meloche Goulet, founder and owner of this unusual sugar shack, will welcome his guests until May 8 in a new formula that allows groups of from four to 12 to enjoy a tasty journey in four stages.

To reserve: lacabaneatuque.com facebook.com/La-cabane-à-tuque

La Tablée des Pionniers

Relocated in Mont Blanc, this gourmet sugar shack provides an all-you-can-eat format this year. It’s open until May 1, from Friday till Sunday, and reservations are required. The menu, firmly rooted in traditional recipes, has been revisited by Louis-François Marcotte and chef Jean-François Robillard.

The Tablée team, which succeeds chef Michael Lessard and the Lacroix family — which had accepted the torch from the Millette family, owners of the iconic cabane of the same name —, had to roll up its sleeves to face the unprecedented crisis. The new version of the historic cabane, founded in 1957 by Gérard Millette, thus ensures that this splendid tradition will be ongoing.

latableedespionniers.com

La Cabane Au Pied de Cochon in Mont-Tremblant

Only on April 17, from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m., will you be able to obtain the products of the wellknown Au Pied de Cochon at La Sandwicherie café + bistro, in the Village district of Mont- Tremblant.

This new collaboration is even more welcome when you know that the management of the Cabane Au Pied de Cochon delayed its reopening by a year. The final day for ordering is April 14 at midnight. La Sandwicherie café + bistro is located at 1918, chemin du village in Mont-Tremblant village on Lac Mercier.

aupieddecochon.ca/qc/online-store

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