Every year, one of my favorite restaurants in Montreal, Au Pied de Cochon, hosts a popular Sugar Shack version of their down-home Quebecois comfort menu. Tickets are a tough score but, this year, my sister was able to secure a half dozen. And so, as an early birthday gift for your truly, she elected to treat me – and our assorted cast of eaters: Daisy, mom, my high school buddy Lawrence, and Lawrence’s wife Mel.
Ready?
Foie gras and goat cheese apples. And…something sweet. The room was so loud and our servers spoke so quickly (and in French to boot!) that I missed most of what they said. Suffice it to say, this was one of my two favorite plates of the evening.
The tomato tart. Sure looked pretty.
Smoked mackerel. This one was a hit. Spoiler alert: the two fish dishes trumped any of the meat dishes served on the night.
My sister was a fan of their version of the thin crust pizza.
The blood pudding agnolotti and the…was it lobster fettuccine? Meh.
The sturgeon. Another surprisingly strong fish preparation.
I’m not a fan of Shepherd’s Pie, so this dish didn’t do it for me. My sister IS a fan, and it didn’t do anything for her either.
Beneath this layer of caramelized apple slices is a pool of pork.
The stuffed zucchini squash. ‘Nuff said.
And then, it was on to dessert…
The apple pie.
Some fruit cobbler. You know how I feel about fruit-based desserts.
Maple syrup-topped maple ice cream. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!
Overall, I thought the meal started and finished strong. In between were some hits but a lot of misses. Sis was disappointed with the meal, but I nevertheless enjoyed the experience and the company.
Andria and Daisy.
Lawrence and sis.
Thanksgiving lunch today (as is the Italian way) and tomorrow, I’m homeward bound! I miss my gals!
P.S. A Happy Birthday Weekend to one of this blog’s most vocal regulars! Happy Birthday, Drea!
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