Every city has an experience unique to its charm. For Montreal, PDC cabane à sucre marks the map for an original excursion whether with family of friends. Being one a demanded event, you have to book this event months in advance-and be nice to your friends who host, if you cancel you pay 50% for your spot. Serious food lovers only! The menu changes annually with a particular theme that is influenced by chef Martin Picard's travels. From years past there was a Japanese influence, this year was Moroccan.
The drive out to Mirabel is a nice one - 45 min drive from the city (car pooling highly recommended) with a views of the farm side. There is plenty of parking. We were there for the 6 pm service so the wait was short. The cabin is minimal in decor buy filled with a sugar shack glow alligned with long wooden tables.
Once we were seated the feasting started. For 70$ per person (w/o tax -with tax, min tip and a beer comes out to over 100$), you will get your money's worth of food and dine like kings and Queen's. I lost count- over 10 courses. You'll get take away containers (honestly I didn't enjoy the food next day - tasted better on spot). The portions were too large for me to actually enjoy each dish separately - but that is unique to the cabane à sucre experience.
There was a cocktail menu with drinks starting at 10$. I settled for a st-ambroise stout to compliment the blend of spice /sweet for 9$- good call because it lasted my whole meal!
There was no particular order of items served- but I do think the foie gras was too sweet be served as a starter (but very good! Needed fancier bread-not toast). For the following courses- I really enjoyed the fish Kefta dish with a blend of avocado, peas, etc. I liked the element of traditional Moroccan cooking styles introduced into the food experience -two dishes a pork, and a beef dish baked in a separate clay pots- swimming in flavour!
For dessert: the simplest of all choices blew my mind - shaved ice with mint liquor and dried mint leaves that came with the traditional maple syrup on a stick. The presentation was beautiful like woods in a winterscape.
A very cool experience as a local. Although I don't know if i will be back - this was a one time thing for me. I think I'm more traditional and will await Picard's apple picking season version of this event.